Search Minnesota Divorce Records
Minnesota divorce records are public court documents. You can search them online or in person at the District Court in the county where the case was filed. The state has 87 counties, and each one keeps its own divorce case files. The free Minnesota Court Records Online system lets you look up party names, case status, and hearing dates from any county. For the full file or a certified copy of the judgment and decree, you need to contact the Court Administrator at the right courthouse. They can pull records by name or case number and make copies while you wait.
Minnesota Divorce Records Overview
Where to Find Minnesota Divorce Records
The District Court is where divorce records live in Minnesota. Each of the 87 counties has its own District Court that falls under one of 10 judicial districts. The court keeps the full case file for every dissolution filed in the county. That file holds the petition, the response, financial disclosures, and the final judgment and decree. The Court Administrator in each county manages these records and can make copies for you.
Minnesota also has a state-level vital records office. The Minnesota Department of Health keeps a central index of divorces going back to 1970. They can issue a verification of a divorce but not the full court documents. If you need the actual decree or judgment, you have to contact the District Court in the county where the case was filed. The Department of Health can confirm that a divorce took place and give you the county and date, which helps when you don't know where to start.
Note: For divorce decrees and full case files, go to the District Court in the county where the case was filed. The Minnesota Department of Health only issues divorce verifications, not copies of court documents.
How to Search Divorce Records in Minnesota
Minnesota gives you a few ways to search for divorce records. Online access is the quickest option for basic case details. Visiting the courthouse in person works best when you need certified copies or want to look through the full case file.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the state's public access system for court case info. It covers District Courts in all 87 counties. You can search by name, case number, or case type. The system shows party names, case status, hearing dates, and some docket entries. It is free to use. Not every document in the file shows up online, but you can get a good sense of a case from what is there. Visit pa.courts.state.mn.us to run a search.
To search on MCRO, you need:
- Full name of at least one spouse
- County where the case was filed (or search statewide)
- Approximate year of the filing if you have it
You can also go to any District Court in person. Head to the county where the divorce was filed. The Court Administrator can pull up records and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Some counties let you request copies by mail or fax if you can't visit. Call the Court Administrator first to ask about their process.
Types of Divorce Records in Minnesota
Minnesota calls divorce "dissolution of marriage." The key document is the Judgment and Decree, which is the final court order ending the marriage. This paper lays out all the terms: property division, custody arrangements, child support, and spousal maintenance. Once a judge signs it, the marriage is over. There is no waiting period after the judgment like some states have.
The Stipulated Judgment is what you get when both spouses agree on everything. They sign a marital termination agreement, and the court enters the judgment based on that deal. When spouses can't agree, the case goes to trial, and the judge decides the terms in a default or contested judgment. Either way, the final document goes into the court file.
A divorce case file in Minnesota usually has:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Summons and proof of service
- Response from the other spouse (if filed)
- Financial disclosures from both parties
- Temporary orders for custody or support
- Parenting plan (if children are part of the case)
- Marital termination agreement or trial findings
- Judgment and decree of dissolution
Most of these documents are public. Anyone can ask the Court Administrator for copies. Some items like financial statements may be restricted in certain situations. Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may also be sealed.
Minnesota Divorce Laws and Rules
All divorce law in Minnesota is in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518. This chapter covers everything from filing the petition to dividing property to setting up custody. The law uses the term "dissolution of marriage" instead of "divorce," though both mean the same thing.
Under Minn. Stat. § 518.07, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. You also need to be a resident of the county where you file, or the other spouse needs to live there. If both of you live in different Minnesota counties, either county works. Military members stationed in Minnesota can also file here.
Minnesota is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for divorce is "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship." You do not have to prove that anyone did anything wrong. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.06, the court finds irretrievable breakdown when one or both spouses say so. There are no fault-based grounds like adultery or cruelty in Minnesota law.
Summary Dissolution: Minnesota offers a simplified process called summary dissolution under Minn. Stat. § 518.195. This is for short marriages with no children and limited property. It is faster and cheaper than a regular dissolution.
