Chapter 814

814.61(9) (9) Transmitting documents. For certifying and transmitting documents upon appeal, writ of error, change of venue, for enforcing real estate judgments in other counties, or for enforcing judgments in other states, $15 plus postage.

814.61(10) (10) Copies.

814.61(10)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), for copies, certified or otherwise, of any document for which a specific fee is not established by this section, or for comparison and attestation of copies not provided by the clerk, $1.25 per page.

814.61(10)(b) (b) For copies of any court document requested by the state public defender, other than a transcript, a fee equal to the actual, necessary and direct costs of copying.

814.61(11) (11) Searches. For searching files or records to locate any one action when the person requesting the search does not furnish the case number of the action, or to ascertain the existence or nonexistence of any instrument or record in the custody of the clerk of circuit court, $5.

814.61(12) (12) Receiving and disbursing money.

814.61(12)(a) (a) Trust funds and small estates.

814.61(12)(a)1. 1. For receiving a trust fund, or handling or depositing money under s. 757.25 or 807.10 (3), at the time the money is deposited with the clerk, a fee of $10 or 0.5 percent of the amount deposited, whichever is greater. In addition, a fee of $10 shall be charged upon each withdrawal of any or all of the money deposited with the clerk.

814.61(12)(a)2. 2. If the clerk is required by court order or by law to deposit any of the funds in subd. 1. in an account in a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association or other suitable financial institution, the type of account shall be in the clerk’s discretion unless the court specifies a particular type of account in its order. In depositing the funds into any account, the clerk shall act as a conservator, not as a trustee, and shall not be held liable or responsible for obtaining any specific rate of interest on the deposit.

814.61(12)(c) (c) Deposits in contempt proceedings. For receiving and disbursing deposits made under s. 818.12 in contempt proceedings under ch. 785, $10 per deposit. The $10 fee shall be deducted from the deposit, unless the entire deposit is ordered returned to the defendant, before applying the deposit to the satisfaction of a judgment under s. 818.14.

814.61(13) (13) Support or maintenance petition. For the cost of court services, whenever a person not receiving benefits under s. 49.148 or 49.155 or aid under s. 49.19, 49.46, 49.465, 49.468, 49.47, or 49.471 files a petition requesting child support, maintenance or family support payments, $10 in addition to any other fee required under this section. This subsection does not apply to a petition filed by the state or its delegate.

814.61(13m) (13m) Petition for guardianship of a child. For filing a petition under s. 48.9795 (12), whether in a guardianship or temporary guardianship proceeding or to commence an independent action, $60.

814.61(14) (14) Petition for occupational license. On filing a petition for an occupational license under s. 343.10 (4), $40.

814.61 History History: 1981 c. 317; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (28); 1983 a. 228, 447, 538; 1985 a. 29, 169; 1987 a. 27 ss. 2143p, 3202 (24); 1987 a. 144, 355, 399; 1989 a. 31; 1989 a. 56 s. 259; 1989 a. 191; 1991 a. 39, 221, 269; 1993 a. 16, 319, 326, 481, 491; 1995 a. 27, 201, 224, 269, 279, 289, 306; 1997 a. 27, 35, 285; 1999 a. 9, 71; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 33, 165, 327; 2005 a. 272, 387, 434; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 261; 2015 a. 55; 2019 a. 70; 2019 a. 109 s. 47; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

814.61 Annotation Requiring the payment of a jury fee does not violate the right to a trial by jury. County of Portage v. Steinpreis, 104 Wis. 2d 466, 312 N.W.2d 731 (1981).

814.61 Annotation The trial court has discretion to allow a jury trial when fees under sub. (4) are not timely paid. Chitwood v. A.O. Smith Harvestore, 170 Wis. 2d 622, 489 N.W.2d 697 (Ct. App. 1992).

