Court records in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, can be searched through several channels. FondduLacCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the Wisconsin Court System's online tools, the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court office, and public-access terminals located at the courthouse. These resources cover circuit court filings, calendar information, and case documents maintained under Wisconsin law.
Fond du Lac Court System & Jurisdictions
Wisconsin uses a unified court system. In Fond du Lac County, the Circuit Court is the trial-level court with general jurisdiction over virtually all case types. There is no separate district, magistrate, or municipal court at the county level — though some municipalities within the county operate their own municipal courts for local ordinance violations.
The Fond du Lac County Circuit Court handles:
- Criminal cases — felonies and misdemeanors prosecuted under Wisconsin statutes
- Civil cases — lawsuits, personal injury claims, contract disputes, and large and small claims actions
- Small claims — cases involving $10,000 or less, filed under Wis. Stat. ch. 799
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse restraining orders
- Probate and guardianship — estate administration, wills, trusts, and guardianship of minors or incapacitated adults
- Juvenile cases — delinquency, children in need of protection or services (CHIPS), and termination of parental rights (note: most juvenile records are confidential)
- Traffic and forfeiture — traffic citations, OWI offenses, and ordinance violations appealed from municipal courts
If a case is appealed, it moves to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (District II for Fond du Lac County) and potentially to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Fond du Lac Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Fond du Lac County are published through the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system operated by the Wisconsin Court System. CCAP provides daily and weekly schedules for each circuit court branch.
To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's hearings:
- Go to the Wisconsin Court System case search page.
- Select Fond du Lac County from the county dropdown.
- Use the calendar or scheduling view to browse upcoming hearing dates by branch, judge, or case number.
You can also search by party name or case number to locate a specific hearing date and courtroom assignment. The CCAP system is updated regularly and reflects scheduling changes made by the court.
For in-person access, the Fond du Lac County Courthouse has public terminals where you can view the daily calendar. The City of Fond du Lac Police Records Bureau also coordinates court-related activities such as citation adjudication and can direct you to the correct courtroom or hearing date for city-issued citations.
How to Get a Copy of a Fond du Lac Court Document
The Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of court records. You can obtain copies of court documents through three channels:
Online
Basic case information — including party names, charges, dispositions, and scheduled events — is available at no charge through the CCAP case search. Some documents, such as complaints and decisions, may be viewable online depending on the case type and filing date. Not all documents are available electronically.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Fond du Lac County Courthouse:
Ask the clerk for either a plain (uncertified) copy or a certified copy. Certified copies bear the court seal and the clerk's signature, and they are typically required for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings in other jurisdictions.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- Description of the document(s) you need
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A return address and payment (check or money order payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court)
Restricted records: Juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, sealed records, and cases subject to a confidentiality order are generally not available to the public. Ask the clerk whether a specific record is accessible before submitting payment.
For criminal background checks beyond court records, the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) through the Department of Justice provides statewide criminal history searches. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office also publishes a current inmate roster online.
Fond du Lac Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies in Wisconsin are set by statute (Wis. Stat. § 814.61). The following schedule applies at the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $5.00 |
| Court record search (per name) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy (certified copy with additional authentication) | $5.00 plus copy costs |
| Computer printout (per page) | $1.25 |
Payment methods: The clerk's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders in person. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court. Contact the office at (920) 929-3040 to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted and to verify the total cost before submitting a request.
Online case information available through CCAP is free. Fees apply only when you request physical or certified copies of documents from the clerk's office. If you need records from other City of Fond du Lac departments, separate public records request procedures and fee schedules under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) may apply.