Yes, all divorce records are open to the public and accessible online. In fact, Wisconsin is one of the few states that still allows full public access to divorce records. The only court proceedings that are kept confidential are paternity and children’s court cases.
Visit CCAP to search anyone’s court history or to view recently filed actions. You can also visit the courthouse in the county the action was filed in to view the physical copy of the divorce petition or decree.
If you need help through the divorce process, our Milwaukee family law attorneys can answer your questions and assist you through the process.
In short, no. The up side is that details of the divorce and court settlement are left out on the online records. On special occasions (i.e. public figure divorces) the records are restricted from the public. A special petition with compelling evidence of a potential safety issue is needed for the records to stay private.
New divorce petitions and other court actions appear in CCAP almost instantly. This can sometimes be detrimental to a petitioner, especially in instances of domestic violence. Pre-divorce planning is essential in domestic violence situations, and it’s best to consult one of our family law attorneys before filing the petition or serving your spouse.
| County | Divorces in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Adams | 111 |
| Brown | 1,711 |
| Calumet | 247 |
| Columbia | 500 |
| Crawford | 110 |
| Dane | 2,843 |
| Dodge | 429 |
| Fond du Lac | 530 |
| Grant | 242 |
| Green | 183 |
| Green Lake | 187 |
| Iowa | 197 |
| Jefferson | 449 |
| Juneau | 127 |
| Kenosha | 763 |
| Lafayette | 89 |
| Marquette | 58 |
| Milwaukee | 4,856 |
| Monroe | 264 |
| Outagamie | 1,114 |
| Ozaukee | 436 |
| Portage | 340 |
| Racine | 883 |
| Richland | 89 |
| Rock | 729 |
| Sauk | 609 |
| Sheboygan | 715 |
| Vernon | 194 |
| Walworth | 1,053 |
| Washington | 579 |
| Waukesha | 1,976 |
| Waupaca | 339 |
| Waushara | 127 |
| Winnebago | 882 |
| Wood | 442 |
Your divorce records are the legal documentation of the dissolution of your marriage. Because Wisconsin divorce records are public, you are able to verify the legitimacy of your divorce using CCAP.
In Wisconsin, it is illegal to get remarried within six months after a divorce is finalized. If you do intend to remarry after a divorce, your divorce records will be necessary to ensure your new marriage is legal and does not break Wisconsin law.
While Wisconsin divorce records are public in the interest of transparency, there are scenarios where information within a record or the entire record can be sealed.
If you intend to request the sealing of certain information within your divorce record, or the entire record, you will need to prove to the court the damage you will suffer due to the records becoming public will outweigh the public’s right to open court records.
Contact Divergent Family Law for a FREE initial consultation. Our team of divorce attorneys will know how to best assist you and will provide you with a thorough understanding of how to begin navigating your divorce.
There are several types of personal divorce records to keep during and after your divorce. It’s important to have copies of all records and receipts, and always keep your personal divorce records organized in a safe, secure location. That way, an accounting of the entire divorce process – both fiscally and legally – can be easily obtained.
Here are a few examples of important personal divorce records:
This is the court’s legal order that declares you legally divorced. Facets of the divorce agreement, such as child custody, alimony and division of assets will be outlined. Keep a certified copy as part of your divorce records.
If you and your spouse entered into a separation contract, keep a copy of it for your divorce records. That way, if disagreements or misunderstandings arise over things like child custody and alimony, you will have a copy of the contract on-hand.
A robust collection of financial statements is important to keep with your divorce records. Examples include tax returns and bank statements from during the divorce process. It’s important to have an outline of assets, debts and income from during that time.
Receipts for legal fees, counseling and moving costs are among the expenses to track in your divorce records. Tax deductions and information for divorce negotiations could be impacted by the money you spend during the divorce.
When asset division is an ongoing negotiation, documents proving home ownership, retirement accounts and inheritances are important components to assist in establishing your claim.
Always keep a copy of your child custody and visitation agreements with the rest of your divorce records.
Keep copies of alimony payment records.
If your healthcare insurance changed as a result of the divorce, make sure your personal divorce records contain information that track the alterations.
Keep a copy of your court-approved name change to address any type of misunderstanding or confusion that may arise
Communication including letters, emails and text messages between you, your lawyer and your ex may prove relevant in the future proceedings and negotiations. Keep copies in your divorce record file.
lowest divorce rate compared to the other 49 states
The average length of marriage before the first divorce.
more likely to get a divorce if you argue about finances at least once a week
the time it takes for a new divorce to be initiated in America
more likely to divorce if your parents are divorced
more likely to get a divorce if a close friend gets divorced
is the “divorce month” with the highest rate of initiated divorce filings right after New Years
of people under the poverty line are divorced women and children.
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