Dakota County Divorce Records

Thank you for vis­it­ing our page. We hope to give you the help you need for your Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records search. Our aim is to make this hard task a bit more clear for you. We will do our best to help you find what you seek.

If you want to start your search for Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records right now, you can vis­it https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/dakota-county-divorce-records/. This site may help you kick off your search fast. It is a good place to look for these types of records. Get­ting these records can be key for many needs you might have. We trust this link helps you start your quest with ease.

Understanding Dakota County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Dako­ta Coun­ty are offi­cial court files. They show that a mar­riage has end­ed. These files hold key facts. You will find names of both peo­ple. The date of the divorce is there. Oth­er case facts may be in them too. These are public records for the most part. Some parts may be sealed by a judge. This means not all parts can be seen by all folks. These records are kept by the court. The Dako­ta Coun­ty Judi­cial Cen­ter holds them. You may need these for legal use. Or you might need them for per­son­al cause. Know­ing what is in them helps a lot.

What Information is in a Dakota County Divorce Record?

A Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Record is more than just a date. It is a full court file. It will list the names of the hus­band and wife. The case file num­ber is on it. This helps the court find it. The date the divorce was filed is key. The date the judge made it final is al_so there. Many times, it lists the terms of the split. This can mean who gets what stuff. It may talk of child care if kids are part of it. Who pays child help is oft in there. It might say who the kids live with. If there are names of law­yers, they will be list­ed. The name of the judge is al_so part of the file. These facts help make the record full and true for all needs. It is good to know that some parts might be kept from view. This is true if the judge says so to keep things like kids' names safe.

Certified Copies vs. Informational Copies

When you ask for Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records, you may have a choice. You can get a cer­ti­fied copy. Or you can get an infor­ma­tion­al copy. A cer­ti­fied copy has an offi­cial seal. The court puts this seal on it. It shows the copy is true and real. You need these for most law needs. For things like a name change or to get mar­ried once more. Banks or schools may ask for one too. They cost a bit more to get.

An infor­ma­tion­al copy is just a plain copy. It has all the same facts. But it does not have the court seal. These are good for your own use. If you just want to see the facts. Or for a fam­i_ly tree search. They cost less than the sealed ones. Check what kind you need first. This will save you time and cash. If you are not sure, ask the court staff. They can tell you what most folks get for your need.

How to Access Dakota County Divorce Records

There are a few ways to get Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records. You can go in per­son. You can send a mail quest. Some­times, you can look on the web. Each way has its own steps.

Visiting the Dakota County Judicial Center

You can get records at the Dako­ta Coun­ty Judi­cial Cen­ter. Address: 1560 High­way 55, Hast­ings, MN 55033. Phone: (651) 438-8100. (Call to check hours and fees). Court Admin­is­tra­tion hours are oft Mon­day to Fri­day, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. But it's wise to call them first. They can tell you if hours have changed. They can al_so tell you what you need to bring. You may need to fill out a form there. You will need the names of the peo­ple in the divorce. The year of the divorce helps a lot too. Be set to pay a fee. They can tell you how much it will be. Bring your ID card too.

When you go, dress well. Be nice to the staff. They are there to help you. Park­ing can be found near the cen­ter. Give your­self lots of time. Some­times there is a wait. If you have the case num­ber, it will be fast. If not, they can search by names. The staff will guide you on how to ask for the files. You can oft look at the files there. Then you can ask for the cop­ies you need. Pay the fee they tell you. They will then make the cop­ies for you. For a cer­ti­fied copy, tell them that. It might take a bit more time to get that seal on it.

Requesting Records by Mail

To ask for Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records by mail, you need a form. Look on the Dako­ta Coun­ty Courts web­site. Or the Min­neso­ta Judi­cial Branch site may have it. The form is oft called a "Record Request Form." Fill it out with all the facts you have. This means the full names of both peo­ple. If you know the date of the divorce, write it. Or give a range of years to search. Put the case num­ber if you have it. That makes it quick for them.

