Columbia County Public Records /Columbia County Divorce Records

Columbia County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Columbia County in 2026

ColumbiaCountyRecords.org provides data and publicly available information related to divorce records in Columbia County, Wisconsin. Members of the public seeking divorce records may access case filings, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders. Information presented may vary in completeness depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Wisconsin Court System's online case search portal, the Columbia County Clerk of Courts office, public access terminals located at the courthouse, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Wisconsin Court System provides public access to Wisconsin court records through its statewide case search portal. This is the most common method for locating divorce case information without visiting the courthouse in person.

Free basic case information including party names, case number, filing date, and case status
Document-level access may require in-person review or a fee for certified copies
Search by party name, case number, or attorney name

2. State Court System Portal

The Wisconsin Court System's consolidated database allows members of the public to search across all circuit court jurisdictions, including Columbia County Circuit Court. The portal covers cases filed in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit courts.

3. State Vital Records

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office maintains divorce records filed in Wisconsin. Divorce certificates are available through this office and through the 72 county Register of Deeds offices statewide. Fees apply for certified copies obtained through the state vital records system.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Columbia County Family Division

Columbia County Clerk of Courts
400 DeWitt Street
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-9668
Columbia County Clerk of Courts

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 older or archived records

Columbia County Register of Deeds
400 DeWitt Street
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-9654
Columbia County Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds office maintains divorce certificates as part of the vital records system and can provide certified copies for eligible requestors.

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Columbia County Clerk of Courts, 400 DeWitt Street, Portage, WI 53901
Include the following with each request:
- Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
- Approximate date of divorce or date range
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- 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 whether records require retrieval from archives

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Clerk of Courts: (608) 742-9668
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents
- Copies of filed 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 at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or year of filing
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Columbia County
Names of children, if any
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 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.

Under Wis. Stat. § 767.301, at least one spouse must have been a resident of Wisconsin for a minimum of six months, and a resident of the county in which the action is filed for a minimum of 30 days, immediately preceding the commencement of the action.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Newly finalized cases may not appear in the online system immediately following the final hearing
Allow several business days to a few weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in physical archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Pre-digital records may not be available through the online case search portal

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

Incorrect county — the divorce may have been filed in a different Wisconsin county
Name variations — search under both married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
Case still pending and not yet finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
Case sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk of Courts at (608) 742-9668 to request staff assistance
Attempt alternate name spellings in the online search portal
Search under both spouses' names
Check the Wisconsin vital records request page for divorce certificates
Consult an attorney for access to sealed or restricted records

What Are Columbia County Divorce Records?

Columbia County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Columbia County Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts as part of the family law case file and constitute public records subject to Wisconsin's open records law, with certain statutory exceptions.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed during the proceeding:

Petition for divorce or legal separation
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 dissolving the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
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

Supporting Documents filed as part of the case record may include:

Original marriage certificate
Financial disclosure documents and tax returns
Property appraisals and business valuations
Parenting plan details and custody evaluation reports
Post-judgment modification orders

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Columbia County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian of all divorce case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records office and county Register of Deeds offices maintain divorce certificates as part of the statewide vital records system.

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; the sole ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Public access to court records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which establishes a presumption of openness for government records, including court filings.

As the Wisconsin Court System notes, divorce actions "may include divorce, legal separation, [and] annulment," and members of the public may access self-help resources for divorce and family law through the Wisconsin Court System's website.

Are Columbia County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Columbia County Circuit Court are public court records under Wisconsin law, and members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most documents in a divorce case file. Access is subject to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 19.35 and applicable court rules governing family law proceedings.

What Is Public:

Case number, filing date, and case type
Names of both parties and their attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and outcomes
Court orders and judgments, including the final divorce decree
Property division orders
General docket entries reflecting the chronology of the case
Marital settlement agreements incorporated into the final judgment

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted pursuant to court rules
Detailed financial statements and tax returns may be subject to limited access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted in certain circumstances
Schools children attend and medical information are protected
Child custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
Psychological evaluations of children are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations, evidence, and victim addresses may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted
Personal addresses and contact information in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records:

A court may seal all or part of a divorce 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. Mediation communications are confidential under Wisconsin law and are not part of the public court record.

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 that may be restricted from general public view
Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
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 that information for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order issued by the court.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Columbia County?

The Columbia County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.61, which governs court fees in civil actions.

Service	Current Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$1.25 per page
Certified copy of court record	$5.00 per document + $1.25 per page
Certification fee	$5.00
Online case search (basic information)	Free
Divorce certificate (via Register of Deeds)	$20.00 per certified copy
Divorce certificate (via State Vital Records)	$20.00 per certified copy

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person requests)
Check or money order payable to Columbia County Clerk of Courts (mail requests)
Credit and debit cards may be accepted in person; confirm with the office prior to visiting

Fee Waivers:

Indigent parties who are themselves a party to the divorce action may petition the court for a waiver of fees pursuant to applicable Wisconsin statutes. Fee waiver requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Basic case information through the Wisconsin Court System's online case search portal, including party names, case number, filing date, and case status
In-person review of public documents at courthouse public access terminals, without obtaining copies

What's Included in Divorce Records in Columbia County

A complete Columbia County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the circuit court from the date of initial filing through the entry of the final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment proceedings. The Wisconsin Court System provides standardized circuit court forms for divorce and family law that form the basis of most filings.

