Washington County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Washington County in 2026
WashingtonWIRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Washington County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property division orders, child custody arrangements, and support orders. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Divorce records in Washington County may be searched through official court resources, the Clerk of Circuit Court office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools provided by the Wisconsin court system.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Wisconsin Court System provides a statewide case search portal that allows members of the public to search circuit court records, including family law and divorce cases, at no charge for basic case information. Document copies may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Wisconsin Court System's consolidated database enables searches across all circuit court jurisdictions, including Washington County. Members of the public may search by party name, case number, or attorney name to locate dissolution of marriage proceedings.
3. State Vital Records
Wisconsin does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services maintains statistical divorce records, but certified proof of divorce is obtained directly from the Clerk of Circuit Court in the county where the divorce was granted.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Circuit Court — Washington County:
Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
432 E. Washington Street, Room 3064
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-4341
Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Services available in person include:
- Searching case files by party name or case number
- Viewing documents at public access terminals
- Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating case records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, 432 E. Washington Street, Room 3064, West Bend, WI 53095
- Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and record availability.
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Circuit Court: (262) 335-4341
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Wisconsin may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The State Bar of Wisconsin provides a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Washington County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Wisconsin are filed in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record must search in the county of residence, not the county where the marriage occurred, unless those are the same. If the county of filing is uncertain, the statewide case search portal may be used to search across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.
Under Wis. Stat. § 767.301, a divorce action in Wisconsin must be filed in the circuit court of the county where either party resides. One spouse must have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing.
- Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered.
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format.
- Archived records may require additional retrieval time.
- Not all historical records have been digitized; in-person requests at the courthouse are advisable for older cases.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of search
- 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 or subject to confidentiality order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (262) 335-4341
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Use the statewide Wisconsin case search system
- Consult an attorney for assistance with sealed or difficult-to-locate records
What Are Washington County Divorce Records?
Washington County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Washington County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 19.35, Wisconsin's public records law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the full range of documents filed during 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 hearing notices
- Transcripts of court proceedings
- Final judgment of divorce
Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debts
- Spousal support or maintenance terms, if any
- Child custody and physical placement arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Clerk of Circuit Court and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes of remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit applications.
Supporting Documents within the case file may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Circuit Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files in Washington County. The office indexes records by the names of both parties and provides certified copies upon request. The Washington County Register of Deeds may hold related real estate transfer documents that arise from property division orders entered in divorce proceedings.
Are Washington County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records in Washington County are public court records subject to Wisconsin's open records law. Under current law, any member of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties and their attorneys
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status information
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
- Schools attended by children
- Medical and psychological evaluation records
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications, which are confidential under Wisconsin law
Sealed Records:
A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
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 documents subject to restricted public access.
- Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials.
- Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order.
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Washington County?
The Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court charges fees for copies of court records in accordance with Wisconsin statutes. Under Wis. Stat. § 814.61, standard fees apply to the reproduction and certification of court documents.
Current standard fees include:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain paper copies | $1.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree or judgment | $5.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee) |
| Certification fee | $5.00 |
| Electronic copies (where available) | Varies |
| Search fee | No separate search fee at the courthouse |
- Inspection of records at the courthouse public access terminal is available at no charge.
- Certified copies of the final divorce decree, required for legal purposes such as remarriage or name changes, carry the certification fee in addition to per-page copy costs.
- Payment is accepted by cash, check payable to the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court, and credit or debit card (fees may apply for card payments).
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court; members of the public seeking a waiver should inquire directly with the Clerk's office.
- No fee is charged to view case information through the Wisconsin statewide case search portal; fees apply only when requesting physical or certified copies.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Washington County
A complete Washington County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the circuit court from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption including case number, court name, and names of petitioner and respondent
- Name of the assigned judge
- Attorneys of record for both parties
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, the grounds for divorce (Wisconsin is a no-fault state requiring only that the marriage be irretrievably broken under Wis. Stat. § 767.315), information regarding minor children, and the relief requested. The Response contains the respondent's admissions, denials, and any counterpetition for relief.
Financial Affidavits disclose both parties' income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, and all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and answers, requests for production of financial records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, investment and retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and valuations
- Debt inventory
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations and expert reports
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan specifying legal custody, physical placement, holiday and vacation schedules, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
- Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs
- Custody evaluation reports, if ordered by the court
- Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed
Support Documents:
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) terms including type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Income analysis worksheets
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
- Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Final Judgment of Divorce including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and placement provisions, and name restoration if requested
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) if retirement accounts were divided
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
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public copies)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation communications not incorporated into filed documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Washington County
Proof of divorce in Washington County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for remarriage applications, name change proceedings, passport applications, Social Security benefit claims, and immigration filings.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case number using the Wisconsin case search portal or by contacting the Clerk's office directly.
- Submit a request in person, by mail, or by phone to the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court at 432 E. Washington Street, Room 3064, West Bend, WI 53095, phone (262) 335-4341.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees at the time of the request.
- Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.
Members of the public who need circuit court forms related to divorce proceedings, including forms for child support orders and basic divorce guides, may access circuit court forms through the Wisconsin Court System website. County-specific versions of certain forms are available directly from the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
432 E. Washington Street, Room 3064
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-4341
Clerk of Circuit Court
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Washington County?
Divorce proceedings in Washington County are presumptively public, but certain records or entire case files may be made confidential under specific legal circumstances.
- Court-Ordered Sealing: A party may petition the circuit court to seal specific documents or the entire case file. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in open records against the privacy interests of the parties or children involved.
- Domestic Violence Cases: Documents disclosing the address or location of a domestic violence victim may be withheld from public access to protect the safety of the individual.
- Children's Information: Under Wisconsin court rules, information identifying the residential address, school, or medical providers of minor children may be restricted from public view.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse evaluation are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under both state and federal law.
- Mediation Records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public case file.
- Financial Account Numbers: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible copies of court documents pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court rules.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or confidential records must file a motion with the Washington County Circuit Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for disclosure.
How Long Does Washington County Keep Divorce Records?
Washington County Circuit Court divorce records are retained in accordance with Wisconsin's court records retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Director of State Courts.
- Final Judgments and Decrees: Permanent retention. Final judgments of divorce are maintained indefinitely as part of the permanent court record.
- Complete Case Files: Circuit court case files in family law matters are retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of the final judgment under current Wisconsin court records retention policy.
- Financial Affidavits and Discovery Documents: Retained as part of the case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
- Post-Judgment Modification Records: Retained as part of the original case file and subject to the same retention schedule.
- Archived Records: Cases older than a certain threshold may be transferred to off-site storage or microfilm. Members of the public requesting archived records should contact the Clerk of Circuit Court in advance, as retrieval may require additional time.
- Electronic Records: Cases filed electronically through the Wisconsin eFiling system are maintained in the statewide electronic case management system and remain searchable through the Wisconsin case search portal.
Members of the public with questions about the availability of specific historical records should contact the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court directly at (262) 335-4341.