Say what kind of copy you want. Do you need a cer­ti­fied one? Or is a plain copy fine? Send the form to the Dako­ta Coun­ty Court Admin­is­tra­tion. The address is 1560 High­way 55, Hast­ings, MN 55033. You must send a check or mon­ey or­der for the fee. Call them at (651) 438-8100 to find out the right fee. Al_so ask who to make the check out to. Put a self-paid, stamped enve­lope in with your quest. This is so they can mail the records back to you. It can take some weeks to get records by mail. So plan for that time. Make sure all your facts are right on the form. This helps them find the files with no hitches.

Searching Online via Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

Some Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records data may be on the web. You can use the Min­neso­ta Court Records Online (MCRO) sys­tem. This is run by the Min­neso­ta Judi­cial Branch. You can find it at https://www.mncourts.gov/Access-Case-Records.aspx. MCRO lets you search for court case records. This search may show you case sum­ma­ries. It may show the names of the peo­ple. It can show dates and what took place in court.

Not all case facts are on MCRO. Old case files may not be there. Some parts of a case may be kept private. So they will not show up on the web. MCRO is a good first step. It can help you find a case num­ber. It can tell you if Dako­ta Coun­ty has the record. But you may not get full cop­ies of the divorce file here. For full or cer­ti­fied cop­ies, you still need to ask the court. You can do that in per­son or by mail. Using MCRO first can save you time. It helps you know what to ask for from the court staff. There is no fee to search on MCRO for most public case information.

Fees and Payment for Dakota County Divorce Records

There is a cost to get Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records. The price can change. It is based on what you need. Cer­ti­fied cop­ies cost more. Plain cop­ies (infor­ma­tion­al) cost less. There might be a search fee too. This is if you do not have a case num­ber. The court staff have to spend time to find the file.

It is best to call the Dako­ta Coun­ty Court Admin­is­tra­tion. Their phone is (651) 438-8100. Ask them for the cur­rent fee list. They can tell you the cost per page. Or if it is a flat fee for a full divorce file. Pay­ment types they take are al_so good to know. If you go in per­son, they may take cash or card. For mail quests, you will need a check or mon­ey or­der. Make sure to ask who the check should be made out to. This stops your quest from be_ing held up. Fees are set by the court or by state law. They help pay for the work of keep­ing and giv­ing out these records.

Minnesota State Laws and Public Access

Min­neso­ta laws say how you can see records. The Min­neso­ta Gov­ern­ment Data Prac­tices Act is key. This law is found in Min­neso­ta Stat­utes, Chap­ter 13. It guides what data is public. It al_so states what data is not public. Most court records are public. This means Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records are too. But there are rules. Some data in a divorce file may be sealed. A judge can or­der this. This might be to keep kids' names safe. Or for health facts, or bank facts.

The Min­neso­ta Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judi­cial Branch al_so apply. You can find these rules on the Min­neso­ta Judi­cial Branch web­site (https://www.mncourts.gov/rules). These rules give more detail. They say who can see what records. They tell how courts should handle quests for records. The goal is to be open. But al_so to keep safe the rights of folks. So, while you can get most divorce records, know that some parts may be blacked out or not giv_en if they are not public by law.

What If I Can't Find the Record?

Some­times a search for Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records does not find what you want. This can be for a few cause­s. The divorce may not have been filed in Dako­ta Coun­ty. It could be in a dif­fer­ent coun­ty in Min­neso­ta. Or even a dif­fer­ent state if the folk lived else­where. Check if you have the right coun­ty for sure.

The spell­ing of names might be off. Or the dates you have could be wrong. Try to check these facts. Small mis­takes can stop a find. The record might be too old. Some old records are stored in state archives. The court staff can tell you if this is the case. Al_so, the divorce may not be final yet. If it is still in court, the full record may not be set. If you use MCRO, try a few ways to spell names. Or search with no date if you are not sure of the year. If you still have no luck, call the Court Admin­is­tra­tion. They may have tips for hard search­es. They might be able to point you to oth­er spots to look.

