St. Paul Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records in St. Paul are handled by the Ramsey County District Court, which sits at 15 W Kellogg Blvd in downtown St. Paul. As the state capital and second largest city, St. Paul sees a steady volume of family law cases each year. The court's family division manages all dissolution filings, and you can get copies of any final decree through the Court Administrator. You can also search case info for free through the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, which covers all Ramsey County cases filed after July 2015. For older records or certified copies, you need to contact the court directly.
St. Paul Overview
Where to File in St. Paul
St. Paul residents file for divorce at the Ramsey County District Court. The court sits in downtown St. Paul, right near the river. All family law cases for the city go through this one courthouse. The Court Administrator handles records requests and can make copies the same day you visit.
Ramsey County is part of the 2nd Judicial District. The family court division has its own staff, and they deal with divorce, custody, child support, and other family matters. If you or your spouse has lived in St. Paul for at least 180 days, you meet the residency rule set out in Minnesota Statutes § 518.07. That is about six months.
| Court | Ramsey County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 W Kellogg Blvd St. Paul, MN 55102 |
| Records Phone | (651) 266-8237 |
| Family Court | (651) 266-5125 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Ramsey County |
Bring a photo ID when you visit. Security screening is at the front entrance. If you need to park, there are ramps nearby and some metered street spots. Plan to arrive early because lines at the clerk window can be long, especially on Monday mornings.
How to Search Divorce Records
There are two main ways to search for a St. Paul divorce decree. You can look online or go to the courthouse. Each method has its limits, so which one you pick depends on what you need.
The Minnesota Court Records Online system is free and open to anyone. It covers Ramsey County cases. Type in a name or case number and you can see party names, case type, filing dates, and docket entries. The system does not show the full text of the decree itself. You can only view basic case data. Family cases may also have some details restricted for privacy.
If you need the actual decree document, you have to get it from the Ramsey County court records office. You can request copies in person, by mail, or by phone. Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. The court staff can also search their system for you if you don't have the case number.
For cases filed before the MCRO system went live in July 2015, records may not show up online. You will need to call the records office at (651) 266-8237 or visit the courthouse. Older files might be in storage and could take a few days to pull.
Divorce Filing Steps
Filing for divorce in St. Paul follows Minnesota law. The process starts when one spouse files a Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Ramsey County District Court. Under § 518.06, Minnesota is a no-fault state. You only need to state that the marriage has broken down and there is no chance of fixing it.
After filing, the other spouse must be served with the papers. You can use a sheriff or a private process server. Once served, the other spouse has 30 days to file a response. If both sides agree on all terms, the case can move fast. A joint petition is also an option when both spouses want to file together.
Property division follows § 518.58, which says the court must make a "just and equitable" split. That does not always mean 50/50. The judge looks at many factors. If kids are part of the case, custody is decided based on the best interests of the child under § 518.17. Both parents must take a parenting class before the court will finalize things.
The Ramsey County family court has staff who can help you understand the steps. They can not give legal advice, but they point you to the right forms and explain how the process works.
Ramsey County offers a free Family Court Self-Help clinic on Mondays and Wednesdays. No appointment is needed for basic help with forms.
Fees and Costs
Filing a divorce petition in Ramsey County costs about $400. The response fee for the other spouse runs around $300 to $350. These are court fees set by the state, so they apply across Minnesota.
Other costs to keep in mind:
- Certified copies of the decree: $14 per document
- Uncertified copies: free
- Process server: $50 to $100 on average
- Parenting education class: $40 to $75
If you can not afford the filing fee, ask for a fee waiver. The court calls this an In Forma Pauperis petition. You fill out a form that shows your income and expenses. The judge then decides if you qualify. Forms are at the Ramsey County self-help center or on the state court website.
Legal Help in St. Paul
St. Paul has several places where you can get free or low-cost legal help with a divorce case. These are worth looking into if you can not hire a private attorney or just want some guidance before you start.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services covers the St. Paul area. They handle family law cases for people who qualify based on income. Call them at 1-877-MY-MN-LAW to find out if you are eligible. They can help with the paperwork and even represent you in court in some cases.
The Ramsey County Law Library is at 15 Kellogg Blvd West, in the same building as the courthouse. You can use their computers, legal databases, and reference books for free. The staff can help you find forms and statutes but can not give legal advice. Call (651) 266-8391 for hours and more info.
The Minnesota State Law Library also keeps a list of legal referral options for Ramsey County. That list includes legal aid groups, lawyer referral services, and self-help resources. It is a good starting point if you are not sure where to turn.
For general divorce forms and instructions, the Ramsey County Self-Help Center has what you need. They hold walk-in clinics and can help you figure out which forms apply to your case. The center is inside the courthouse at 15 W Kellogg Blvd.
Filing on Your Own
Plenty of people in St. Paul file for divorce without a lawyer. It is more common when both spouses agree on everything and there are no big disputes over property or kids. The court has forms and guides set up to help you do this.
All the forms you need are free on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. The Ramsey County self-help clinic can walk you through the paperwork in person. If kids are involved, you will need a parenting plan and both parents must complete a parenting class. The court also requires financial disclosure forms so the judge can make fair decisions on support and property.
One thing to note: even in an uncontested case, the court must review everything before issuing the final decree. A judge looks at the agreement to make sure it is fair and follows the law. Under § 518.09, the court has rules about how and when the final decree gets entered. The whole process typically takes a few months from start to finish, though it can go faster if both sides cooperate.
The Ramsey County court system offers an online search tool for recent cases. You can look up divorce cases filed since July 2015 through the state MCRO portal.
View the Minnesota Court Records Online search portal
The search results show party names, case status, and docket entries. You can filter by case type to narrow down to family law cases only.
Ramsey County Divorce Records
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County, and all divorce filings go through the Ramsey County District Court. The county court handles cases for St. Paul and several nearby suburbs. For more details on the county court system, forms, and local resources, visit the Ramsey County page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near St. Paul where residents also search for divorce decree records: