Chapter 814, COURT COSTS, FEES, AND SURCHARGES

814.01 Costs allowed to plaintiff. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, costs shall be allowed of course to the plaintiff upon a recovery. (3) In an action for assault and battery, false imprisonment, libel, slander, malicious prosecution, invasion of privacy or sedu…

814.02 Costs limited, discretionary. (1) When several actions are brought against parties who might have been joined as defendants and the actions are consolidated under s. 805.05 (1) 814.49 814.51 814.52 814.54 814.59 814.595 814.60 814.61 814.615 814.62 814.63 814.64 814.65 814…

814.03 Costs to defendant. (1) If the plaintiff is not entitled to costs under s. 814.01 (1) or (3), the defendant shall be allowed costs to be computed on the basis of the demands of the complaint. (2) Where there are several defendants who are not united in interest and who mak…

814.035 Costs upon counterclaims and cross complaints. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, costs shall be allowed on counterclaims and cross complaints as if separate actions had been brought thereon. (2) When the causes of action stated in the complaint and counter…

814.036 Omnibus costs provision. If a situation arises in which the allowance of costs is not covered by ss. 814.01 to 814.035, the allowance shall be in the discretion of the court. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761, 780 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.036. A prevailing pl…

814.04 Items of costs. Except as provided in ss. 93.20, 100.195 (5m) (b), 100.30 (5m), 106.50 (6) (i) and (6m) (a), 115.80 (9), 767.553 (4) (d), 769.313, 802.05, 814.245, 895.035 (4), 895.044, 895.443 (3), 895.444 (2), 895.445 (3), 895.446 (3), 895.506, 943.212 (2) (b), 943.245 (…

814.045 Attorney fees; reasonableness. (1) Subject to sub. (2), in any action involving the award of attorney fees that are not governed by s. 814.04 (1) or involving a dispute over the reasonableness of attorney fees, the court shall, in determining whether to award attorney fee…

814.05 Bond premium as costs. Any party entitled to recover costs or disbursements in an action or special proceeding may include in such disbursements the lawful premium paid to an authorized insurer for a suretyship obligation. History: 1977 c. 339. Among the “necessary disburs…

814.07 Costs on motion. Costs may be allowed on a motion, in the discretion of the court or judge, not exceeding $300, and may be absolute or directed to abide the event of the action. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.07; 2003 a. 138. Motion…

814.08 Costs on appeal from municipal court; certiorari. (1) In actions appealed from municipal court, where there is no new trial, if the judgment is affirmed or the appeal dismissed the respondent shall have costs; if reversed, the appellant; if affirmed in part and reversed in…

814.10 Taxation of costs. (1) CLERK’S DUTY, NOTICE, REVIEW. The clerk of circuit court shall tax and insert in the judgment and in the judgment and lien docket, if the judgment shall have been entered, on the application of the prevailing party, upon 3 days’ notice to the other, …

814.11 Disbursements, how proved. Charges in a bill of costs for witness fees, or copies of documents or other disbursements, except to officers for services shall not be taxed without an affidavit stating the distance the witnesses respectively traveled and the days they actuall…

814.12 Costs may be set off. If, in any action, a recovery be had by one party and costs be awarded to the other the court may set off one against the other and render judgment for the balance.

814.13 Referee; court to fix and allow fees. After the trial of any issue by a referee pursuant to a compulsory reference for that purpose his or her fees and expenses shall be fixed by the court in which his or her report has been filed and paid by the state as other circuit cou…

814.131 Taxing costs on compulsory references. In all cases of compulsory reference in which the fees claimed by the referee exceed $50, the fees shall not be allowed until a hearing is had on the fees, upon 10 days’ notice to the district attorney of the county, accompanied by a…

814.14 Fiduciary; liability for costs limited; bond premium. (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) or unless other- (e) The legal fees of all witnesses in any criminal case or proceedings which are a charge against the county. (f) All charges for subpoenaing witnesses in any cri…

814.15 Assignee’s liability for costs. In actions in which the cause of action shall, by assignment, after the commencement of the action or in any other manner become the property of a person not a party to the action the person shall be liable for the costs in the same manner a…

814.16 Settlement, costs on. Except as provided in s. 93.20, upon settlement of an action no greater sum may be demanded for costs than at the rate prescribed in this chapter. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.11. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 …

814.19 Records copied not to be taxed for. No record, writ, return, pleading, instrument or other writing copied into any proceeding, entry, process or suggestion shall be computed as any part of the draft of such proceeding, entry, process or suggestion. History: Sup. Ct. Order,…

814.22 What county to pay costs when venue changed or jury selected for use in another county, taxation, certification. (1) In all proceedings, including criminal actions, if a change of venue is had (except in cases where the change is made because the action was not brought in …

814.23 Actions by or against county. In all actions by or against a county, and in actions or proceedings by or against county officers in their name of office, costs shall be awarded to the prevailing party as in actions between individuals. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 5…

814.24 Action against city, village or town official, cost. Costs, if any, in an action against a city, village or town officer in his or her official capacity, except an action directly involving the title to the office, and except as provided in s. 814.25, shall not be awarded …

814.245 Actions by state agencies. (1) The legislature intends that courts in this state, when interpreting this section, be guided by federal case law, as of November 20, 1985, interpreting substantially similar provisions under the federal equal access to justice act, 5 USC 504…

