Records of divorce in Racine County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. RacineCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about divorce cases in this county. In addition to this online tool, records can be obtained directly from the county court that issued the decision, at the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court's office, as well as at the Vital Records Office of the Wisconsin Department of Health. Each of these sources maintains different types of documents, so the choice depends on the specific need.
Racine Divorce Records Search
In Wisconsin, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Court of Racine County maintains complete court cases — from the initial petition to the final judgment of divorce. The collection includes:
- Divorce judgment
- Marital settlement agreements
- Orders regarding custody and child support
- Related motions and court orders
Separate from court materials, the Wisconsin Vital Records Office (Vital Records Office at DHS) issues divorce certificates — a brief document confirming the fact of the marriage dissolution. To search for a specific case online, use the Wisconsin Court System case search, which covers all county courts in the state.
Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Racine
When a couple files for divorce in Racine County, the case is opened in the Racine County Circuit Court — this court has jurisdiction over family matters according to the structure of the Wisconsin court system. Once the judge signs the final judgment, it remains in the case file maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
At the same time, the court reports the divorce to the Vital Records Office of the state. A separate record is formed there — a divorce certificate. This is not a copy of the court case but a concise document indicating the names of the parties, the date, and place of the divorce.
What you need determines where to go:
- Complete court case (judgment, agreements, custody orders) — contact the Clerk of Circuit Court of Racine County.
- Divorce certificate (to confirm the fact of divorce, name change, document processing) — order from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office or the Racine County registrar's office.
Racine County Circuit Court
Wisconsin Vital Records Office
Forms for filing divorce applications and related instructions are available on the Wisconsin Circuit Court forms page.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Racine
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (certified copy) — State Vital Records Office | $20.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Copy of court document from the case — Clerk of Circuit Court | $1.25 per page | Usually on the day of request (in-person visit) |
| Certified copy of court judgment — Clerk of Circuit Court | $5.00 for certification + copying cost | 1–3 business days |
| Record search at the State Vital Records Office | Included in the certificate fee ($20.00) | 2–4 weeks |
| Expedited processing — State Vital Records Office | Additional $10.00 | Up to 3 business days after receiving the request |