Washington County Divorce Decree Records
Washington County divorce decree records are filed and maintained at the District Court in Stillwater. This is one of the larger suburban counties in Minnesota, located just east of St. Paul, and the court processes a high volume of dissolution cases each year. Records are searchable online through the state court system, and the Washington County courthouse also offers in-person help, self-help clinics, and law library resources that many other courts do not have.
Washington County Overview
Court Contact Details
The Washington County District Court is at 14949 62nd Street North in Stillwater. Deb Lepper serves as court administrator. This is a busy courthouse that handles a large number of family law cases, including divorce decree filings and record requests. The court is part of the 10th Judicial District, which covers several metro-area counties. You can reach the court by phone at (651) 413-8030 or by fax at (651) 430-1345.
| Address | 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | (651) 413-8030 |
| Fax | (651) 430-1345 |
| Court Administrator | Deb Lepper |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 10th |
Washington County stands out because it offers extra help for people dealing with divorce. The court contact page has full details on how to reach different departments. The fee schedule breaks down all costs for filings and copies.
Self-Help and Legal Clinics
Washington County offers some resources that smaller courts don't have. The Law Library Legal Clinic runs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. This clinic gives people a chance to ask questions about their divorce decree filing or any other legal matter. The Self-Help Center is open on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and again from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Staff at the Self-Help Center can walk you through the forms and explain the process step by step.
The Washington County legal referral page on the Minnesota Law Library site lists additional resources for people who need legal help but cannot afford a private attorney. These services are open to all Washington County residents who need guidance with divorce decree cases or other family law matters.
Search Divorce Records
The quickest way to find a Washington County divorce decree is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). It is free and covers cases filed after July 2015. Search by name or case number. The results show party names, case type, and dates. Sealed records and older cases will not appear.
The Washington County court page has links to local forms, court programs, and contact info. For older divorce decree records, call the court at (651) 413-8030 or visit the Stillwater courthouse during business hours. In-person searches are common at this courthouse, and the staff can pull up cases and print copies while you are there. You can also fax a request to (651) 430-1345 with the case details.
Because Washington County is a larger court, they handle a lot of records requests. Phone wait times may be a bit longer during busy periods. If you can, visiting in person or using the online system tends to be faster.
Fees for Copies
Washington County follows the standard Minnesota district court fee schedule. Uncertified copies are free through MCRO or when viewed at the courthouse. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost $14 per document. You need the certified version when the decree is going to be used for a name change, property sale, or other legal purpose. Filing a new divorce case costs about $400.
Payment methods at the Stillwater courthouse include cash, check, and card. For mail-in requests, send a check for $14 payable to the Washington County District Court, a written request with the case details, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The court will process your request and send back the certified copy. Processing times vary but most requests are handled within a couple of weeks.
Divorce Law Overview
Minnesota operates under a no-fault divorce system. The only ground for a divorce decree is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, as stated in Statute 518.06. Either spouse can file. One spouse must have been a Minnesota resident for at least 180 days. Washington County residents file at the Stillwater courthouse.
After filing, the other spouse gets served. The case then moves through the steps laid out in Statute 518.09. In an uncontested case, both parties agree on all the terms and the court can finalize things within a few months. Contested cases require more court time and may go to trial. When kids are involved, the court applies best interest factors from 518.17. Property gets divided under 518.58, which calls for a fair split of marital assets and debts.
What the Decree Contains
A Washington County divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It names both parties, lists the marriage date, and states when the court entered the dissolution. The decree details how property was split, who takes on which debts, and any spousal maintenance. For cases with children, it includes custody orders, parenting time schedules, and child support amounts. Decrees range from a few pages for simple cases to many pages for contested ones with detailed court findings.
The decree becomes a public record once filed. Most of the document is open to anyone who requests a copy from the Washington County District Court. Some financial exhibits or child-related materials may be restricted under Minnesota court rules.
Below is the Washington County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, which has court info and links for divorce decree records.
The court contact page also has useful details for reaching the right department.
Cities in Washington County
Woodbury is the largest city in Washington County. Divorce decree filings for Woodbury residents go through the Washington County District Court in Stillwater.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce decree you need was filed in a county next to Washington, you will have to contact that county's court. Records stay with the filing county.