Dakota County Court Records Search
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Dakota County is part of Minnesota’s First Judicial District and sits directly south of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with Hastings serving as the county seat. The Dakota County District Court holds original jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed within the county and operates out of three courthouse locations in Hastings, Apple Valley, and West St. Paul. Court Administration, led by Court Administrator Maria King, oversees record management and public access across all three sites. This guide covers the specific offices, search tools, fees, and procedures for locating and obtaining court records throughout Dakota County.
Minnesota maintains a centralized online system for accessing trial court records statewide. The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), a free portal that provides public access to district court case information, documents, hearing schedules, and judgment details. Users can search Dakota County case records from any internet connection without visiting a courthouse. For additional context, MinnesotaCourts.us may also assist in locating publicly available court case data across the state’s counties. Beyond online tools, each Dakota County courthouse offers public access terminals, and Court Administration staff can help process in-person and mail-based record requests.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dakota County?
Dakota County provides online, in-person, and mail-based pathways for looking up court cases. The most efficient starting point for most users is the state’s online records system.
Online via MCRO
Minnesota Court Records Online offers four search functions:
- Case Search — Look up cases by person name, business name, attorney name, case number, citation number, or attorney bar number. Each case provides a Register of Actions and links to any public documents available online.
- Document Search — Search by case number to find and download public documents filed in a case.
- Hearing Search — Find scheduled hearings by person name, business name, case number, judicial officer, or attorney.
- Judgment Search — Search by debtor name for docketed money judgment details, including satisfactions.
Access to documents filed prior to July 1, 2015, is limited on MCRO. Users seeking older records should contact Dakota County Court Administration directly.
In-Person Access
Public access terminals are available at all three Dakota County courthouse locations. Visitors can search and view case records on-site during business hours.
| Location | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota County Judicial Center (Hastings) | 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 | (651) 377-7180 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Western Service Center (Apple Valley) | 14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124 | (952) 247-7099 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Northern Service Center (West St. Paul) | 1 Mendota Road West, Suite 140, West St. Paul, MN 55118 | (651) 377-7190 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
A 24-hour phone recording is also available at (651) 377-7170. Email inquiries can be directed through the Contact Court by Email form on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
Mailing Address for Written Requests:
Dakota County District Court
1560 W. Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Written requests should include the case number or party names and sufficient identifying details. The court will respond with the applicable fees.
Court Record Copy Fees (per Minn. Stat. § 357.021):
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of any instrument (civil or criminal) | No charge |
| Certified copy of any instrument (civil or criminal) | $14.00 |
| Exemplified and certified copy | $28.00 |
| Exemplified and uncertified copy | $14.00 |
| Reports from case management system (1–50 pages) | $5.00 per report |
| Reports from case management system (50+ pages) | $25.00 per 50 pages |
| Scanning fee (per 50 pages or part thereof) | $25.00 |
Uncertified electronic printouts from MCRO or the courthouse terminals are free. Certified copies of court documents and judgment search results must be obtained from local Court Administration.
Are Court Records Public in Dakota County?
Dakota County court records are generally open to public inspection. The Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch govern which case records are accessible and which are restricted. These rules apply uniformly across all Minnesota district courts, including Dakota County.
The following categories of court records are not publicly accessible under state rules:
- Harassment and domestic abuse records — Orders for Protection (OFP) and Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) case records have restricted access.
- Court service records — Reports prepared at the direction of the court, such as psychological evaluations and rehabilitation recommendations.
- Judicial notes and memoranda — Internal drafts and working papers prepared by court-employed or appointed officials for decision-making.
- Juvenile case appeal records — Court documents associated with juvenile case appeals.
- Medical records — Health information filed with the court.
- Wills held for safekeeping — Wills deposited with the court remain confidential until the testator’s death.
- Minor-identifying data — Information that could identify a minor party.
- Records restricted by court order, state statute, or federal law — Any document sealed or exempted by specific legal authority.
Public documents in civil commitment, domestic abuse, harassment, felony delinquency (age 16+), and Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) cases are not accessible through MCRO, though they may be viewable at the courthouse. Anyone with questions about whether a specific record is available should contact Court Administration at (651) 377-7180.
Dakota County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Dakota County—including felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors—are heard in the District Court across its three locations. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office files criminal complaints and maintains a dedicated criminal complaint search tool on the county website, which indexes complaints for a rolling 12-month period. Complaints involving charges of criminal sexual conduct or child sexual abuse images are excluded from this search tool.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case records can be searched through MCRO using the Case Search by defendant name or case number. Public documents in criminal cases are available for download. For complaints not found online, users can contact Court Administration at (651) 377-7180, visit MCRO directly, or use the public access terminals at the Northern and Western service centers.
Statewide Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains statewide criminal history records. The BCA’s public criminal history search provides free online access to public conviction records.
For a comprehensive personal criminal history (including non-public data), the record subject must submit a notarized, signed, and dated written request to the BCA, including full name, date of birth, and any maiden or former names, along with an $8 money order or check payable to the BCA. Third-party requesters must include a signed consent form from the record subject and pay $15. Send requests to:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
In-person requests can also be made at the BCA office during business hours (8:15 AM – 4:00 PM).
