Rice County Court Records Search

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    Rice County, Minnesota, sits within the Third Judicial District and is served by a single District Court that holds original jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in the county. Court records produced by this court — including case filings, orders, judgments, transcripts, and docket entries — form the official documentary record of every proceeding handled in the county. Under Rule 8 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, original court records must be made available for public inspection upon request during normal business hours, subject to specific statutory and judicial exceptions.

    People in Minnesota researching court cases have several paths available for locating records — including in-person visits to the clerk’s office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and web-based tools. MinnesotaCourts.us may help in locating publicly available case information filed in Rice County and other Minnesota district courts. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also maintains its own online case search tools for those who cannot visit the courthouse in person.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Rice County?

    The Rice County District Court’s Court Administration office is the primary point of contact for records inquiries. Court Administration handles all case types — civil, family, probate, criminal, traffic, juvenile, and conciliation (small claims) — and is responsible for processing, managing, and providing public access to court records.

    Online Search — Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

    The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system provides remote public access to district court records statewide, including Rice County. MCRO offers four search tools:

    • Case Search — Search by party name, business name, attorney name, case number, or citation number; view the Register of Actions and available public documents.
    • Document Search — Search by case number to find and download public documents filed online.
    • Hearing Search — Find scheduled hearings by party name, case number, or judicial officer.
    • Judgment Search — Search docketed money judgments by debtor name, including satisfaction entries.

    Downloading documents through MCRO carries a fee of $8.00 per document, as set by Minn. Statute § 357.021. There is no charge for viewing case summary information and the Register of Actions. Documents filed before July 1, 2015, may have limited availability through MCRO; contact the court directly for older records.

    In-Person Access

    Public access terminals are available at the Rice County Courthouse for free in-person searches. Staff in the Court Administration office on the first floor can assist with locating records and providing certified copies for a fee.

    Rice County District Court
    Address: 218 N.W. Third Street, Suite 300, Faribault, MN 55021
    Phone: (507) 497-7134
    Fax: (507) 332-6199
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed legal holidays)
    Traffic Fines/Information: (800) 657-3611
    Court Administrator: Lisa Kuhlman

    The Rice County Daily Court Calendar is posted each evening by 7:00 p.m. for the following day and updated hourly beginning at 7:00 a.m. Confidential cases and cases not remotely accessible under Rule 8, subd. 2 are excluded from the calendar. Remote hearings are conducted via Zoom; court staff can provide connection details, and Zoom rooms are available at the courthouse for public use.

    Are Court Records Public in Rice County?

    Minnesota law establishes a general presumption that court records are open to the public. Rule 8, Subd. 1 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch requires custodians to make original records available for public inspection upon request during business hours. However, the same rules restrict both in-person and remote access to specific categories of records.

    Under Rule 8, Subd. 2, certain case types are not remotely accessible through MCRO and are restricted from online public access even when they remain accessible at the courthouse. Categories restricted from public inspection entirely — either by law or court order — include:

    • Domestic abuse and harassment records
    • Juvenile appeal cases
    • Records containing individually identifying data classified as private under Minnesota law
    • Medical records submitted in court proceedings
    • Expunged criminal records
    • Civil Commitment case documents
    • Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPs) case documents

    A court may also restrict access to public case records in a particular proceeding if it makes findings required by law, court rule, or applicable case law precedent under Rule 4 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access. Requests for restricted records must be made through the court, and access may require a court order.

    For background check purposes, the Minnesota Judicial Branch specifically advises that MCRO should not be used; background checks should be conducted through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Criminal History Search system.

    Rice County Criminal Court Records

    The Rice County District Court handles all criminal matters, including felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses. Criminal court records maintained by Court Administration include charging documents, case dockets, sentencing orders, bail and bond details, probation terms, warrant information, and case dispositions.

    Searching Criminal Court Records Online

    Criminal case information can be searched through MCRO’s Case Search by party name, case number, or citation number. Select “Criminal” under the Case Category filter and “Rice” under Court Location. Expunged records and sealed matters will not appear in results.

    Minnesota BCA Criminal History Records

    For statewide criminal history, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS), which covers arrests for felony, gross misdemeanor, and many misdemeanor offenses. The BCA’s online public criminal history search is available to anyone. A printed copy of a personal criminal record costs $8.00, payable by check, money order, or cash; in-person viewing at BCA headquarters is free. Mail and in-person requests can be submitted to:

    Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
    Address: 1430 Maryland Ave. E., St. Paul, MN 55106
    Phone: (651) 793-2400

    Rice County Sheriff’s Office

    The Rice County Sheriff’s Office maintains local law enforcement records, including incident reports, accident reports, jail records, and arrest information. To obtain a copy of a police or accident report from the Sheriff’s Office, individuals may appear in person during business hours or submit a request by mail or phone at (507) 332-6003. A current inmate roster for the Rice County Jail is also publicly accessible online.

