Scott County Court Records Search
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Scott County is part of the First Judicial District in Minnesota and is served by a single District Court located at the Scott County Justice Center in Shakopee. The Scott County District Court exercises original jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters filed within the county. The Clerk of District Court, operating through Scott County Court Administration, serves as custodian of all case records generated by the court. Vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses — are handled separately by the Scott County Customer Service office. The Sheriff’s Office Records division maintains arrest reports, incident reports, and criminal history files for law enforcement matters.
Individuals searching for court records in Minnesota have access to several official resources. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal provides free, limited access to district court case records statewide, including Scott County filings. In-person searches can be conducted using public access terminals at the courthouse, and copies may be requested at the court counter, by fax, email, or mail. For those seeking general orientation to the state court system and its various tools, MinnesotaCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court case information.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Scott County?
There are four ways to search for court case records in Scott County: online through MCRO, in person at the courthouse, or by submitting a written request by fax, email, or mail.
Online Search via MCRO — Step by Step
- Navigate to the MCRO Case Search page.
- Enter the party’s first and last name, a business name, a case number, or an attorney name.
- In the Case Category area, check the appropriate box (Criminal, Civil, Family, Probate/Mental Health, etc.) to narrow results.
- Review the results, which display case numbers, filing dates, case types, party names, hearing schedules, and disposition information.
- For document-level searches, use the Document Search, Hearing Search, or Judgment Search tools.
MCRO provides limited access to public records. Criminal cases without a conviction cannot be searched by defendant name — only by case number. For more complete access, use the courthouse public-access terminals.
In-Person Search
The Scott County Justice Center houses Minnesota Public Access (MPA) terminals in the Law Library, providing the most comprehensive electronic view of public case records statewide. Walk-in visitors may also request copies at the court counter during business hours.
Scott County Justice Center
Address: 200 Fourth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 496-8200
Fax: (952) 496-8211
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Written Copy Requests
For records not accessible online, submit the Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form by any of these methods:
- Email: through the Scott County Court Administration contact form
- Fax: (952) 496-8211
- Mail: Scott County Court Administration, 200 4th Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379
Include as much identifying information as possible — party names, case number, case type, and specific documents needed. Check the appropriate case-type box on the form to focus the search.
Copy Fees (per Minn. Stat. § 357.021)
| Copy Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of any court document | Free |
| Certified copy | $14.00 |
| Exemplified and certified copy | $28.00 |
| Case management system report (1–50 pages) | $5.00 |
| Case management system report (50+ pages, per 50 pages) | $25.00 |
| Scanning fee (per 50 pages or part thereof) | $25.00 |
| Fax transmission fee (per 50 pages or part thereof) | $25.00 |
Accepted payment methods:
- In person: Cash, check, money order, credit/debit card
- By mail: Check or money order payable to Scott County Court Administration
- By phone: Credit/debit card — call (952) 496-8200
The full Scott County District Court fee schedule lists filing, motion, and miscellaneous fees by case type and statutory authority.
Are Court Records Public in Scott County?
Court records in Scott County are presumed open to the public under two overlapping legal frameworks. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 13) classifies government data by accessibility level. The Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, adopted by the Minnesota Supreme Court, specifically govern how court records are accessed and what protections apply.
Rule 4 sets out the accessibility standards for case records. Most filings, docket entries, hearing schedules, judgments, and dispositions are public. A court may restrict access to otherwise public records only after making findings required by law, court rule, or case law.
Records that are not accessible to the public under Rule 4 include:
- Juvenile delinquency and protection case records (searches by child’s name are restricted)
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Domestic abuse and harassment petition details
- Court services records (such as pre-sentence investigation reports)
- Judicial work product, notes, and drafts
- Administrative warrants
- Pre-adjudication paternity proceedings in cases filed before January 1, 2021
- Expunged or sealed criminal records
- Wills deposited for safekeeping while the testator is alive
- Personal identifiers including driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, and Social Security numbers
- Images containing sexual content or nudity
- Video recordings released for administrative hearings
- Minor victims’ identifying information
When individuals need access to a confidential or sealed record, they must submit a Request for Access to Confidential or Sealed Record form, which requires a signed court order granting access. Without such an order, Court Administration staff cannot release restricted documents.
