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SC-5160V

Publication Summons and Notice (Small Claims)

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective November 2, 2017

This form is used to officially notify a defendant that they are being sued in small claims court when the court cannot serve the papers to the defendant in person. It provides details about the lawsuit and the court hearing.

The court describes it as: To provide notice to a defendant by publication in a newspaper of the existence of a small claims action when the defendant cannot otherwise be served personally. Voluntary form.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Stage: Start a case

This form is used when a person filing a small claims case needs to notify a defendant through a newspaper publication because they cannot serve the papers to the defendant's actual address.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
The form requires the plaintiff to enter the names and addresses for both the plaintiff(s) and the defendant(s).
What does this form tell the defendant?
It tells the defendant that they are being sued and that a copy of the claim has been sent to their last known address.
What happens if the defendant does not show up?
The form warns that if the defendant does not attend the hearing, the court might enter a judgment against them in favor of the person suing them.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect November 2, 2017.

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