Minneapolis Family Court Records
Minneapolis family court records are kept at the Hennepin County District Court, the largest trial court in Minnesota. The court handles dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases for all residents of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. You can search cases online through Minnesota Court Records Online, or you can visit the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis to view full case files and request certified copies. This guide covers how to find records, where to file, and what resources are available for people dealing with family court matters in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Overview
Where to File Family Court Cases in Minneapolis
All family court cases for Minneapolis residents go through the Hennepin County District Court. The court handles dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse cases. As of March 30, 2025, all in-person family court hearings are held at the Government Center at 300 South 6th Street in downtown Minneapolis. The Family Justice Center at 110 South 4th Street previously served as the main family court location, but cases have moved to the Government Center.
The Court Administrator manages all case files and processes records requests. You can file new cases there, pick up forms, and request certified copies of judgments and orders. Staff are available during normal business hours. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. The Self-Help Center at (612) 348-9399 can help self-represented parties before hearings.
| Court | Hennepin County District Court - Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Hennepin County Government Center 300 South 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 |
| Phone | (612) 348-6000 / Family Court: (612) 348-6734 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Hennepin County |
The Government Center is in downtown Minneapolis near public transit and the light rail. Signing Judge hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 9:00 AM and 1:00 to 2:00 PM. For juvenile cases, the Juvenile Justice Center is located at 590 Park Avenue in Minneapolis.
How to Search Minneapolis Family Court Records
You can search Minneapolis family court records online for free using Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). The system covers Hennepin County District Court and shows party names, case types, hearing dates, and docket entries. Some records are restricted by law, so not every document will show up in an online search. To see the full case file or get a certified copy, visit the courthouse in person.
The MCRO portal is available at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. You can search by party name, case number, or case type. Family court cases include dissolution (divorce), custody, child support, paternity, and protection orders. The system is free to use and does not require an account. Results show current case status and a list of filings, but not the actual documents.
To get copies of court documents, contact the Court Administrator at the Government Center. Certified copies cost a per-page fee. Plain copies cost less. The Self-Help Center can help you find your case and understand what documents you need. Self-represented parties must have their motions reviewed by the Self-Help Center before any scheduled hearing.
Note: Settlement of motions is required within 7 days of filing in Hennepin County family court cases.
The Hennepin County District Court page on mncourts.gov lists all court locations, contact information, and links to services for Minneapolis family court cases.
The Hennepin County court system serves Minneapolis and all Hennepin County suburbs through a network of locations including the Government Center, Brookdale, Ridgedale, and Southdale service centers.
Family Court Filing Process in Minneapolis
Minneapolis residents follow Minnesota state law when filing family court cases. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518 covers dissolution of marriage. Under this law, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. Minnesota uses a no-fault system, meaning the only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to prove wrongdoing by either party.
The process starts when one party files a Petition and Summons with the Court Administrator. The other party must be served. Both parties then exchange financial disclosures. If the case involves children, a parenting plan is required and both parents must complete a parenting education program under Minn. Stat. § 518.157. Uncontested cases move faster. Contested cases may need mediation or a hearing before a judge issues final orders.
Child custody in Minneapolis is decided under Minn. Stat. § 518.17, which sets out the best interest of the child factors. Courts look at the child's needs, the relationship with each parent, and which arrangement best supports the child's well-being. Legal custody and physical custody are handled separately.
Child support is governed by Minn. Stat. Chapter 518A. Support amounts are based on both parents' incomes and the parenting time each has. Paternity cases establish legal parentage before custody or support can be ordered. Exhibits in Hennepin County family court must be submitted through MNDES, the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System.
Hennepin County has a self-help center at the Government Center. Self-represented parties should contact them at (612) 348-9399 before filing motions.
Minneapolis Family Court Fees
Filing fees in Minneapolis are set by the Hennepin County District Court. The petitioner pays around $400 when starting a dissolution case. A responding party typically pays $300 to $350. Fees can change, so confirm the current amounts with the Court Administrator before filing.
Other costs to plan for include service of process, copies of court documents, and the required parenting education class if children are involved. Parenting education classes generally cost $40 to $75 per person. If you cannot afford fees, you can apply for a fee waiver by submitting an In Forma Pauperis (IFP) petition to the court. Forms are available at the courthouse and online at mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx.
Legal Help for Family Court in Minneapolis
Several resources exist for people who need help with family court matters in Minneapolis. Some offer free services to those with low income. Others connect you with a private attorney for a paid consultation.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves Minneapolis and handles family law cases for qualifying low-income residents. You can reach them at (612) 334-5970 or visit mylegalaid.org. The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (612) 752-6699 and an online directory at mnbar.org. Volunteer Lawyers Network holds free family law clinics in Minneapolis. Call (612) 752-6677 for dates and times.
LawHelpMN offers self-help guides, forms, and plain-language explanations of family law at lawhelpmn.org. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also publishes all court forms and step-by-step filing guides at mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx. These are especially useful for people filing without a lawyer.
The Hennepin County Family Court Services page describes programs available to families involved in court proceedings, including custody evaluations, parenting time dispute resolution, and child protection services.
Family Court Services in Hennepin County can assist with custody evaluations and dispute resolution for families going through a dissolution or custody case in Minneapolis.
Hennepin County Courthouse Locations
Minneapolis family court cases are all handled at the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. However, Hennepin County operates several regional service centers around the county for criminal and traffic matters. Knowing which location handles which case type can save you a trip.
The Government Center at 300 South 6th Street handles all family court hearings. The Juvenile Justice Center at 590 Park Avenue handles juvenile cases. Brookdale Regional Service Center at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center serves northern Hennepin suburbs. Ridgedale at 12601 Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka serves western suburbs. Southdale at 7009 York Avenue South in Edina serves southern suburbs.
The Hennepin County courthouse locations page has current addresses, hours, and directions for all service centers.
Each Hennepin County location handles different case types. Always confirm which location is correct for your matter before making the trip.
Hennepin County Family Court Records
Minneapolis is the county seat of Hennepin County, and all family court filings go through the Hennepin County District Court. The county court handles cases for Minneapolis and dozens of surrounding communities. For more information on court resources, records access, and procedures across Hennepin County, visit the county records page.
Nearby Cities in Hennepin County
Other cities in Hennepin County also file family court cases through the same district court in Minneapolis. If you are looking for records from a nearby city, follow the links below.