814.61 Annotation Section 757.25 imposes two prerequisites for charging a fee under sub. (12) (a) for handling or depositing money under s. 757.25: 1) a party to the action has paid at least $1,000 into court; and 2) that same party has obtained from the judge an order directing the clerk of court to deposit the money in a safe depository. HSBC Realty Credit Corp. v. City of Glendale, 2007 WI 94, 303 Wis. 2d 1, 735 N.W.2d 77, 05-1042.

814.61 Annotation Circumstances under which additional fees under sub. (13) are to be paid are discussed. 75 Atty. Gen. 1.

814.61 Annotation A domestic abuse petition filed under s. 813.12 (2) in conjunction with or in a pending action affecting the family does not require a separate filing fee. 80 Atty. Gen. 231.

814.61 Annotation “Copies” in sub. (10) (a) includes the use of technologies such as a camera phone or handheld scanner. The statutes, however, do not authorize the collection of fees when a requester makes the copies using those devices with no aid from the clerk of court. The court clerk is the authority holding the records. The clerk thus controls the method of copying and may choose whether to allow a person to make copies with a personal device. OAG 12-14.

814.615 814.615 Fees for mediation and studies.

814.615(1) (1) 

814.615(1)(a) (a) Except as provided under sub. (2), for family court services provided under s. 767.405 a county shall collect the following fees:

814.615(1)(a)1. 1. For the first mediation session conducted upon referral under s. 767.405 (5), no fee.

814.615(1)(a)2. 2. For all mediation provided after the first session mediation described under subd. 1., a single fee of $200, regardless of the number of mediation sessions held.

814.615(1)(a)3. 3. For a study under s. 767.405 (14), a fee of $300.

814.615(1)(b) (b) The county shall determine when and how to collect the fees under par. (a). Subject to sub. (3), the county shall reduce the fees in accordance with the parties’ ability to pay or provide the services without payment of the fees if both parties are unable to pay.

814.615(2) (2) In lieu of the fee under sub. (1) (a) 2. or 3., a county may establish a fee schedule to recover its reasonable costs of providing family court services under s. 767.405. A fee schedule established under this subsection may apply in lieu of the fee under sub. (1) (a) 2. or 3. or both, and shall require no fee for the first mediation session conducted upon referral under s. 767.405 (5); provide for payment for any other services based on the parties’ ability to pay; and take into account the fees the county collects under s. 814.61 (1) (b) and (7) (b). Fees shall be based on services actually provided. The county may not collect a single fee applicable without regard to the number of sessions or services provided. Subject to sub. (3), the county shall provide family court services to the parties even if both parties are unable to pay.

814.615(3) (3) The court or a circuit court commissioner shall direct either or both parties to pay any applicable fee under this section. If either or both parties are unable to pay, the court shall grant a separate judgment for the amount of the fees in favor of the county and against the party or parties responsible for the fees.

814.615(4) (4) The county treasurer shall deposit fees collected under this section in a separate account for the exclusive purpose of providing mediation services and studies under s. 767.405.

814.615 History History: 1987 a. 355; 1991 a. 269; 2001 a. 61; 2005 a. 443 ss. 264, 265.

814.615 Note NOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 355 contains explanatory notes.

814.62 814.62 Fees in garnishment, wage earner and small claims actions. The clerk of court shall collect the fees provided in this section. Unless a specific exemption is provided, a governmental unit, as defined in s. 108.02 (17), shall pay fees under this section. The clerk shall collect the following fees:

814.62(1) (1) Garnishment actions. The fee for commencing a garnishment action under ch. 812, including actions under s. 799.01 (1) (d) 2., is $20, except that there is no fee for commencing a garnishment action to satisfy an order for victim restitution under s. 973.20 (1r). Of the fees received by the clerk under this subsection, the county treasurer shall pay $12.50 to the secretary of administration for deposit in the general fund and shall retain the balance for the use of the county. The secretary of administration shall credit $5 of the $12.50 to the appropriation under s. 20.680 (2) (j).

