Faribault County Divorce Records
Faribault County divorce records are filed and stored at the District Court in Blue Earth, Minnesota. You can search for divorce cases online using the state court system or go to the courthouse to look through records in person. The county sits in southern Minnesota and is part of the 5th Judicial District. The Court Administrator manages all case files, including dissolution records. If you want to find a specific case or get copies of a divorce decree, the court staff can help you with that process. A county-specific copy request form is available for Faribault County.
Faribault County Overview
Faribault County District Court
All divorce records in Faribault County are kept at the District Court in Blue Earth. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District. Staff handle filings, store case documents, and give out copies when people ask for them. You can call ahead or just walk in during business hours.
The courthouse sits at 415 North Main Street in Blue Earth. That is where the Court Administrator works and where all dissolution case files are stored. Faribault County is a smaller county, so the staff tends to be able to help you faster than in bigger metro courts. Bring the name of the person you are searching for, or a case number if you have one. The clerk can search their system and tell you what records are on file. If you want copies, they can make them while you wait in most cases.
| Court | Faribault County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
415 North Main Street Blue Earth, MN 56013 |
| Phone | (507) 526-6270 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 5th Judicial District |
Search Faribault County Divorce Cases
The quickest way to search Faribault County divorce records from home is through Minnesota Court Records Online. This is a free public tool run by the state. You type in a name or case number and it pulls up matching cases from the Faribault County District Court. The results show party names, case type, filing date, and docket entries.
Use the court locator on the Minnesota Courts website to find contact information for the Faribault County court. The screenshot below shows how the court locator looks when you pull up the county.
When you search on MCRO, divorce cases are listed under the case type "DM" for dissolution of marriage. If you only know one spouse's name, that is enough to start a search. The system will list all cases that person is connected to. Keep in mind that some family court records have limits on what shows up online. Sealed records won't appear at all.
The MCRO results page for Faribault County cases looks like this. You can click into each case to see the docket and filing history.
For a deeper search, go to the courthouse. The clerk has access to records that may not be in the online system, especially older cases filed before the state put everything digital. In-person visits also let you see the full case file, not just the summary.
Faribault County Divorce Copies
Certified copies of divorce records cost $14 each in Faribault County. The county has its own copy request form, which you can download from the Minnesota Courts copy request page. Fill it out, attach payment, and mail it to the Court Administrator at 415 North Main Street, Blue Earth, MN 56013.
You can also get copies in person at the courthouse. Walk in and tell the clerk what you need. If you have the case number, it goes faster. A certified copy has the court seal and clerk signature. You need one for name changes, to prove your marital status, or for other legal purposes. Plain copies work fine if you just want the information for yourself. Most of the time, in-person requests get done the same day.
Note: Faribault County has its own copy request form, so check the Minnesota Courts website for the county-specific version before mailing your request.
Divorce Filing in Faribault County
Filing for divorce in Faribault County works the same way as the rest of the state. You start by filing a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons at the courthouse in Blue Earth. The filing fee for the petitioner is about $400. A response from the other spouse costs $300 to $350.
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. 518.07 says one spouse must have lived in the state for at least 180 days before you can file. The state is strictly no-fault, per Minn. Stat. 518.06. You just state the marriage is broken. Nobody has to prove the other person did something wrong. Property division follows Minn. Stat. 518.58, which splits marital assets fairly but not always equally. If kids are part of the case, both parents must take a class under Minn. Stat. 518.157.
Each filing creates records that stay at the Faribault County District Court. The petition, financial papers, and the final judgment and decree all go into the case file. These become the divorce records people search for later.
Legal Help in Faribault County
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) covers Faribault County. They help people with low income handle family law matters like divorce and custody. The Minnesota State Bar lawyer referral service at (612) 752-6699 can also connect you with a family law attorney in southern Minnesota. Search for lawyers at mnbar.org.
Court forms for divorce are free at mncourts.gov. The self-help guide at LawHelpMN.org walks you through the process step by step. The courthouse in Blue Earth may also have printed forms and staff who can help point you in the right direction.
Cities in Faribault County
Faribault County includes Blue Earth, Wells, Winnebago, and several small towns. All divorce cases go through the Faribault County District Court in Blue Earth. No cities in the county have a separate page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Counties next to Faribault County are listed below. Make sure you file your divorce case in the county where you live.