How do I access court records?

Court Administrator (county level - each of Minnesota's 87 counties / 10 judicial districts) / Minnesota Judicial Branch (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Identify what type of record you need: District Court (felonies, civil, family, probate, conciliation/small claims), Court of Appeals, or Minnesota Supreme Court
Note: Minnesota has one unified trial court (District Court) organized into 10 judicial districts covering 87 counties; each county has a Court Administrator's office
Search online:
MINNESOTA COURT RECORDS ONLINE (MCRO): publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us - Minnesota's statewide public court records search; covers District Court civil and criminal cases; search by name, business, or case number; free basic access; more detailed records may require registration or fee
MINNESOTA COURT RECORDS (MNCIS): The court uses Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS); public-facing access is through MCRO
For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Court Administrator in the county where the case was filed
In-person access: visit the county courthouse; bring photo ID and case details

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Case number or full legal name of parties

Fee

MCRO online access: basic search free; some records require payment for full access; certified copies: contact specific county Court Administrator for current schedule

Processing Time

Immediate online searches; same day or by mail for certified copies

Online Option

Yes - Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us (statewide)

Where to Go

Court Administrator in the county where the case was filed

County-specific variations apply

Minnesota's 87 county Court Administrators each handle records for cases in their county. Hennepin County (Minneapolis) - Fourth Judicial District - has the largest court system; Ramsey County (St. Paul); Dakota County (Hastings); Anoka County; Washington County. MCRO covers all 87 counties. Some older records may not be fully indexed online.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO - publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us): Minnesota's statewide public case information system; covers most District Court cases.
Marriage records: NOT in MCRO - contact County Court Administrator where marriage license was issued.
Divorce decrees: searchable through MCRO.
Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court opinions: mn.gov/law-library or mncourts.gov.
Criminal history background checks: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) - chs.state.mn.us; public criminal history information available at a fee.
Minnesota Predatory Offender Registration (sex offenders): bca.mn.gov/POR or chs.state.mn.us.
Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules apply.
Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA, Minn. Stat. ch. 13): agencies must respond to data requests; court records subject to applicable rules.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Minnesota Judicial Branch - mncourts.gov | (651) 296-2474; MCRO: publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us; BCA (criminal history) - chs.state.mn.us | (651) 793-2400