Goodhue County Court Records Search
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Goodhue County, Minnesota maintains a unified district court system that handles the full range of civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed within the county. Court records produced by these proceedings — which include pleadings, orders, judgments, dockets, minute entries, petitions, and exhibits — are official documents that serve as permanent records of judicial activity. Researchers, legal professionals, and members of the public regularly access these records for purposes ranging from litigation research to background investigations and genealogical inquiry.
For anyone searching Minnesota court records, several official pathways exist. Clerk’s offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools all provide varying levels of access depending on the case type and the document requested. MinnesotaCourts.us is a useful resource for navigating the state’s court system and locating publicly available case information. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also maintains its own online case lookup tools that are accessible from any internet connection.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Goodhue County?
Goodhue County court records can be searched through several official channels. The right approach depends on whether you need general case information, document copies, or a certified copy for official purposes.
Online Search Options
The Minnesota Judicial Branch Access Case Records page is the primary online resource. It provides access to the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, which contains public district court case records and documents statewide. Within MCRO, searches can be conducted using four tabs:
- Case Search — Search by party name (last, first, middle format), date of birth or date range, filing date, case category, case status, and county. Select “Goodhue” from the county menu and click “Find”.
- Document Search — Retrieve specific filed documents using case number or related identifiers.
- Hearing Search — Look up scheduled or past hearings by case number or attorney name.
- Judgment Search — Search for monetary judgments using case number or judgment officer name.
Uncertified copies of records accessible through MCRO are available at no charge. Plain copies of recent divorce records may also be reviewed and downloaded through the platform.
In-Person Access
The Goodhue County District Court Clerk’s office provides over-the-counter assistance for those who prefer in-person requests. Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse for direct case lookups during business hours.
Goodhue County District Court
Address: 454 West 6th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066
Phone: (651) 267-4800
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Having a case number, party names, or filing date on hand will significantly speed up any search, whether conducted online or in person.
Are Court Records Public in Goodhue County?
Most court records in Goodhue County are public documents. Under the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, court files — including pleadings, orders, and decrees — are generally open for public inspection and copying. The governing framework is set out in Rule 4 of the Rules of Public Access, which defines which specific record categories are shielded from disclosure.
The following categories of records are not accessible to the public:
- Domestic abuse and harassment records — Protective order and harassment restraining order records are not public until the court order has been served on the respondent
- Court services records — Presentence reports, custody evaluation reports, psychological evaluations, and similar materials gathered to assist in sentencing or case disposition
- Judicial work product and drafts — Notes, memoranda, and draft orders prepared by judges, law clerks, or court staff during decision-making
- Juvenile appeal case records — Appeals arising from juvenile proceedings that were not open to the public
- Medical records — Health, treatment, and genetic information submitted in civil commitment or other cases under a confidential designation
- Response to petition for criminal expungement — Confidential data included in agency responses to expungement petitions under Minn. Stat. § 609A.03
- Wills deposited for safekeeping — A will filed under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-515 during the testator’s lifetime; only its existence may be disclosed after the testator’s death
- Minor victim identifying information — Information that specifically identifies a minor victim in sexual offense or juvenile delinquency cases
- Juvenile protection case child name search results — MCRO’s public name search will not return results when searching by a child’s name in juvenile protection cases
- Images containing sexual content or nudity — Obscene images, child pornography, sexual conduct depictions, and nudity
- Death certificates — Certificates of death filed with the court, unless formally admitted into evidence at a public hearing
Courts may also restrict access to individual case records by court order if required findings are made under applicable case law and rules.
Goodhue County Criminal Court Records
The Goodhue County District Court has original jurisdiction over all criminal matters filed in the county, from petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors through gross misdemeanors and felonies. Criminal court records document charges, hearings, pleas, verdicts, sentencing, and other proceedings in each case.
Searching Criminal Records Online
Criminal case records filed in Goodhue County are searchable through the MCRO case search tool. When running a criminal case search, uncheck all case categories except “Criminal” and select Goodhue from the county list. Searches can be filtered by party name, date of birth, filing date range, and case status (active or closed).
Requesting Copies
Certified copies of criminal court records are available from the Clerk of District Court. The current fee schedule for Goodhue County, authorized under Minn. Stat. § 357.021, includes:
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of any instrument from a criminal proceeding | $14.00 |
| Exemplified and certified copy | $28.00 |
| Exemplified and uncertified copy | $14.00 |
| Uncertified copy (imaged or electronically filed document) | $0.00 |
| Copies of case management system reports (1–50 pages) | $5.00 |
| Copies of case management system reports (50+ pages, per 50 pages) | $25.00 |
Criminal History vs. Court Records
Court records document proceedings in a specific case. A full criminal history background check — reflecting activity across multiple jurisdictions — must be obtained through a law enforcement agency rather than the court clerk’s office. Requests for arrest records or multi-jurisdiction criminal history information should be directed to the appropriate law enforcement office.
Probation Fees (Court Services)
For individuals with court-ordered probation, Goodhue County Court Services assesses supervision fees: $150 per gross misdemeanor case, $100 per misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor case, and a $50 transfer-out fee. Questions about probation fee balances can be directed to (651) 267-4911.
