Big Stone County Divorce Records Search
Big Stone County divorce records are held at the District Court in Ortonville. The court is part of the 8th Judicial District and manages all dissolution filings for this western Minnesota county. You can search for past cases, get certified copies of divorce decrees, and check the status of pending matters through the Court Administrator. Big Stone is one of the smaller counties in the state, so the courthouse staff tends to be accessible and responsive to records requests. Whether you need a copy for remarriage, a legal proceeding, or personal documentation, the clerk's office in Ortonville is the place to start. Online search tools from the state also give you a quick way to check basic case info.
Big Stone County Overview
Big Stone County District Court Records
The Big Stone County District Court handles all divorce records in the county. The courthouse is at 20 2nd Street SE in Ortonville. It operates as part of the 8th Judicial District, which covers several counties along the western edge of Minnesota. If either spouse lived in Big Stone County when the divorce was filed, the case is stored here.
Call the court at (320) 839-2550 for help with records. The staff can confirm if a case exists, tell you what documents are on file, and explain how to get copies. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Since Big Stone County is small, wait times at the courthouse tend to be short. Bring a case number if you have one. Name searches work too, but they take a bit longer.
| Court | Big Stone County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
20 2nd Street SE Ortonville, MN 56278 |
| Phone | (320) 839-2550 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
Search Big Stone County Divorce Cases
Two main options exist for looking up divorce records in Big Stone County. You can search online or visit the courthouse in person.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is free and covers Big Stone County cases. It includes public records filed on or after July 1, 2015. Search by party name or case number. The results will show you case type, filing date, party names, and current status. Family court files can have some restricted documents, so you may not see every page. But MCRO works well to confirm a divorce happened and to find the case number for a formal copy request.
You can also check the court locator page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website for Big Stone County courthouse details.
The court locator provides key details for reaching the Big Stone County courthouse.
Use this page to check the phone number and office hours before making the drive to Ortonville.
Big Stone County Divorce Record Copies
Certified copies of Big Stone County divorce records cost $14 each. That is the standard statewide fee. A certified copy carries the court seal and is accepted as legal proof of the divorce. You can request copies in person at the courthouse or by mail.
For in-person requests, head to the Court Administrator's office at 20 2nd Street SE in Ortonville. Give the clerk the names of both spouses and any other details you have, like the date of the divorce or the case number. The staff will search the records and make copies for you. Payment is by check or money order to the District Court Administrator.
Mail requests work with the statewide copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. Fill in the party names, case number if you have it, and which documents you need. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to the Big Stone County courthouse. It typically takes a few business days for the court to process a mail request.
Running a search on MCRO first helps you get the case number, which makes the copy request go smoother.
Select Big Stone County from the county list and choose the dissolution case type to narrow your search results on MCRO.
Note: Certified copies are $14 at the Big Stone County District Court. Call ahead to verify the fee has not changed before mailing payment.
Filing for Divorce in Big Stone County
To start a divorce in Big Stone County, at least one spouse needs to have lived in Minnesota for 180 days. That comes from Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file the case at the District Court in Ortonville. The filing fee is about $400 for the person who starts it. The responding party pays around $300 to $350 if they file an answer.
Minnesota uses a no-fault approach. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, you just need to state that the marriage is broken beyond repair. No one has to point fingers. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons, then gets the papers served on the other spouse. If both parties agree on everything, an uncontested case can be done fairly quickly. If there are disputes about property, kids, or support, the process takes longer.
Marital property gets divided under Minn. Stat. 518.58. The goal is a fair division, not necessarily a 50-50 split. Spousal maintenance rules are in Minn. Stat. 518.552. If children are part of the case, a parenting class is required under Minn. Stat. 518.157. Everything filed in the case goes into the Big Stone County divorce record.
What Big Stone County Divorce Records Show
A divorce record from Big Stone County will have several parts. The Judgment and Decree of Dissolution is the core document. That is the order from the court that officially ends the marriage. It sets out property division, custody, support, and other terms.
The rest of the case file has the original petition, summons, financial disclosures per Minn. Stat. 518.195, any motions or agreements, and court orders. These records are public in most cases. Anyone may request copies. Some parts of the file, such as detailed financial documents or information about children, may have restricted access. The Minnesota State Law Library can help if you have questions about older Big Stone County records or need help understanding what is in a file.
Note: Big Stone County divorce records are open to the public. A judge may seal certain documents if there is a valid reason for privacy.
Legal Help in Big Stone County
Legal aid is available for Big Stone County residents who qualify. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and similar groups serve this part of the state. They help with family law cases including divorce, custody, and support for people who cannot pay for a lawyer.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with a family law attorney. Free divorce forms and filing guides are on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. The self-help section walks you through the whole process. If the filing fee is a hardship, you can ask the Big Stone County court for a fee waiver by filing an In Forma Pauperis petition.
Cities in Big Stone County
Big Stone County includes Ortonville, Clinton, Graceville, and several small towns. All divorce filings go through the District Court in Ortonville. None of the cities in Big Stone County have populations over 100,000, so all records are handled at the county courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Big Stone County. File your case in the county where you or your spouse lives.