Basic Case Information:

Case caption including case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge and court commissioner assigned to the case
Attorneys of record and their contact information
Filing date and case type designation

Initial Pleadings:

Petition for divorce stating the grounds, marriage date and location, children's information, property claims, and relief requested
Summons served on the respondent
Response or answer filed by the respondent, including any counterpetition
Financial disclosure affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory listing real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and personal property with estimated values
Debt inventory covering mortgages, vehicle loans, credit card balances, and other liabilities
Appraisals and expert valuations for real property, businesses, and significant personal property

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

Parenting plan establishing legal custody, physical placement, holiday and vacation schedules, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheet reflecting both parties' incomes, number of placement overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses
Child support order specifying the amount, payment schedule, and income deduction provisions
Custody evaluation reports, if ordered by the court (may be sealed)
Guardian ad litem reports, if a guardian was appointed for the children (restricted access)

Settlement and Agreement Documents:

Marital settlement agreement resolving all contested issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if the parties participated in mediation (mediation communications themselves are confidential)

Court Orders and Final Judgment:

Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case covering custody, support, and use of marital property
Final judgment of divorce incorporating all agreed or adjudicated terms, signed by the circuit court judge, and bearing the court seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), if retirement accounts were divided as part of the property settlement

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 and liens

What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence-related evidence and victim location information
Mental health evaluations and substance abuse treatment records
Mediation communications
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Columbia County

Proof of divorce in Columbia County is obtained through a certified copy of the final judgment of divorce or a certified divorce certificate. These documents serve as legally recognized evidence of marital dissolution for purposes of remarriage, name change, immigration proceedings, Social Security benefits, and estate planning.

Step 1 — Identify the Correct Record Type:

A certified copy of the final judgment of divorce is issued by the Columbia County Clerk of Courts and contains the full terms of the dissolution
A divorce certificate is a summary document issued by the Columbia County Register of Deeds or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and confirms the fact of divorce without the full case details

Step 2 — Locate the Case:

Use the Wisconsin Court System's public case search to identify the case number and filing date
Note the exact names of both parties as they appear in the court record

Step 3 — Submit a Request:

In Person:

Columbia County Clerk of Courts
400 DeWitt Street
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-9668
Columbia County Clerk of Courts

Present a valid government-issued photo identification and pay the applicable certification fee. Certified copies are prepared while the requestor waits or within a short processing period.

By Mail: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above, including the case number, names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, requestor identification information, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.

For Divorce Certificates via State Vital Records:

Wisconsin Department of Health Services — Vital Records
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1373
Wisconsin Vital Records

As the Wisconsin Department of Health Services notes, "divorce records are also available through Wisconsin county Register of Deeds offices," providing requestors with a local option for obtaining certified divorce certificates.

Step 4 — Verify the Document: Confirm that the certified copy bears the court seal and the signature of the Clerk of Courts, as these elements are required for the document to be accepted as legal proof of divorce by government agencies, financial institutions, and foreign authorities.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Columbia County?

Divorce proceedings in Columbia County are presumptively public under Wisconsin's open records law; however, certain records or portions of records may be made confidential by court order or by operation of statute.

Records That May Be Confidential:

Documents containing Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other identifying information are redacted from publicly accessible copies pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court rules
Child custody evaluations, psychological assessments of children, and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by the circuit court to protect the best interests of minor children
Records in cases involving domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking may be sealed or have victim location information withheld to protect the safety of the parties
Mediation communications are confidential under Wisconsin law and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record
A party may petition the circuit court to seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a showing of good cause; the court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties

Procedure for Sealing:

A motion to seal must be filed with the Columbia County Circuit Court
Both parties receive notice and an opportunity to respond
The court issues a written order specifying which records are sealed and the basis for the sealing

Legal Basis: Confidentiality provisions in family law cases are governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court rules and applicable provisions of Wisconsin statutes addressing the privacy of court records and the protection of sensitive personal information.

How Long Does Columbia County Keep Divorce Records?

Columbia County Circuit Court divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Wisconsin court records retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Public Records Board.

Retention Periods:

Final judgments of divorce and other permanent court orders are retained permanently and do not expire or become unavailable over time
Complete case files for contested divorce proceedings are retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of the final judgment
Case files for uncontested or simplified divorce proceedings may be subject to shorter retention schedules, though final judgments remain permanently on file
Financial disclosure documents, discovery materials, and other supporting documents filed as part of the case record are retained for the duration of the case file retention period
Post-judgment modification orders and enforcement actions are retained as part of the original case file

Archived Records:

Cases predating electronic filing systems are maintained in physical archives at the Columbia County Courthouse or an off-site storage facility
Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional processing time and advance notice to the Clerk of Courts
Some older records may have been converted to microfilm or digital format; availability varies by the age of the case

Vital Records Retention:

Divorce certificates maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and county Register of Deeds offices are retained permanently as part of the statewide vital records system, consistent with Wisconsin's vital records statutes