Hennepin County Court Records

We are glad you came here for help with Hennepin County Court Records. Our aim is to give you the best facts and links to guide your search. We hope this page makes your task easy.

If you want to begin searching for Hennepin County Court Records right now, you can visit MinnesotaOfficialRecords at https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/hennepin-county-court-records/. This resource may help you start your search quickly for various public records. Check their site to see if they have the specific records you need. It is one way to start looking for case details and related public information from Hennepin County online.

Accessing Hennepin County Court Records

You can find court records in a few ways. Some are online. You can also go in person or ask by mail.

Online Access

The main way to see records online is through a state system. You can also use computers at the court house.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

The Minnesota Judicial Branch runs the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. You can find it at https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/. MCRO lets the public see many state court records online. It replaced the old MPA Remote system.

MCRO has tools to help you search:

• Case Search: Look for cases by name (person, business, lawyer), case number, citation, or lawyer bar number. It shows case details and public papers for many cases.

• Document Search: Find public papers for a case if you know the case number.

• Hearing Search: Find dates and times for court hearings. You can search by name, case number, judge, or lawyer.

• Judgment Search: Look for money judgments by the name of the person who owes money.

Keep in mind MCRO has limits. You cannot search for pending criminal cases by the defendant's name. You need the case number for that. Some case types are not fully online due to privacy rules. These include Orders for Protection (OFP) and Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO). You also cannot get certified copies through MCRO. You must ask the court admin for those. MCRO is a great tool but not meant for official background checks. For those, use the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) at https://chs.state.mn.us/. Accessing records on MCRO is free.

Public Access Terminals (Courthouse)

You can use public computer terminals at the Hennepin County Government Center. These terminals offer wider access than MCRO. They use a system called MPA Courthouse. You can see more case types and documents. This includes some records not available remotely. These computers are free to use. They are found at the Records Center. The center is open during business hours. This lets you see public case records from across the state. It is a good choice if MCRO does not show what you need.

In-Person Access

Going to the court house is another way to get records. You can ask staff for help.

Records Center Location & Hours

The main place to go is the Hennepin County District Court Records Center. It is in the Hennepin County Government Center. The address is 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. The Records Center might be on the Skyway Level (A260) or B-Level (#B-100). Check signs when you arrive.

Business hours are generally Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phones at (612) 348-6000 are answered 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. It is best to call or check the court website for exact hours before you go. They are closed on holidays.

Request Process

When you visit, you can ask for copies of records. It helps to use the court's Copy Request Form. You can often find this form on the Hennepin County District Court website under the Records Center section. Fill it out with the case details you know. If you do not have the form, you can make a written request. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address, and email. Also list the case number or party names. You may need to show a photo ID. Staff can help you find the records. You can look at records for free. There are fees if you need copies.

Mail/Drop Box Access

If you cannot go in person, use mail or a drop box.

Mailing Address

Send your request form or letter to this address: District Court Records Center 300 South 6th Street, #SK-0260 Minneapolis, MN 55487-0332

Request Requirements

Your mail request needs key details. Use the Copy Request Form or write a letter. Include your full name, phone number, address, and email. Give as much case info as you can (case number, names). You must include payment for copies. A certified copy costs $14 each. Make checks or money orders payable to: District Court Administrator. For plain copies sent by email, include your email address. You might need to send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want copies mailed back.

Drop Box Location

There is a drop box at the Hennepin County Government Center. It is on the Skyway Level. You can place your request form and check payment in the box. This avoids postage or waiting in line.

Types of Hennepin County Court Records

Hennepin County courts handle many kinds of cases. Each has its own records.

Civil Court Records

Civil court handles disputes between people or groups. This includes cases about contracts or money owed. It also covers personal injury claims. Property disputes and name changes are civil cases. Implied consent cases (related to DWI tests) are heard here too. You can get records online via MCRO. You can also ask in person or by mail. Some filing fees apply. For example, filing a foreign judgment over $20,000 costs $297.00.

Criminal & Traffic Court Records

This court handles crimes. From small traffic tickets to major felonies. Records show charges, court dates, and outcomes. You can search MCRO for conviction records. But pending cases often need a case number search online. Full access is best in person or by mail. Remember, MCRO is not for background checks. Use the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for that service. Their phone is (651) 793-2400. Getting a criminal record expunged (sealed) has a specific process and fee ($297.00). Forms are available from the court. A certified records check costs $14.00, even if no record is found.

