Ramsey County Divorce Records

Ramsey County divorce records are held at the District Court in St. Paul, which serves as both the county seat and the state capital. The 2nd Judicial District handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed here, and you can search court records online through the state system or visit the courthouse in person. With multiple court locations in the county, residents have more than one way to get help with divorce filings, copies of past records, and case lookups. Staff in the Court Administrator's office can pull files by name or case number, and the county also runs its own vital records office for additional support.

Ramsey County District Court Records

The Ramsey County District Court is where all divorce records are filed and stored. It sits at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. in St. Paul. Court Administrator Heather Kendall runs the records side of operations. The court is part of the 2nd Judicial District, one of the busiest in Minnesota. If you or your spouse lived in Ramsey County when the divorce was filed, the case is here. You can reach the main court office at (651) 266-8266, or call the records line at (651) 266-8237 for help with a specific case. Staff work weekdays during normal business hours and handle walk-in requests at the courthouse.

Ramsey County has more than one court location. The main courthouse in downtown St. Paul takes most family law cases. But the county also runs the Suburban Court in Maplewood at 2050 White Bear Ave, which you can reach at (651) 266-1999. There is also the Juvenile and Family Justice Center at 25 W 7th St in St. Paul, reachable at (651) 266-5115. Not all locations handle every type of filing, so call first to make sure you go to the right place.

The Ramsey County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site has the full details on hours, locations, and contact info for all three court facilities.

That page lists each court location in the county and tells you which types of cases each one handles. It is a good first stop before you drive to the courthouse.

Search Ramsey County Divorce Cases

You can look up Ramsey County divorce records two ways. The free online system covers cases filed on or after July 1, 2015. For older cases, you need to call or visit the court.

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search by name or case number. Pick Ramsey County and set the case type to family. Results show party names, filing dates, case status, and some documents. Not every document shows up online since family court files can have restricted parts. But MCRO is the fastest way to check if a case exists and grab the case number for a full records request. You can also search by attorney bar number or look at scheduled hearings for a case.

The court records page for Ramsey County spells out what is and is not available online versus in person.

That page walks through the types of records you can get and how to ask for them. It is worth reading before you send in a request so you know what to expect.

The MCRO search screen shown above lets you filter by county and case type, which helps narrow down results when you are looking for a specific Ramsey County dissolution case.

Ramsey County Divorce Record Copies

Certified copies of Ramsey County divorce records cost $14 each. That is the standard rate across the state. A certified copy has the court seal and works as legal proof of the divorce. You have several ways to get one.

For in-person requests, go to the Records Office at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., Room 72, in St. Paul during business hours. Bring the names of both parties and the date of the divorce if you have it. The case number makes the search go faster. Ramsey County takes cash, check, money order, and credit or debit cards for in-person payments. That gives you more options than most counties in the state. Staff can usually pull and print the file while you wait.

You can also request copies by mail. Use the copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Ramsey County has its own county-specific form. Fill it out with the party names and case number if known. Send it with a check or money order made out to the District Court Administrator. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing takes a few business days after they get your letter.

Phone requests are another option. Call (651) 266-8237 and pay with a credit or debit card over the phone. This is handy if you already know the case number and just need a copy mailed to you.

Ramsey County also runs its own divorce records page through the county website, which gives local instructions on getting copies.

That page is specific to Ramsey County and has details that the statewide site does not always cover. Check both for the most complete info.

Filing for Divorce in Ramsey County

To file for divorce in Ramsey County, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days under Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file at the District Court in St. Paul. The filing fee for the petitioner runs about $400. The responding spouse pays around $300 to $350 to file an answer.

Minnesota is a no-fault state. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, the only ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down with no chance of saving it. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. One spouse files a Petition for Dissolution and a Summons, then serves the other party. If both sides agree on everything, the case can wrap up in a few months. Contested cases take longer. Mediation is common in Ramsey County and the court may order it before setting a trial date.

Property gets divided under Minn. Stat. 518.58. The court splits marital property fairly, though not always equally. When children are part of the case, both parents must complete a parenting education class under Minn. Stat. 518.157. All filings become part of the Ramsey County divorce record and are stored at the courthouse.

What Ramsey County Divorce Records Show

A divorce record from Ramsey County has several parts. The main document is the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution. That is the court order that ends the marriage. It covers property division, custody terms, support amounts, and any other conditions the judge set or the parties agreed on.

The full case file also has the original petition, summons, financial disclosures, and any motions filed during the case. Most of these are public. Anyone can ask for copies. Some financial source documents and info about minor children may have restricted access under court rules. The Minnesota State Law Library can help with reference questions about older Ramsey County records or point you to the right place if you are not sure where to look.

Legal Help in Ramsey County

If you need help with a divorce case in Ramsey County, several resources are available. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services covers Ramsey County and offers free legal help to people with low income. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support.

The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with a family law attorney who knows the Ramsey County courts. Free court forms for divorce are posted at mncourts.gov. The self-help center has step-by-step guides and all the paperwork you need to file on your own. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the filing costs. You fill out an In Forma Pauperis petition and submit it to the court.

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County includes St. Paul, the state capital, along with many suburbs. All divorce cases in the county go through the District Court system. St. Paul is the largest city and has over 300,000 residents.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ramsey County. Make sure you file in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address.