Door County
Door County was established in 1851 and is Wisconsin's easternmost county. Located on a peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, the county covers 2,370 square miles, with 482 square miles of land and 1,888 square miles of water. Between 2020 and 2023, Door County experienced a 1.7% population increase, making its current population 30,562.
The Door Circuit Court is part of the Eighth Judicial District of Wisconsin and has original jurisdiction in all criminal and civil matters, including probate, juvenile, and traffic cases. The Juvenile Court Division of the Circuit Court handles cases involving minors who have committed offenses or are in need of protection. Its main focus is to help minors learn from their mistakes and become better citizens through rehabilitation.
The division of the Circuit Court concerned with hearing and issuing orders in paternity, legal separation, and divorce cases is the Family Court. It strives to ensure that disputes between parents entering the justice system are resolved with fairness and civility.
Per the Wisconsin Public Records Law, Door County residents have the right to access court records generated from cases heard in the Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and may be withheld from the public if they are under the following categories:
- Sealed or redacted by court order
- Documents within an open case, such as financial disclosure statements in divorce proceedings
- Confidential cases, including juvenile delinquency, adoptions, termination of parental rights, and guardianship records
Furthermore, public court records are accessible online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) platform. Interested parties can search and view case summaries for family, civil, and criminal cases heard in the Door Circuit Court at no cost. To review an entire case file, including non-confidential documents, individuals may visit the Circuit Clerk's Office or use public access terminals located within the courthouse, provided the case is stored electronically.
Lastly, interested parties can obtain copies of case documents by paying a statutory fee of $1.25 per page, with an additional $5 fee for certified documents. You may complete your request through the following methods:
- Fax: Send your request to 920-746-252 (a $2 fax fee will be charged for document transmission)
- Phone: Call 920-746-2205 (fees are payable by credit or debit card)
- Mail: Submit your request along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Door County Clerk of Courts
1205 S Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
