Kewaunee County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Kewaunee County in 2026
KewauneeRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may find records such as:
- Final divorce decrees and judgments
- Case filing dates and case numbers
- Party names and attorney information
- Court orders related to property, custody, and support
- Docket entries and hearing schedules
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking divorce records in Kewaunee County.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Wisconsin Court System's Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal is the most common method for locating divorce case information online. Basic case information is available at no charge, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and docket entries. Obtaining copies of actual documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Wisconsin Court System maintains a consolidated statewide database that allows members of the public to search across all Wisconsin circuit court jurisdictions, including Kewaunee County. This portal supports searches by party name, case number, and attorney name.
3. State Vital Records
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates for dissolutions finalized in Wisconsin. Divorce certificates are available by U.S. mail and may carry applicable fees. These certificates provide confirmation of the divorce but contain less detail than full court case files.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Circuit Court – Kewaunee County:
Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court
613 Dodge Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Official Website
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court, 613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216
- Include the following in the written request:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Purpose of request (if required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, subject to office workload.
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Circuit Court: (920) 388-7149
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents
- Copies of documents by phone
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney of record may access complete case files, including documents that may be restricted from general public view. Attorneys may petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. The Wisconsin State Bar Lawyer Referral Service may assist members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel for complex matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Wisconsin
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Wis. Stat. § 767.301, a divorce action must be filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the divorce was filed.
Residency Requirement:
Wisconsin law requires that at least one spouse have resided in the state for a minimum of six months and in the filing county for a minimum of 30 days immediately preceding the filing of the divorce petition.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Records may not appear in the online system immediately following a final hearing.
- Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered.
Older Divorces:
- Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format.
- Archived records may require additional retrieval time.
- Not all historical records have been digitized.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (920) 388-7149
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office for a divorce certificate
- Consult a licensed Wisconsin family law attorney
What Are Kewaunee County Divorce Records?
Kewaunee County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Kewaunee County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court as public records, subject to applicable restrictions under Wisconsin law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files
The complete case file includes all documents filed with the court throughout the proceeding:
- Petition for divorce (dissolution of marriage)
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial disclosure statements and affidavits
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, orders, and stipulations
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree
The final judgment of divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:
- The date the marriage is legally dissolved
- Division of marital property and debts
- Spousal maintenance (if awarded)
- Legal and physical custody of minor children (if applicable)
- Child support obligations (if applicable)
- Restoration of a former name (if requested)
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Supporting Documents
- Original marriage certificate (submitted as exhibit)
- Financial disclosure documents and tax returns
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Post-judgment modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documentation for name change proceedings
- Property transfer and title documentation
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
- Genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Circuit Court for Kewaunee County is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates at the state level, which provide a summary record of the dissolution but do not include the full case file.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Wisconsin are governed by Wis. Stat. § 767.001 et seq., which establishes the grounds, procedures, and requirements for dissolution of marriage. Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is the sole ground for divorce. Public access to court records is governed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court's rules on access to court records, which presume that court records are open to the public unless a specific exception applies.
Are Kewaunee County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Kewaunee County Circuit Court are public court records under Wisconsin law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. However, certain categories of information are restricted or may be sealed by court order to protect sensitive personal and financial data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Credit card and loan account numbers (redacted)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools minor children attend
- Medical and psychological information about children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving domestic violence
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Sealed records are not accessible to the general public. Parties to the case and their attorneys retain access to sealed materials. As the Wisconsin Court System notes in its guidance on divorce and family law self-help resources, certain documents in family law cases receive heightened protection due to the sensitive nature of the information involved.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees.
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including confidential information pertaining to their matter.
- Attorneys of record: Have access to complete case files and may petition for access to sealed documents.
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use such records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or in violation of any protective order issued by the court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Kewaunee County?
The Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with Wisconsin statutes. Current fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain paper copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree or judgment | $5.00 per document (plus $1.25 per page) |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies; contact clerk |
| Search fee | No separate search fee |
| Inspection of records | No charge for inspection |
- Members of the public may inspect divorce records at the courthouse at no charge.
- Copies of documents require payment of the per-page fee established under Wis. Stat. § 814.61, which governs court fees in Wisconsin.
