Divorce records in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are available through several channels — online tools, the court that issued the decision, the county clerk's office, and the state vital records office. MilwaukeeCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the Circuit Court directly, the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds office, or the Wisconsin Vital Records Office at the state Department of Health Services.
Milwaukee Divorce Records Search
In the state of Wisconsin, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court — the general jurisdiction court. In Milwaukee County, the Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining court records. This office manages cases that include divorce judgments, property division agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents.
The Wisconsin Vital Records Office maintains divorce certificates starting from October 1907. The certificate is a shortened document that confirms the fact of divorce, while the full court decision is only available through the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Basic information about court cases, including "FA" (Family) category cases, can be checked through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system. This online database covers cases from all county courts in the state.
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Milwaukee
Divorces in Milwaukee County are processed through the Milwaukee County Circuit Court — Family Division. Once a judge signs the final judgment of divorce, it remains in the case file maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court. Simultaneously, the court sends a notification to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, where the divorce certificate is registered.
The choice of office depends on the purpose of the request:
- Full court decision, property division agreement, custody orders — contact the Clerk of Circuit Court. These documents are part of the court case.
- Divorce certificate (short form for confirming the fact of divorce) — order from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court — Family Division
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
Online case search is available through the WCCA portal. It displays filing dates, case type, party names, and proceeding status — but not the full text of the decision. To obtain copies of documents, you need to contact the court clerk.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Milwaukee
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), Clerk of Circuit Court | $1.25 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of court document, Clerk of Circuit Court | $5.00 for certification + copying cost | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Divorce certificate (certified copy), Wisconsin Vital Records Office | $20.00 | 7–10 business days for online orders; up to 4 weeks by mail |
| Search in Vital Records database (if record not found) | $20.00 (non-refundable) | Similar |
| Expedited processing, Vital Records Office | Additional $10.00 | 2–3 business days after request receipt |