La Crosse County Divorce Records

What Are La Crosse County Divorce Records?

La Crosse County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within La Crosse County, Wisconsin. These records contain information about the divorce proceedings, including the names of the parties involved, the date of divorce, and other relevant details. Divorce records are maintained by the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts and are part of the public record system.

The records serve as proof that a legal divorce has been granted and can be used for various purposes, such as remarriage, name changes, or updating personal records. They are official government documents that verify the legal termination of a marriage.

Are La Crosse County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in La Crosse County are generally considered public records. 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 to protect privacy.

The Wisconsin Open Records Law allows citizens to access government records, including divorce documents. While the basic information about divorces is public, some specific documents within a divorce file may have restricted access, particularly if they contain sensitive financial information, details about minor children, or other confidential matters.

How To Find a Divorce Record In La Crosse County in 2025

To find a divorce record in La Crosse County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office in person at 212 6th Street South, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601

2. Submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts with the names of the parties and approximate date of divorce

3. Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website to search for case information

4. Contact the Wisconsin Vital Records Office for a divorce certificate at 1 West Wilson Street, Room 158, Madison, WI 53703

When requesting records, you'll need to provide basic information such as the full names of both parties involved in the divorce and the approximate date of the divorce. Some searches may require payment of a fee.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in La Crosse County Online?

Looking up divorce records in La Crosse County online is relatively straightforward:

1. Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, commonly known as CCAP
2. Select "La Crosse County" from the county dropdown menu
3. Enter the name(s) of the party or parties involved in the divorce
4. Select "Family" or "Divorce" as the case type
5. Review the search results for the relevant case

The online system provides basic case information, including filing dates, case numbers, parties involved, and court dates. However, to view the actual documents filed in the case, you'll need to visit the Clerk of Courts office in person or request copies by mail.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In La Crosse County?

There are several ways to find divorce records for free in La Crosse County:

1. Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, which provides free basic case information

2. Visit the La Crosse County Law Library at 212 6th Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601 to access public terminals

3. Visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office in person to view records (though copying fees may apply)

4. Check with the La Crosse Public Library at 800 Main Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 for access to public records resources

While viewing basic information is often free, obtaining certified copies or extensive documentation typically involves fees. The WCCA website remains the most accessible free resource for basic divorce case information.

What's Included in a Divorce Records In La Crosse County

La Crosse County divorce records typically include:

• Names of both spouses
• Date and location of the marriage
• Date the divorce was filed
• Date the divorce was finalized
• Grounds for divorce
• Property division agreements
• Child custody arrangements (if applicable)
• Child support orders (if applicable)
• Spousal maintenance/alimony details (if applicable)
• Name change information (if applicable)

The complete divorce file may contain numerous documents, including the initial petition for divorce, financial disclosure statements, marital settlement agreements, and the final judgment of divorce. Some sensitive information may be redacted or sealed in publicly accessible versions.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In La Crosse County?

To obtain proof of divorce in La Crosse County, you have two main options:

1. Request a Certificate of Divorce from the Wisconsin Vital Records Office:

   • Submit an application with required identification
   • Pay the applicable fee ($20 for the first copy, $3 for each additional copy)
   • Applications can be submitted in person, by mail, or online

2. Obtain a certified copy of the divorce judgment from the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts:

   • Visit the office at 212 6th Street South, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601
   • Provide the case number or names of the parties and approximate date
   • Pay the certification fee (typically $5 per document plus copying fees)

A Certificate of Divorce is an official document that verifies the divorce occurred but contains limited information. The divorce judgment provides more detailed information about the terms of the divorce.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In La Crosse County?

While most divorce records in La Crosse County are public, there are some provisions for confidentiality:

1. Certain sensitive documents can be sealed by court order
2. Financial information may be protected from public disclosure
3. Cases involving domestic violence may have additional privacy protections
4. Information about minor children is often redacted or protected

To request confidentiality for divorce proceedings, a party must file a motion with the court explaining why certain information should be sealed. The judge will determine whether the need for privacy outweighs the public's right to access. Complete confidentiality of an entire divorce case is rare and granted only in exceptional circumstances.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In La Crosse County?

The divorce process in La Crosse County typically takes:

• Minimum of 120 days (mandatory waiting period after filing)
• Uncontested divorces: 4-6 months on average
• Contested divorces: 6-18 months or longer

Factors that affect the timeline include:

• Whether the divorce is contested or uncontested
• Complexity of asset division
• Child custody disputes
• Court scheduling and backlog
• Willingness of parties to negotiate and settle

Wisconsin law requires a 120-day waiting period from the date of filing and serving divorce papers before a final hearing can be held. This waiting period cannot be waived except in extraordinary circumstances.

How Long Does La Crosse County Keep Divorce Records?

La Crosse County maintains divorce records indefinitely. As legal documents of significant importance, divorce records are permanently preserved in the county's record system. While older records may be archived, they remain accessible through proper requests.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court system maintains electronic records of divorces dating back to the early 2000s in most counties. For older records, the Clerk of Courts maintains physical archives. Additionally, the Wisconsin Vital Records Office maintains certificates of divorce going back to 1907.

How To Get a Divorce In La Crosse County

To get a divorce in La Crosse County, follow these steps:

1. Meet residency requirements: Either spouse must have been a Wisconsin resident for at least 6 months and a La Crosse County resident for at least 30 days

2. File a Petition for Divorce with the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts at 212 6th Street South, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601

3. Pay the filing fee (approximately $200, though fee waivers are available for those who qualify)

4. Serve the divorce papers to your spouse according to Wisconsin law

5. Complete the mandatory 120-day waiting period

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

7. Finalize property division, child custody, and support arrangements

8. Attend the final hearing to have the divorce granted by a judge

La Crosse County offers resources through the Family Court Commissioner's Office at 212 6th Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601 to help navigate the process, though they cannot provide legal advice.

How To Get Divorce Papers In La Crosse County

Divorce papers for La Crosse County can be obtained through several methods:

1. Download forms from the Wisconsin Court System website
2. Visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office at 212 6th Street South, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601
3. Contact the Family Court Commissioner's Office at 212 6th Street South, La Crosse, WI 54601
4. Use Wisconsin Legal Aid's online resources
5. Consult with an attorney who specializes in family law

Basic divorce forms include the Petition for Divorce, Summons, Confidential Petition Addendum, and Financial Disclosure forms. Additional forms may be required depending on your specific situation, especially if children are involved. While forms are standardized across Wisconsin, it's important to ensure you're using the most current versions.

Lookup Divorce Records in La Crosse County

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