Goodhue County Civil Court Records
The Goodhue County District Court handles all civil cases filed within the county, including general civil actions, evictions, conciliation court (small claims) matters, name changes, and civil appeals. Civil case records are maintained by the court clerk and are searchable through the MCRO case search platform.
Filing Fees for Civil Matters
The following fees apply to civil filings in Goodhue County District Court, established under Minn. Stat. § 357.021 and § 357.022:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| First paper filed – Civil action (plaintiff or defendant) | $323.00 |
| First paper filed with jury demand at same time | $423.00 |
| Request for trial by jury (separate filing) | $100.00 |
| Motion or response to a motion in civil case | $100.00 |
| Name change | $323.00 |
| Issuing all writs / filing return | $55.00 |
| Subpoena (per name) | $16.00 |
| File an eviction action | $323.00 |
| File a rent escrow, lockout, or emergency tenant remedies action | $78.00 |
| Conciliation court (small claims) – first paper filed | $78.00 |
| Removal (appeal) of conciliation court judgment to district court | $323.00 |
Conciliation Court (Small Claims)
Goodhue County’s conciliation court handles smaller civil disputes with a simplified procedure. Filing fees for conciliation matters are $78.00 for the first paper filed. If a party appeals a conciliation judgment to district court, the removal filing fee is $323.00 (or $423.00 if a jury trial is also requested).
Judgment Searches and Transcripts
Certified judgment searches cost $5.00 per name searched. Transcripts of judgment — whether docketed in or issued from district court — are $40.00 each under Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(6). Judgment satisfaction filings and assignment of judgment filings carry a $5.00 fee each.
Goodhue County Family Court Records
The Goodhue County District Court’s family law jurisdiction covers divorce (dissolution of marriage), legal separation, child custody and parenting time, child support, paternity, orders for protection, harassment restraining orders, adoption, and juvenile matters. All family case filings are maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the Goodhue County Justice Center.
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are public court documents. Plain copies of recent divorce decrees may be reviewed and downloaded through MCRO. Certified copies of a divorce decree are available from the courthouse clerk for $14.00 per certified instrument under Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(2). Filing fees for a dissolution of marriage case are $403.00 (base fee $340 + $50 child support fee + $13 law library fee). Legal separation and annulment filings carry a fee of $373.00.
Forms Packets
Dissolution forms packets — covering dissolution with children and dissolution without children — are available from the clerk for $10.00 per packet. Forms packets of 10 pages or fewer are provided at no charge; packets of 11 or more pages cost $5.00.
Child Support and Custody
Petitions related to custody, paternity, parenting time, and registration of out-of-state orders carry a filing fee of $323.00. Motions to modify existing child support orders cost $50.00 to file. Initial child support petitions carry a fee of $373.00. The collection and disbursement of child support payments in Minnesota is handled through the state’s income withholding system.
Marriage Records
The Goodhue County Recorder’s office holds marriage records from 1856 to the present for licenses issued within the county. Certified copies cost $9.00. Marriage records can also be searched through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) online. Requests by mail should include the marriage record request form and a check or money order payable to the Goodhue County Recorder, sent to:
Goodhue County Recorder
Address: 509 W 5th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066
Phone: (651) 385-3152
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records are classified as vital records and are not generally accessible to the public. Certified copies of birth certificates ($26 for the first copy, $19 for each additional copy of the same certificate) and death certificates ($13 for the first copy, $6 for each additional copy) require proof of a tangible interest in the record subject. Non-certified copies of both are available at $13 per copy. Requests are submitted using the Recorder’s birth certificate application or death certificate request form, along with a government-issued photo ID, and can be submitted in person or by mail to the Recorder’s office.
Goodhue County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Goodhue County are heard by the Goodhue County District Court, which exercises general jurisdiction over all probate and estate-related proceedings. There is no separate probate court; all matters are filed with the same district court clerk at the Justice Center.
Probate Case Types
The court handles the full range of probate proceedings, including:
- Formal and informal estate administration and appointment of personal representatives
- Wills admitted to probate
- Guardianships and conservatorships for adults and minors
- Trust proceedings and annual trust accountings
- Petitions for name change
Filing Fees for Probate Matters
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships – first paper filed | $323.00 |
| Trust accounts (partial, final, or annual) | $55.00 |
| Deposit of will for safekeeping | $27.00 |
| Motion or response to a motion | $100.00 |
Searching and Requesting Probate Records
Probate case records are accessible online through MCRO using the case search tab. Select “Probate” as the case category, enter relevant party name or case number information, and select Goodhue County. Probate records may also be researched in person at the courthouse clerk’s office, where staff can assist with file retrieval and copy requests.
Note that wills deposited with the court for safekeeping under Minn. Stat. § 524.2-515 remain confidential during the testator’s lifetime. Only after a testator’s death may the existence — though not the contents — of the deposited will be disclosed publicly, until the will is transferred to the appropriate court for probate proceedings.
For older historical probate records not available through MCRO, researchers may find supplemental materials through the Minnesota Historical Society’s court records resources, which can assist with genealogical and historical estate research in Goodhue County.