Search Washington County Divorce Records
Washington County divorce records are filed and stored at the District Court in Stillwater, Minnesota. The court is part of the 10th Judicial District, one of the busiest in the state. You can search dissolution cases online through the statewide system, request certified copies by mail or in person, and check case status at the courthouse. Washington County sees a large volume of family law cases each year given its population, so the court staff is well set up to handle records requests. Whether you need a copy of a decree for legal purposes or just want to look up basic case info, there are clear paths to get what you need.
Washington County Overview
Washington County District Court
The Washington County District Court is where all divorce records for the county are kept. The courthouse sits at 14949 62nd Street N in Stillwater. It handles a high volume of family law cases because Washington County is one of the more populated counties in Minnesota. The 10th Judicial District covers this area along with several neighboring counties. If either spouse lived in Washington County when the divorce was filed, the case record is here.
Call the court at (651) 430-6265 during business hours. Staff can check on a case for you over the phone and let you know what documents are available. Walk-ins are fine too. Bring whatever details you have, like the names of both parties and the approximate year of the filing. Having the case number is ideal.
Washington County has a county-specific copy request form, which is different from the statewide form that many smaller counties use. This makes the process a bit more tailored to how things work at this courthouse.
| Court | Washington County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
14949 62nd Street N Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | (651) 430-6265 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 10th Judicial District |
Search Washington County Divorce Cases
You have a few options for searching Washington County divorce records. The free online system works well for recent cases. For older records or full certified copies, you will need to go through the courthouse.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the best starting point. It is free and covers public court records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by the name of either spouse or by case number. Results show party names, filing dates, case type, and status. Some family law documents have restricted online access, but you can still confirm a case exists and get the case number. Many public documents are available as downloadable PDFs through the system. For Washington County dissolution cases, MCRO is the fastest way to get basic info without leaving home.
The Washington County court page on the Judicial Branch website has direct contact details for the courthouse.
That page shows hours, phone numbers, and directions to the Stillwater courthouse. Use it to plan a visit or call ahead about a specific divorce case.
The MCRO search screen lets you pick Washington County from the drop-down and filter by case type, which helps you zero in on dissolution filings specifically.
Washington County Divorce Record Copies
Getting copies of Washington County divorce records costs $14 per certified document. That is the standard rate. A certified copy has the court seal on it and works as legal proof of the divorce. You can also get uncertified copies for less if you just need the info for personal use.
Washington County has its own copy request form. You can find it on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website under the copy request forms page. Fill it out with the party names, case number, and what documents you want. For in-person requests, go to the courthouse at 14949 62nd Street N in Stillwater during business hours. Staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait in most cases. Payment is by check or money order made out to the District Court Administrator.
The county-specific form shown above asks for case details and contact info. Using this form instead of the statewide one may speed up processing at the Washington County courthouse.
Mail requests work too. Send the filled-out form with your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing typically takes a few business days once they receive your request. For older divorce records that may be stored in archives, call the court first to check on availability.
Note: Washington County uses its own copy request form, so check the Judicial Branch website for the right version before sending your request.
Filing for Divorce in Washington County
To file for divorce in Washington County, one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days under Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file at the District Court in Stillwater. The filing fee for the petitioner is around $400. The responding party pays about $300 to $350 if they choose to file a formal answer.
Minnesota does not require fault. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, the only ground is that the marriage relationship has broken down and there is no reasonable chance of saving it. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage along with a Summons and serves the other party. Uncontested cases where both sides agree can move through the system fairly quickly. Contested cases take longer and often involve mediation, temporary hearings, and sometimes a trial before a judge. Washington County handles a lot of these cases, so expect the process to follow a structured timeline set by the 10th Judicial District.
Property gets split under Minn. Stat. 518.58, which calls for equitable distribution. That means fair, not always equal. Spousal maintenance may be awarded under Minn. Stat. 518.552 if one spouse cannot support themselves. Parents with minor children must take a parenting education class as required by Minn. Stat. 518.157. Every filing becomes part of the Washington County divorce record.
Washington County Court Resources
The Washington County court page on the Judicial Branch website is a helpful starting point for anyone dealing with divorce records here. It has links to forms, contact info for court administration, and details about how the 10th Judicial District operates in this county.
The page shown above gives you a quick overview of services at the Stillwater courthouse. You can find hours, driving directions, and links to forms all in one spot. It is worth checking before you make the trip or send a request by mail.
The Minnesota State Law Library can also help with reference questions about Washington County divorce records, especially older cases. They maintain research guides and can point you in the right direction if the courthouse does not have what you need on hand.
Legal Help in Washington County
Legal aid is available if you need help with a divorce in Washington County. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves this area and helps people with low income on family law issues including divorce, custody, and support.
The Minnesota State Bar Association has a referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney who practices in Washington County. Free divorce forms and instructions are posted at mncourts.gov. The self-help center has guides for filing on your own. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the court about a fee waiver through the In Forma Pauperis process.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes several cities and towns. Stillwater is the county seat. All divorce cases go through the District Court in Stillwater regardless of which city you live in. The largest city in the county is Woodbury.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Washington County. File in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are near a county line, double check the address to make sure you go to the right courthouse.