Milwaukee County Circuit Court Service and Proof of Service Rules
58 rules from official source documents
32 of 58 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.
E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements. This page is scoped to Milwaukee County Circuit Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Service
- Electronic service
If the landlord e-files, the landlord is served as soon as the documents are filed and does not need to be mailed a copy.
Check if the landlord e-files – if they e-file, they are served as soon as you file the documents. You do not need to mail them a copy.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Service
If the landlord does not e-file, mail the forms to the landlord.
Step 3: Check if the landlord e-files. If they do not e-file, mail the forms to the landlord
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
- Service
- Mail to opposing party
If you do not see “Case initiated by electronic filing,” you must mail the landlord a copy of the motion.
If you do not see "Case initiated by electronic filing," you must mail a copy of the motion to the landlord so they know you filed the motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice to vacate
- Service
- Personal service to opposing party
A notice to vacate may be delivered to the tenant, a family member or occupant at least 14 years old, with a copy also mailed by regular mail to the tenant.
Delivery to someone at the premises - giving the notice to the tenants; giving a copy to a family member who is at least 14 years of age, and telling them it is an eviction, leaving a copy with an occupant over 14 years of age, and also mailing a copy by regular mail to the tenant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice to vacate
- Service
- Mail to opposing party
When serving a notice to vacate by certified mail, add two days to the applicable notice period.
Service by Certified Mail - If you choose to mail by certified mail, add two (2) days to the time period.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice to vacate
- Service
- Mail to opposing party
A notice to vacate may be securely posted on the entrance door if a copy is mailed by regular mail the same day.
Securely posting the notice on the entrance door and mailing the notice by regular mail the same day.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Summons and complaint
The person serving the summons and complaint must complete an affidavit of service and bring the original to court.
Once the Summons and Complaint has been served, the person who served it must fill out an Affidavit of Service form. Bring the original copy of the Affidavit of Service to court with you.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Service
- Personal service to opposing party
After filing a civil case, the defendant must be personally served, and the plaintiff may use the Sheriff's Department or a private process server but may not serve the defendant personally or by mail.
Once you file, you must have the defendant personally served. If the defendant lives in Milwaukee County, you can use the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department, located on the First Floor in Room 102 of the Safety Building. The Sheriff's Department charges $75.00 for three attempts. You may also hire a private process server. You may not serve the defendant yourself. You may not mail the papers.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Witness and damages disclosure
Each party must serve lay-witness information, expert-witness information, and an itemized damages statement by the dates set forth in the order.
On or before the dates set forth below, the parties shall serve, pursuant to Local Rule 1.13, (a) the names and addresses of lay witnesses and a brief summary of their anticipated testimony; (b) the name, address, resume and written report of each expert witness; and (c) an itemized statement of damages, including any claim of permanency:
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
A document may not be filed until a copy has been served on every party that has appeared or is otherwise required to receive service, unless another governing source provides otherwise.
Unless otherwise required by statute, these rules or court order, no document shall be filed until a copy of the document is served upon all parties who have appeared or otherwise must be served.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
Unless another governing source provides otherwise, every document filed with the court must be served on all parties to the action.
Unless required otherwise by statute, these rules or court order, a copy of any document filed with the court shall be served upon all parties to the action.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
For an attorney represented party whose attorney appears in the court record, service must be made on that attorney.
For parties represented by an attorney whose name appears in the court record, the copy shall be served on the attorney.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Summons complaint or landlord tenant notice
Summonses, complaints, and landlord-tenant notices must be served using the method specified by the applicable state statute.
Service of summonses, complaints and landlord-tenant notices shall be accomplished by the method stated in the applicable state statute.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Default judgment motion
- Service
- Publication
A default judgment motion based on publication must include a Form CV 4 affidavit or substantial equivalent on yellow paper, proof of publication, and proof of mailing the publication summons.
If the party against whom judgment is sought is served by publication, within or outside Wisconsin, the motion shall be supported by a Form CV 4 Affidavit of Reasonable Diligence, or its substantial equivalent, printed on yellow paper, and proof of publication and mailing of the publication summons.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
An objection or cross-petition must include proof of service on each appearing represented party through counsel, or directly on an unrepresented party.
Objections and cross-petitions shall be accompanied by proof that the objection has been served upon the attorney of record for each party who has appeared in the proceeding (for example, the petitioner, guardian, trustee, claimant or personal representative) or upon the party if not represented by an attorney.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice of scheduled proceeding
After obtaining a hearing date, the filing party must serve written notice on all interested parties by a Rule 1.13-authorized method and file the original notice and proof of service before the hearing.
