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Racine County, Wisconsin Court Records

Racine County court records are documents filed or created during a judicial proceeding. The Clerk of Circuit Court keeps and disseminates these records based on the provisions established in the Wisconsin Open Records Law and Wisconsin Court Rules. In addition to the official court file, information about a court case may also appear in other public records maintained by various government agencies. These may include vital records, arrest and criminal history information, and federal case files.

Are Racine County Court Records Public?

Yes, Racine County court records are public according to the Wisconsin Open Records Law. The law authorizes the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court to release its records for inspection and copying upon request. The clerk offers multiple ways for interested persons to obtain court records, including online (through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal or the Request Court Records Online form), by phone, by mail, or in person.

However, not all court records are open to the public. The clerk limits access to certain records deemed confidential and releases them only to case parties, their attorneys, or persons who present a valid court order. Examples of confidential court records are guardianship cases, adoption proceedings, termination of parental rights cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and wills deposited with the court for safekeeping during a testator’s lifetime.

What Information is Available in Racine County Court Records?

Below is the information available in Racine County court records:

  • Filing date, the judicial official’s name, class code description, and branch ID
  • Case type and status, party type and name, date of birth, address, sex, race, and party status
  • Civil judgments, event, court official, court reporter, and amount
  • Prosecuting agency’s name, charges, and disposition
  • Citation information and total receivables

Racine County Court Records Search

Use the methods below to conduct a Racine County court records search:

  • Online Access: Most people find it convenient to search for court records using the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. Users will need a name or a case number to search. Access to case information via this portal is free, but only basic details are available. Anyone who wants copies of court records online should use the Request Court Records Online provided by the clerk of the circuit court for a fee. 
  • In-Person Access: The clerk’s office has public access terminals where customers can view case information without charges. They can print copies of records from the terminals for a fee. Copies of court records can also be obtained from the records staff. They must provide a case number or the first & last name, and the date of birth of one of the case parties. If they do not have this information, they can pay an extra search fee to receive assistance.
  • Mail and Phone Requests: Interested persons can call or send a written request to the clerk’s office to obtain copies of court records. They must provide basic information about the desired record to facilitate the search.

Fees for Court Records in Racine County

According to Wis. Stat. 814.61(10), the clerk charges $1.25 per page for copies of civil and criminal court documents. Copies can be certified for an additional $5.00 per document. The fee for copies of probate records is $1.00 per page, plus an extra $3.00 per document for certified copies. Customers unable to provide basic record information required for a court record search may pay a $5.00 search fee to receive assistance with the record search for civil and criminal documents. However, the search fee for probate documents costs $4. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or card.

The Racine County Register of Deeds is the official custodian of vital records, and its fees are higher than those for court records. Vital records cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, cashier’s checks, and money orders.

Racine County Courthouse Locations

The major court in Racine County is the circuit court, which is located below:

Racine County Courthouse

730 Wisconsin Ave

Racine, WI 53403

Phone: (262) 636-3333

Criminal Records Access in Racine County

Most criminal records are public and are maintained by law enforcement agencies at the county and state levels. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is the official agency responsible for criminal history records. Anyone seeking criminal court records should not contact the DOJ; the Racine County Criminal Court maintains them.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is a good database for searching criminal case information without charges. Users must provide a name or case number for the search. The Racine County clerk’s office offers a Request Court Records Online form for ordering copies of court records for a fee. Individuals can also obtain copies of criminal court records by phone, mail, or in person at the clerk’s office. The basic information required for the search includes a case number or name, and date of birth.

Racine County Probate Records

The Racine County Probate Court hears matters relating to estates, trusts, adoptions, guardianship, civil commitments, wills, and probate filings. The majority of probate records are confidential. However, those that are public are available online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. The search criteria include name or case number without charges.

Individuals can also view or obtain copies of Racine County probate records online, by mail, by fax, or in person at the courthouse. The staff will need a case number or name, and date of birth to perform the search. The courthouse has public access terminals available free of charge for searching probate records. Copies of probate records cost a fee.

Racine County Family Court Records

The Racine County Family Court handles matters such as paternity, divorce, and child support. Individuals can visit the Circuit Court Division to view an actual family court file by providing a case number. However, they cannot remove the file from the office. If the file is old, interested persons may be unable to view it. They may have to request the record by completing a Microfilm Request, and the processing time may take 7 to 10 business days.

Customers may obtain copies of family court records by phone, mail, or in person. Phone inquirers should call (262) 636-3333 and be willing to provide a case number, or name, date of birth, and the specific document or information they need. The clerk will contact the requester to provide payment and delivery information. Requests will only be processed after payment is made in full.

Mail customers should send a written request to the Circuit Court Family Division. The request should include sufficient information to help locate the document, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a phone number where the clerk may contact them. Anyone who cannot provide basic information about the record may pay a search fee to receive assistance with the record search.

In-person requesters must go to the courthouse during business hours. They can use the public access computers to find free public family case information. They can also ask the records staff to assist with locating copies of documents. The staff will require basic information to facilitate the search.

Federal Court Records in Racine County

Racine County falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Therefore, anyone seeking electronic federal court records in Racine County can visit the clerk’s office during normal business hours to view records free of charge. However, the clerk charges $0.10 per page for the printing of these documents or dockets. Individuals can also obtain paper copies of federal court records from the clerk’s office. Paper copies cost $0.50 per page while certified copies cost $12 per document. The clerk may also charge a $34 search fee per name.

Requesters can also get copies of federal court records online via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) tool. Users must create an account to search for records. To access case information, customers must pay $0.10 per page, with a cap of $3.00 per document.

Racine County Court