Access Brown County Divorce Decrees
Divorce decree records in Brown County are kept at the courthouse in New Ulm. The District Court is part of the 5th Judicial District and handles all dissolution cases for the county. Carol Weikle serves as Court Administrator. Brown County is in south-central Minnesota, and New Ulm is the county seat. You can look up divorce cases through the state's online search tool or go to the courthouse for copies. Brown County also has a court administration page on the county website with additional details about local court services.
Brown County Overview
Brown County Courthouse
The Brown County Courthouse sits at 14 South State Street in New Ulm. All divorce decree records are filed here. The court clerk handles copy requests, new filings, and case lookups. Visit during business hours or call ahead.
The phone number is (507) 441-7020. Brown County is part of the 5th Judicial District, which includes several south-central Minnesota counties. The county also has a Court Administration page on its website with info about local services and contact details. Staff can search records by party name or case number and provide copies while you wait.
| Court | Brown County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 14 South State Street New Ulm, MN 56073 |
| Phone | (507) 441-7020 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Brown County |
| Administrator | Carol Weikle |
Finding Brown County Divorce Decree Records
The free MCRO tool at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the best place to start. It covers Brown County cases filed after July 1, 2015. You can search by name or case number. The system shows case status, docket entries, and filing dates.
To get actual copies of a divorce decree, contact the court. Go to the courthouse in New Ulm or send a request by mail. The copy request page on the state court site explains the process. Brown County also has a fee schedule at mncourts.gov so you can check costs before you go.
For older cases not in MCRO, call the courthouse. The clerk can search older records and let you know what is on file. Have the party names and approximate year ready when you call.
Brown County Divorce Record Fees
Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 each. Exemplified copies are $14. A combined certified and exemplified copy is $28. These fees apply to each document.
Filing for divorce costs about $400 for the person who starts the case. The respondent pays a smaller fee. There may be other costs for service, parenting education, and mediation. If you cannot pay, request a fee waiver. You show your income to the court and the judge decides. Many people qualify for full or partial waivers of the filing fee.
Note: Check the Brown County fee schedule at mncourts.gov for the most current filing and copy costs.
Divorce Filing in Brown County
You need to live in Minnesota for at least 180 days before you file. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.09, you file in the county where you or your spouse lives. If that is Brown County, bring your papers to the courthouse in New Ulm.
Minnesota only uses no-fault divorce. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.06, the sole ground is that the marriage is broken and cannot be saved. You file a Petition for Dissolution and serve the other spouse. Agreed cases move faster. Contested cases may need hearings on property, custody, or support.
Property division follows Minn. Stat. § 518.58. The court divides marital property in a way it finds fair. The final Judgment and Decree ends the marriage. The court keeps the original. You can get certified copies from the Brown County clerk's office.
Brown County Court Screenshot
The Brown County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site provides contact details at mncourts.gov.
This page shows the New Ulm courthouse address, phone number, and links to court services.
Legal Help for Brown County
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services may assist with divorce cases for people who meet income rules. They cover Brown County and the surrounding area. Contact them to check if you qualify.
The state court system offers all divorce forms online for free. Court staff in New Ulm can help you find the right forms and explain the steps. For legal advice, you will need a lawyer. The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys in south-central Minnesota. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.552, the court can sometimes order one spouse to help pay the other's attorney fees.
Nearby Counties
File in the county where you live. These counties are near Brown County.