Carver County Court Records Search
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Carver County is part of Minnesota’s First Judicial District, and all trial-level matters in the county are handled by a single District Court located at the Carver County Justice Center in Chaska. The court exercises original jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed within county boundaries. The Carver County Court Administrator’s office manages daily court operations, including case flow, jury coordination, and the collection of fines, fees, and restitution. Whether you need to verify a past judgment, obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, or check the status of a pending criminal charge, the records you are looking for will almost always trace back to this courthouse or to specialized state agencies that maintain statewide databases.
Locating court records in Minnesota generally starts with the resources available through the state judiciary and local clerk offices. MinnesotaCourts.us provides statewide information about court locations, forms, fees, and filing procedures. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) application allows the public to search district court case data by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney. In-person research can be conducted at the courthouse during business hours, and public-access terminals at the State Law Library in St. Paul also offer access to court records. For records not available electronically, written requests can be mailed or faxed to the court, and certain vital records are maintained separately by the county’s Land Records and Vitals Department.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Carver County?
The primary online tool for searching Carver County court cases is the MCRO application. This free platform displays case records from all Minnesota district courts, including Carver County. Searches can be performed by:
- Party name — enter a first and last name (business name for entity searches) and optionally filter by date of birth, case type, or case status
- Case number — enter the full case number assigned by the court
- Citation number — useful for traffic or petty misdemeanor lookups
- Attorney name or bar number — locates cases associated with a specific attorney
Results include case summaries, hearing dates, and monetary judgment information. Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2015, may be viewable and downloadable at no charge. Documents filed before that date are generally not available online and must be requested directly from the court.
Requesting paper copies from the District Court:
- Identify the case number or provide enough detail (party names, approximate dates, case type) for staff to locate the record.
- Complete a copy request form or draft a written request letter specifying the documents needed.
- Submit the request in person, by mail, or by fax to the address below.
- Include payment — check or money order for mailed requests; cash, check, or credit/debit card for in-person visits.
Carver County District Court
Address: 604 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1420
Fax: (952) 361-1491
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy | No charge |
| Certified copy | $14 per document |
| Exemplified copy | $14 per document |
| Exemplified and certified copy | $28 per document |
Court Administrator: Mary Dalbec. The court may also be contacted by email for general questions about record availability.
Are Court Records Public in Carver County?
Minnesota operates under a strong presumption of public access to government data. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13) establishes that all government data are public unless a statute or court rule classifies them otherwise. Court records specifically are governed by the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, adopted by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Under these rules, the following categories of information are restricted from public access:
- Adoption records and related parental-termination filings
- Juvenile delinquency and child-protection records (with limited exceptions)
- Personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth in certain contexts, and financial account numbers
- Medical, mental health, and chemical-dependency treatment records submitted to the court
- Victim contact information and addresses in domestic-abuse proceedings
- Trade secrets and proprietary business data filed under seal
- Records sealed or expunged by court order
When a document contains both public and confidential information, the court may provide a redacted version with the restricted portions removed. Individuals seeking access to sealed or confidential records must demonstrate a direct interest and may be required to present government-issued identification, a notarized consent from the record subject, or a court order authorizing disclosure. Requests for restricted records should be directed to the District Court Administrator.
Carver County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Carver County — including felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses — are filed and adjudicated in the Carver County District Court. Case records typically contain the complaint or charging document, bail orders, plea documents, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation conditions.
Searching criminal court records online:
The MCRO case search is the most direct method for locating criminal case information. Enter the defendant’s name and select a criminal case type filter to narrow results. Pending criminal matters may appear if a public charging document has been filed. Detailed guidance on searching pending cases is available in the MCRO FAQ.
Requesting records by mail:
Name-based criminal record requests that lack a case number should include the court location (Carver County), the defendant’s full name, date of birth, and as many identifying details as possible. Mail the completed request form and any applicable fees to the District Court at 604 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318.
Statewide criminal history records:
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a centralized criminal history database. Access options include:
- Own record: Submit a written request with full name, date of birth, notarized signature, and $8 (check or money order) to the BCA CHA Unit, 1430 Maryland Ave. E., St. Paul, MN 55106. In-person requests accepted with a government-issued ID and $8.
- Another person’s public record: Search free at the Minnesota Public Criminal History website, or use the free public terminal at the BCA office. A comprehensive search of another person’s record requires a notarized Informed Consent Form from the record subject and a $15 fee.
Arrest records and incident reports:
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office handles arrest records and police reports. Contact the Records Department at (952) 361-1105 or email Sheriff-Records@co.carver.mn.us. Written requests may be mailed to:
Carver County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Records
606 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318
Carver County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Carver County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, employment actions, property disputes, evictions, and small claims — is processed through the District Court. Conciliation court (Minnesota’s small claims division) handles disputes involving limited dollar amounts, while larger matters proceed through the standard civil track.
