Olmsted County Court Records

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    Olmsted County sits in southeastern Minnesota, with Rochester — the state's third-largest city and home to the Mayo Clinic — serving as its county seat. All trial-level judicial proceedings in the county are handled by the Olmsted County District Court, part of Minnesota's Third Judicial District. The court has original jurisdiction over criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. Court records from these proceedings are maintained by the court administrator's office at the Olmsted County Government Center.

    Several official resources are available for those looking up court case information in Minnesota. The Minnesota Judicial Branch operates Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), a statewide portal that provides electronic access to public district court records and documents. MinnesotaCourts.us can also help locate publicly available case data. In-person access is available at the courthouse through public access terminals, and the court administrator's office handles requests by phone, mail, and walk-in during business hours.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Olmsted County?

    Start with MCRO, which offers four distinct search functions for finding Olmsted County court cases:

    • Case Search: Look up cases by person name, business name, attorney name, case number, citation number, or attorney bar number. Results include a Register of Actions and links to public documents filed in each case.
    • Document Search: Search by case number to find specific public documents available online.
    • Hearing Search: Locate scheduled hearings by person name, business name, case number, judicial officer, or attorney information.
    • Judgment Search: Search by debtor name for docketed money judgment details, including satisfactions.

    MCRO has limited access to documents filed before July 1, 2015. For older records, contact the court administrator's office directly. Public documents in civil commitment, domestic abuse, harassment, and certain juvenile cases are also excluded from MCRO.

    In-Person Access

    Olmsted County District Court
    Address: 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904
    Phone: (507) 722-7264
    Fax: (507) 285-8996

    Business Hours:

    DayHours
    Monday8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Tuesday8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Wednesday9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Thursday8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    Friday8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Public access computer terminals at the courthouse provide statewide access to case records. Staff can also help you locate records and produce copies. Have a case number, party name, or other identifying details ready before you visit.

    Key scheduling phone numbers:

    • Civil Scheduling: (507) 722-7325
    • Criminal Scheduling: (507) 722-7326
    • Jury Manager: (507) 722-7327
    • Traffic Fees/Information: (800) 657-3611

    Copy Fees

    Court document copy fees are set under Minn. Stat. 357.021:

    • Certified copy of any instrument (civil or criminal): $14.00
    • Exemplified and certified copy: $28.00
    • Uncertified copies of imaged or electronically filed documents: No charge
    • Reports from case management system (150 pages): $5.00
    • Reports from case management system (per additional 50 pages): $25.00
    • Scanning fee (per 50 pages or part thereof): $25.00

    Are Court Records Public in Olmsted County?

    Minnesota court records are generally presumed public under two legal frameworks. The Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch apply to records maintained by courts, while the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13) covers records held by executive branch entities such as the tax court and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

    Under Rule 4 of the Rules of Public Access, the following categories of case records are not accessible to the public:

    • Domestic abuse and harassment records restricted until a court order is served on the respondent
    • Court services records including psychological evaluations, sentencing recommendations, and custody recommendation reports
    • Judicial work product — notes, memoranda, and drafts used to prepare final decisions
    • Juvenile appeal case records arising from non-public juvenile proceedings
    • Race census forms collected from participants in criminal and traffic cases
    • Medical records submitted under a non-public cover sheet, including records in civil commitment cases
    • Minor victim identifying information in sexual offense cases
    • Wills deposited for safekeeping during a testator's lifetime
    • Pending administrative warrants
    • Adoption records (governed by Minn. R. Adopt. P. 7)
    • Death certificates filed with the court (unless formally admitted into evidence)
    • Pre-adjudication paternity proceedings filed before January 1, 2021

    Third-party requesters seeking access to confidential records must present authorization from an eligible party or obtain a court order. The court administrator can restrict or redact portions of otherwise public documents when required by statute or court rule.

    Olmsted County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Olmsted County — ranging from felonies and gross misdemeanors to misdemeanors and traffic offenses — are prosecuted in the district court. The court administrator maintains records of all criminal filings, including complaints, orders, sentencing documents, and judgments.

    Online Criminal Case Searches

    MCRO's Case Search lets you look up criminal cases by defendant name, case number, or citation number. Public documents filed in criminal cases are viewable and downloadable through Document Search. Juvenile criminal records, sealed records, and expunged records are not available through the online portal.

    Criminal Background Checks

    The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is the primary statewide source for criminal history data. The BCA runs a free public criminal history search portal that displays conviction information. This online tool does not include arrest data, juvenile records, or confidential criminal information.

    For more detailed criminal history reports, the BCA accepts written requests. Background check fees include:

    • Self-request (Minnesota only): $8.00
    • General/statutory (Minnesota only): $15.00
    • Charitable nonprofit (Minnesota only): $8.00
    • FBI check (general): $32.00 ($15 + $17)
    • Fingerprinting service fee: $10.00 per card

    Third-party requesters must include a $15.00 check or money order payable to the BCA along with a notarized consent form from the record subject. Mail requests go to:

    Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
    CHA Unit
    1430 Maryland Avenue East
    St. Paul, MN 55106

    Arrest Records and Warrants

    The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and publishes an active warrants list on the county website, searchable by name or last-name initial. Reach the Sheriff's Office at (507) 328-6810, and the jail at (507) 328-6790.

    Criminal Expungement

    Filing a petition for criminal expungement in Minnesota district court costs $310.00 under Minn. Stat. 357.021. Expungement forms and procedural guidance are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

    Olmsted County Civil Court Records

    The Olmsted County District Court hears all civil matters, including general civil actions, small claims (conciliation court), landlord-tenant disputes, evictions, equity cases, and foreclosures. Complaints, motions, orders, judgments, and related documents from civil filings are all maintained by the court administrator.

    Searching Civil Records

    Civil case records are searchable through MCRO's Case Search and Judgment Search tabs. In-person access to case files is available at the courthouse during business hours.

    Civil Filing Fees

    District court filing fees for common civil case types include:

    Case TypeFiling Fee
    Civil Action First Paper (Plaintiff/Defendant)$310.00
    Civil Action with Jury Trial Request$410.00
    Conciliation Court (Small Claims) First Paper$65.00
    Eviction Action$310.00
    Name Change$310.00
    Harassment Restraining Order First Paper$310.00
    Filing a Motion or Response (civil/family)$100.00
    Request for Trial by Jury$100.00
    Subpoena (per name)$16.00
    Certified Copy$14.00

    Minnesota counties may add a law library fee on top of the base amounts listed. Fee waivers are available for individuals who qualify under Minn. Stat. 563.01–563.02.

    Conciliation Court

    Small claims cases valued up to $15,000 are filed in conciliation court. The filing fee is $65.00. If a case is removed (appealed) to district court, the fee is $310.00 — or $410.00 if a jury trial is requested. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides a Conciliation Court Virtual Assistant to walk self-represented litigants through the process step by step.

    Property Records

    Property-related records in Olmsted County — including deeds, plats, tax information, and assessments — are kept by the Property Records and Licensing Department. The department runs an online property search portal with options to search by address, real property, map, or advanced criteria. The office is at 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904, and can be reached at (507) 328-7670.

    Olmsted County Family Court Records

    Family law cases in Olmsted County — including dissolution of marriage, child custody and parenting time, paternity, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and name changes — are heard in the district court. These records are maintained by the court administrator and can be searched through MCRO, though many family law records contain sensitive information that may be restricted.

    Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

    Filing for dissolution of marriage in Olmsted County costs $390.00 (a base fee of $340.00 plus a $50.00 surcharge under Minn. Stat. 518.005, subd. 6). Legal separation and annulment petitions cost $360.00. Forms packets for dissolution — with or without children — are available for $10.00 through the court. Motions to modify child support are filed for $50.00.

    Divorce records can be searched online through MCRO's Case Search. Public portions of dissolution files — such as final judgments and decrees — are generally accessible, though financial disclosures, restricted identifiers (Social Security numbers, financial account numbers), and court services reports are not publicly available.

    Other Family Case Filing Fees

    • Custody, paternity, parenting time, registrations: $310.00
    • Child support first paper: $360.00
    • Adoption (child born in U.S.): $385.00
    • Adoption (child born in foreign country): $310.00
    • Order of Protection (petitioner): $0.00
    • Order of Protection (respondent, first paper): $0.00

    Marriage Licenses and Certificates

    The Olmsted County Vital Records and Licensing Office issues marriage licenses. Applicants must first complete an online application through the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) and then appear in person — both parties together — at the Vital Records office to sign the license application.

    • Marriage license fee: $125.00 (or $50.00 with a signed and notarized Premarital Education Statement)
    • Certified marriage certificate: $9.00 per copy
    • Rush processing: $20.00 (optional)
    • Credit card convenience fee: 2.15%

    Address: Olmsted County Government Center, Vital Records and Licensing, 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904
    Contact: (507) 328-7660 | vitals@olmstedcounty.gov

    Birth and Death Certificates

    Birth certificates for births that occurred in Olmsted County are available through the Vital Records office. You can request them in person, by mail, or by fax at (507) 328-7965. All mail and fax requests require a notarized application.

    • Certified birth certificate: $26.00; additional copies: $19.00 each
    • Non-certified birth certificate: available upon request
    • Eligible requesters include the record subject (age 16+), parents named on the record, legal guardians, and legal representatives

    Death certificates for deaths after 1997 are available through the county. For earlier death records, certified copies must be requested from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (P.O. Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499). Non-certified death records from before 1997 may be available through the History Center of Olmsted County.

    • Certified death certificate: $13.00; additional copies: $6.00 each

    All vital records requests require valid photo identification and demonstrated tangible interest. Credit card payments incur a 2.15% convenience fee.

    Olmsted County Probate Court Records

    Probate matters in Olmsted County are heard by the district court and include the probate of wills, administration of decedents' estates, trust administration, conservatorships, and guardianships of minors and incapacitated persons. All probate filings are maintained by the court administrator.

    Filing Fees for Probate Cases

    • Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships first paper: $310.00
    • Deposit of will for safekeeping: $27.00
    • Trust accounts (partial, final, or annual): $55.00
    • Filing a motion or response: $100.00
    • Certified copy of any probate instrument: $14.00

    Searching Probate Records

    Probate case records can be searched online through MCRO's Case Search and Document Search. Documents filed after July 1, 2015, are most likely to be available electronically. For older probate files, contact the court administrator's office at (507) 722-7264 to arrange an in-person review or to request copies by mail.

    Under Rule 4 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access, wills deposited with the court for safekeeping during a testator's lifetime are not accessible to the public. After the testator's death is confirmed, the court may disclose the existence of the will on deposit and deliver it to the appropriate court for probate proceedings.

    Probate-related guardianship and conservatorship records are generally public, although court services evaluations and certain medical records submitted in connection with these proceedings may be restricted. If you're seeking guardianship or conservatorship records, confirm accessibility with the court administrator before submitting a formal request.

    For procedural guidance, the Minnesota Judicial Branch provides Self-Help Center resources that can assist individuals navigating probate filings without an attorney.