St. Croix County Divorce Records
What Are St. Croix County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in St. Croix County are official legal documents that provide documentation of the dissolution of marriage between two individuals within the jurisdiction of St. Croix County, Wisconsin. These records are maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 767.35, which governs judgment of divorce or legal separation. Divorce records typically consist of multiple documents filed throughout the divorce proceeding, from the initial petition to the final judgment.
Divorce records serve numerous important purposes:
- Legal proof of marital status change
- Documentation required for remarriage
- Evidence for name change processes
- Verification for Social Security benefits
- Supporting documentation for loan applications
- Required evidence for immigration matters
- Historical and genealogical research
The St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains divorce case files as part of the county's judicial records system. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services maintains divorce certificates at the state level, which provide official verification of divorce decrees granted within the state.
Are St. Croix County Divorce Records Public?
St. Croix County divorce records have a dual status regarding public accessibility. Court divorce case files are generally considered public records under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, which establishes the presumption that government records are accessible to the public. However, this access is subject to important limitations and exceptions.
The following components of divorce records typically maintain public status:
- Basic case information (parties' names, case number, filing date)
- Court hearing schedules
- Final judgment of divorce
- Court orders regarding property division
However, certain components may be restricted from public access:
- Financial disclosure statements
- Social Security numbers and financial account information
- Records containing information about minor children
- Sealed records pursuant to court order
- Records containing sensitive personal information
Certified divorce certificates, which provide official verification of a divorce decree, have restricted access under Wisconsin Statute § 69.20. Only the following individuals may obtain certified copies:
- The parties to the divorce
- Direct family members with tangible interest
- Legal representatives of eligible parties
- Individuals with court orders authorizing access
- Government agencies for official purposes
Members of the public without statutory authorization may obtain only uncertified informational copies that cannot be used for legal purposes.
How To Find a Divorce Record In St. Croix County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in St. Croix County may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record needed and the requester's legal relationship to the case.
For court case files:
- Visit the St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court office in person:
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
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Submit a written request by mail to the above address, including:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case number (if known)
- Requester's contact information
- Copy of photo identification
- Required fees (currently $1.25 per page for copies)
-
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website to search for basic case information.
For certified divorce certificates:
- Apply through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office by mail or in person:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street, Room 160
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1373
Wisconsin Vital Records
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Submit the required application form with:
- Proof of identity
- Documentation of eligibility to receive records
- Required fees ($20 for the first copy, $3 for each additional copy)
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Request records through the St. Croix County Register of Deeds:
St. Croix County Register of Deeds
1101 Carmichael Road, Suite 1300
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4652
St. Croix County Register of Deeds
How To Look Up Divorce Records in St. Croix County Online?
St. Croix County residents and other authorized individuals may access certain divorce record information through online platforms. The Wisconsin court system provides digital access to case information through its public access portal.
To search for divorce records online:
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Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website, commonly known as CCAP.
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Select the appropriate search method:
- Advanced search (allows searching by case class - select "Family")
- Basic search (requires name information)
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Enter search criteria:
- At minimum, provide last name of one party
- Narrow results by including first name
- Further refine by selecting St. Croix County from the county dropdown
- Optionally specify date ranges
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Review search results, which typically include:
- Case number
- Filing date
- Case type
- Parties involved
- Current status
- Judge assigned
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Select a specific case to view additional details, including:
- Court record events and filings
- Scheduled hearings
- Judgment information
Important limitations of online searches include:
- Documents are not viewable in full text online
- Certain case types may be restricted
- Records sealed by court order will not appear
- Historical cases (generally pre-2000) may not be available electronically
- Certified copies cannot be obtained through the online system
For certified divorce certificates, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers an online ordering option through VitalChek, a third-party service provider.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In St. Croix County?
Members of the public seeking no-cost access to divorce records in St. Croix County have several options available, though these methods typically provide limited information compared to paid services.
Free access options include:
-
Using the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website:
- This publicly accessible database provides basic case information at no charge
- Search by name to locate divorce cases filed in St. Croix County
- View case summary information, hearing dates, and judgment status
- No registration or fees required for basic searches
-
Visiting the St. Croix County Law Library:
St. Croix County Law Library
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Law Library
- Public terminals available for searching court records
- Reference assistance available from library staff
- No fee for on-site research
- Reviewing public court calendars:
- Court hearing schedules are posted at the courthouse
- Current cases may appear on publicly posted dockets
- Attendance at public divorce hearings is generally permitted
Important limitations of free access methods:
- Document copies still require payment of copying fees
- Certified copies always require payment of statutory fees
- Staff assistance for extensive searches may not be available
- Historical records may require paid research services
- Confidential or sealed records remain inaccessible
What's Included in a Divorce Records In St. Croix County
Divorce records in St. Croix County comprise a comprehensive collection of documents that chronicle the legal dissolution of marriage. These records typically contain multiple document types that reflect the various stages of the divorce proceeding.