814.25 Costs in actions by prisoners. (1) In this section: (a) “Prisoner” has the meaning given in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 2. (b) “Prison or jail conditions” has the meaning given in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 3. (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a prisoner brings an action or special …

814.27 Security for costs. Except as provided in s. 655.27 (5) (a) 3., in all cases where it shall appear reasonable and proper the court may require the plaintiff to give sufficient security for such costs as may be awarded against the plaintiff. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis.…

814.28 Security for costs. (1) DEFENDANT MAY REQUIRE. Except as otherwise provided by s. 814.29, the defendant may require the plaintiffs to file security for costs if the plaintiffs are all nonresidents; or are foreign corporations, nonresident personal representatives, guardian…

814.29 Security for costs, service and fees for indigents. (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (1m), any person may commence, prosecute or defend any action or special proceeding in any court, or any writ of error or appeal therein, without being required to give security for cost…

814.33 Additional security for costs. If any surety on any undertaking given under s. 814.28 shall remove from the state or be deemed at any time insufficient the court or presiding judge may require the plaintiff to give a new undertaking, and every person becoming surety thereo…

814.34 Attorney for plaintiff liable for costs. In any case in which the defendant, at the time of the commencement of the action, may require security for costs the attorney for the plaintiff shall be liable for such costs not exceeding $100, until security therefor is filed, wh…

814.46 Taxation after settlement. Upon the settlement of an execution by a defendant or upon settling any action or demand the sheriff or attorney claiming any fees which shall not have been taxed shall, upon being required by the defendant and on his or her paying the expenses t…

814.47 Fees not collectible till taxed. No sheriff, attorney or other person shall collect any fees, after having been required as aforesaid to have the same taxed, without such taxation having been made. History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.47.

814.48 Duty of officers taxing costs. Every officer authorized to tax costs in any court for services in any proceeding shall examine the bills presented for taxation, whether such taxation be opposed or not, and must be satisfied that the items charged are correct and legal, and…

814.49 Costs on dismissal for lack of jurisdiction or stay of proceedings. (1) COSTS ON DISMISSAL FOR LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION. If on objection of any defendant made pursuant to s. 802.06 (2) the action is dismissed as to that defendant on the ground that the court lacks jur…

814.51 Jury fees; discretion of court. The court shall have discretionary authority in any civil or criminal action or proceeding triable by jury to assess the entire cost of one day’s juror fees for a jury, including all mileage costs, against either the plaintiff or defendant o…

814.52 Transport costs. (1) If a law enforcement agency requests a ferry provider to operate beyond its usual hours of operation to transport an arrested person to a jail or other facility, the law enforcement agency shall be reimbursed for the costs it incurs to pay for the ferr…

814.54 Use of fees and surcharges retained by a county. Unless otherwise required by law, any portion of the fees and surcharges collected by the clerk of circuit court under this subchapter [chapter] that are retained for use by the county shall be used to support court services…

814.59 Definition. In this subchapter, “federal mileage rate” means the business standard mileage rate for the year as determined under 26 CFR 1.274-5 (j) (2). NOTE: This section is created eff. 11-1-26 by 2025 Wis. Act 179. History: 2025 a. 179.

814.595 Fee adjustment reports. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section: (a) “Base year” means the year immediately preceding the year in which a fee or surcharge specified in par. (c) was first established or, if the fee amount increased or decreased after the fee or surcharge was firs…

814.60 Criminal actions; fees of the clerk of court. (1) In a criminal action, the clerk of circuit court shall collect a fee of $201 for all necessary filing, entering, or recording, to be paid by the defendant when judgment is entered against the defendant. Of the fees received…

814.61 Civil actions; fees of the clerk of court. In a civil action, 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 …

814.615 Fees for mediation and studies. (1) (a) Except as provided under sub. (2), for family court services provided under s. 767.405 a county shall collect the following fees: 1. For the first mediation session conducted upon referral under s. 767.405 (5), no fee. 2. For all me…

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 col…

814.63 Fees in forfeiture actions. (1) (b) In all forfeiture actions in circuit court, the clerk of court shall collect a fee of $40 to be paid by the defendant when judgment is entered against the defendant. NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 11-1-26 by 2025 Wis. Act 179. P…

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). History: 1981 c. 317.

814.65 Fees of the municipal court. (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 court shall collect a fee o…

814.66 Fees of register in probate. (1) The register in probate shall collect the following fees: (a) 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 …

814.67 Fees of witnesses and interpreters. (1) The fees of witnesses and interpreters shall be as follows: (a) For attending before a municipal judge, an arbitrator, or any officer, board or committee: 1. For witnesses, $17 per day. NOTE: Subd. 1. is shown as amended eff. 11-1-26…

814.68 Fees of supplemental court commissioners. (1) SUPPLEMENTAL COURT COMMISSIONERS. A supplemental court commissioner appointed under s. 757.675 (1) shall collect the following fees: (a) A fee of $3 for each decision, signing, or filing of a document or other ministerial act r…

814.69 Fees of court reporters; transcripts. (1) A court reporter shall collect the following fees: (a) For a transcript under SCR 71.04, a fee at the rate of $1.50 per 25-line page for the original and 50 cents per 25-line page for the duplicate. Except as provided in s. 967.06 …

814.70 Fees of sheriffs. The sheriff shall collect the fees under this section. The fees are set as follows, unless a higher fee is established under s. 814.705: (1) SERVICE OF PROCESS. For each service or attempted service of a summons or any other process for commencement of an…