Records retention periods vary by case type and are governed by the District Court Record Retention Schedule. Older records that have passed their retention period may have been destroyed.
Scott County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Scott County — including felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, and DUI offenses — are filed in the District Court and maintained by Court Administration. The criminal case search through MCRO allows users to look up criminal case data by case number, party name, or attorney. An important limitation to note: criminal cases that did not result in a conviction can only be found by case number, not by the defendant’s name.
Search results from MCRO display case numbers, charges with statute references, offense dates, law enforcement and prosecuting agencies, hearing dates, disposition details, and financial assessments.
Requesting criminal court records by mail or email. Complete the Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form and check the Criminal box under Case Type. Submit to the court by email, fax, or mail as detailed above. Uncertified copies are free; certified copies cost $14.00 each.
Arrest and incident reports. These are not held by the court but by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office Records division. Reports can be requested through the county’s Online Data Request Portal or by mail. Provide the date and time of the incident, the incident complaint number (ICR), the location, and names of the parties involved.
Sheriff’s Office Records
Address: 301 Fuller Street South, 2nd Floor, Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 496-8300
Fax: (952) 496-8715
Email: letgsupport@co.scott.mn.us
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Criminal incident reports may not be available for up to five days after the report was taken. Accident reports may take up to ten days and are limited to parties involved and their legal representatives.
Statewide criminal history. For a broader background check, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) operates the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search system, a free online tool containing public conviction data maintained for 15 years following the completion of a sentence. MCRO itself notes that formal background checks should be conducted through the BCA rather than through court case searches alone.
Jail roster. The Sheriff’s Office publishes a Jail Roster showing current inmates, booking charges, and bond information. Jail booking photos and public custody information can also be requested by calling (952) 496-8327.
Scott County Civil Court Records
Civil actions filed in Scott County — including general civil litigation, contract disputes, personal injury claims, evictions, name changes, and conciliation (small claims) matters — are handled by the District Court and searchable through MCRO. Select the Civil checkbox under Case Category when searching to narrow results.
Civil filing fees in Scott County (per Minn. Stat. § 357.021):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action — first paper filed (plaintiff or defendant) | $323.00 |
| Civil action with jury trial request | $423.00 |
| Conciliation court (small claims) — first paper filed | $78.00 |
| Eviction action | $323.00 |
| Filing a motion or response in civil cases | $100.00 |
| Issuing a writ / filing return | $55.00 |
| Subpoena (per name) | $16.00 |
All civil filing fees include a $13.00 Scott County Law Library fee in addition to the base filing fee. Fee waivers are available for individuals who cannot afford filing costs under applicable Minnesota statutes. All civil filings are handled through the Minnesota Judicial Branch eFiling system, which offers forms and instructions for self-represented litigants.
Conciliation court (small claims). Small claims cases up to $15,000 are filed in conciliation court. The first-paper filing fee is $78.00 (including the law library fee). Removal (appeal) to District Court costs $323.00, or $423.00 with a jury trial request.
Obtaining copies of civil records. Uncertified copies are available at no charge through MCRO or in person. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. For records not available electronically, submit the Copy Request Form and check the Civil box. The court will prepare the documents and notify the requester of any fees before completing the order.
Property records. While not court records, property ownership and tax information is frequently needed alongside civil cases. The Scott County Property Information Site provides building features, tax statements, valuations, and recorded documents. The Land Records Department maintains deeds, mortgages, and liens searchable online.
Scott County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Scott County — dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, annulment, custody, parenting time, paternity, child support, and domestic abuse protection orders — are adjudicated by the District Court and maintained by Court Administration.