Court case files generally include:
- Petition for Divorce/Dissolution of Marriage - The initial filing that states grounds for divorce and requested relief
- Summons - Formal notice to the respondent about the divorce action
- Financial Disclosure Statements - Detailed information about assets, liabilities, income, and expenses
- Marital Settlement Agreements - Negotiated terms regarding property division, support, and other matters
- Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law - Court's determinations on relevant factual and legal issues
- Judgment of Divorce - Final court order terminating the marriage
- Child Support Worksheets - Calculations for child support obligations (if applicable)
- Parenting Plans - Detailed arrangements for child custody and placement (if applicable)
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) - Instructions for dividing retirement accounts
- Transcripts of Hearings - Official record of court proceedings (if requested)
Certified divorce certificates, available through the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, typically contain more limited information:
- Names of both parties
- Date of divorce finalization
- County where divorce was granted
- Case number
- Official certification
The level of detail available to requesters depends on their legal relationship to the case and the specific documents requested, as certain information may be redacted or restricted pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 801.19, which governs confidentiality of protected information in court records.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In St. Croix County?
Individuals requiring official proof of divorce in St. Croix County have several options for obtaining legally recognized documentation. The appropriate method depends on the intended use of the proof and the level of certification required.
For certified proof of divorce:
- Request a certified copy of the divorce certificate from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office:
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street, Room 160
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1373
Wisconsin Vital Records
- Complete the Wisconsin Divorce Certificate Application
- Provide acceptable identification
- Submit proof of eligibility (if not a party to the divorce)
- Pay the required fee ($20 for first copy, $3 for additional copies)
- Allow 2-3 weeks for processing by mail
- Order through the St. Croix County Register of Deeds:
St. Croix County Register of Deeds
1101 Carmichael Road, Suite 1300
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4652
St. Croix County Register of Deeds
- In-person requests typically processed same day
- Mail requests require the same documentation as state office requests
- Request a certified copy of the divorce judgment from the Clerk of Circuit Court:
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Provide case number if available
- Pay certification fee (currently $5 per document plus copying fees)
- Certified judgments include the court seal and clerk's signature
For informal proof of divorce:
- Print case information from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Request an uncertified copy of the divorce judgment from the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Obtain an informational copy of the divorce certificate from the Vital Records Office
Certified documents are required for most legal purposes, including:
- Remarriage
- Name change on government identification
- Immigration proceedings
- International use (may require additional authentication)
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In St. Croix County?
While divorce proceedings in St. Croix County are generally matters of public record, Wisconsin law provides several mechanisms through which certain aspects of divorce cases may be kept confidential. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has established rules governing confidentiality in court records under Wisconsin Statute § 801.21, which outlines procedures for sealing court records.
Circumstances under which divorce records may be confidential include:
-
Automatic protection of sensitive personal identifiers:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Minor children's names (in certain contexts)
-
Court-ordered sealing of records when:
- Disclosure would create risk of harm to an individual
- Records contain trade secrets or proprietary information
- Federal law requires confidentiality
- Compelling privacy interests outweigh public interest in access
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Confidential filing of financial disclosure statements:
- Detailed financial information is protected from general public access
- Available only to parties, their attorneys, and court officials
To request confidentiality for divorce records:
- File a motion with the court demonstrating grounds for confidentiality
- Submit proposed redacted documents for public file
- Provide unredacted versions for sealed court use
- Attend hearing on the motion if scheduled by the court
Even when records are sealed, basic case information typically remains visible in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, including parties' names, case type, and filing date. Complete removal of case information from public indices requires extraordinary circumstances and specific court orders.
Parties concerned about privacy should consult with legal counsel early in the divorce process to implement appropriate confidentiality measures before sensitive information enters the public record.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In St. Croix County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in St. Croix County varies significantly based on multiple factors related to case complexity and the level of agreement between parties. Under Wisconsin Statute § 767.335, a mandatory 120-day waiting period applies from the date of filing or service (whichever is later) before a divorce can be finalized.
Typical timeframes for St. Croix County divorces include:
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Uncontested divorces with complete agreement:
- Minimum: 4 months (due to statutory waiting period)
- Average: 4-6 months
- Required court appearances: Typically one final hearing
-
Contested divorces with partial agreements:
- Average: 8-12 months
- Required court appearances: Multiple (temporary orders, status conferences, final hearing)
-
Highly contested divorces with complex issues:
- Average: 12-18+ months
- Required court appearances: Numerous (motions, temporary orders, discovery disputes, pre-trial conferences, trial)
Factors that influence divorce timeline:
- Court calendar congestion in St. Croix County
- Complexity of property division
- Child custody and placement disputes
- Need for expert valuations of businesses or property
- Discovery compliance issues
- Attorney scheduling conflicts
- Mediation or alternative dispute resolution attempts
- Judicial assignment changes
According to the Wisconsin Court System statistical reports, the average time to disposition for divorce cases in St. Croix County is approximately 7 months, though this average includes both simple and complex cases.
Parties seeking expedited processing should note that the 120-day waiting period cannot be waived except in extraordinary circumstances. However, using the time during the waiting period to negotiate agreements can significantly reduce the overall duration of the divorce process.
