Todd County Court Records Search
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Todd County, Minnesota sits in the heart of the state's lakes region and is home to a unified District Court that handles every category of legal matter filed within the county. Court records from these proceedings — capturing party identities, case numbers, filed motions, court orders, and final judgments — form the county's permanent legal archive. These documents serve practical purposes for a wide range of people: parties reviewing a case outcome, attorneys doing background research, employers conducting screenings, journalists investigating public matters, and genealogists tracing family histories.
If you're searching court records in Minnesota, you have several options: in-person visits to the clerk's office, written requests by mail, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools. MinnesotaCourts.us can help you locate publicly available case information and understand how Minnesota's statewide district court system is organized before you contact the appropriate local office directly.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Todd County?
All trial court cases in Todd County — criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic — are handled by the Todd County District Court, part of Minnesota's Seventh Judicial District. Court administration maintains case files and supports public access to records.
Todd County District Court
Address: 221 First Avenue South, Suite 100, Long Prairie, MN 56347
Phone: (320) 357-5005 | Fax: (320) 732-2506
Court Administrator: Kim Peterson
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Online Search: Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
Start your search online with Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. MCRO gives free public access to district court case records and supports four types of searches:
- Case Search — Search by person name, business name, attorney name, case number, citation number, or attorney bar number. Returns case details and the Register of Actions.
- Document Search — Search by case number to retrieve publicly available filed documents.
- Hearing Search — Locate scheduled hearings within a specific case.
- Judgment Search — Search by debtor name for docketed money judgments and any recorded satisfactions.
Documents available through MCRO are governed by Rule 8, subd. 2 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access. Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2015, in criminal, civil, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust cases are accessible online. Court-generated orders and judgments in family cases filed from the same date are also available. Documents predating July 1, 2015, have limited online availability — if you need those records, contact the court administration office directly.
In-Person and Mail Access
Public access terminals at the Todd County courthouse allow on-site review of case records. To request certified copies, visit the District Court clerk's office during business hours or mail a written request with identifying details — including the full names of the parties, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known — to the address above. Copy and certification fees may apply.
Are Court Records Public in Todd County?
Minnesota law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to court records. The Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch govern what is accessible, how requests are processed, and what limitations apply. Under these rules, the clerk of court must permit inspection and copying of records for any interested person, subject to defined exceptions.
The following categories are not publicly accessible:
- Juvenile court records — Cases involving minors are sealed from public view.
- Sealed records — Any case or document sealed by court order is withheld from public access.
- Confidential records — Records designated confidential by statute, court rule, or court directive are restricted.
- Certain law enforcement data — Investigative data created while a case is active is classified as confidential or protected nonpublic under Minnesota Statute § 13.82.
Certain personal identifiers are also excluded from records available through remote online access, even when the underlying case is public. These include employer identification numbers, residential addresses, and financial account data. These restrictions do not apply to appellate court records. Attorneys and parties directly involved in a case are not subject to the same remote access limitations on their own case records.
Todd County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Todd County — from misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors through felonies — are filed and adjudicated in the Todd County District Court. The court maintains all criminal case filings, charging documents, plea entries, sentencing orders, and related records.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Court-level criminal records can be searched through MCRO by name or case number, returning unofficial copies of public case information. For certified copies of court documents, contact the District Court clerk's office at (320) 357-5005 or visit in person during business hours.
Statewide Criminal History: BCA
For a comprehensive background check linking criminal history across jurisdictions through fingerprint verification, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS). The BCA provides a free Minnesota Public Criminal History Search online, covering public data on felony, gross misdemeanor, and certain misdemeanor offenses. Conviction data is public for 15 years following completion of the sentence. The BCA also handles detailed criminal history record requests by mail at:
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55106
For guidance on requesting your own criminal history or that of another person, the BCA's background checks resource page outlines applicable procedures and eligibility requirements.
Todd County Sheriff's Office
The Todd County Sheriff's Office is the county's primary law enforcement agency. For arrest records or incident reports, submit a request to the Records Unit:
Address: 115 3rd Street South, Long Prairie, MN 56347
Email: Todd.records@co.todd.mn.us
Fax: (320) 732-3754
In-person, mail, and fax requests accepted
Copy fee: $0.25 per page
Investigative data gathered during an active investigation is classified as confidential or protected nonpublic under MN Statute § 13.82 and will not be released while the case is open. Accident/crash reports are private data on individuals under MN Statute § 169.09 and must be requested in writing. Body-worn camera footage is private data governed by MN Statute § 13.825.
Todd County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Todd County — contract disputes, tort claims, landlord-tenant proceedings, and debt collection — are heard in the Todd County District Court. The same court administration office that handles criminal records also maintains civil case files, and records may be accessed through the same channels.