Searching family case records. Use the MCRO Case Search and check the Family box in the Case Category area. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. Due to confidentiality rules under Rule 4, many family court records — particularly those involving domestic abuse petitions, child protection, and juvenile matters — are restricted from public online access.
Family court filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage (with or without children) | $403.00 |
| Legal separation or annulment | $373.00 |
| Custody, paternity, parenting time, registration | $323.00 |
| Child support — first paper filed | $373.00 |
| Motion to modify child support | $50.00 |
| Harassment Restraining Order (HRO) | $323.00 (may be waived for certain acts) |
| Order for Protection (respondent’s first filing) | $0 |
| Dissolution forms packet | $10.00 |
Marriage licenses. The Scott County Customer Service office issues marriage licenses — not the court. Both applicants must apply online using the Marriage License Application, then appear in person at the Scott County Government Center to sign the application, make payment, and pick up the license. No appointment is necessary for walk-in service.
- License fee: $125.00 (regular) or $50.00 with a qualifying Educator’s Statement
- Certified copies of marriage certificates: $9.00 each
- Payment methods: Cash, check, or credit/debit card (2.15% convenience fee on cards)
The license is valid for six months, can be used anywhere in Minnesota, and must be returned to Scott County after the ceremony for filing.
Requesting marriage certificate copies by email or mail. Send the couple’s full names, names before marriage, the marriage date, a return address, and payment to customerservicevm@co.scott.mn.us (email) or to Scott County Government Center, Attn: Customer Service, 200 Fourth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379 (mail). For email requests, staff will call to collect credit/debit card information (a 2.49% fee applies).
Birth and death records. Scott County Customer Service issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events recorded in the county and statewide from 1998 to present.
| Record | First Copy | Additional Copies |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $26.00 | $19.00 |
| Death certificate | $13.00 | $6.00 |
Applications must be notarized before submission. Download the Birth Record Application or Death Record Application, complete and notarize the form, then submit by email or mail to Customer Service. Birth records for children born to unmarried parents are confidential unless the parents authorized public release at the time of birth; eligible requesters include the record subject (age 16+), a parent named on the record, a legal guardian or conservator, or a person with a court order.
Scott County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Scott County — including estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships — fall under the jurisdiction of the District Court. Case records are maintained by Court Administration at the Scott County Justice Center.
Searching probate records online. Through MCRO, users can search for probate cases by checking the Probate or Mental Health box in the Case Category area. Public documents in formal probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust case types are accessible through this portal. Search by the decedent’s name, a party name, or case number to view case summaries, filing dates, hearing schedules, and docket entries.
Probate filing fees:
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships — first paper filed | $323.00 |
| Deposit of will for safekeeping | $27.00 |
| Trust accounts (partial, final, or annual) | $55.00 |
All first-paper filing fees include a $13.00 Law Library fee. The base fee of $310.00 is authorized under Minn. Stat. § 357.021.
Types of probate records available. A probate case file typically includes the application for informal or formal probate, the will (if one exists), letters of authority (testamentary or general), creditor claims and notices, inventory of assets, accountings, and the final decree or order closing the estate. Guardianship and conservatorship files contain the petition, background study, order of appointment, and annual reports.
Requesting copies. Uncertified copies of probate documents are free, whether accessed through MCRO, printed from the courthouse public access terminals, or requested through Court Administration. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. Submit the Copy Request Form and check the Probate/Guardianship/Conservatorship/Mental Health box.
Restricted probate records. Wills deposited for safekeeping while the testator is still alive are not public. Mental health commitment records are confidential under Rule 4. Certain guardianship evaluations and medical reports may also be restricted. Access to confidential probate records requires a court order obtained through the Request for Access to Confidential or Sealed Record form.
For questions about any case type, call Scott County Court Administration at (952) 496-8200 and follow the prompts for the applicable case type.