814.62(2) (2) Wage earner actions. The fee for commencing wage earner amortization proceedings under s. 128.21 is $10.

814.62(3) (3) Small claims actions.

814.62(3)(a) (a) In a small claims action under ch. 799, at the time of issuance of a summons or other process in a proceeding not commenced by a summons, the plaintiff shall pay to the clerk of court a fee of $22.

814.62(3)(b) (b) If a counterclaim or cross complaint is filed under s. 799.02 (1), the person filing the same shall pay a fee equal to the difference between the fee under s. 814.61 (1) (a) and the fee under par. (a).

814.62(3)(c) (c) For all other services of the clerk in a small claims action, the clerk shall collect the fees prescribed in s. 814.61.

814.62(3)(d) (d)

814.62(3)(d)2. 2. Of the fees received by the clerk under par. (a), the county treasurer shall pay $11.80 to the secretary of administration for deposit in the general fund and shall retain the balance for the use of the county. The secretary of administration shall credit the $11.80 to the appropriation under s. 20.680 (2) (j).

814.62(3)(d)3. 3. Of the fees received by the clerk under par. (b), the county treasurer shall pay $27.20 to the secretary of administration for deposit in the general fund and shall retain the balance for the use of the county. The secretary of administration shall credit $10 of the $27.20 to the appropriation under s. 20.680 (2) (j).

814.62(3)(e) (e) If any party files a demand for a jury trial in any action under ch. 799, the party demanding the jury trial shall pay a fee equal to the difference between the fee under s. 814.61 (1) (a) and the fee under par. (a), in addition to the fee under s. 814.61 (4).

814.62(4) (4) Mailing fee. For service by mail under s. 799.12, the clerk shall collect $2 for each defendant to cover the expense of mailing. If service by certified mail return receipt requested is required, the clerk shall collect for each defendant $2 plus the cost for the certified mailing, rounded up to the nearest dollar.

814.62 History History: 1981 c. 317; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 208, 399; 1989 a. 31, 359; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; Sup. Ct. Order No. 95-10, 195 Wis. 2d xv (1996); 2003 a. 33; 2015 a. 355.

814.63 814.63 Fees in forfeiture actions.

814.63(1) (1) 

814.63(1)(b) (b) In all forfeiture actions in circuit court, the clerk of court shall collect a fee of $25 to be paid by the defendant when judgment is entered against the defendant.

814.63(1)(c) (c) This subsection does not apply to an action for a violation of s. 101.123 (2) or (2m), for a financial responsibility violation under s. 344.62 (2), for a violation under s. 343.51 (1m) (b), or for a safety belt use violation under s. 347.48 (2m).

814.63(2) (2) Upon the disposition of a forfeiture action in circuit court for violation of a county, town, city, village, town sanitary district, or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district ordinance, except for an action for a financial responsibility violation under s. 344.62 (2), for a violation under s. 343.51 (1m) (b), for a safety belt use violation under s. 347.48 (2m), or for a case transferred under s. 800.035 (5) (c), the county, town, city, village, town sanitary district, or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district shall pay a nonrefundable fee of $5 to the clerk of circuit court.

814.63(3) (3) In addition to any forfeiture imposed, a defendant shall pay the costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under this chapter.

814.63(3m) (3m) 

814.63(3m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (d), if a defendant is required to appear in court, in addition to any forfeiture, costs, fees, or surcharges it imposes, the court shall impose and collect from the defendant any costs charged to or paid by a law enforcement agency for the withdrawal of the defendant’s blood if the court finds that the defendant violated s. 23.33 (4c), 23.335 (12) (a) or (b), 30.681, 114.09, 346.63, or 350.101, or a local ordinance in conformity therewith.

814.63(3m)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (d), if at the time the court finds that the defendant committed the violation, the law enforcement agency has not paid or been charged with the costs of withdrawing the defendant’s blood, the court shall impose and collect the costs the law enforcement agency reasonably expects to be charged for the withdrawal, based on the current charges for this procedure.