Conciliation Court (Small Claims)
For lower-value money disputes, Minnesota's Conciliation Court offers a streamlined, attorney-optional forum. Claims of $20,000 or less may generally be filed in Conciliation Court, though the limit drops to $4,000 for claims involving consumer credit transactions. Conciliation Court does not handle title-to-land disputes or claims for injunctive relief. The Todd County District Court administers Conciliation Court matters — contact the clerk's office at (320) 357-5005 for filing instructions and current fee schedules.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case records are searchable through MCRO for cases filed on or after July 1, 2015. The separate Judgment Search tool within MCRO lets you search by debtor name for docketed money judgments statewide. For records predating online availability, contact the District Court clerk's office directly by phone, mail, or in person.
Property Records
Real property documents in Todd County — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and certificates of title — are maintained by the Todd County Recorder/Registrar of Titles at 215 First Avenue South, Suite 203, Long Prairie, MN 56347. The Recorder's office handles both unregistered (Abstract) and registered (Torrens) land records and also maintains an online property search through the Todd County Assessor's Tax Portal, searchable by owner name or parcel number. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except legal holidays. Call (320) 732-4428 for assistance.
Todd County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Todd County — divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, and adoption — are handled by the Todd County District Court. Divorce and child custody case files are maintained by the court administration office.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are created and kept by the Todd County District Court and are generally public, though specific personal details within those records may be restricted under state law. To search for a divorce case, use MCRO or visit the courthouse in person. If you need certified copies of a divorce decree, contact the court clerk's office at (320) 357-5005 and ask about applicable court fees.
Marriage Licenses and Records
Marriage licenses in Todd County are issued by the Todd County Recorder's Office at 215 First Avenue South, Suite 203, Long Prairie, MN 56347. Both applicants must appear in person at the Recorder's Office to complete the process, though the initial application may be started online at moms.mn.gov before the in-person visit.
Marriage license fees are as follows:
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Full marriage license | $125.00 (non-refundable) |
| Reduced fee (with 12+ hours pre-marital counseling and educator's statement) | $50.00 |
| Re-issuance fee (for correction errors) | $20.00 |
| Minor applicant judicial approval | $20.00 |
A five-day waiting period applies for the reduced-fee license. All licenses are valid for six months from the date of issuance. Credit card payments carry an additional $7.00 fee. To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, send a written request to the Recorder's Office with the pre-marriage names of both parties and the marriage date; the fee is $9.00 per certificate. The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) also provides a statewide marriage index and can direct requesters to the appropriate county for a specific record.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records for births and deaths occurring in Todd County are maintained by the Todd County Recorder, which serves as the county's authorized Local Issuance Office under the Minnesota Department of Health. Birth records in the county extend back to the early 1870s; marriage records back to 1867.
Access to certified birth and death certificates is governed by Minnesota Statute § 144.225 and is limited to individuals with a tangible interest — generally the record subject (if 16 or older), immediate family members, legal representatives, or those authorized by court order. Birth records for children born to unmarried parents are classified as confidential and become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth.
Vital records fee schedule:
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy (same request) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | $26.00 | $19.00 |
| Death Certificate | $13.00 | $6.00 |
| Marriage Certificate | $9.00 | $9.00 |
Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax to the Recorder's Office (Fax: (320) 732-4001). Mail requests must include a completed application, notarization where required, and the appropriate fee. Rush/faxed orders using a credit card carry an additional $7.00 charge; Federal Express return service adds $17.50.
Todd County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Todd County — estate administration, will proceedings, guardianships, and conservatorships — are heard in the Todd County District Court. Court administration at 221 First Avenue South, Suite 100, Long Prairie maintains all probate case records.
Types of Probate Cases
The District Court's probate docket covers the following matter types:
- Formal probate — Court-supervised administration of a decedent's estate, including will admission and appointment of a personal representative.
- Informal probate — Simplified estate proceedings handled administratively through the court registrar.
- Guardianship — Court appointment and oversight of guardians for minors or incapacitated adults.
- Conservatorship — Court-supervised management of the financial affairs of a protected person.
- Trust proceedings — Formal judicial oversight of trust administration disputes.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate records are generally public documents available for inspection unless restricted by statute or court order. Public documents in formal probate, other probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust cases filed on or after July 1, 2015, are available through MCRO. A Document Search by case number will retrieve available filed documents in a known probate case.
For records predating July 1, 2015, or for certified copies of probate documents such as letters testamentary or orders of distribution, contact the District Court administration office directly:
- Phone: (320) 357-5005
- In person: 221 First Avenue South, Suite 100, Long Prairie, MN 56347 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
- Fax: (320) 732-2506
Public access terminals at the courthouse also give you on-site access to the case index and docket records for probate proceedings. The Todd County Court Administration page on the county website provides additional information about accessing court records locally.