New filing fees for Wisconsin courts took effect on November 1, 2026, under 2025 Wisconsin Act 179. The measure began as Assembly Bill 320, passed the Assembly 65-32 on January 22 and the Senate 31-2 on February 11, and was signed by Governor Tony Evers on April 3.
Filing for divorce without a request for support or maintenance now costs $273, up from $184.50. A divorce filing that includes a support request now costs $293, up from $194.50. A civil action seeking no money judgment, such as a mandamus case, now costs $235, up from $164.50.
A standard small claims filing now costs $124, up from $94.50, and a civil claim over $10,000 now costs $356 to file, up from $265.50. A petition for a harassment injunction that does not qualify for an exemption also rose from $164.50 to $235, and requesting a jury trial in small claims court rose from $89 to $193.
Four of the five legislators representing Kenosha County voted for the increases: Assembly members Amanda Nedweski, Tip McGuire and Ben DeSmidt and Senator Robert Wirch. Senator Steve Nass voted no and was one of only two senators statewide to oppose the bill. Backers said the added revenue would help counties run their courts, and the law allows future adjustments for inflation.
Separately, Wisconsin circuit court clerks continue to charge $1.25 per page for copies of court records, including records delivered by email. A 225-page record at that rate costs $281.25. A 2018 review by the state Department of Justice put its own black-and-white copying cost at 1.35 cents per page.
In Kenosha County, Clerk of Courts Rebecca Matoska-Mentink is retiring at the end of the year, and voters will choose between Brian Sheffler and Zach Rodriguez in the November 3 election. Sheffler does not plan to change court copying fees, while Rodriguez said he would review fees under the clerk's authority for ways to lower the cost of getting records.
