Sauk County, Wisconsin court records are available through several channels. SaukCourt.us allows you to search for public information about county court cases. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online court system tools, directly at the Clerk of Courts office, or on public terminals in the courthouse in Baraboo. Below is a practical guide for searching, obtaining, and paying for court documents.
Sauk Court System & Jurisdictions
Wisconsin does not have separate district, magistrate, or regional courts in the traditional sense. Instead, each county is served by a Circuit Court—a court of general jurisdiction that handles virtually all types of cases. Sauk County has one Circuit Court, located in Baraboo. The current list of judges is available on the Wisconsin Court System's circuit judges page.
Here are the main types of cases this court handles:
- Criminal Cases — felonies and misdemeanors, from thefts to serious crimes.
- Civil Cases — claims over $10,000, contract disputes, damage recovery cases.
- Small Claims — disputes up to $10,000; simplified procedure, often without a lawyer.
- Family Law — divorce, child custody, alimony. For self-filing a divorce, the state offers a step-by-step online tool.
- Probate Cases — will approvals, estate management of deceased persons, guardianship of incapacitated individuals.
- Traffic Violations and municipal ordinances — fines, driver's license revocations.
Municipal courts in cities like Baraboo and Reedsburg handle violations of local ordinances and some traffic offenses. Appeals from them go to the Circuit Court.
Sauk Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Wisconsin Court System case search. Enter the party's name or case number—the system will show not only the case history but also the scheduled hearing dates.
Additional steps for finding the schedule:
- Go to the case search page and select "Circuit Court" and the county "Sauk."
- Find the desired case by last name or number.
- In the case card, view the section with scheduled hearings (Scheduled Events).
If you need information that is not available online, call the court office at (608) 355-3287. Staff will provide the time and courtroom. Sauk County legal resources on the Wisconsin State Law Library website also contain useful links to forms and court contacts.
How to Get a Copy of a Sauk Court Document
Court document copies are issued by the Clerk of Courts—Sauk County Clerk of Courts. There are two types of copies: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy has the court seal and the clerk's signature and is usually required for submission to other institutions or courts.
Ways to Obtain
- In Person: visit the office in the courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and an approximate date.
- By Mail: send a written request with the case number, document name, and payment (check or money order payable to Sauk County Clerk of Courts).
- Online: through the case search system, you can view case information, but you cannot download a certified copy directly from the site—you need to contact the office for this.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, certain family cases, and sealed criminal cases are not issued without a judge's decision. The state privacy law (Wis. Stat. § 995.50) also regulates the extent of information subject to disclosure.
Sauk Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Wisconsin are set by state statutes and administrative orders. Below are approximate rates applicable to county courts. Confirm the amounts directly with the office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search (by name) | $5.00 |
| Regular copy (per page) | $1.25 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Copy of court judgment | $5.00 + copying cost |
| Criminal history check (via WORCS) | $7.00 per request |
A state-level criminal history check can be ordered online through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), administered by the Department of Justice.
The office accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. Confirm the possibility of card payment in advance—not all offices accept electronic payments for all types of services. For mail requests, include a check for the appropriate amount along with the written request.