(1) (a) A judgment is rendered by the court when it is signed by the judge or by the clerk at the judge’s written direction. (b) A judgment is entered when it is filed in the office of the clerk of court. (c) A judgment is perfected by the taxation of costs and the insertion of the amount thereof in the judgment. (d) A judgment is granted when given orally in open court on the record.
806.06.Rendition, perfection and entry of judgment.
Ch. 806: Judgment · Last amended 1981 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 806.06 defines when a judgment is rendered, entered, perfected, and granted, sets a 30-day deadline for a party to perfect a judgment or lose the right to recover costs, and requires notice of entry within 21 days for it to count toward the appeal clock.
Full Text of Section 806.06
(2) The judge or the clerk upon the written order of the judge may sign the judgment. The judgment shall be entered by the clerk upon rendition.
(3) After an order or judgment is entered, either party may serve upon the other a written notice of entry containing the date of entry.
(4) A judgment may be rendered and entered at the instance of any party either before or after perfection. If the party in whose favor the judgment is rendered causes it to be entered, the party shall perfect the judgment within 30 days of entry or forfeit the right to recover costs. If the party against whom the judgment is rendered causes it to be entered, the party in whose favor the judgment is rendered shall perfect it within 30 days of service of notice of entry of judgment or forfeit the right to recover costs. If proceedings are stayed under s. 806.08, judgment may be perfected at any time within 30 days after the expiration of the stay. If the parties agree to settle all issues but fail to file a notice of dismissal, the judge may direct the clerk to draft an order dismissing the action. No execution shall issue until the judgment is perfected or until the expiration of the time for perfection, unless the party seeking execution shall file a written waiver of entitlement to costs.
Official Notes
Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1979: Sub. (5) is amended by adding a reference to the entry of an order so as to conform with s. 808.04 (1), which establishes appeal time periods from the entry of a judgment “or” order. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1980]
Judicial Council Committee’s Note, 1981: Subs. (3) and (5) are amended to clarify what constitutes a sufficient notice of entry to reduce the appeal time. The notice of entry must be a written document, other than the judgment or order, containing the date of entry and served after the entry of the judgment or order. The notice must accurately and completely inform the opposing party as to the date of entry. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1982]
Plain-English Summary
Section 806.06 sorts out four distinct steps in a judgment’s life. A judgment is rendered when the judge signs it, or when the clerk signs it at the judge’s written direction. It is entered when it is filed in the clerk of court’s office. It is perfected when costs are taxed and that amount is inserted into the judgment. And it is granted when it is given orally in open court on the record.
The judge, or the clerk acting on the judge’s written order, may sign the judgment, and the clerk enters it upon rendition. Once entered, either party may serve the other with a written notice of entry stating the date of entry.
Perfecting the judgment carries a real deadline. Whichever party is favored by the judgment must perfect it within 30 days of entry, if that party caused it to be entered, or within 30 days of receiving notice of entry, if the losing party caused it to be entered — otherwise the favored party forfeits the right to recover costs. If proceedings are stayed under the section governing stays of enforcement, the 30-day perfection window instead runs from the end of the stay. No execution can issue until the judgment is perfected or the perfection period expires, unless the party seeking execution files a written waiver of the right to costs.
Separately, notice of entry of a judgment or order must be given within 21 days after entry to count as notice for purposes of the statute governing appeal time periods, which links this section’s entry-and-notice mechanics directly to how long a party has to appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a judgment being “rendered” and “entered” in Wisconsin?
A judgment is rendered when it is signed by the judge, or by the clerk at the judge’s written direction. It is entered when it is filed in the office of the clerk of court, a separate step that happens once the clerk has a signed judgment in hand.
How long do I have to perfect a judgment to recover costs?
Section 806.06 gives the favored party 30 days from entry, if that party entered the judgment, or 30 days from receiving notice of entry, if the other party entered it. If a stay under the section governing stays of enforcement applies, the 30 days run from the end of the stay instead.
What happens if I do not perfect my judgment in time?
The party favored by the judgment forfeits the right to recover costs if the judgment is not perfected within the applicable 30-day window.
Can execution issue before a judgment is perfected?
No, unless the party seeking execution files a written waiver of entitlement to costs. Otherwise execution must wait until the judgment is perfected or the time for perfection has expired.
How does this section affect my time to appeal?
Notice of entry of a judgment or order must be given within 21 days after entry to constitute notice under the statute that sets appeal time periods, so this section’s notice requirement is tied directly to when the clock to appeal starts running.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 724 (1975); 1975 c. 218; Sup. Ct. Order, 83 Wis. 2d xiii (1978); Sup. Ct. Order, 92 Wis. 2d xiii (1979); Sup. Ct. Order, 104 Wis. 2d xi (1981).
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
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