Court records in Brown County, Wisconsin can be searched through several online tools and official resources. BrownCourt.us can help find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. Additional access points include the Wisconsin Court System case search, the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court's office, and public-access terminals located at the courthouse in Green Bay.
Brown County Court System & Jurisdictions
Brown County's court structure follows Wisconsin's unified system. The primary trial court is the Brown County Circuit Court, which sits in the county seat of Green Bay and handles nearly all case types filed at the county level.
Brown County Circuit Court
Wisconsin circuit courts are courts of general jurisdiction. In Brown County, the circuit court hears:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, and criminal traffic offenses
- Civil cases — lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, and landlord-tenant matters
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and restraining orders
- Probate and guardianship — wills, estates, trusts, and guardianship of minors or incapacitated adults
- Juvenile cases — delinquency, children in need of protection or services (CHIPS)
- Small claims — civil disputes up to $10,000
- Traffic and ordinance violations — forfeiture actions for county-issued citations
The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all official records for these case types. Standard court forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms page.
Municipal Courts
Several municipalities within Brown County operate their own municipal courts for local ordinance violations and certain traffic citations. The largest is the Green Bay Municipal Court, which handles city-level citations independently from the circuit court. Records from municipal courts are maintained by each municipality, not the county clerk.
Federal Court
Federal cases involving Brown County residents or events are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Green Bay Division. Federal court records are accessible through PACER.
Brown County Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Brown County Circuit Court are published through the Wisconsin Court System's online tools. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's scheduled hearings:
- Visit the Wisconsin Court System case search.
- Search by party name or case number and select Brown County as the county.
- Open the case details to view scheduled hearing dates, courtroom assignments, and judge information.
Circuit court calendars may also be available at the Clerk of Circuit Court's office on the courthouse's public-access terminals. Contact the clerk's office directly to confirm same-day hearing schedules or last-minute changes.
For Green Bay Municipal Court calendars, the city publishes schedules on its court records and calendars page.
How to Get a Copy of a Brown County Court Document
The Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court is the custodian of all circuit court case files. You can obtain copies through three channels:
Online
Basic case information — including parties, charges, dispositions, and scheduled dates — is available at no cost through the Wisconsin Court System case search. However, full document images (motions, orders, judgments) are generally not available for download online and must be requested from the clerk.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Brown County Courthouse:
Bring the case number or enough identifying details (party names, approximate filing date) so staff can locate the file. You can review public case files at the counter and request photocopies or certified copies on the spot.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- Description of the document(s) needed
- Whether you need certified or uncertified copies
- A check or money order for the applicable fees (see below)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Certified vs. uncertified: Certified copies bear the clerk's official seal and signature, making them suitable for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings with other agencies. Uncertified copies are plain photocopies for personal reference.
Restricted Records
Certain records are not publicly accessible, including:
- Juvenile case files
- Guardianship records involving minors
- Sealed or expunged cases
- Records subject to a court confidentiality order
Ask the clerk whether the specific document you need is part of the public file before submitting payment.
Brown County Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in Brown County follow the statewide schedule established under Wisconsin Statutes § 814.61. The table below lists common fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certification of a document | $5.00 |
| Court record search (per name) | $5.00 |
| Exemplified copy (with double certification) | $10.00 |
| Issuing an apostille or authentication | Contact clerk for current fee |
Payment methods: The Clerk of Circuit Court office typically accepts cash, checks, and money orders for in-person and mail requests. Contact the office at (920) 448-4155 to confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted for counter transactions.
For Green Bay Municipal Court records, fees and payment methods may differ — check the municipal court's records page or call the court directly.
Wisconsin's Public Records Act generally entitles the public to access court records, though the court may charge reasonable fees to cover the cost of locating and copying documents. If you believe a fee is incorrect or a record has been improperly withheld, the Wisconsin Courts Self-Help Center offers guidance on next steps.