Rice County Divorce Records
Rice County divorce records are maintained at the District Court in Faribault. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and processes all dissolution of marriage cases filed in the county. You can search for divorce filings online through the state court system or go to the Faribault courthouse in person to look up cases and request copies. The Court Administrator's office handles records requests and can help you find a case by name or number. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or just want to verify that a case was filed, Rice County court staff can assist during regular business hours.
Rice County Overview
Rice County District Court Records
The Rice County District Court is where all divorce records are filed and kept. The courthouse is at 218 3rd Street NW in Faribault. It is part of the 3rd Judicial District, which covers a section of southeastern Minnesota. If you or your spouse lived in Rice County when the divorce was filed, the case is stored here. The court has one location and all family law cases go through it.
You can reach the court at (507) 332-6107 during regular business hours. Staff take walk-in requests and can search for cases while you wait. Bring the names of both spouses and any other details you have. The case number is the fastest way to pull a file, but the clerk can also search by party name. Rice County sits between the Twin Cities metro and Rochester, so it sees a moderate amount of court traffic compared to more rural counties.
| Court | Rice County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
218 3rd Street NW Faribault, MN 55021 |
| Phone | (507) 332-6107 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 3rd Judicial District |
Look Up Rice County Divorce Cases
There are two good ways to search for Rice County divorce records. The free online tool works from any computer. Going to the courthouse gives you the most complete access to the full file.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search Rice County cases from home. It covers records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by name or case number and filter results by county and case type. Results show party names, dates, and case status. Some family court documents have restricted access online, but you can still confirm whether a case exists and get the case number. That number is what you need when you request a certified copy.
The court locator page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site has the address, phone, and hours for the Rice County court.
Check that page before visiting so you have the right details. You can also call ahead and ask about a specific case to save yourself a trip if the file is not available.
Rice County Divorce Record Copies
Certified copies of Rice County divorce records cost $14 each. That is the statewide rate set by Minnesota court rules. A certified copy has the court seal on it and is accepted as legal proof of the divorce. You can get copies in person or by mail.
For in-person requests, go to the Court Administrator's office at 218 3rd Street NW in Faribault during business hours. Bring both parties' names and the date of the divorce if you know it. Having the case number makes the search quicker. Staff will pull the file and print your copies on the spot. Payment is by check or money order made out to the District Court Administrator.
To request copies by mail, use the statewide copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Fill it out with the party names and case number. Include your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail everything to the Faribault courthouse address. Processing takes a few business days after they get your request. If you don't have the case number, use MCRO first to look it up.
The MCRO search screen above lets you narrow results by county and case type. It is the easiest way to find a Rice County case number before ordering copies.
Note: Uncertified copies are usually free at the Rice County courthouse, but certified copies with the court seal cost $14 each.
Divorce Filings in Rice County
To file for divorce in Rice County, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days. That is the residency rule under Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file at the District Court in Faribault. The petitioner pays a filing fee of about $400. The responding spouse pays around $300 to $350 to file an answer.
Minnesota is a no-fault state for divorce. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, the only ground you need is that the marriage is broken with no chance of repair. You don't have to prove fault or wrongdoing. One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution and Summons, then serves the other party. If both agree on everything, it can be done in a couple of months. Contested cases involving property or custody disputes take longer and may need mediation or a hearing.
Marital property gets divided fairly under Minn. Stat. 518.58. When kids are part of the case, both parents must take a parenting education class as required by Minn. Stat. 518.157. Every document filed becomes part of the Rice County divorce record stored at the courthouse in Faribault.
What Rice County Divorce Records Show
A Rice County divorce record starts with the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution. That is the court order ending the marriage. It covers property division, child custody, support amounts, and any other terms the judge set or the parties agreed on.
Beyond the final decree, the case file includes the original petition, summons, financial disclosures, and any motions. Most of these documents are public and available to anyone who asks. Some financial source records and details about minor children may be restricted under court access rules. The Minnesota State Law Library can help if you need to find older Rice County records or have questions about what is available.
Note: Most Rice County divorce records are public, but a judge may seal sensitive parts of the file if a party requests it.
Legal Help in Rice County
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services covers Rice County and offers free legal help to low-income residents. They work on family law matters including divorce, custody, and child support cases.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service if you want to hire a family law attorney. Free divorce forms and step-by-step instructions are posted at mncourts.gov. The self-help center has everything you need to file on your own. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford filing costs. You apply by submitting an In Forma Pauperis petition to the Rice County court.
Cities in Rice County
Rice County includes Faribault, Northfield, and several smaller communities. All divorce cases in the county go through the District Court in Faribault. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all filings are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Rice County. Make sure to file in the county where you or your spouse lives when you start the case.