Mower County Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records in Mower County are handled by the District Court in Austin, the county seat. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and manages all family law cases for the county. Austin sits in southeast Minnesota near the Iowa border. You can search for divorce cases through the state's online system, visit the courthouse, or submit a copy request by mail or fax. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. The court has a fax number for written requests at (507) 434-2702.
Mower County Overview
Mower County District Court
The Mower County District Court is at 201 Second Avenue NE, Suite 3, in Austin. All divorce cases for the county get filed and stored here. Court staff help with record lookups during business hours. You can walk in without an appointment.
The phone number is (507) 509-7013. You can also fax requests to (507) 434-2702. When you call, have both party names and the year of filing ready. Austin is the largest city in Mower County and home to several major employers, so the court sees a steady stream of family law cases. The 3rd Judicial District covers a group of counties in southern Minnesota. The 3rd District page has more info about courts in the area. The Mower County fee schedule is also available on the state court site.
| Court | Mower County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Second Avenue NE, Suite 3 Austin, MN 55912 |
| Phone | (507) 509-7013 |
| Fax | (507) 434-2702 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Mower County |
Search Mower County Divorce Records
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) lets you search for Mower County divorce cases at no cost. The system covers cases filed after July 1, 2015. You can search by party name or case number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. Results include filing dates, case status, and docket entries.
Family law records have online restrictions. MCRO may show basic case data but not the full text of the divorce decree. To get the actual document, request a copy from the Mower County District Court. You can visit the Austin courthouse, fax a request, or mail one in. The copy request page on the state court site explains the process. Cases older than July 2015 may not be in MCRO, so contact the court directly for those.
Note: MCRO covers Mower County divorce cases filed after July 2015 and is free to use, but the full decree must be requested from the court.
Mower County Divorce Decree Fees
Mower County follows the statewide fee schedule for copies. Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Exemplified copies are $14. A copy that is both certified and exemplified costs $28.
Filing a new divorce case runs about $400 for the petitioner. The respondent pays less when filing a response. Other costs can include service of process fees and parenting class fees if there are children. If paying is a hardship, you can request a fee waiver. Submit the IFP form with income proof and a judge will decide. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.06, irretrievable breakdown is the only ground for divorce in Minnesota. You do not have to show that either spouse did something wrong.
Divorce Filing in Mower County
One spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days. That rule comes from Minn. Stat. § 518.09. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives.
Start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the Mower County courthouse in Austin. Pay the filing fee. Serve papers on your spouse. If both of you agree on all terms, a joint petition or stipulated agreement can make the process faster. Contested cases with disagreements about custody, property, or support take longer because the court may hold hearings. Property is divided under Minn. Stat. § 518.58, which calls for a just and equitable division of marital assets.
The Judgment and Decree is the final order. It ends the marriage and spells out all the terms. Certified copies are available from the Mower County court once the decree is filed.
What Mower County Decrees Contain
A Mower County divorce decree lists both party names, the marriage date, and the date the court granted the divorce. It covers property division, custody arrangements, child support, and spousal maintenance if any.
The case file may hold the petition, financial affidavits, and motions filed during the case. Most are public records. Some financial documents may have limited access. When children are involved, the decree references a parenting plan. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.17, custody is decided based on the best interests of the child. The parenting plan becomes enforceable once it is included in the final decree.
Mower County Court Screenshot
The Mower County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site shows court info at mncourts.gov.
This page lists the Austin courthouse address, phone and fax numbers, and links to court resources for Mower County divorce cases.
Legal Resources in Mower County
The 3rd Judicial District provides self-help resources for people handling a divorce without a lawyer. The district page has forms, guides, and links to legal aid programs. Legal aid groups serving southeast Minnesota can help with divorce paperwork if you meet income requirements.
Court staff in Austin can answer procedure questions and help with forms. They are not allowed to give legal advice. For contested cases involving custody or significant property, talking to a family law attorney is a smart move. The state court website has all the forms for pro se filing.
Note: Mower County court staff assist with forms and procedures but cannot provide legal advice about your divorce case.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases must be filed in the county where you reside. If you live near Mower County, check whether one of these neighboring counties is the right place for your case.