Dakota County Court Details

For all things on Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records, the main place is the Judi­cial Cen­ter.

• Dakota County Judicial Center (Hastings)

  • Location: 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

  • Main Phone: (651) 438-8100

  • Court Administration Hours (General): Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (It's best to call and confirm current hours for specific services like records requests).

  • Website Context: Information often found via the main Minnesota Judicial Branch website by navigating to Dakota County District Court.

Official Request Forms

When you ask for records, you will like­ly need a form. For Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records, the best place to find this form is through the Dako­ta Coun­ty District Court's pages on the Min­neso­ta Judi­cial Branch web­site. Look for a "Court Record Request Form" or sim­i­lar. Here's what these forms usu­al­ly ask for:

• Your name and con­tact info.

• The names of the peo­ple in the divorce (both par­ties).

• The case num­ber (if you know it). This is the best way for them to find it fast.

• The date of the divorce, or an approximate range of years to search.

• What kind of copy you need (cer­ti­fied or not).

• How many cop­ies you need.

Fill out the form with care. Give as much good info as you can. This helps the court staff find the right Dako­ta Coun­ty Divorce Records for you. If you can't find the form on the web, call Court Admin­is­tra­tion at (651) 438-8100. They can mail or fax one to you. Or you can pick one up if you go there in per­son. Hav­ing the right form filled out well will speed up your quest. It helps make sure you get the records you need with no miss­es. Be clear and print or write so they can read it well. Thank you for vis­it­ing our page on Dako­ta Coun­ty Di­vorce Records. We aim to give you the best help. We want to make your search for these records as smooth as it can be. Our goal is to give you all the facts you need.

If you want to start your search for Dako­ta Coun­ty Di­vorce Records right now, you can vis­it https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/dakota-county-divorce-records/. This site can help you find the files you need. It is a good place to start. Many peo­ple find it use­ful for their search for di­vorce files in Dako­ta Coun­ty. Give it a try if you are read­y.

Understanding Dakota County Divorce Records

Dakota County divorce records are official court documents. They show that a marriage has ended. These files hold key facts. They tell you the names of the two peo­ple. The date of the di­vorce is also there. The court that made the ruling is named. Some files have more facts. These can be about kids or how things were split. These records are kept by the court. They are part of the pub­lic record in most cases. This means most peo­ple can ask to see them.

A divorce decree is the main court pa­per. It states all the terms of the di­vorce. It is signed by a judge. Once it is filed with court staff, the di­vorce is fi­nal. This makes it a very im­port­ant pa­per. Some peo­ple need it to prove they are di­vorced. It may be used to change a name. Or it can be used for oth­er le­gal tasks. Knowing what is in these records helps you ask for the right thing. It also helps you know what to look for.

What Information is in a Divorce Record?

Dakota County divorce records typically include:

• Names of both spouses.

• Date the divorce was filed.

• Date the divorce was finalized (decree date).

• Case file number.

• The specific court that handled the divorce.

• Terms of the divorce, which might cover:

  • Child custody and support (if applicable).

  • Spousal support (alimony).

  • Division of property and debts.

  • Name changes, if any.

Not all of this detail is on every summary or index. The full divorce decree will have the most detail. You can ask for this key pa­per. Some search tools may show just a list of what was filed.

How to Access Dakota County Divorce Records

There are a few ways to find Dakota County divorce records. You can look on the web. You can go to a court house. Or you can send a form by mail. Each way has its own steps. Pick the one that works best for you.

Most court files are open to the pub­lic. But some parts might be kept out of view. This is done to keep some facts safe. For most searches, this will not be a big deal. Think of what you need the file for. This will help you pick the best way to get it.

