St. Paul Family Court Records

St. Paul family court records are handled by the Ramsey County District Court, which serves as the Second Judicial District. You can search for dissolution, custody, child support, and paternity cases through Minnesota Court Records Online. The city has two main courthouse locations for family matters: the main Ramsey County Courthouse on West Kellogg Boulevard and the Juvenile and Family Justice Center on West 7th Street. Both locations process family court filings and can provide copies of case documents. St. Paul is the state capital and the county seat of Ramsey County, with a population of about 311,000.

Where to File Family Court Cases in St. Paul

St. Paul residents file family court cases at the Ramsey County District Court. Ramsey County has two locations that handle family matters. The main courthouse on West Kellogg Boulevard handles a wide range of civil and family cases. Family-specific matters like divorce, custody, and paternity go through the Juvenile and Family Justice Center on West 7th Street. Both buildings are in downtown St. Paul and are close to each other.

The Court Administrator for Ramsey County is Heather Kendall. Her office manages case files, processes records requests, and can provide certified copies of court documents. If you are not sure which building to go to, call the family court line first at (651) 266-2842 and they will point you in the right direction.

The Protection and Restraining Order Office is located at 25 West 7th Street, Room B122. If you need to file or respond to a protection order, go to that specific room. All family court paperwork can be dropped off, mailed, or submitted in person at either location during regular court hours.

How to Search St. Paul Family Court Records

The main tool for searching St. Paul family court records online is Minnesota Court Records Online, known as MCRO. It is free to use and covers Ramsey County District Court cases. You can search by name, case number, or case type. The system shows party names, docket entries, filing dates, and current case status. Some records involving juveniles or domestic abuse have restricted access and won't show full details online.

Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to start a search. You will need at least one party's name or the case number. If you know the approximate year the case was filed, that helps narrow results. MCRO is available around the clock and doesn't require you to create an account.

For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the Court Administrator. You can visit in person at the courthouse, or request copies by mail. Bring a photo ID if you go in person. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. The Ramsey County Law Library on the 18th floor of the courthouse at (651) 266-8391 can help you locate older records and provides research support for people who need it.

The St. Paul Law Library maintains referral lists and legal research tools that can help you track down records and understand what you find.

The law library on the 18th floor of the Ramsey County Courthouse offers Westlaw access, print materials, and staff who can point you to the right resources for family court research.

Family Court Filing Process in St. Paul

St. Paul residents filing for dissolution of marriage or other family court matters follow Minnesota state law under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518. The process starts when one party files a petition with the Ramsey County District Court. The other party must be served with the petition and summons. Both spouses can also file a joint petition if they agree on all terms from the start.

Minnesota is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing to get a divorce. The legal ground is that the marriage has broken down beyond repair. Under Chapter 518, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. If you've lived in St. Paul or anywhere in Ramsey County for at least six months, you can file here.

Cases involving children take longer. The court sets an Initial Case Management Conference early in the process. Both parties may need to attend mediation before a hearing is scheduled. If children are involved, both parents must complete a parenting education class under Minn. Stat. section 518.157. The court provides a list of approved classes. Child support is set using the state guidelines under Chapter 518A, which takes both incomes and the parenting time split into account.

Paternity cases are handled under Chapter 518 as well. These cases establish legal fatherhood and can lead to orders for custody, parenting time, and support. They can be filed at the Family Justice Center on West 7th Street.

Filing Fees for Family Court in St. Paul

Filing fees in Ramsey County are set by the Minnesota Legislature and administered by the district court. The fee to file a petition for dissolution of marriage runs around $400. If the other party files a response, there is typically a separate response fee. Exact amounts can change, so check with the Court Administrator at (651) 266-8266 before you go in.

If you can't pay the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver called In Forma Pauperis, or IFP. You show the court your income and expenses, and the judge decides if you qualify. Forms for the IFP petition are available at the courthouse self-help center in Room 190 or on the state court website at mncourts.gov/GetForms.

Copies of court documents have their own fees. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Call the clerk's office to ask about current per-page costs before you request a large file. There is no fee to view records on MCRO, and many documents can be downloaded for free through that system.

Note: The parenting education class required when children are involved typically costs between $40 and $75, depending on the provider you choose from the court-approved list.

Legal Help for Family Court in St. Paul

St. Paul has several resources for people who need help with family court matters. The Ramsey County Family Court Self-Help Center in Room 190 at the courthouse helps people file on their own. Staff can explain forms, tell you what to bring, and point you to the right office. Call (651) 266-5125 to reach the center. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular court hours.

The Family Court Legal Clinic at (651) 266-5125 is a free service that runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 2 PM. It is appointment-only. At the clinic, a volunteer attorney or legal professional reviews your paperwork and answers questions about your case. This is not full legal representation, but it can help you understand what you need to do next.

Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) provides free legal advice for family law matters. Call (612) 752-6677 to reach their phone consultation line. They operate Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM. VLN also runs legal clinics in the Twin Cities area, including St. Paul locations. Their LawHelpMN partner site has self-help guides, forms, and plain-language explanations of Minnesota family law.

The Minnesota State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. You can search for a family law attorney in St. Paul through their directory at mnbar.org. Many attorneys offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis can also help residents in the region who qualify based on income. Call (612) 332-1441 to check eligibility.

Ramsey County Family Court Records

St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County. All family court filings for St. Paul go through the Ramsey County District Court. For more details on the county court system, additional offices, and county-level resources, visit the Ramsey County family court records page.

View Ramsey County Family Court Records