Upon securing a date and time for a hearing in a contested proceeding, the party who filed the objection or cross-petition shall serve written notice of the scheduled proceeding upon all interested parties. Service may be accomplished by any method authorized under Rule 1.13 (methods of service). The original notice and proof of ===== PAGE 34 ===== service of the notice shall be filed before the scheduled hearing in the civil/probate branch to which the case is assigned.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Summons
An affidavit of service of the summons must be filed on the return date.
E. An affidavit of service of the summons shall be filed on the return date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Written answer
A defendant outside Milwaukee County may appear in person or by an attorney on the return date, or serve a written answer on the plaintiff's attorney or unrepresented plaintiff and file a copy by the return date.
B. A defendant who does not reside in Milwaukee County may 1.. appear in person or by an attorney on the return date specified in the summons, or 2.. on or before the return date, serve a written answer on the attorney who represents the plaintiff, or on the plaintiff if the plaintiff is not represented by an attorney. A copy of the answer shall be filed on or before the return date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Deadline
- 48 hours
- Applies to
- Bail motion
Bail motions must be served and filed in writing at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing unless the parties agree to shorten the notice period.
Bail motions shall be served and filed in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled hearing, unless the parties agree to shorten this notice period.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Petition
The Family Division exception to Rule 1.12 permits petitions under Wis. Stat. §§ 813.12, 813.122, and 813.125 to be filed without first serving the documents covered by Rule 1.12.
Rules 1.1 through 1.29 apply to proceedings in the Family Division except that Rule1.12 requiring service of certain documents before filing does not apply to petitions under Wis. Stat. §§ 813.12 (domestic abuse restraining orders and injunctions), 813.122 (child abuse restraining orders and injunctions)and 813.125 (harassment restraining orders and injunctions).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Financial disclosure
The moving party must serve the responding party with the financial-disclosure form or substantial equivalent and instructions for completion and filing at the hearing.
2. The moving party shall serve on the responding party a copy of Supreme Court Form FA-4139 or its substantial equivalent, together with instructions to the responding party to complete the form, provide proof of income as in the preceding subparagraph, and file both at the hearing on the request for a temporary order.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
Parties must serve all documents filed under this rule on the adverse party by a method allowed by Rule 1.13; a nonappearing party served by publication may receive them by mail at the summons mailing address.
F. All documents filed in compliance with this rule shall be served upon the adverse party by any of the means specified in Rule 1.13 (methods of service). A party who has been served by publication and has not appeared or participated in any proceeding may be served with such documents by mail at the address to which the publication summons was mailed.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
The Order for Pretrial/Order to Appear, Request for Pretrial, and all attachments must be served on every party using a method specified in Rule 1.13.
The Order for Pretrial/Order to Appear shall be served upon all parties by one of the means specified in Rule 1.13 (methods of service), together with a Request for Pretrial (form 11 in the Appendix of Forms) and all attachments to it.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
Unless the executed Pretrial Order is served at the conference, the presenting party must serve it on all parties using a method specified in Rule 1.13.
Once the Pretrial Order is executed, and unless it is served on the parties at the pretrial conference, the party who presented the Pretrial Order shall serve it on all parties, by one of the means specified in Rule 1.13 (methods of service).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion
Before serving a motion for review, the requesting party must obtain a hearing date, give notice of that date and time in the motion, and serve all applicable parties by a method authorized under Rule 1.13.
C. Before serving the motion, the party requesting review shall obtain a hearing date from the deputy clerk in the branch to which the case is assigned. The motion shall give notice of the date and time of the hearing on the motion and shall be served by any of the means specified in Rule 1.13 (methods of service). The motion shall be served on all parties, including, if applicable, the guardian ad litem and the Department of Child Support Enforcement.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Service
Regular-mail service requires a copy of the paperwork, a completed Affidavit of Mailing, and filing the affidavit in Room 409.
Send them a copy of the paperwork by regular mail. Complete an Affidavit of Mailing and file it in Room 409 of the courthouse.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motion to seal
- Service
- Mail to opposing party
The declarant states under oath that they placed copies of the checked motion and other listed document in an envelope.
UNDER OATH, I STATE: I placed in an envelope a copy of the following documents: ☐ Authenticated Copy of the Summons and Complaint ☑ Motion: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO SEAL ☑ Other: PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO SEAL OR REDACT EVICTION RECORD
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026CRITICAL
A motion to seal may be denied if the opposing party was not served or good cause is not demonstrated.
☐ 2. Motion to seal denied for failure to: ☐ Serve opposing party ☐ Demonstrate good cause ☐ Other: ____
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING
- Applies to
- Eviction papers
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office may be requested through the Civil Process Division to attempt service of eviction papers, and a fee applies.
Request Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office via a Civil Process Division to attempt service of the evictions papers. There is a fee for this service.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING
- Service
- Personal service
Unless another governing source provides otherwise, service may be made personally, by mail, by facsimile, or by email, but facsimile and email service must be supplemented by mailing a copy the same day.
