Carver County Divorce Records Lookup
Carver County divorce records are filed at the District Court in Chaska. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District and handles all dissolution of marriage cases for the county. You can search for past cases, get certified copies of divorce decrees, and look up filing information through the Court Administrator. Carver County sits just west of the Twin Cities metro and has been one of the fastest-growing counties in Minnesota. The courthouse in Chaska manages a significant number of family law filings each year. Records are available in person, by mail, and through the state's online search tool for basic case lookups.
Carver County Overview
Carver County District Court Records
The Carver County District Court stores all divorce records for the county. The courthouse is at 604 East 4th Street in Chaska. It belongs to the 1st Judicial District, which also includes several other metro-area and southern Minnesota counties. If either spouse lived in Carver County at the time of filing, the case is here. The Court Administrator handles all records and can search by name or case number.
Call the court at (952) 361-1420 for help. Staff can check if a case is on file and walk you through the steps to get copies. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours. The court sees a good amount of traffic given the county's growing population, so having a case number ready helps move things along. Name searches are possible but may take a bit more time.
Carver County borders Hennepin County and the western suburbs of Minneapolis. Residents in cities like Chanhassen and Waconia file their divorce cases here.
| Court | Carver County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
604 East 4th Street Chaska, MN 55318 |
| Phone | (952) 361-1420 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 1st Judicial District |
Search Carver County Divorce Cases
You can look up Carver County divorce records two ways. Search online for free or go to the Chaska courthouse in person.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system covers Carver County and is free to use. It includes public case records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by party name or case number. Results list the names, case type, filing date, and current status. Not every document in a family law file is available online due to access restrictions on some sensitive items. But MCRO is a good first step. You can confirm a case exists and get the case number you need to request copies.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch court locator has the Carver County courthouse address, phone number, and office hours all in one place.
The court locator page for Carver County provides the key info for visiting the courthouse.
Use this page to verify the courthouse hours and get directions to the Chaska location.
Carver County Divorce Record Copies
Certified copies of Carver County divorce records cost $14 each. That is the standard fee across all Minnesota district courts. A certified copy includes the court seal and is valid for legal purposes such as remarriage or name change applications. You can request copies in person or by mail.
For in-person requests, go to the Court Administrator's office at 604 East 4th Street in Chaska. Give the clerk the names of both parties and any other details you have. The case number makes the search fastest. Staff will pull the file and print copies for you right there. Pay by check or money order to the District Court Administrator.
Mail requests use the statewide copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Fill out the form with party names, case number, and the documents you want. Include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to the Carver County courthouse. The court processes mail requests in a few business days.
Looking up the case on MCRO before you request copies saves time and makes sure you get the right file.
Select Carver County and the dissolution case type on the MCRO search page to find the specific divorce case you need.
Note: Certified copies are $14 at the Carver County District Court. Call to verify the fee before mailing payment.
Filing for Divorce in Carver County
To file for divorce in Carver County, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days. That is the rule under Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file at the District Court in Chaska. The filing fee for the petitioner is about $400. A responding spouse who files an answer pays around $300 to $350.
Minnesota follows a no-fault divorce model. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, the sole ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. There is no need to prove fault. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons, then serves the other spouse. Cases where both sides agree on terms can be finished relatively quickly. Contested divorces take longer and may involve mediation or a court hearing.
Marital property is split under Minn. Stat. 518.58. The court divides things fairly, which does not always mean a 50-50 split. Spousal maintenance can be awarded under Minn. Stat. 518.552 based on factors like income, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's needs. If children are involved, a parenting class is mandatory under Minn. Stat. 518.157. All filings go into the Carver County divorce record.
What Carver County Divorce Records Show
A Carver County divorce record contains several documents. The Judgment and Decree of Dissolution is the most important. It is the court order that formally ends the marriage. The decree sets out property division, custody, parenting time, child support, and any spousal maintenance.
The full case file also includes the original petition, summons, financial disclosures required by Minn. Stat. 518.195, motions, agreements, and court orders. Most documents are public. Anyone may request copies. Some items with sensitive financial information or details about minor children may have restricted access. The Minnesota State Law Library is a useful resource for understanding what is in a divorce case file or for tracking down older Carver County records.
Note: Carver County divorce records are public unless a judge has ordered specific documents sealed.
Legal Help in Carver County
If you need legal help with a divorce in Carver County, options are available. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and similar organizations provide free legal assistance to low-income residents with family law cases.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney in the Chaska area or the broader Twin Cities metro. Free divorce forms and step-by-step guides are on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. If you cannot afford the filing fee, file an In Forma Pauperis petition with the Carver County court for a fee waiver. Residents may also find legal resources in nearby Minnetonka or Eden Prairie.
Cities in Carver County
Carver County includes Chaska, Chanhassen, Waconia, Victoria, and other growing communities. All divorce cases in the county go through the District Court in Chaska. No cities in Carver County have populations over 100,000, so all filings are handled at the county courthouse level.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carver County. File your case in the county where you or your spouse lives.