Dakota County Sheriff’s Office
The Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and related law enforcement data. The county’s jail inmate search allows the public to look up individuals currently in custody. For broader records requests, contact the Sheriff’s Office:
Dakota County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 438-4700
Email: sheriff@co.dakota.mn.us
Data requests to the Sheriff’s Office for jail and detention records can be emailed to dcjailadmin@co.dakota.mn.us per the county’s public data request procedures.
Dakota County Civil Court Records
Civil cases filed in Dakota County—including general civil actions, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and conciliation (small claims) matters—fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. Conciliation court in Minnesota handles disputes involving claims up to $15,000 and uses a simplified filing process. The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a Conciliation Court Virtual Assistant to help self-represented litigants navigate the process.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case information is available through MCRO’s Case Search and Document Search. Public documents in civil cases, including formal probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust filings, are accessible online. The Judgment Search tool is particularly useful for creditors and title companies checking for docketed money judgments against specific individuals.
Paper copies of civil court records can be obtained at any of the three Dakota County courthouse locations during business hours. Uncertified copies are free; certified copies cost $14.00 per instrument under Minn. Stat. § 357.021.
Civil Filing Fees:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| First paper filed (plaintiff/defendant) | $310.00 |
| Conciliation court first paper filed | $65.00 |
| Motion or response to motion | $100.00 |
| Name change | $310.00 |
| Jury trial request (at time of first filing) | $410.00 |
| Foreign judgment filing (over $20,000) | $310.00 |
| Foreign judgment filing ($20,000 or less) | $65.00 |
| Judgment search (per name certified) | $5.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $40.00 |
A complete and current fee schedule, including county-specific law library fees, is maintained on the Minnesota District Court Fees page.
Dakota County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Dakota County—including dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption—are heard in the District Court. Family case records contain sensitive information, and access to certain documents is restricted under the Rules of Public Access.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by Dakota County Court Administration. Divorce records can be searched online through MCRO by case number or party name. Paper copies are available at any Dakota County courthouse. The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage (with or without children) is $390, and motion filing costs $100.
Marriage Records
Marriage certificates are maintained by Dakota County’s Vital Records office, not the District Court. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate:
- Complete the Marriage Certificate Application Form.
- Include a $9 copy fee (check payable to Dakota County for mail or drop-box requests).
- Submit by mail, drop-box, or in person at:
Administration Center
1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033
Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Marriage records can also be searched and viewed through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS).
Child Custody, Support, and Domestic Abuse
First-paper filing for custody, paternity, parenting time, or registration cases is $310. Child support modification motions cost $50. Domestic abuse Orders for Protection carry no filing fee for the petitioner, while respondents pay $100 for motions. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides Self-Help Centers that assist unrepresented parties in preparing family law filings, and forms packets for dissolution cases cost $10.
Adoption Records
Adoption filings are $310 for children born in the U.S. (with a $75 additional fee under Minn. Stat. § 259.52) and $310 for children born in a foreign country. Adoption records are subject to confidentiality protections and are not accessible through MCRO.
Birth and Death Records
Dakota County birth and death certificates are available through the county’s license and service centers. Only eligible applicants may obtain certified copies. Applicants must present valid government-issued ID or provide a witness.
| Record Type | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | $26.00 | $19.00 each |
| Non-certified birth certificate | $19.00 | $9.00 each |
| Certified death certificate | $13.00 | $6.00 each |
Request forms are available for both in-person and mail submissions: certified birth, mail-based certified birth, non-certified birth, certified death, mail-based certified death, and non-certified death. Requests can be submitted to the Northern Service Center, Administration Center, or any Dakota County license center.
Dakota County Probate Court Records
The Dakota County District Court exercises jurisdiction over all probate matters filed in the county, including formal and informal probate of estates, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Dakota County Law Library also maintains books on estate planning, wills, and living trusts for public reference.
Searching Probate Records
MCRO provides online access to public documents in all formal probate, other probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust case types. Users can search by party name or case number through the Case Search or locate specific filings through the Document Search. As with other case types, documents filed prior to July 1, 2015, may have limited online availability.
In-person access to probate case files is available at all three Dakota County courthouses during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM).
Probate Filing Fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships (first paper filed) | $310.00 |
| Deposit of wills (safekeeping) | $27.00 |
| Trust accounts (partial, final, or annual) | $55.00 |
| Motion or response to a motion | $100.00 |
Wills deposited with the court for safekeeping remain confidential until the testator’s death. After the testator passes, the will becomes part of the public probate file once admitted to probate.
Requesting Copies
Uncertified copies of probate instruments are free. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. Exemplified and certified copies are $28.00. Requests can be made in person at any courthouse location or by mail to Dakota County District Court, 1560 W. Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The Dakota County Property Taxation and Records office handles property-related recordings separately, including deeds and liens that may intersect with estate administration, and maintains the RecordEASE online search platform for subscribers.