    Rice County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 118 3rd St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
    Phone: (507) 332-6000
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed legal holidays)

    Rice County Civil Court Records

    The Rice County District Court has original jurisdiction over all civil matters filed in the county, including contract disputes, personal injury actions, real property cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and appeals from administrative agencies. Conciliation Court (small claims) handles general claims of $20,000 or less and is also administered through Court Administration.

    Searching Civil Records

    1. Visit MCRO Case Search and select “Civil” under Case Category.
    2. Enter the party’s name and date of birth, or the case number.
    3. Select “Rice” as the court location and choose active, inactive, or all cases.
    4. Click “Find” to retrieve results; select a case to view the Register of Actions and available documents.
    5. Documents available online can be downloaded for $8.00 each per Minn. Statute § 357.021.

    For records not available through MCRO — particularly those filed before July 1, 2015 — contact the Court Administration office directly at (507) 497-7134.

    In-Person Civil Records Requests

    Requesters visiting the courthouse should bring valid photo ID, case party names or case numbers, and applicable fees for copies. Court Administration staff can assist in locating records and arranging for certified copies. Conciliation Court self-help resources and forms are available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s Conciliation Court guide and through the Guide & File tool for preparing case filings.

    Traffic Fine Payments

    Traffic fines for Rice County cases can be paid by phone at (800) 657-3611 or online through the Minnesota Court Web Payment page. MasterCard and VISA are accepted for phone payments.

    Rice County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Rice County — including divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, spousal maintenance, domestic abuse protective orders, and adoptions — are all heard by the Rice County District Court. The Court Administration office maintains all family case records and manages the Family/Probate case calendar.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce and dissolution records are filed with the District Court and maintained by Court Administration. Case information, including hearing dates, orders, and final decrees, can be searched through MCRO’s Case Search portal. Select “Family” as the Case Category and “Rice” as the court location. Note that under Rule 8, Subd. 2, certain family case documents have restricted remote access and may only be viewable at the courthouse public terminal.

    For certified copies of divorce decrees or specific orders, contact the Court Administration office at (507) 497-7134 during business hours. Requesters should provide party names and the approximate filing date. Fees apply for certified copies.

    Domestic Abuse and Harassment Records

    Domestic abuse and harassment case records are restricted from remote access under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access. These records are not available through MCRO and have limited in-person access as well. Parties to such cases should contact Court Administration directly to understand what access is available.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage records are maintained by the Rice County Recorder’s Office, not the District Court. A certified copy of a marriage record costs $9.00. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail. The Recorder’s Office accepts cash, check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. A $2.50 convenience fee applies to card payments.

    Rice County Government Services Building (Recorder’s Office)
    Address: 320 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021
    Phone: (507) 332-6114
    Fax: (507) 332-6092
    Email: RCRecorder@ricecountymn.gov
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    Birth and Death Records

    The Rice County Recorder’s Office also manages birth and death certificate requests. Certified birth certificates cost $26.00 per copy. Death certificates are $13.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Mail requests must include a completed application form, appropriate fee payable to the Rice County Recorder’s Office, and required identification or proof of relationship documentation.

    Rice County Probate Court Records

    The Rice County District Court exercises jurisdiction over all probate matters in the county, including the administration of decedents’ estates, validation and enforcement of wills, appointment of personal representatives and trustees, conservatorships, and adult guardianships. The Court Administration office processes and maintains all probate and mental health case records under the Family/Probate docket.

    Searching Probate Records Online

    Probate case information is searchable through MCRO’s Case Search by following these steps:

    1. Go to the Case Search tab and select the “Name” search option.
    2. Enter the full name of the decedent, ward, or other case party along with a date of birth if known.
    3. Under “Case Category”, select Probate or Mental Health.
    4. Choose the applicable case status (active, inactive, or all).
    5. Under “Court Location”, select Rice County.
    6. Click “Find” to retrieve results.

    Public documents filed after July 1, 2015, are available for download at $8.00 per document. Older probate records may require an in-person visit or direct contact with Court Administration.

    In-Person Probate Records Requests

    Researchers may visit the Rice County Courthouse and use the public access terminal or request staff assistance from the Court Administration office on the first floor. Bring valid photo identification, the name of the decedent or case party, and any known case numbers or filing dates.

    Rice County District Court — Court Administration
    Address: 218 N.W. Third Street, Suite 300, Faribault, MN 55021
    Phone: (507) 497-7134
    Fax: (507) 332-6199
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

    For additional guidance on wills and estate administration procedures in Minnesota, the Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Centers offer resources for unrepresented individuals navigating probate proceedings.

      Rice County Court Records Search - MinnesotaCourts.us