Filing fees for civil matters are set by Minn. Stat. § 357.021 and related statutes. Selected fees applicable in Carver County include:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action — first paper filed (plaintiff or defendant) | $310 |
| Conciliation court (small claims) — first paper filed | $65 |
| Eviction action | $310 |
| Rent escrow / lockout / emergency tenant remedy | $65 |
| Confession of judgment | $310 |
| Name change | $310 |
| Jury trial request (at time of filing) | $410 |
| Jury trial request (after filing) | $100 |
| Motion or response to a motion | $100 |
| Subpoena (per name) | $16 |
| Issuing writs / filing return | $55 |
Additional judgment-related fees include $40 for a transcript of judgment, $5 for satisfaction or discharge of judgment, and $5 per name for a judgment search.
Searching civil case records:
Use the MCRO platform to search by party name, case number, or attorney. For records not available electronically, submit a written request to the court with the relevant case details and any applicable copy fees. Uncertified copies of civil documents are free; certified copies cost $14 per document.
Self-help resources:
Individuals representing themselves in civil or conciliation court can access the Conciliation Court Virtual Assistant for step-by-step filing guidance. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also publishes forms and instructions for common civil case types. The Carver County Law Library, located in the Government Center at 604 E. Fourth Street in Chaska, provides additional research resources and can be reached at (952) 361-1564.
Carver County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Carver County are adjudicated by the District Court and include dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separations, annulments, custody and parenting-time disputes, paternity actions, child support proceedings, adoptions, and orders for protection. These proceedings are governed by Minnesota Domestic Relations Law.
Selected family court filing fees:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage (with or without children) | $390 |
| Legal separation or annulment | $360 |
| Custody, paternity, or parenting-time petition | $310 |
| Child support — first paper filed | $360 |
| Child support modification motion | $50 |
| Adoption — child born in U.S. | $385 |
| Adoption — child born in foreign country | $310 |
| Order for protection (petitioner) | $0 |
| Harassment restraining order | $310 |
| Motion or response to a motion (family, excluding child support) | $100 |
| Dissolution forms packet | $10 |
Restricted family court records:
Not all family case documents are open to the public. Under the Rules of Public Access and the Government Data Practices Act, the following are typically restricted: domestic abuse case records and protection-order petitions (petitioner information), family mediation communications, medical records submitted in custody evaluations, certain paternity proceedings, and foster-care or child-protection filings. Access to restricted documents requires proof of a direct interest, which may include valid photo identification, notarized consent from the record subject, or a court disclosure order.
Marriage records:
Marriage certificates are maintained by the Carver County Land Records and Vitals Department, not the court. The county holds marriage records dating back to 1856 for licenses issued in Carver County. To request a certificate, complete the Marriage Certificate Application (available as a PDF on the county website or in person) and submit it with fees to:
Land Records & Vitals Department
600 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 361-1901
Email: recorder@carvercountymn.gov
Marriage license fees are $125, reduced to $50 if both applicants complete 12 hours of premarital education under Minn. Stat. § 517.08. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification. Statewide marriage records can also be searched through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS).
Divorce records remain with the District Court. Search online through MCRO or request copies of dissolution decrees and related orders using the standard copy request process.
Birth and death records are handled by the Vital Statistics division of the Land Records and Vitals Department. Carver County can issue birth certificates for anyone born in Minnesota (post-1934) and death certificates for deaths in the county back to 1870 or anywhere in Minnesota back to 1997. Authorized requestors must complete the applicable application form (birth or death), provide photo identification, and pay the corresponding fee. Birth certificates cost $26 for the first copy and $19 for additional copies in the same order. Death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies. Requests may be made in person before 4:00 p.m. for same-day issuance or by mail with a notarized application. Certain birth records are classified as confidential under Minn. Stat. § 144.225 and are available only to the record subject (age 16 or older), parents named on the record, legal guardians, conservators, or authorized government agents.
Carver County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Carver County — including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust proceedings — are handled by the District Court. Probate filings generate records such as petitions, inventories, accountings, orders appointing personal representatives or guardians, and final decrees of distribution.
Probate filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships — first paper filed | $310 |
| Deposit of will (safekeeping) | $27 |
| Trust account filing (partial, final, or annual) | $55 |
| Motion or response to a motion | $100 |
These fees are authorized by Minn. Stat. § 357.021 and related provisions. Carver County may also assess a law library surcharge on certain filings.
Searching probate records:
Publicly accessible probate case information can be searched through the MCRO application using the decedent’s name, the ward’s name, or a case number. Documents filed electronically after July 1, 2015, may be viewable online. For older records or documents not available through MCRO, submit a written request to the court. Include the case number or enough identifying information (decedent or ward name, approximate date of filing) for staff to locate the file.
Requesting copies:
To obtain certified or exemplified copies of probate documents, complete a copy request form and mail it with the appropriate fee to the Carver County District Court at 604 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318. In-person requests are also accepted during business hours. Uncertified copies are provided at no charge. Certified copies cost $14 per document regardless of page count.
Restricted probate information:
While most probate filings are public, certain records may contain confidential data — for example, medical evaluations filed in guardianship or conservatorship proceedings, financial account numbers, or Social Security numbers. The court redacts protected identifiers from publicly available documents in accordance with the Rules of Public Access. Individuals seeking access to restricted portions of a probate file must present valid identification and, in some cases, a court order or notarized authorization from the record subject or personal representative.