Unless otherwise required by statute, these rules or court order, copies may be served by personal delivery, by mail, or by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, provided that a copy of the document also is mailed on the same day as the facsimile or electronic mail transmission.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING
- Applies to
- Inmate funeral or wake attendance form
The court will not consider an inmate’s funeral or wake attendance request unless the inmate completes and files the required form and serves a copy on the Sheriff.
The court will not consider a request to attend a funeral or wake by an inmate of the Criminal Justice Facility or at the House of Correction unless the inmate completes the form required by the Clerk of Court, files the form and serves a copy upon the Sheriff.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 5, 2026WARNING
- Applies to
- Motion
If the court doubts that an adverse party was probably served with the motion, it may order service on that party under Wis. Stat. § 801.11.
If the court has reason to doubt that an adverse party probably was served with motion, the court may order the party to serve the adverse party pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 801.11.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Eviction sealing forms ?
- Service
- Mail to opposing party ?
Send them a copy of the paperwork by regular mail. Complete an Affidavit of Mailing and file it in Room 409 of the courthouse. The Affidavit of Mailing needs to be notarized.
Summary: You must send them the paperwork by regular mail, complete and notarize an Affidavit of Mailing, and file it in Room 409 of the courthouse.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Affidavit of mailing ?
- Service
- Mail ?
After you have mailed the summons and complaint, or other document, you must complete the information to the right.
Summary: The affidavit of mailing must be completed after the summons, complaint, or other document has been mailed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Summons and complaint
- Service
- Personal service to opposing party ?
The Summons and Complaint must be served by a third person, who is not a party to the action, who is at least 18 years of age and a resident of the State of Wisconsin.
Summary: The summons and complaint must be served by a nonparty who is at least 18 years old and a Wisconsin resident.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Summons and complaint
- Service
- Personal service to opposing party ?
The Summons and Complaint must be served no less than 5 days before the court date; weekends and holidays do not count.
Summary: The summons and complaint must be served at least five days before the court date, with weekends and holidays excluded from the count.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Notice
- Service
- Mail to opposing party ?
The Sheriff’s Office will then mail the tenant a notice.
Summary: The Sheriff's Office must mail notice to the tenant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Civil cases
- Applies to
- Scheduling order ?
If any additional party is named, a copy of this Order shall be served with the summons and complaint.
Summary: A copy of the scheduling order must be served with the summons and complaint when an additional party is named.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Motion
Before filing, a copy of the motion shall be served upon the State.
Summary: A copy of the postconviction motion must be served on the State before the motion is filed.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Petition motion or request
- Service
- Court service to all parties ?
Any petition, motion or request may be filed by a non-legal party/pro se litigant filer in court during or immediately before a hearing, provided that all parties are present and are served in court.
Summary: When a pro se litigant files a petition, motion, or request in court during or immediately before a hearing, all parties must be present and served in court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Service
provided that a copy of the document also is mailed on the same day as the facsimile or electronic mail transmission.
Summary: A document served by facsimile or email must also be mailed on the same day.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Default judgment motion ?
- Service
- Personal service
If the party against whom judgment is sought is a natural person and is served personally within the State of Wisconsin, the motion shall be supported by a Form CV 1 Affidavit of Personal Service, or its substantial equivalent, printed on green paper.
Summary: A default judgment motion involving personal service on a natural person in Wisconsin must include a Form CV 1 affidavit or substantial equivalent on green paper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Default judgment motion ?
If the party against whom judgment is sought is a natural person and is served by substitute service within the State of Wisconsin, the motion shall be supported by a Form CV 2 Affidavit of Substitute Service, or its substantial equivalent, printed on blue paper.
Summary: A default judgment motion involving substitute service on a natural person in Wisconsin must include a Form CV 2 affidavit or substantial equivalent on blue paper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Default judgment motion ?
- Service
- Personal service
If the party against whom judgment is sought is a corporation or limited liability company and is served personally within the State of Wisconsin, the motion shall be supported by a Form CV 3 Affidavit of Personal Service on Corporation or Limited Liability Company, or its substantial equivalent, printed on green paper.
Summary: A default judgment motion involving personal service on a corporation or LLC in Wisconsin must include a Form CV 3 affidavit or substantial equivalent on green paper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Summons ?
D. Service shall be made pursuant to Sec. 799.12, Wis. Stats., except that service by mail is not authorized.
Summary: Service must comply with Wisconsin Statutes section 799.12, but service by mail is not authorized.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Service
- Personal service ?
A. A defendant who resides in Milwaukee County shall appear in person or by an attorney on the return date specified in the summons. Answering or appearing by mail, by facsimile or by telephone is not permitted.