Online Access via Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is a key tool. It is run by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. You can search for many pub­lic state court files here. This includes Dakota County divorce records. You can use MCRO to find case facts. You can see lists of things filed. You can also view some pub­lic files.

To use MCRO for Dakota County divorce records:

1. Go to the MCRO portal.

2. Use the search tools. You can look by name, case num­ber, or more.

3. For names, try to be exact. Wild­cards like '*' can help if you are not sure.

4. The site will show case files that match.

5. You can see a list of acts in the case. You may also see some files you can look at.

MCRO is a good first place to check. It works on most web browsers. You can use it on a phone too. Some files are free to view as a plain copy. This site is a great help to find what you need fast.

In-Person Requests at Dakota County Courthouses

You can ask for Dakota County divorce records in per­son. Go to one of the Dakota County court sites. They have pub­lic use screens. These let you search for court files. You can get more files this way than just on MCRO. Staff at the court can help you. They can tell you how to ask for files. You can get plain or sealed (cer­ti­fied) cop­ies.

Here are the main Dakota County Court locations:

• Dakota County Judicial Center

  • Address: 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

  • Phone: (651) 438-8100

  • General Hours: Typically 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Call to check.

• Dakota County Western Service Center

  • Address: 14955 Galaxie Avenue West, Apple Valley, MN 55124

  • Phone: (952) 891-7256

  • General Hours: Check with the court for specific service hours.

• Dakota County Northern Service Center

  • Address: 1 West Mendota Road, Suite 140, West St. Paul, MN 55118

  • Phone: (651) 554-6200

  • General Hours: Check with the court for specific service hours.

When you go, bring all the facts you have. This means names, dates if you know them, and case num­bers. This will help the staff find the files fast. Be ready to pay a fee. This is true if you need a sealed copy. Ask the clerk for the cost when you are there.

Mail-In Requests

You can also ask for Dakota County divorce records by mail. This is good if you can not go there or use the web. You need to fill out a form. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has a "Copy Request Form." You can find this form on their site. Fill it out with care. Put in all the facts you know. This helps them find the right case.

When you send your form for Dakota County divorce records:

1. Down­load and print the Copy Request Form.

2. Fill in all the known details:

   • Case name (names of the people).

   • Case file number (if known).

   • Approximate year of the divorce.

   • What kind of copy you need (plain or certified).

3. Include payment. Check the court's site or call for the right fee. Make checks or money orders out as they tell you.

4. Mail the form and fee to the Dakota County Court Administration. The main address is:

   • Court Administration Dakota County Judicial Center 1560 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033

   • You can also mail it to the specific court where the divorce was filed if known.

Make sure to include your con­tact info. This means your name, ad­dress, and phone. This way they can reach you if they have a query. Mail can take some time. So plan for that.

Types of Divorce Records Available

When you ask for Dakota County divorce records, you can get two main types. One is a plain copy. The oth­er is a sealed copy. They look much the same. But they are used for dif­fer­ent things. Know which one you need. This will save you time and cash.

The type of copy you need depends on why you need it. For just look­ing at the facts, a plain copy is fine. For le­gal acts, you will need a sealed one. Staff at the court can help you choose if you are not sure.

Certified Copies

A certified copy of a Dakota County divorce record has a court seal. This seal shows it is a true and real copy of the court's file. These are often needed for le­gal use. For example, you might need one to:

• Change your name on a driv­er's li­cense or bank card.

• Re­mar­ry.

• Show proof of di­vorce for loans or oth­er deals.

• Deal with prop­er­ty rights.

There is a fee for cer­ti­fied cop­ies. In Min­ne­so­ta, this is oft­en $14 per doc­u­ment (as of early 2025, but check for current fees). This type of copy gives you peace of mind. You know it will be seen as real. When you ask for one, be clear that you need it "cer­ti­fied." The court staff will then add the seal. These cop­ies are usu­al­ly print­ed on pa­per. You can get them by mail or in per­son.