814.63(3m)(c) (c) The court shall disburse the amounts it collects under this subsection to the law enforcement agency that requested the blood withdrawal.

814.63(3m)(d) (d) The court may not impose on the defendant any cost for an alternative test provided free of charge as described in s. 343.305 (4).

814.63(4) (4) In forfeiture actions in which a county, town, city, village, town sanitary district or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district prevails, costs and disbursements shall be allowed to the county, town, city, village, town sanitary district or public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district subject only to sub. (2) and such other limitation as the court may direct. For a case transferred under s. 800.035 (5) (c), the court shall disburse all forfeitures it collects to the municipality.

814.63(5) (5) Of the fees received by the clerk under sub. (1) (b), the county treasurer shall pay $17.50 to the secretary of administration for deposit in the general fund and shall retain the balance for the use of the county. The secretary of administration shall credit $5 of the $17.50 to the appropriation under s. 20.680 (2) (j).

814.63 History History: 1981 c. 317; 1985 a. 36; 1987 a. 27, 399; 1989 a. 22, 31, 64, 97, 107, 359; 1991 a. 26, 39, 130; 1993 a. 16, 167, 313; 1995 a. 27, 227, 349; 1997 a. 27, 248; 1999 a. 9, 72; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 30, 33, 139, 268, 327; 2005 a. 455; 2009 a. 12, 28, 100; 2011 a. 32, 258, 260; 2015 a. 55, 170; 2019 a. 70.

814.63 Annotation A municipality must pay the fee imposed under sub. (2) upon the disposition in a circuit court of a forfeiture action for a municipal ordinance violation. The fee may not be passed on to the defendant. 80 Atty. Gen. 151.

814.63 Annotation Neither the clerk of court nor the county board has the authority to adopt a nonrefundable processing fee in the absence of a statute specifically providing for the fee. 80 Atty. Gen. 223.

814.64 814.64 Fees on appeal to court of appeals or supreme court. The fees on appeal to the court of appeals and the supreme court are prescribed in s. 809.25 (2).

814.64 History History: 1981 c. 317.

814.65 814.65 Fees of the municipal court.

814.65(1) (1) Court costs. In a municipal court action, except for a financial responsibility violation under s. 344.62 (2) or for a violation of an ordinance in conformity with s. 343.51 (1m) (b) or 347.48 (2m), the municipal judge shall collect a fee of not less than $15 nor more than $38 on each separate matter, whether it is on default of appearance, a plea of guilty or no contest, on issuance of a warrant or summons, or the action is tried as a contested matter. Of each fee received by the judge under this subsection, the municipal treasurer shall pay monthly $5 to the secretary of administration for deposit in the general fund and shall retain the balance for the use of the municipality.

814.65(2) (2) Witness and interpreter’s fees. The fees of witnesses and interpreters shall be paid as specified in s. 814.67.

814.65(3) (3) Attorney fees. A municipal court shall not impose and collect attorney fees.

814.65(4) (4) Taxation of fees and costs.

814.65(4)(a) (a) Other than fees specified in sub. (1) and costs specified in par. (b), no fees or costs are taxable by a municipality to a party before a municipal court unless it is directly chargeable to the municipality as a disbursement, such as service of process costs.

814.65(4)(b) (b) If service of process is accomplished by municipal personnel, the cost of the service prescribed under ss. 814.70 and 814.71, subject to any modification applicable under s. 814.705, is taxable regardless of whether a separate disbursement is made to specifically reimburse the municipal employee or agency.

814.65(4m) (4m) Blood test fee.