Summary: A Milwaukee County defendant must appear in person or through an attorney on the summons return date; mail, facsimile, and telephone responses or appearances are prohibited.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Postconviction motion ?
Before filing, a copy of the motion shall be served upon the State.
Summary: A copy of a postconviction motion must be served on the State before filing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Judgment document
The judgment document shall be served on all parties, including the guardian ad litem and the Department of Child Support Enforcement, before being submitted for the court’s approval as follows: 1. upon any party represented by an attorney by any of the means specified in Rule 1.9 (methods of service), after which that party’s attorney shall sign the proposed judgment document and return it to the party assigned to submit the judgment document to the court, or, no later than 10 days after service of the judgment document, file a written objection stating with particularity why the proposed judgment document does not conform to the findings made at trial; or 2. upon any party not represented by an attorney by any of the means specified in Rule 1.9 (methods of service) and pursuant to Rule 1.21 (the five-day rule).
Summary: Before submission for court approval, the judgment document must be served on all parties, the guardian ad litem, and the Department of Child Support Enforcement; represented parties’ attorneys must sign and return the document or file a particularized objection within 10 days, while unrepresented parties are served under Rule 1.9 and the five-day rule.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
3. Motions for discovery and motions to reopen shall be served on the City at least five (5) days prior to the hearing date, unless the court orders otherwise.
Summary: Discovery and motions to reopen must be served on the City at least five days before the hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Notice of motion ?
- Service
- Electronic service to opposing party ?
if the landlord is an e-filer, they will automatically receive the notice of such motion once it is filed, but if the landlord is not an e-filer, the tenant must send notice of such motion to the landlord via U.S. Mail.
Summary: When the landlord is an e-filer, notice of the redaction motion is automatically provided upon filing; when the landlord is not an e-filer, the tenant must mail the notice to the landlord.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Applies to
- Eviction sealing documents ?
- Service
- Electronic service ?
Check if the landlord e-files – if they e-file, they are served as soon as you file the documents. You do not need to mail them a copy.
Summary: When the landlord e-files, the landlord is served upon filing and no mailed copy is required.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
- Service
3. If you do not see "Case initiated by electronic filing," you must mail a copy of the motion to the landlord so they know you filed the motion
Summary: If the case was not initiated through electronic filing, the pro se defendant must mail the landlord a copy of the motion.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Applies to
- Summons and complaint ?
- Service
- Publication to opposing party ?
If you cannot find the tenant, you can have the information published, normally in the “Daily Reporter” newspaper
Summary: If the tenant cannot be found, service by publication may be used, normally through the Daily Reporter newspaper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Applies to
- Motion
E. Whenever any scheduled motion is resolved or withdrawn before it is heard, the moving party promptly shall so advise the court and all parties.
Summary: The moving party must promptly notify the court and all parties when a scheduled motion is resolved or withdrawn before the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Applies to
- Pretrial order
- Service
- Personal service to all parties ?
If the validity of service of the summons and petition is questionable, the court may order that the Order for Pretrial/Order to Appear and Request for Pretrial be served personally pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 801.11.
Summary: If service of the summons and petition is questionable, the court may order personal service of the pretrial documents under Wisconsin law.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Applies to
- Motion to seal ?
☐ Serve opposing party
Summary: Failure to serve the opposing party is a stated basis for denying a motion to seal or redact an eviction record.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
- Applies to
- Sealing order ?
- Service
- Court service to all parties ?
DISTRIBUTION: 1. Court 2. Parties
Summary: The sealing order is distributed to the court and the parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?
Service may be accomplished by any method authorized under Rule 1.13 (methods of service).
Summary: Service of objections and cross-petitions may be made by any method authorized under Rule 1.13.
What rule applies to e-service in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service. If the landlord e-files, the landlord is served as soon as the documents are filed and does not need to be mailed a copy.
What rule applies to service by mail in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail. If the landlord does not e-file, mail the forms to the landlord.
3 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to service for motion in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: service by mail, recipient: the opposing party, timing: after filing. If you do not see “Case initiated by electronic filing,” you must mail the landlord a copy of the motion.
4 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to service for notice to vacate in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: personal service, recipient: the opposing party. A notice to vacate may be delivered to the tenant, a family member or occupant at least 14 years old, with a copy also mailed by regular mail to the tenant.
2 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to service for summons and complaint in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. The person serving the summons and complaint must complete an affidavit of service and bring the original to court.
3 more rules answer this question in the list above.
What rule applies to personal service for the opposing party in Milwaukee County Circuit Court?
The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: personal service, recipient: the opposing party. After filing a civil case, the defendant must be personally served, and the plaintiff may use the Sheriff's Department or a private process server but may not serve the defendant personally or by mail.
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