Search Scott County Divorce Records
Scott County divorce records are held at the District Court in Shakopee. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District and manages all family law filings for the county. You can search for divorce cases online through the state court system or visit the courthouse to look up records in person. The Court Administrator handles all requests for copies of dissolution judgments and decrees. If you need to find a case, you can search by the name of either spouse or use a case number. Staff at the clerk's office are available by phone to help with questions about what is on file and how to get the documents you need.
Scott County Overview
Scott County District Court Records
The Scott County District Court is the sole place where divorce records are filed and stored in this county. It sits at 200 4th Avenue W in Shakopee. The court falls under the 1st Judicial District, which also covers Dakota, Carver, Le Sueur, McLeod, and several other counties south of the Twin Cities metro. Every dissolution case that involves a Scott County resident ends up here. The Court Administrator runs the records office and can pull files for you when you visit or call in a request.
You can call the court at (952) 496-8200. The office is open on weekdays during normal business hours. Walk-ins are fine for most records searches. If you have the case number ready, the clerk can find the file fast. They can make copies while you wait in most situations.
Scott County has grown a lot in recent years. More residents means more cases moving through the system. The court handles a high volume of family law filings, so plan for that when you visit.
| Court | Scott County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
200 4th Avenue W Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | (952) 496-8200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 1st Judicial District |
How to Search Scott County Divorce Cases
There are a few ways to look up divorce records in Scott County. The easiest is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. It is free. The system covers public records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by party name or by case number and filter results to show only Scott County cases. The results display party names, case type, filing date, and case status. Some family court documents have restricted access online, but basic case info is usually there. It is a good first step to confirm that a divorce was filed and to grab the case number before requesting full copies.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch court locator page has contact info and directions for the Scott County courthouse. That page can help you plan a trip if you want to search records in person.
The court locator shown above gives you the phone number, address, and hours for the Scott County court office. Call ahead if you want to check on a specific case before making the drive.
Scott County Divorce Record Copies
Copies of Scott County divorce records cost $14 each for certified versions. That is the standard rate across Minnesota courts. A certified copy carries the court seal and serves as legal proof of the divorce. You might need one for a name change, a new marriage, or a legal proceeding in another state. The court charges the same fee whether you pick it up in person or request it by mail.
For in-person requests, go to the Court Administrator's office at 200 4th Avenue W in Shakopee during business hours. Bring the names of both parties. The approximate date of the divorce helps too. If you have the case number, that speeds things up. Staff will pull the file and print what you need. Payment is by check or money order made out to the District Court Administrator.
If you want copies by mail, use the statewide copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. Fill in the party names, case number if you know it, and the documents you want. Send it with your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the courthouse. It takes a few business days once they get your request.
The MCRO search screen shown above lets you filter by county and case type. That makes it simple to narrow your search to Scott County dissolution cases only.
Note: Certified copies cost $14 at the Scott County District Court, and you should confirm current fees before mailing payment.
Filing for Divorce in Scott County
You file for divorce in Scott County at the District Court in Shakopee. Under Minn. Stat. 518.07, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. The filing fee for the petitioner is around $400. The responding spouse pays roughly $300 to $350 to file an answer.
Minnesota is a no-fault state. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, you only need to show that the marriage has broken down with no chance of being saved. Nobody has to prove wrongdoing. One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution and a Summons, then serves the other party. If both sides agree on all terms, the process can be fast. Contested cases take longer. The court may order mediation before scheduling a hearing.
When children are part of the case, both parents must complete a parenting education class. That is a requirement under Minn. Stat. 518.157. Property division follows Minn. Stat. 518.58, which calls for equitable distribution. The court splits marital assets in a way that is fair but not always equal. All of these filings become part of the Scott County divorce record.
What Scott County Divorce Records Include
A Scott County divorce record has several parts. The main document is the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution. That is the court order that ends the marriage. It lays out property division, custody, support, and any other terms the judge ordered or the parties agreed to.
The full case file also includes the original petition, the summons, financial disclosures, and any motions filed during the proceedings. Most of these records are public. Anyone can request copies. Some financial source documents and certain details about children may be restricted. The Minnesota State Law Library can help with questions about older Scott County records or point you to the right resources if your search goes back several decades.
Note: Public access to Scott County divorce records is the default, but some sensitive documents may be sealed by court order.
Legal Help in Scott County
If you need help with a divorce case in Scott County, there are options. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) covers this area and offers free legal help to people with low income. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. You can apply online or call their office.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They can match you with a family law attorney who practices in Scott County. Free divorce forms are posted at mncourts.gov. The self-help center has step-by-step guides that walk you through the whole process. Fee waivers exist for people who cannot pay the filing costs. You file an In Forma Pauperis petition with the Scott County court to see if you qualify.
Cities in Scott County
Scott County includes Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, Jordan, Belle Plaine, Elko New Market, and New Prague (partly). All divorce filings in the county go through the District Court in Shakopee. None of the cities in Scott County meet the population threshold for their own page, so all records requests are handled at the county level.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Scott County. File in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check your address against county lines.