How Long Does St. Croix County Keep Divorce Records?
St. Croix County maintains divorce records according to Wisconsin's comprehensive records retention schedule established under Wisconsin Statute § 59.52(4), which governs county records management. Different components of divorce records are subject to varying retention periods based on their legal and historical significance.
The retention schedule for divorce records includes:
-
Court case files (maintained by Clerk of Circuit Court):
- Complete case files: Permanent retention
- Exhibits: Returned to parties or destroyed after appeal period expires
- Audio/video recordings of proceedings: 10 years after case closure
- Stenographic notes: 10 years after case closure
- Financial disclosure statements: 1 year after case closure
-
Divorce certificates (maintained by Register of Deeds):
- Original certificates: Permanent retention
- Index of divorce records: Permanent retention
-
Wisconsin Vital Records Office:
- Master divorce certificate records: Permanent retention
- Divorce certificate applications: 4 years
Electronic records in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system are subject to the following display periods:
- Basic case information: Indefinite display
- Detailed court record events: 2 years for dismissed cases; indefinite for completed divorces
- Party address information: Removed after case closure
Historical divorce records (pre-1970s) may be transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society for archival preservation while remaining accessible to the public. Records that have been microfilmed or digitized may have their original paper versions destroyed after quality verification, though the information remains permanently available in the alternative format.
Individuals seeking historical divorce records should contact:
Wisconsin Historical Society
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 264-6535
Wisconsin Historical Society
How To Get a Divorce In St. Croix County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in St. Croix County must follow Wisconsin's established legal process for divorce. Wisconsin is a "no-fault" divorce state, meaning that the only ground required for divorce is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" as specified in Wisconsin Statute § 767.315.
The process for obtaining a divorce in St. Croix County includes:
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Meeting residency requirements:
- At least one spouse must have been a Wisconsin resident for at least 6 months
- At least one spouse must have been a resident of St. Croix County for at least 30 days
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Preparing and filing initial documents with the Clerk of Circuit Court:
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Summons and Petition for Divorce
- Confidential Petition Addendum
- Filing fee (currently $184.50 without minor children; $194.50 with minor children)
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Serving divorce papers on the other spouse:
- Personal service by sheriff or process server
- Alternatively, the spouse may sign an Admission of Service
- Service must be completed within 90 days of filing
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Financial disclosure:
- Both parties must complete Financial Disclosure Statements
- Exchange of statements required within 90 days of service
- Updating disclosures if financial circumstances change
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Temporary orders (if needed):
- Either party may request temporary orders for support, custody, or use of property
- Court hearing required for contested temporary matters
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Mandatory mediation for child custody disputes:
- Required attendance at mediation session
- Focus on developing parenting plan
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Settlement negotiations:
- Parties may negotiate directly or through attorneys
- Mediation available for property and financial issues
- Pretrial conferences with judge to narrow disputed issues
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Final hearing:
- Scheduled after 120-day waiting period expires
- Uncontested matters typically require brief hearing
- Contested matters may require trial with witnesses and evidence
- Judge issues final divorce judgment
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Post-judgment compliance:
- Implementation of property division
- Establishment of child support through income withholding
- Name change implementation if requested
Self-represented litigants can access forms and guidance through the Wisconsin Court System website's self-help section.
How To Get Divorce Papers In St. Croix County
Individuals initiating or responding to divorce proceedings in St. Croix County have multiple options for obtaining the necessary legal forms. Wisconsin provides standardized divorce forms that comply with state requirements and are accepted by St. Croix County courts.
To obtain divorce papers:
-
Download forms from the Wisconsin Court System website:
- Visit the Wisconsin Court System Forms page
- Navigate to the Family section
- Select appropriate forms based on circumstances (with/without children)
- Forms available in fillable PDF format
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Obtain forms in person from the St. Croix County Courthouse:
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Clerk of Circuit Court
- Basic forms available at no charge
- Staff cannot provide legal advice but can identify required forms
- Public terminals available for accessing online forms
- Visit the St. Croix County Law Library:
St. Croix County Law Library
1101 Carmichael Road
Hudson, WI 54016
(715) 386-4630
St. Croix County Law Library
- Reference materials available for divorce procedures
- Form books with sample documents
- Computer access for downloading forms
- Seek assistance from Wisconsin Free Legal Answers:
- Online resource for basic legal guidance
- Volunteer attorneys provide limited information
- Available to income-eligible individuals
Essential divorce forms typically include:
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For filing party:
- Summons and Petition for Divorce
- Confidential Petition Addendum
- Financial Disclosure Statement
- Proposed Parenting Plan (if children involved)
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For responding party:
- Response and Counterclaim
- Financial Disclosure Statement
- Proposed Parenting Plan (if children involved)
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For finalizing divorce:
- Marital Settlement Agreement
- Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Judgment
- Child Support Worksheets (if applicable)
Individuals with complex situations may benefit from consulting with an attorney or the St. Croix County Family Court Commissioner's office for guidance on additional required forms.