Court records of Portage County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. PortageCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official Wisconsin state case search system, the Portage County Clerk of Courts office, as well as on public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to the court system, hearing calendar, obtaining documents, and fees.
Portage Court System & Jurisdictions
Wisconsin uses a unified circuit court system, and the Portage County Circuit Court handles the vast majority of cases in this county. There are no separate magistrate or district courts here — one circuit court covers everything.
Categories of cases this court handles:
- Criminal cases — felonies and misdemeanors, from theft to serious violent crimes
- Traffic violations — speeding, operating while intoxicated (OWI), traffic rule violations
- Civil lawsuits — disputes of any amount, including small claims up to $10,000
- Family law — divorce, custody, alimony. The Self-Help Divorce and Family Law resource helps understand the procedure and fill out forms
- Probate cases — estate administration, guardianship appointments, incompetency cases
- Juvenile cases — delinquency, child protection
Municipal courts in individual towns and villages of the county handle only local ordinance violations. If a case involves state law, it goes to the circuit court.
Portage Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
You can find out about scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or this week in several ways.
- Online case search. On the Wisconsin Court System Case Search portal, enter the party's name or case number, select Portage County — the system will show upcoming hearing dates and case status.
- Clerk of Courts office. Call or visit in person — the court clerk provides information about a specific judge's or courtroom's schedule.
- Public terminals. In the courthouse, there are computers for self-searching the CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) database.
The schedule may change at the last minute. Before visiting the court, it's worth checking the current information on the Wisconsin court system website or contacting the court clerk's office.
How to Get a Copy of a Portage Court Document
There is a difference between a regular and a certified copy. A regular copy is just a printout of the document. A certified copy has the court clerk's seal and signature and confirms authenticity. Banks, employers, and other courts usually require a certified copy.
How to obtain a document:
- Online. Through the CCAP case search system, you can view the case register and some documents for free. However, not all files are available for download, and online copies are not certified.
- In person. Visit the Clerk of Courts office in the courthouse. Provide the case number or full name of the party — the clerk will find the required document and make a copy.
- By mail. Send a written request to the court clerk's office address, specifying the case number, document name, and whether a certified copy is needed. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, certain family cases, and sealed documents are not released without a judge's order. If you're unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the court clerk directly.
Portage Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in Wisconsin are set at the state level according to Wis. Stat. § 814.61. Below are typical rates applied by the Portage County Clerk of Courts office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Case register search (by name) | $5.00 |
| Regular document copy (per page) | $1.25 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Microfilm or electronic media copy (per page) | $2.00 |
| Audio or video recording copy | Actual cost of media |
Payment methods:
- Cash — accepted at the court clerk's office
- Check or money order — payable to Portage County Clerk of Courts
- Credit/debit card — usually accepted, may incur an additional processing fee
Fees may change. Before sending a request by mail, confirm the current amount by calling the office at (715) 346-1364. For open records requests from law enforcement agencies, you can also contact the Sheriff's Office Records Division.