Family Court Records

Family court deals with personal life matters. This includes divorce (dissolution). It covers child custody and child support issues. Paternity cases establish who the father is. Orders for Protection (OFP) and Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO) start here. Due to privacy laws like VAWA, OFP and HRO cases have limited online access through MCRO. You often need to ask in person or by mail. Filing fees vary. A divorce costs $377.00 to file. There is no fee to file for an OFP. Some family court functions occur at the Family Justice Center at 110 South 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Housing Court Records

This is a special court. It handles only landlord and tenant issues. Cases involve rent disputes or eviction. Lease breaks are heard here too. Condition of property issues may end up in housing court. Records can be found through the usual ways. Check MCRO, visit the records center, or mail a request. These records detail the dispute and the court's ruling.

Probate / Mental Health Court Records

Probate court handles estates of people who died. It deals with wills and trusts. Guardianships for children are managed here. Conservatorships for adults who cannot manage their affairs are too. Mental Health court handles civil commitments. These are cases where someone may need required mental health care. It also takes referrals from criminal court. Access to these records may be limited. This is due to the private nature of health and estate details. You can ask the Records Center for access rules.

Juvenile Court Records

Juvenile court handles cases for those under 18. This includes adoptions. Child protection cases (CHIPS) are heard here. Delinquency cases (crimes by minors) are also handled. Juvenile records have strong privacy rules. Most are not public. The main exception is if a teen aged 16 or 17 is charged with a felony. You often need special permission to see juvenile records. There are forms like the Affidavit for Access to Juvenile Court Record. Contact the Juvenile Court or Records Center for specifics.

Conciliation Court (Small Claims)

Conciliation Court is often called small claims court. It handles civil money claims up to $20,000. It is meant to be simpler and faster than regular civil court. People often represent themselves. Records show the claim, arguments, and the judge's decision. You can find these records through MCRO, in person, or by mail.

Judgments

A judgment is a court's final decision in a lawsuit. Often it involves money owed. You can search for judgments using MCRO's Judgment Search tool. Look by the debtor's name. You can also ask for a search in person at the Judgments Office. Use the Judgment Record Search Form. There is a $5 fee for each name searched if you want a certified result. Uncertified searches on MCRO are free.

Court Information and Resources

Here is contact info and details on fees and forms.

Main Contact Information

• General Phone: (612) 348-6000. Calls answered Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:15 PM.

• Main Courthouse Address: Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487.

• General Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Closed on holidays.

• Website: The official court site is part of the Minnesota Judicial Branch website: https://www.mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Hennepin.aspx 

Fees for Records and Services

Getting court records often has a cost. Some key fees are:

• Certified Copies: $14.00 per document. Needed for official use.

• Plain Copies: Fees may apply. Can often be emailed if you provide an address. Check with the Records Center.

• Certified Judgment Search: $5.00 per name searched.

• Filing Fees: Costs vary by case type. A divorce is $377.00. An expungement is $297.00. Check the full Minnesota Court Fees catalog online for details.

• Payment Methods: Pay fees by check or money order payable to "District Court Administrator". Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex) may be used for electronic filings (eFS) but may have a processing fee. Cash might be accepted in person.

Forms

The court provides forms for many tasks. You can find these on the Hennepin County Court website, often under a "Forms" section. Some common ones include:

• Copy Request Form: Standard form for asking for record copies.

• Judgment Record Search Form: To request a certified search for money judgments.

• Transcript Request Form: To order a written copy of what was said in court. Handled by the Court Reporter Unit, phone (612) 356-5249.

• Case-specific forms exist for areas like criminal expungement, juvenile record access, and family law matters.

Legal Framework for Access

Laws and rules shape how you access court records.

Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch

These court rules guide access to court records statewide.

• Rule 2: States that court records are presumed public. Access should be allowed unless a law, rule, or court order says no.

• Rule 8, subd. 2: Sets limits on remote online access. For privacy, certain data is not available online via MCRO. This includes Orders for Protection (OFP) and Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO). Also, pending criminal cases cannot be found by defendant name search. Party street addresses are usually hidden online.

• You can access more public records using the public terminals at the courthouse. These terminals show records not available remotely.

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA)

Found in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, this law governs data held by state and local government agencies. While courts are part of the judicial branch (not an agency under this act), the county offices holding related data (like Sheriff, County Recorder, Vital Records) follow this law.

• The Act presumes government data is public.

• The public has the right to inspect public data for free.

• The public has the right to get copies of public data. Agencies can charge for the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying, especially for large requests. For 100 pages or less, the charge is often limited (e.g., $0.25 per page). Data subjects (people asking for data about themselves) usually only pay copy costs, not search time.

• This law ensures government transparency. Find the full text here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/13