Winona County Court Records
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Winona County hugs the Mississippi River bluffs in southeastern Minnesota, with the city of Winona as its county seat. The county has a single trial court—the Winona County District Court—that handles all criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family proceedings, juvenile matters, and probate cases filed within its borders. That court generates a substantial volume of records, including case filings, docket entries, motions, orders, judgments, warrants, transcripts, and sentencing documents. The Court Administrator's office at the Winona County Courthouse manages these records, and they are also transmitted to the Minnesota Judicial Branch for inclusion in the statewide court records system.
If you're searching for court records in Minnesota, start with the state judiciary's electronic tools. The judiciary operates Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), a free database showing case information for district courts statewide. Additional resources, court directories, and downloadable forms are available at MinnesotaCourts.us. Beyond online tools, you can visit the courthouse in person to use public-access computer terminals, request paper files from the Court Administrator, or reach out to the relevant county office by phone, mail, or email.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Winona County?
Winona County has one trial-level court. It operates as part of Minnesota's Third Judicial District, which covers several counties in southeastern Minnesota.
Winona County District Court
Address: 171 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 615-5183
Fax: (507) 452-5979
Court Administrator: Ellie Wilke
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (beginning December 4, Wednesday hours are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM)
For district-level administrative orders and policies, visit the Third Judicial District Administration page.
Searching Online with MCRO
The main online tool for looking up Winona County court cases is MCRO. It covers all Minnesota district courts and lets you search by:
- Person name
- Business name
- Attorney name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Attorney bar number
MCRO displays case type, party names, hearing schedules, and monetary judgment information for non-confidential cases. It does not provide access to the full text of documents filed in every case, and certain case types—including juvenile cases and some domestic abuse filings—are excluded from public display. For background checks, the Minnesota Judicial Branch directs users to a separate system operated by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, not MCRO.
In-Person Access
Public-access computer terminals at the Winona County Courthouse let visitors search all publicly available court records during business hours. If you need paper files, the Court Administrator's staff can retrieve them. Uncertified copies of court documents are provided at no charge when printed from imaged or electronically filed documents accessible in the court's case management system. Certified copies cost $14 per document under Minn. Stat. 357.021, subd. 2(2).
Electronic Filing
Minnesota has implemented electronic filing through the eFile and eServe (eFS) system. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file documents electronically in most case types. Court forms for various proceedings are available on the Minnesota Judicial Branch forms page.
Contacting the Court
You can reach the court by phone at (507) 615-5183 or through the email contact form on the Judicial Branch website. Additional phone numbers for specific courthouse units are listed on the Winona County court contact page.
Are Court Records Public in Winona County?
Minnesota court records carry a strong presumption of public access. The Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch establish that records of all courts in the state are presumed open to any member of the public for inspection or copying. That presumption covers criminal and civil case files, judgments, orders, and most filings in the Winona County District Court.
That said, Rule 4 of those same Rules of Public Access identifies specific categories of case records that are not accessible to the public. In Winona County, the following types of records are restricted:
- Domestic abuse and harassment records – Petitions for orders for protection under Minn. Stat. 518B.01 and harassment restraining orders under Minn. Stat. 609.748 are not public until the court order is served on the respondent. Information on the petitioner's location remains confidential upon request.
- Court services records – Pre-sentence investigation reports, custody evaluation recommendations, psychological evaluations, and counseling records gathered at the court's request.
- Juvenile records – Most juvenile case records, including juvenile protection and delinquency files, are confidential by default. Searching by a child's name will not produce results through any public search function.
- Adoption records – All adoption case records are governed by the Minnesota Rules of Adoption Procedure and are not accessible to the public.
- Medical records in commitment cases – Records from medical, healthcare, or scientific professionals in civil commitment proceedings, including examination reports and diagnoses.
- Grand jury records – Sealed under the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
- Expungement responses – Responses containing private or confidential data are sealed.
- Wills deposited for safekeeping – Not accessible during the testator's lifetime.
- Death certificates – Filed copies are classified as confidential unless formally admitted into evidence.
- Minor victim identifying information – In sexual offense cases, information identifying a minor victim is restricted under Rule 4, subd. 1(m).
- Judicial work product – Drafts, notes, and memoranda prepared by judges, law clerks, and court attorneys.
Courts may also restrict access to otherwise public records by order, following standards set out in applicable case law. The Minnesota Rules of Public Access provide the full framework governing what is and is not available.
Winona County Criminal Court Records
All criminal cases in Winona County—from petty misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors to felonies—are prosecuted in the District Court. Criminal case records include complaints, arrest warrants, bail orders, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation records.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Public criminal case information is available on MCRO at no cost. You can search by a defendant's name and date of birth or by case number. Results include charges, hearing dates, and dispositions for non-confidential adult cases.
Winona County Sheriff's Office
The Winona County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and incident reports. To request copies of arrest reports or other law enforcement records, contact the Records Division:
Winona County Sheriff's Office
Address: 201 West 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 457-6368
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
If you need a comprehensive Minnesota criminal history, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operates the state's Centralized Criminal History System (CHS). Two types of searches are available:
- Free public search online – The Minnesota Public Criminal History Search website provides free access to public conviction data. You'll need a first name, last name, and date of birth. Public data includes the offense, date, court of conviction, sentence, and supervision details for convictions within the past 15 years of sentence completion. Arrest history is not included in public results.
- Full criminal history (public and private data) – A complete record, including arrest information and convictions older than 15 years, requires a signed and notarized Informed Consent Form. You can submit this in person at BCA headquarters or by mail.
| Request Method | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in at BCA headquarters | $15 (cash, personal check, money order, certified check, or business check) | Approximately 3 business days |
| Mail to BCA | $15 (personal check, money order, certified check, or business check) | Up to 2 weeks |
| Self-request (own record, Minnesota only) | $8 | Varies |
Mail requests should include the completed Informed Consent Form, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope, sent to:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Minnesota Justice Information Services CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
The CHS database contains fingerprint-supported records of felony, gross misdemeanor, targeted misdemeanor, and some misdemeanor arrests reported by law enforcement agencies per Minn. Stat. 165.84(1). Juvenile criminal history is private data and can only be released as described in Minn. Stat. 299C.095.
Winona County Civil Court Records
The Winona County District Court has original jurisdiction over all civil matters filed in the county. This covers contract disputes, personal injury claims, property actions, employment discrimination suits, and professional malpractice cases. Minnesota's conciliation court (small claims) division handles disputes involving $20,000 or less within the same District Court structure.
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil case records are maintained by the Court Administrator's office at 171 West Third Street, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Public civil case information is also searchable through MCRO.
Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees in Minnesota district courts are set by Minn. Stat. 357.021. The following are key civil filing fees from the statewide district court fee schedule:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action first paper filed (plaintiff or defendant) | $310.00 |
| Civil action with jury trial request at filing | $410.00 |
| Motion or response to a motion (civil or family) | $100.00 |
| Conciliation court (small claims) first paper filed | $65.00 |
| Name change | $310.00 |
| Subpoena (per name) | $16.00 |
| Issuing writs / filing return | $55.00 |
| Certified copy of any court instrument | $14.00 |
| Uncertified copy of any court instrument | $0.00 |
| Judgment search (per name certified) | $5.00 |
| Transcript of judgment | $40.00 |
Some counties assess an additional law library fee on top of these base amounts. If you cannot afford filing fees, you may request a waiver by filing the appropriate petition under Minn. Stat. 563.01–563.02.
Conciliation (Small Claims) Court
Claims of $20,000 or less can be brought in conciliation court. The Minnesota Judicial Branch conciliation court page offers guides, filing instructions, and a virtual assistant tool to help self-represented litigants prepare their paperwork. The filing fee for a conciliation court claim is $65.
Winona County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Winona County—including divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, paternity, and child support—are heard in the District Court's family division. Domestic abuse protection orders and harassment restraining orders are also processed through this court.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and dissolution files are maintained by the Court Administrator. To request a copy of a Winona County divorce decree, call the District Court at (507) 615-5183 or visit the courthouse. Divorce-related forms are available on the Minnesota Judicial Branch forms page. Filing fees for a dissolution of marriage (with or without children) are $390—a base fee of $340 plus a $50 additional fee under Minn. Stat. 518.005, subd. 6. A motion or response in a family case costs $100. Custody, paternity, and parenting-time filings carry a $310 fee, and a child support modification motion costs $50.
Marriage Records
Winona County marriage certificates, covering unions from 1854 to the present, are maintained by the Winona County Vital Records Department. To obtain a certified copy, complete a Marriage Record Application and submit it in person or by mail to:
Winona County Vital Records
202 West 3rd Street
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 457-6395
Fax: (507) 454-9397
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
The fee for a certified marriage certificate is $9 per copy. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order payable to Winona County Recorder.
Birth and Death Records
The Winona County Vital Records Department issues birth certificates for statewide Minnesota births from 1935 to the present and for Winona County births from 1870 to 1934. Death certificates are available statewide from 1997 to the present and for Winona County deaths from 1870 to 1996. Use the appropriate application form:
- Birth Certificate Application
- Non-certified Birth Record Application
- Death Certificate Application
- Non-certified Death Record Application
| Record Type | First Copy | Each Additional Copy (same order) |
|---|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate | $26 | $19 |
| Certified death certificate | $13 | $6 |
| Non-certified birth certificate | $13 | $6 |
| Non-certified death certificate | $13 | $6 |
Domestic Abuse and Harassment Orders
Petitions for orders for protection (OFP) under Minn. Stat. 518B.01 carry no filing fee for the petitioner. Respondent motions cost $100. Harassment restraining order (HRO) filings have a $310 base fee, though the fee may be waived when the petition alleges certain acts of violence. Records of these proceedings are restricted from public access until the court order has been served on the respondent, as required by Rule 4 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access.
Winona County Probate Court Records
The Winona County District Court handles all probate matters, including estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts. Probate case files are maintained by the Court Administrator's office.
Searching Probate Records
Public probate case information is available through MCRO. For in-person searches, visit the courthouse during business hours. The Court Administrator's staff can help you locate probate files.
Probate Filing Fees
Under the statewide district court fee schedule, the first paper filed in an estate, trust, guardianship, or conservatorship proceeding costs $310 (Minn. Stat. 357.021, subd. 2(1)). Depositing a will for safekeeping costs $27 (Minn. Stat. 357.021, subd. 2(11)). Trust account filings—partial, final, or annual—carry a $55 fee.
Winona County Recorder
The Winona County Recorder's office also holds probate-related property records, including recorded deeds and documents associated with estate transfers. Contact the Recorder at:
Winona County Recorder
Address: 202 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 457-6340
Email: WCRecorder@Co.Winona.MN.US
Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Research Hours: 8:15 AM–4:15 PM
Property records—including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps—are searchable online through the county's LandShark platform. The Winona County Assessor Department at the same address maintains additional property data such as sales history and building details, reachable at (507) 457-6300.
Key Probate Considerations
Wills deposited with the court for safekeeping during a testator's lifetime are confidential under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access. Once the court receives notice of the testator's death, the existence of the will may be disclosed, and the court may deliver it to the appropriate jurisdiction. Guardianship and conservatorship records are generally public unless sealed by court order, though court services records—such as custody evaluations—gathered at the court's direction remain restricted.