Non-Certified (Plain) Copies

A non-certified copy is also called a plain copy. It is a simple photocopy of the Dakota County divorce record. It does not have a court seal. These cop­ies are good for your own use. You can use them to:

• Check facts.

• For your own files.

• For geneal­o­gy research.

Plain cop­ies cost less than sealed ones. The fee in Min­ne­so­ta is oft­en $8 per doc­u­ment (as of early 2025, check for current fees). Some­times, you can view or print these from MCRO at no cost. If you just need to know what the file says, this type is fine. It gives you all the same facts. But it can't be used for most le­gal needs. Al­ways check if a plain copy will work for what you want to do.

Information Needed to Request Divorce Records

To find Dakota County divorce records, you need to give some facts. The more you can give, the fast­er they can find the file. Try to have this info:

• Full names of both spouses: In­clude any mid­dle names or i­ni­tials. If a name changed with the di­vorce, list the name used at the time of the di­vorce.

• Approximate date of the divorce: The year the di­vorce was fi­nal­ized is most help­ful. Even a range of years can work.

• Case file number: If you know this, it is the best way to find the file fast.

• Date the divorce was filed: If you know this and not the end date.

• Your con­tact info: Name, ad­dress, phone, and e-mail.

You may also need to show ID for some requests. This is more so if the file has parts that are not pub­lic. Or if you are one of the peo­ple in the case and want more ac­cess. If you do not have all these facts, give what you do have. Court staff can still try to help. The Dakota County Law Library might also have tools to help you find case info.

Fees for Dakota County Divorce Records

There are fees to get cop­ies of Dakota County divorce records. The cost can change. It is best to check the Dakota County District Court site or call them. This will give you the most up to date fees. As of early 2025, fees in Min­ne­so­ta are oft­en:

• Plain Copy (Uncertified): Around $8 per document.

• Certified Copy: Around $14 per document.

These fees are set by the state or court. They can change with new rules. You can pay in a few ways. In per­son, you can use cash or a card (check first). For mail, use a check or mon­ey or­der. Make it out to "Dakota County Court Ad­min­is­tra­tion" or as told. If you use MCRO, some files might be free to view or print as plain cop­ies. But if you need the court to make a copy for you, there will be a fee. If you can not pay the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. This is called "In For­ma Pau­per­is." You have to show you can not pay. There are forms for this on the MN Courts Self Help Center.

Dakota County Court Locations and Contact Information

To get Dakota County divorce records in person, or to ask questions, you can contact these court locations. It's a good idea to call ahead. You can check their hours. You can also ask about specific services or fees. This will help your trip go well.

Judicial Center (Hastings)

This is the main court house for Dakota County.

• Name: Dakota County Judicial Center

• Address: 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033

• Phone: (651) 438-8100 (Court Administration general line)

• Services: Full range of court services, including access to divorce records. Public access terminals are available. Staff can assist with record requests.

• Hours: Typically Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. It is best to call to confirm hours for specific services like record copying.

Western Service Center (Apple Valley)

This court house serves the west side of the county.

• Name: Dakota County Western Service Center (Court services)

• Address: 14955 Galaxie Avenue West, Apple Valley, MN 55124

• Phone: (952) 891-7256

• Services: Offers many court services. This includes help with Dakota County divorce records. They have public terminals. Staff are there to help you.

• Hours: Service hours can vary from the building hours. Call the court services phone number to verify when staff for record requests are available.

Northern Service Center (West St. Paul)

This court house serves the north part of the county.

• Name: Dakota County Northern Service Center (Court services)

• Address: 1 West Mendota Road, Suite 140, West St. Paul, MN 55118

• Phone: (651) 554-6200

• Services: Provides various court functions. You can get help with Dakota County divorce records here. They should have public access computers. Staff can guide your search for files.