- Certified copies carry an additional certification fee.
- Payment is accepted in the form of cash, check, or money order made payable to the Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the clerk's office.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court.
- Divorce certificates obtained through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office carry a separate fee schedule established by the state.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Kewaunee County
A complete Kewaunee County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Circuit Court from the initiation of the proceeding through any post-judgment actions. The following categories of documents are included in a standard divorce case file.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record and their contact information
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for divorce, including marriage date and location, date of separation (if applicable), identification of minor children, property claims, and relief requested
- Summons served upon the respondent
- Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
- Financial disclosure affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Tax returns and pay stubs
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, financial accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property
- Debt inventory listing mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
- Appraisals and expert valuations of real property and business interests
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan establishing legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday provisions, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income information for both parties
- Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
- Child support orders specifying amount, payment method, and schedule
- Custody evaluations ordered by the court (may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Support Documents:
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income and expense analysis supporting maintenance determinations
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement (if the matter was mediated), which may be incorporated into the MSA
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
- Temporary restraining orders or injunctions (if issued)
- Final Judgment of Divorce containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and placement determinations, and the judge's signature and court seal
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody, placement, or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement actions
- Income deduction orders for support enforcement
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation communications (not part of the court record)
Documents within the case file are organized chronologically as filed, with a docket index reflecting the filing sequence. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the Wisconsin court electronic filing system; older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned documents.
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Kewaunee County?
Members of the public may obtain proof of divorce in Kewaunee County through two primary channels: the Clerk of Circuit Court and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office.
Certified Copy of Final Judgment (Clerk of Circuit Court):
A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce is the most comprehensive form of proof and is issued directly by the court. To obtain a certified copy:
- Contact or visit the Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court at 613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216, or call (920) 388-7149.
- Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce or case number.
- Submit payment of applicable fees (currently $5.00 certification fee plus $1.25 per page).
- Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by phone for basic case confirmation.
Divorce Certificate (State Vital Records):
A divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the state and is sufficient for many purposes such as remarriage or name change. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office processes requests by U.S. mail. Requestors must provide the names of both parties, the county of divorce, and the approximate year of dissolution, along with applicable fees and a copy of a valid government-issued photo identification.
Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court
613 Dodge Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Official Website
Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Vital Records
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1373
Wisconsin Vital Records
Members of the public seeking guidance on the divorce process may also consult the Wisconsin State Law Library's divorce resources, which provide procedural information and links to relevant statutes and court forms.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Kewaunee County?
A divorce proceeding in Kewaunee County may be partially or fully confidential under limited circumstances established by Wisconsin law and court rule. While the presumption under Wisconsin law is that court records are open to the public, a court may restrict access to specific documents or seal an entire case file upon a showing of good cause.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses, contact information, and evidence related to domestic violence may be withheld from public access to protect the safety of victims.
- Children's information: Under Wisconsin Supreme Court rules, certain information identifying minor children, including residential addresses and school information, receives heightened protection.
- Mental health and medical records: Records pertaining to mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment, and medical conditions are restricted from public disclosure.
- Sealed financial records: Tax returns and detailed financial statements may be filed under seal upon motion and court approval.
- Mediation communications: Under Wis. Stat. § 904.085, mediation communications are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
- Court-ordered sealing: Any party may petition the court to seal specific documents or the entire case file; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
Members of the public who believe a record has been improperly sealed or restricted may petition the court for access.
How Long Does Kewaunee County Keep Divorce Records?
Kewaunee County Circuit Court retains divorce records in accordance with the Wisconsin court records retention schedule established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Public Records Board. Retention periods vary by record type:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. The final judgment of divorce is a permanent court record and is not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of filing under Wisconsin court records retention schedules.
- Complete case files (uncontested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 20 years from the date of the final judgment.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period.
- Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file.
- Archived paper records: Older records that have not been digitized may be held in off-site storage; retrieval may require additional time.
Wisconsin's public records law, codified at Wis. Stat. § 19.35, establishes the right of members of the public to inspect and copy government records, including court records, subject to applicable exceptions. Records that have reached the end of their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved schedules, though permanent records such as final judgments are not subject to routine destruction. Members of the public seeking very old records should contact the Clerk of Circuit Court directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.