814.65(4m)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (d), if a defendant is required to appear in municipal court, in addition to any forfeiture, costs, fees, or surcharges it imposes, the municipal court shall impose and collect from the defendant any costs charged to or paid by a law enforcement agency for the withdrawal of the defendant’s blood if the court finds that the defendant violated a local ordinance in conformity with s. 23.33 (4c), 23.335 (12) (a) or (b), 30.681, 114.09, 346.63, or 350.101.

814.65(4m)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (d), if at the time the court finds that the defendant committed the violation, the law enforcement agency has not paid or been charged with the costs of withdrawing the defendant’s blood, the court shall impose and collect the costs the law enforcement agency reasonably expects to be charged for the withdrawal, based on the current charges for this procedure.

814.65(4m)(c) (c) The court shall disburse the amounts it collects under this subsection to the law enforcement agency that requested the blood withdrawal.

814.65(4m)(d) (d) The court may not impose on the defendant any cost for an alternative test provided free of charge as described in s. 343.305 (4).

814.65(5) (5) Costs and fees on appeal. On appeal from municipal court, the appellant shall pay the fee prescribed in s. 814.61 (8). Costs shall be as provided in s. 814.08.

814.65 History History: 1981 c. 317; 1983 a. 107; 1987 a. 181, 389, 399, 403; 1989 a. 22; 1991 a. 26; 1997 a. 27; 2003 a. 30, 33, 320; 2005 a. 54, 455; 2007 a. 96; 2009 a. 28, 100, 121; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 53, 107; 2015 a. 55, 170; 2017 a. 365 ss. 86, 111.

814.65 Annotation The phrase “each separate matter” in sub. (1) refers to the various methods in which a single legal action can come before a municipal court for final disposition. The fee authorized by sub. (1) is therefore a fee that can be charged only once in a municipal court action, regardless of how many warrants or commitment orders are issued in the action prior to its final disposition. OAG 8-09.

814.65 Annotation A municipality does not have statutory authority to impose a charge separate from the fee collected under sub. (1) that can be taxed as a cost to a municipal court defendant and that is payable to the municipal plaintiff either for the issuance of each warrant or commitment order by a municipal court in a single legal action or for service by municipal personnel of each warrant or commitment order issued by a municipal court in a single legal action. OAG 8-09.

814.66 814.66 Fees of register in probate.

814.66(1) (1) The register in probate shall collect the following fees:

814.66(1)(a) (a)

814.66(1)(a)2. 2. For filing a petition whereby any proceeding in estates of deceased persons is commenced, if the value of the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is $10,000 or less, a fee of $20 and, if more than $10,000, a fee of 0.2 percent of the value of the property subject to administration, less encumbrances, liens or charges. The register in probate may not base a fee under this subdivision upon the value of property that is not subject to administration.

814.66(1)(a)3. 3. The fees shall be paid at the time of the filing of the inventory or other documents setting forth the net value of the property subject to administration in the proceedings, and shall apply to inventories filed in testamentary trusts. The fees fixed in this paragraph shall also be paid in survivorship proceedings, and in the survivorship proceedings the value shall be based on the value of the property passing to the survivors.

814.66(1)(b) (b)

814.66(1)(b)2. 2. For filing a petition for guardianship of the estate under ch. 54 or an application for conservatorship under s. 54.76, if the value of the property, less encumbrances, liens or charges, is the amount specified under s. 867.03 (1g) (intro.) or less, a fee of $20 and, if more than the amount specified under s. 867.03 (1g) (intro.), a fee of 0.2 percent of the value of the property, less encumbrances, liens or charges.

814.66(1)(b)3. 3. The fee shall be paid at the time of filing of the inventory or other documents setting forth the value of the estate in the proceedings.

814.66(1)(c) (c) For a certificate terminating a life estate or homestead interest, $3, but the fee shall not be collected if the termination is consolidated with probate or administration proceedings.

814.66(1)(d) (d) For a certificate or judgment of descent of lands, the same fees shall be charged and collected as are charged in estate proceedings in par. (a) based upon the valuation of the property passing by the certificate or judgment of descent.