• Hours: As with other locations, it's wise to call the court's phone number to check on the hours for record services. This makes sure you go at the right time.

Understanding Minnesota Laws on Divorce Records

Laws in Min­ne­so­ta shape how you get Dakota County divorce records. These laws say who can see them. They also say what parts are pub­lic. Most court files, like di­vorce files, are open to all. This is part of the state's goal to keep courts clear and fair. But some facts are kept safe.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch sets rules for court files. They aim to make files easy to get. But they also must keep some facts out of view if the law says so. These laws help make sure that your right to know is met. They also guard facts that should stay out of sight.

Public Access to Divorce Records in Minnesota

In Min­ne­so­ta, most divorce records are pub­lic. This means any per­son can ask to see or copy them. This is in line with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13). The courts want to be open. This lets peo­ple see how the law works. You do not need a spe­cial cause to see pub­lic files.

How­ev­er, not all in­for­ma­tion in a di­vorce case is pub­lic. Some data may be re­strict­ed or sealed by court or­der or by law. This of­ten in­cludes:

• So­cial Se­cu­ri­ty num­bers.

• Bank ac­count num­bers.

• In­for­ma­tion about child pro­tec­tion cases.

• Ad­dress­es of vic­tims of do­mes­tic vi­o­lence. The Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch give more details on what is public and what is not. You can still get most case files like the di­vorce de­cree.

Sealed Records

Some Dakota County divorce records can be sealed. This means they are not open to the pub­lic. A judge must or­der a file to be sealed. This is not done oft­en. There must be a strong cause to seal a file. For ex­am­ple, if keep­ing it pub­lic could put some­one at risk. Or if it holds very sen­si­tive facts that are not key for the pub­lic to see.

If a di­vorce rec­ord is sealed, you can­not view it through MCRO or at the court house. Only the peo­ple in the case, their law­yers, or some state groups can see it. If you need facts from a sealed file and are not a par­ty, you would need a court or­der. This is a hard thing to get. Most di­vorce files are not sealed. So this is not a common issue.

Key Minnesota Statutes

Some state laws are key for Dakota County divorce records. The main one is Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 518. This chap­ter is called "Mar­riage Dis­so­lu­tion." It has the laws for how di­vorces work in the state. It talks about:

• Grounds for di­vorce (Section 518.06).

• How files are start­ed and where (Section 518.09).

• Child cus­tody and sup­port (Sections like 518.17).

• What makes a di­vorce de­cree fi­nal (Section 518.145).

• The use of a "Cer­tifi­cate of Dis­so­lu­tion" (Section 518.148). This is a short form of the de­cree.

Know­ing these laws can help you grasp what is in the files. It also helps you know your rights. The Minnesota Revisor of Statutes Office keeps all state laws up to date on their site. This is a good place to look up laws.

Dakota County Law Library Resources

The Dakota County Law Library can be a great help. They can help you find Dakota County divorce records. They also have tools for peo­ple who are deal­ing with di­vorce. They have two main sites. One is in Hast­ings. The oth­er is in Ap­ple Val­ley.

• Hastings Law Library: Located in the Dakota County Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033.

• Apple Valley Law Library: Located in the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124.

• Contact: Phone: (651) 438-8080 | Email: lawlibrarymain@co.dakota.mn.us | Website: Dakota County Law Library Page

Staff at the law li­brary can not give le­gal ad­vice. But they can:

• Help you find court forms for di­vorce. This includes forms to start a di­vorce. Or forms to ask for files.

• Show you how to use MCRO and oth­er search tools.

• Help you print le­gal forms. They may not charge for this.

• Point you to laws and rules about di­vorce.

• Give lists of groups that give free or low-cost le­gal help.

If you are look­ing for files or try­ing to learn more, the law li­brary is a good place to start. They have pub­lic use com­put­ers. Their web­site also has good links and guides. This can make your search for Dako­ta Coun­ty Di­vorce Records eas­i­er.