Search Brooklyn Park Divorce Decrees
Divorce decree records for Brooklyn Park are filed at the Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis. Brooklyn Park is in Hennepin County, so the Family Justice Center at 110 South 4th Street handles all family law cases for the city. You can search for case information online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, which covers all Hennepin County cases filed after July 2015. For certified copies or the full decree document, you contact the Court Administrator directly. Brooklyn Park is one of the larger suburbs in the metro area, and its residents use the same courthouse as Minneapolis, Bloomington, Plymouth, and other Hennepin County cities.
Brooklyn Park Overview
Where Brooklyn Park Files
Brooklyn Park is part of Hennepin County. There is no courthouse in Brooklyn Park for family law cases. All divorce filings go through the Hennepin County District Court in downtown Minneapolis, about 15 miles south of Brooklyn Park.
The Family Justice Center at 110 South 4th Street in Minneapolis is where you file a new case, check on an existing one, or request copies of a divorce decree. The Hennepin County Self-Help Center is in the same building and can help with forms and questions.
| Court | Hennepin County District Court - Family Justice Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 South 4th Street Minneapolis, MN 55401 |
| Phone | (612) 348-6000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Hennepin County |
Plan for a 20 to 30 minute drive from Brooklyn Park to the courthouse, depending on traffic. Parking ramps are nearby. Bring a photo ID for security screening at the entrance.
How to Find Records
Brooklyn Park divorce decree records can be searched online or in person. The online tool is free. For the actual documents, you contact the court.
The Minnesota Court Records Online system is the state's free case search tool. It covers Hennepin County. Type in a name or case number to see party names, case type, and docket entries. The full decree is not available online. Some family case details are restricted. The system covers cases from July 2015 forward.
To get the actual decree, call (612) 348-6000 or visit the Family Justice Center. Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14. You can also send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate year of filing, and your contact info.
For older cases not in the MCRO system, contact the court directly. Staff can search older records and pull files from storage. That can take a few extra days.
Divorce Filing Process
Brooklyn Park residents file for divorce at the Hennepin County District Court. You start by filing a Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The filing fee is about $400.
Minnesota is no-fault. Under § 518.06, you only need to say the marriage is broken beyond repair. No blame is assigned. One spouse files the petition, and the other gets served. If both agree on all terms, a joint petition is an option too.
You must meet the 180-day residency rule. At least one spouse has to have lived in the state for six months. After filing and service, the other spouse has 30 days to respond. Uncontested cases can be done in a few months. Contested ones take longer.
If kids are involved, both parents must take a parenting class. Custody follows § 518.17, using the child's best interests as the guide. Property is divided under § 518.58. The judge aims for a fair split, but that does not always mean equal.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has all the forms you need to start. Every form is free to download. The site walks you through each step of the process.
Fees for Records and Filing
Costs for Brooklyn Park residents are the same as for anyone filing in Hennepin County:
- Filing the petition: about $400
- Response fee: $300 to $350
- Certified copy of decree: $14
- Uncertified copy: free
- MCRO search: free
Fee waivers exist for people who can not afford filing costs. File an In Forma Pauperis petition with the court. You list your income and expenses, and a judge decides if you qualify. These forms are at the self-help center or on the state court website.
Other costs include process service ($50 to $100), parenting classes ($40 to $75 per person), and potentially mediation fees if the case is contested. If you hire a lawyer, attorney fees vary widely.
Legal Help for Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park residents have several options for legal assistance with divorce cases. Some are free, depending on your income.
The Hennepin County Self-Help Center offers help by phone, email, and Zoom. They can answer questions about forms and procedure. They are not lawyers and can not give legal advice, but they help you understand the steps.
The University of Minnesota Family Law Clinic provides legal help for qualifying individuals. Call (612) 625-5515 to ask about eligibility. Law students, supervised by licensed attorneys, handle cases through the clinic.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid at (612) 334-5970 serves the Brooklyn Park area. They take family law cases for people with low income. The Minnesota State Law Library also has a list of referral options for Hennepin County residents, including lawyer referral services and pro bono programs.
For forms and filing guides, the Minnesota Judicial Branch website is the best free resource. All dissolution forms are available at no cost, with instructions for each one.
Filing on Your Own
You can handle your own divorce filing without a lawyer. Many Brooklyn Park residents do this, especially when the case is uncontested. All forms are free on the state court website.
The key is to follow every step carefully. File the petition. Serve the other spouse. Complete the financial disclosures. Attend any hearings. Under § 518.09, the court must review everything before entering the final decree. Even in an agreed case, a judge looks at the terms to make sure they follow the law and are fair.
The Hennepin County Self-Help Center offers phone, email, and Zoom help for people filing without a lawyer. No in-person visit needed for basic questions.
The City of Brooklyn Park website has community resources and links for residents needing local services.
View the City of Brooklyn Park website
Check the city site for local support programs, including family services and community organizations.
Hennepin County Divorce Records
Brooklyn Park is in Hennepin County, and all divorce filings go through the Hennepin County District Court. The county handles family law cases for Brooklyn Park and many other metro area cities. For more about the county court system, visit the Hennepin County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Brooklyn Park where residents search for divorce decree records: