Winona County Divorce Decree Search

Winona County divorce decree records are held at the District Court in the city of Winona, along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and handles all dissolution filings for county residents. You can access recent records for free online, request copies at the courthouse, or submit requests by mail or phone.

Winona County Court Info

The Winona County District Court is located at 171 W. Third Street in Winona. Becky Brandt serves as court administrator. The court handles divorce decree filings, record requests, and all other family law cases for the county. Winona County is part of the 3rd Judicial District. The phone number is (507) 615-5183, and the fax is (507) 452-5979.

Note that on Wednesdays the Winona County courthouse does not open until 9:00 a.m. Plan your visit around this if Wednesday is your only option. The rest of the week, the office opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m.

Searching for Records

The fastest way to look up a Winona County divorce decree is through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). This free tool covers cases filed after July 2015. You type in a name or case number to search. Results include party names, case type, and filing dates. Sealed cases and records from before July 2015 are not available through MCRO.

The Winona County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site has links to forms and contact info. The court fees page shows the full fee schedule. You can also check the Winona County Recorder page for related records, and the county fee schedule for recorder office costs.

For older divorce decree records, visit the courthouse in person or call (507) 615-5183. The clerk can look up cases on their system and give you copies. Bring the full names of both parties and any dates you know to speed up the search. Fax requests to (507) 452-5979 are another option.

Fees and Payments

Winona County uses the standard Minnesota fee schedule for court records. Uncertified copies are free through MCRO or when viewed at the courthouse. Certified copies of a divorce decree cost $14 per document. The certified copy has the court seal and is what you need for legal matters. Filing a new divorce case costs about $400.

Payment at the Winona County courthouse can be made by cash, check, or card. For mail-in requests, include a written request with case details, a $14 check payable to Winona County District Court, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Most mail requests are processed within a week or two.

Minnesota Divorce Process

Minnesota allows no-fault divorce. The only ground needed is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Statute 518.06 says either spouse can file. At least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days. If you live in Winona County, you file at the courthouse on W. Third Street.

Once the petition is filed, the other spouse gets served. From there, the case follows the procedures in Statute 518.09. Uncontested cases where both sides agree can wrap up in a few months. Contested cases take longer, sometimes a year or more. Custody matters follow the best interest standard in 518.17. Property and debt division is governed by 518.58, which aims for a fair split of marital assets.

The final step is the divorce decree. That is the court order that officially ends the marriage.

What the Decree Shows

A Winona County divorce decree lists both spouses' names, the marriage date, and the date the court granted the dissolution. It covers property division, debt allocation, and any spousal maintenance. If children are involved, the decree includes custody arrangements, parenting time, and child support orders. Short decrees are common in uncontested cases. Longer ones come from contested cases where the court had to rule on multiple disputed issues.

The decree is a public record once filed with the court. Anyone can request a copy. Some parts of the court file, like certain financial documents or child-related filings, may have restricted access. But the core divorce decree is open to the public.

Legal Resources

People filing for a divorce decree in Winona County without a lawyer can use self-help forms from the Minnesota courts website. The forms cover each step. Court staff at the Winona courthouse can answer questions about procedure and help you figure out which forms to submit. They are not able to give legal advice, though. For legal advice, look into legal aid programs serving southeastern Minnesota. Some local attorneys offer free first consultations or reduced fees. If your case involves custody of children, complex property, or spousal maintenance disputes, professional legal help will make the process smoother and help protect your interests.

Below is the Winona County District Court page from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, showing court details and resources for divorce decree records.

Use this page to find Winona County court contact info and divorce decree record services.

Nearby Counties

Divorce decree records from neighboring counties must be obtained from those courts. Winona County only holds its own records.