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Brown County Divorce Records

What Are Brown County Divorce Records?

Brown County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of a marriage dissolution in Brown County, Wisconsin. These records are maintained by the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court and contain information about divorce proceedings, including the final judgment and decree. Divorce records become part of the public record once a divorce is finalized and include details about property division, child custody arrangements, and other terms of the divorce settlement.

Are Brown County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Brown County are considered public records under Wisconsin law. This means that most divorce case information can be accessed by any member of the public. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order, particularly in cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, or when the court determines that privacy interests outweigh the public's right to access.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Brown County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Brown County in 2025, you can:

  1. Visit the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court office in person Brown County Courthouse, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

  2. Submit a written request by mail to the Clerk of Circuit Court

  3. Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, commonly known as CCAP

  4. Contact the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for certified copies of divorce certificates Wisconsin Vital Records Office, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703

You'll need to provide basic information such as the names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Brown County Online?

To look up divorce records in Brown County online:

  1. Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website at wcca.wicourts.gov
  2. Select "Brown County" from the county dropdown menu
  3. Enter the name(s) of the individuals involved in the divorce case
  4. Select "Family" or "Divorce" as the case type
  5. Review the search results for relevant cases

This online system provides basic case information, including filing dates, hearing schedules, and judgment information. However, to view complete divorce files with all documents, you'll need to visit the courthouse in person.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Brown County?

You can access basic divorce record information for free in Brown County through:

  1. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website at wcca.wicourts.gov

  2. Visiting the Brown County Law Library located in the courthouse Brown County Law Library, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

  3. Using public access terminals at the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court office

While basic case information is available for free, obtaining certified copies of divorce certificates or complete case files typically involves fees.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Brown County

Brown County divorce records typically include:

  • Names of both spouses
  • Date and location of marriage
  • Date of divorce filing
  • Grounds for divorce
  • Final judgment date
  • Property division agreements
  • Child custody and support arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance/alimony details
  • Name change information (if applicable)
  • Judge's signature and court seal

The level of detail varies depending on whether you're viewing the basic case summary or the complete divorce file with all associated documents.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Brown County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Brown County:

  1. Request a certified copy of the divorce certificate from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office Wisconsin Vital Records Office, 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703

  2. Submit an application form with required identification and payment

  3. For expedited service, visit the Brown County Register of Deeds office Brown County Register of Deeds, 305 E. Walnut Street, Room 260, Green Bay, WI 54301

The current fee for a certified divorce certificate is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Brown County?

While most divorce records in Brown County are public, there are limited circumstances where aspects of a divorce can be kept confidential:

  1. The court may seal certain sensitive documents upon request and with good cause
  2. Financial information and details about minor children may be redacted
  3. Cases involving domestic violence may have protective measures
  4. Parties can request a confidential Alternative Dispute Resolution process

To request confidentiality, you must file a motion with the court explaining why certain information should be sealed from public view. A judge will determine if the privacy interests outweigh the public's right to access.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Brown County?

In Brown County, the divorce process timeline is:

  1. Minimum waiting period: 120 days from filing and serving divorce papers
  2. Uncontested divorces: Typically 4-6 months
  3. Contested divorces: 6 months to over a year, depending on complexity
  4. Cases involving significant assets or custody disputes: May take 12-18 months

Wisconsin law requires a 120-day waiting period between filing for divorce and the final hearing, even if both parties agree on all terms. This "cooling-off period" is mandatory regardless of circumstances.

How Long Does Brown County Keep Divorce Records?

Brown County maintains divorce records indefinitely. These records are preserved as permanent legal documents in the following ways:

  1. Recent records (approximately last 10 years) are maintained in electronic format
  2. Older records may be archived but remain accessible
  3. The Wisconsin Vital Records Office maintains divorce certificates dating back to 1907

There is no expungement process for divorce records in Wisconsin, meaning these records remain part of the permanent public record.

How To Get a Divorce In Brown County

To get a divorce in Brown County:

  1. Meet the residency requirement: At least one spouse must have been a Wisconsin resident for at least 6 months and a Brown County resident for at least 30 days

  2. File a Petition for Divorce with the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court Brown County Courthouse, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

  3. Pay the filing fee (approximately $200)

  4. Serve divorce papers on your spouse

  5. Complete financial disclosure forms

  6. Attend any required mediation, especially if children are involved

  7. Negotiate settlement or prepare for trial

  8. Attend final hearing before a judge

Wisconsin is a "no-fault" divorce state, meaning you only need to state that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" without proving wrongdoing.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Brown County

To obtain divorce papers in Brown County:

  1. Visit the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court office Brown County Courthouse, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

  2. Download forms from the Wisconsin Court System website (wicourts.gov)

  3. Use Wisconsin's Court Form Assistant online tool

  4. Visit the Brown County Law Library for assistance Brown County Law Library, 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301

  5. Contact Legal Action of Wisconsin for low-income assistance Legal Action of Wisconsin, 201 W. Walnut Street, Suite 203, Green Bay, WI 54303

Basic divorce forms are available for free, though you may want to consult with an attorney to ensure all paperwork is properly completed, especially for complex cases.

Lookup Divorce Records in Brown County

For more information about divorce records in Brown County, you can visit these official resources:

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