Search Benton County Divorce Records
Benton County divorce records are managed by the District Court in Foley. This court belongs to the 7th Judicial District and processes all family law filings for the county. You can look up dissolution cases, request certified copies of decrees, and check case status through the Court Administrator. The office handles both in-person visits and mail requests. If you need a record for a legal proceeding, a name change, or just personal records, the staff in Foley can point you in the right direction. Online search tools from the state court system give you a way to check basic case information without leaving home, though certified copies require a formal request.
Benton County Overview
Benton County District Court Records
The Benton County District Court keeps all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is at 615 Highway 23 in Foley. It is part of the 7th Judicial District, which also covers several nearby counties in central Minnesota. If either spouse lived in Benton County when the case was filed, the records are here. The Court Administrator manages the records office and can search for cases by party name or case number.
You can reach the court at (320) 968-5205. The staff can help with questions about a case or tell you what you need to bring for a records request. Walk-ins are welcome on weekdays. Having the case number makes the process much faster, but a name search works too.
Benton County sits close to St. Cloud, so some people who live in the St. Cloud metro area may have their cases filed here rather than in Stearns County. It depends on which side of the county line your address falls on.
| Court | Benton County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
615 Highway 23 Foley, MN 56329 |
| Phone | (320) 968-5205 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 7th Judicial District |
Search Benton County Divorce Cases
There are two main ways to search for divorce records in Benton County. You can use the state's free online tool or go to the courthouse in Foley.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you look up Benton County divorce cases from any computer or phone. It is free. The system includes public records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You search by name or case number. Results show party names, the case type, filing date, and status. Not every document is available online since family court files can have restricted items. But MCRO is a great first step to confirm a case exists and get the case number you need for an official copy request.
The court locator on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site gives you the address, phone, and hours for the Benton County courthouse.
Below is the court locator page showing Benton County court details.
You can use this page to check hours and plan your visit to the Foley courthouse.
Benton County Divorce Record Copies
A certified copy of a Benton County divorce record costs $14. That fee is set by the state and applies at every Minnesota district court. The certified copy has the official court seal, which makes it valid for legal use. You can get copies in person or through the mail.
To get copies in person, go to the Court Administrator's office at 615 Highway 23 in Foley during regular hours. Give the clerk the names of both parties and the approximate date of the divorce. A case number speeds things up. Staff will pull the file and print your copies while you wait. Pay by check or money order to the District Court Administrator.
For mail requests, fill out the statewide copy request form. Include the party names, case number if known, and what you need. Add your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail it all to the Benton County courthouse address. Processing usually takes a few business days after they receive it.
The MCRO system can help you find the case number before you request copies. That saves time and makes sure you get the right file.
Filter by Benton County and the dissolution case type to find the exact case you are looking for in the MCRO database.
Note: The $14 fee for certified copies at Benton County District Court may change. Confirm the amount before sending a mail request.
Filing for Divorce in Benton County
You can file for divorce in Benton County if at least one spouse has lived in Minnesota for 180 days or more. Minn. Stat. 518.07 sets that rule. Filing happens at the District Court in Foley. The petitioner pays about $400 to start the case. A responding spouse who files an answer pays around $300 to $350.
Minnesota does not require you to prove fault. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, the only ground for divorce is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage along with a Summons, then serves the other party. Uncontested cases where both sides agree can move fast. Contested divorces take longer and may require mediation or a court hearing.
Property division follows Minn. Stat. 518.58. The court aims for a fair split of marital assets and debts. Spousal maintenance is handled under Minn. Stat. 518.552, which looks at factors like income, age, and how long the marriage lasted. When children are involved, both parents must complete a parenting education program per Minn. Stat. 518.157. All of these filings become part of the permanent Benton County divorce record.
What Benton County Divorce Records Show
Benton County divorce records contain several documents. The most important is the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution. This is the final court order that ends the marriage. It lays out property division, custody and parenting time, child support, and any spousal maintenance.
The case file also includes the original petition, summons, financial disclosures under Minn. Stat. 518.195, and any motions filed along the way. Most documents in a Benton County divorce file are public. Anyone can request copies. However, some financial records and details about children may have restricted access. The Minnesota State Law Library is a good resource if you need help tracking down older records or understanding what is in a case file.
Note: Benton County divorce records are generally public, but a judge can seal certain documents if there is a privacy concern.
Legal Help in Benton County
If you need legal help with a divorce in Benton County, several options exist. Central Minnesota Legal Services covers this area and provides free assistance to people with limited income. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases.
The Minnesota State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service to match you with a family law attorney in the area. The Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help center has free forms, guides, and instructions for filing a divorce on your own. If the filing fee is too much, you can apply for a fee waiver through the Benton County court by submitting an In Forma Pauperis petition. The nearby city of St. Cloud also has family law attorneys and legal aid offices that serve Benton County residents.
Cities in Benton County
Benton County includes the cities of Foley, Sauk Rapids, Rice, and Gilman, among other communities. All divorce filings go through the District Court in Foley. No cities in Benton County have a population over 100,000. Residents near the St. Cloud area should check their address to confirm whether they fall in Benton County or neighboring Stearns County.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Benton County. File in the county where you or your spouse lives. Check your address if you are near a county line.