Search St. Paul Divorce Records
St. Paul divorce records are kept at the Ramsey County District Court in downtown St. Paul. The state capital has about 310,000 residents, and the 2nd Judicial District handles all family law cases here. You can search for divorce case info online through Minnesota Court Records Online for free. That tool shows party names, case type, and docket entries. If you need certified copies of a divorce judgment and decree, you can get them at the courthouse in Room 72. The Court Administrator also takes requests by mail and by phone. Whether you need to look up a past case or start a new filing, Ramsey County District Court is where you go.
St. Paul Overview
St. Paul Divorce Filing Locations
St. Paul residents file for divorce at the Ramsey County District Court. The main courthouse sits at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. in downtown St. Paul. This is the 2nd Judicial District, and the Court Administrator's office handles all case filings and records requests. Court Administrator Heather Kendall runs the office. You pick up copies in Room 72. The staff can search by name or case number and pull files on the spot.
Ramsey County also has two other court locations that handle some family matters. The Suburban Court in Maplewood is at 2050 White Bear Ave. Call (651) 266-1999 for that location. The Juvenile and Family Court is at 25 W. 7th St. in St. Paul. Call (651) 266-5115 for that office. Not all services are at every location, so call ahead if you are not going to the main courthouse.
| Court | Ramsey County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102 |
| Phone | (651) 266-8266 |
| Records | (651) 266-8237 |
| Vital Records | (651) 266-1333 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Ramsey County |
You can pay for copies in several ways. In person, the court takes cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards. If you mail your request, send a check or money order. You can also pay by credit or debit card over the phone by calling the records line at (651) 266-8237.
How to Search St. Paul Divorce Records
There are two main ways to search for St. Paul divorce records. You can use the free online system or go to the courthouse. Online is faster for basic case info. The courthouse is best if you need certified copies or the full case file.
The Ramsey County court page on the state courts website has contact info, hours, and links to court services. The image below shows what that page looks like.
That page is a good starting point. It lists all the court locations in Ramsey County and has links for filing, records, and self-help resources.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search Ramsey County divorce cases for free. Type in a name or case number and the system pulls up matching records. It shows party names, case status, and docket entries. Some family court records have limits on what displays online due to Minn. Stat. § 518.195, which covers data practices for dissolution cases.
The Ramsey County court records page explains how to request copies and what types of records are available. The screenshot below shows that page.
That page walks you through the request process step by step. It covers what info you need to include and how to submit your request.
Divorce Filing Process in St. Paul
Filing for divorce in St. Paul follows the same state law that applies across Minnesota. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518 governs all dissolution of marriage cases. Since St. Paul is the Ramsey County seat, you file at the main courthouse on Kellogg Blvd.
You must meet the residency rule first. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.07, one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days before filing. If you have been in St. Paul for six months or more, you can file here. Minnesota uses no-fault grounds only. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.06, the only ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You do not need to prove fault.
The case starts when one spouse files a Summons and Petition for Dissolution. The other spouse must be served with these papers. If both sides agree on all terms, they can file a joint petition. Uncontested cases go faster. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial. Property gets divided under Minn. Stat. § 518.58. If spousal maintenance is an issue, the court looks at factors listed in Minn. Stat. § 518.552.
- File the Summons and Petition at the Ramsey County courthouse
- Serve the other spouse in person or by accepted method
- Wait for the other side to respond within 30 days
- Attend any required hearings or mediation
- Get the Judgment and Decree signed by the judge
Note: Ramsey County requires a parenting education class if children are part of the case.
St. Paul Divorce Fees and Costs
Filing fees in St. Paul are set by the Ramsey County District Court. The petitioner pays around $400 to file. The responding spouse pays about $300 to $350. These amounts can change, so call (651) 266-8266 to check the latest fees before you go.
Certified copies of the divorce judgment and decree cost $14 each. You can get copies in Room 72 at the courthouse or request them by mail. Other costs can add up too. Process server fees run $50 to $100 depending on the service. If kids are involved, the parenting class costs $40 to $75.
If you can't afford court fees, ask for a fee waiver. File an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition showing your income and expenses. The judge decides if you qualify. Fee waiver forms are free at the courthouse or on the state court website.
Ramsey County Divorce Record Resources
Ramsey County has a dedicated page for divorce records on the county website. The Ramsey County divorce records page explains what records are available and how to get them. The screenshot below shows that page.
This county page covers both recent and older records. It has info on what you need to bring and how long requests take. If you need a record from many years back, the county can still help. Older files may take longer to pull from storage, but they are still available through the Court Administrator's office.
St. Paul is also where the state vital records office is located. The Minnesota Department of Health keeps statewide vital records including divorce certificates. These are different from the court file. The vital records office has a basic certificate that shows the names, date, and county of the divorce. The court file has the full judgment and decree with all the details about property, custody, and support.
Legal Help for Divorce in St. Paul
Several groups in St. Paul offer free or low-cost legal help with divorce cases. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) covers the St. Paul area and handles family law cases for people who qualify based on income. The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (612) 752-6699 where you can find a family law attorney.
The Ramsey County Law Library inside the courthouse is another resource. Staff there can help you find forms and legal references. They can't give legal advice, but they can point you to the right materials. The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center has forms and step-by-step guides on the state court website. LawHelpMN.org also has guides for people filing on their own.
Note: The courthouse self-help center can help you fill out forms but cannot tell you what to put in them.
Ramsey County Divorce Records
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County. All divorce filings for St. Paul go through the Ramsey County District Court. For more details on the county court system and other resources, see the full Ramsey County divorce records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near St. Paul where you can find divorce records info: