Search Faribault County Family Court Records

Faribault County family court records are held at the District Court in Blue Earth, the county seat. The court keeps records for dissolution of marriage, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse cases. You can look up cases online through Minnesota Court Records Online or contact the court in person or by mail. This page covers the courthouse location, how to request copies, what fees apply, and where to find legal assistance.

Faribault County District Court

The Faribault County District Court is part of the Fifth Judicial District, which covers southwest Minnesota. Court Administrator Tammy Bauman runs the clerk operations for the county. The courthouse is in Blue Earth and handles all family court matters along with civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile cases.

The courthouse address is 415 North Main Street in Blue Earth. Mail can be sent to P.O. Box 130, Blue Earth, MN 56013. The phone number is (507) 526-6273 and fax is (507) 618-5869. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. On-street parking is available around the courthouse. For those who need eCheck-in services for eligible case types, that option is available at this court location.

The Faribault County District Court page on mncourts.gov provides court calendar access, case search links, and contact information for court administration in Blue Earth.

How to Find Faribault County Family Court Records

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the starting point for most record searches. It is free. You search by name or case number. Family case orders and judgments from July 1, 2005 onward are available online. For earlier records, you need to contact the Faribault County court directly.

When searching MCRO, try both parties' names if you know them. The register of actions, which shows every filing and court event, is viewable for free. Document downloads cost per page. For official certified copies, contact the court. Certified copies cost $14.00 each and require either an in-person visit or a written mail request.

To request by mail, send a written request to the Faribault County District Court at P.O. Box 130, Blue Earth, MN 56013. Include the names of both parties, the approximate filing date or year, and the case number if you have it. Specify whether you need plain or certified copies. Enclose a check or money order payable to District Court Administrator along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Most requests are completed within a few business days.

What Faribault County Family Court Records Contain

Family court records in Faribault County can include a wide range of filings depending on the case type. Dissolution of marriage files typically contain the petition and summons, financial affidavits, the stipulation or marital termination agreement if the parties settled, parenting plan documents if children are involved, and the final judgment and decree. The judgment and decree is the key legal document that officially ends the marriage and sets terms for custody, support, and property.

Paternity cases fall under their own file type. These cases establish the legal parent-child relationship when the parents were not married. They can also include custody and child support orders as part of the same proceeding. Child support modification cases arise when one party wants to change an existing support order due to a change in circumstances. All of these case types are part of the family court docket and are searchable through MCRO.

Custody and parenting time cases are decided under Minn. Stat. 518.17, which lists the best interests factors a court must consider. Child support is determined using the state income shares formula found in Chapter 518A. Dissolution itself is governed by Chapter 518, and Minnesota's no-fault rule means neither party needs to prove fault or wrongdoing.

Most family court records in Faribault County are public. Exceptions include juvenile cases, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and anything sealed by a judge. Financial source documents with sensitive personal data are redacted before public copies are released.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs

Faribault County uses the Minnesota Judicial Branch standard fee schedule. Filing fees must be paid when the case is started. The base fee for dissolution of marriage is around $390. Custody and paternity case fees start at about $310. Responding to a motion costs $100.

For copies, plain uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. Exemplified copies are $14.00, or $28.00 if you need both certified and exemplified. Fee waivers (In Forma Pauperis) are available for people who cannot afford to pay. Forms for requesting a waiver are at the courthouse or at mncourts.gov/GetForms. Mail payments should be checks or money orders payable to District Court Administrator.

Legal Resources for Faribault County Residents

If you need help with a family court case in Faribault County, several organizations can assist. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) serves the southwest Minnesota region and provides free civil legal help to income-eligible residents. Visit smrls.org or call their office to ask about services in Faribault County.

LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has online guides and self-help tools for people going through family court cases on their own. Free court forms for every family case type are available at mncourts.gov/GetForms. The Minnesota State Bar Association runs an attorney referral service at (612) 752-6699. For those who need a family law attorney, the referral service can connect you with one who handles cases in the southwest Minnesota region including Faribault County.

Cities in Faribault County

Faribault County is a rural county in southern Minnesota. All family court cases for the county are filed at the District Court in Blue Earth.

Communities in Faribault County include Blue Earth, Wells, Winnebago, Bricelyn, Delavan, and several other small towns. None of these communities currently have a dedicated city page. All family court matters for Faribault County residents are handled by the District Court at the Faribault County Courthouse in Blue Earth.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Faribault County in southern Minnesota. File in the county where you reside.