Minnesota is an equitable distribution state. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.58, the court divides marital property in a fair way, though not always 50/50. The court looks at how long the marriage lasted, each spouse's income and future earning potential, and what each person brought into the marriage. Property you owned before the marriage or got as a gift or inheritance is usually not divided, as long as you kept it separate.
Child custody rules are in Minn. Stat. § 518.17. The court uses the best interests of the child standard. Minnesota looks at 12 specific factors when deciding custody, including the child's relationship with each parent, the stability of each home, and the child's own wishes if old enough. Joint custody is common in Minnesota.
Divorce Filing Fees in Minnesota
Filing for divorce in Minnesota costs about $400. The exact fee can vary a bit from county to county since each Court Administrator sets its own schedule within state guidelines. The petitioner pays this fee when filing the petition. If the other spouse files a response, they pay a separate response fee, usually around $300 to $350.
Service of process adds to the cost. You can have the sheriff serve the papers for about $45 to $75, depending on the county. Private process servers charge their own rates, often similar or a bit more. If both spouses agree, the respondent can sign an Acceptance of Service form and skip the cost of a process server.
Getting copies of existing divorce records has its own fees. The Court Administrator charges per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more. Fees vary by county, so call the specific court to ask. The Minnesota Department of Health charges about $9 for a divorce verification from their central index.
Fee waivers are available for people who can't afford to pay. You file an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition with the court. You need to show your income and expenses. The judge decides if you qualify. Forms for fee waivers are available at the courthouse or on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website at mncourts.gov.
Tip: Filing fees change from time to time. Contact the Court Administrator in your county or check mncourts.gov to confirm the latest costs before you file.
How to Get Copies of Minnesota Divorce Records
To get copies of a divorce record in Minnesota, contact the District Court in the county where the case was filed. You can visit in person or call the Court Administrator. They can pull up the file by name or case number. Plain copies cost less than certified ones. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for things like name changes or proving your marital status.
You can also search for basic case info online at pa.courts.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system shows case status, party names, and some docket entries. It does not have full document images. For the actual judgment and decree or other papers from the file, you need to contact the courthouse.
Some counties accept requests by mail. You usually send a written request with the case details and a check or money order for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Wait times depend on the court's workload. In-person requests can often be handled the same day. Mail requests may take a week or two.
For a basic verification that a divorce happened, you can contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. They keep a statewide index of divorces from 1970 to the present. The fee is about $9. You can request a verification online, by mail, or in person at their office in St. Paul. Visit health.state.mn.us for instructions.
Legal Help for Divorce in Minnesota
Several organizations offer legal help with divorce in Minnesota. Legal Aid programs serve people with low income across the state. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid covers the Twin Cities metro area and parts of central Minnesota. Call (612) 334-5970 to ask about their family law services. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services handles cases in the southern part of the state at (888) 575-2954.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (612) 752-6699 to get connected with a family law attorney in your area. The first consultation fee depends on the attorney. You can also find attorneys through the MSBA's online directory at mnbar.org.
LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has self-help guides and forms for people who want to handle their own divorce. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also has a Self-Help Center with instructions and forms at mncourts.gov. Many courthouses have a self-help desk where staff can point you to the right forms, though they can't give legal advice.
Are Divorce Records Public in Minnesota
Yes. Court records in Minnesota are generally public under Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. You do not have to be one of the parties. You don't need to give a reason for your request. Most of the case file is open to anyone who asks at the District Court.
Some parts of divorce files have restricted access. Financial source documents like tax returns and pay stubs are not public. Social security numbers and bank account numbers get redacted. Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed or restricted. A party can ask the court to seal other records if they have a good reason, but this is not common. The judge decides whether sealing is needed based on privacy concerns and public interest.
Most divorce records in Minnesota are open to the public. Financial source documents and some child-related reports may have restricted access.
Browse Minnesota Divorce Records by County
Each of Minnesota's 87 counties has its own District Court that handles divorce cases. Pick a county below to find local contact info and resources for divorce records in that area.
Divorce Records in Major Minnesota Cities
Residents of major cities file for divorce at the District Court in their county. Pick a city below to find out where to go for divorce records in that area.