Fillmore County Family Court Records
Fillmore County family court records are maintained at the District Court in Preston. These records cover dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity actions, and domestic abuse proceedings for the county. You can search for cases online through Minnesota Court Records Online, visit the courthouse in person, or send a written request by mail. This page provides contact details, search instructions, fee information, and legal help resources for Fillmore County.
Fillmore County Overview
Fillmore County District Court
Fillmore County is part of the Third Judicial District, a large region covering southeast Minnesota. Court Administrator Darlene Larson oversees court administration in Fillmore County. The courthouse is located in Preston, which is the county seat, and it handles all family court cases filed within the county.
The courthouse is at 101 Fillmore Street East in Preston. Public parking is available in a lot on the east side of the building, and street parking is also available. The courthouse phone is (507) 765-6021 and the fax is (507) 765-4571. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Fillmore County is a rural county in the bluff country of southeast Minnesota, and the Preston courthouse serves all communities in the county.
| Court | Fillmore County District Court - Third Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Fillmore County Courthouse 101 Fillmore Street E. Preston, MN 55965 |
| Phone | (507) 765-6021 |
| Fax | (507) 765-4571 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Website | mncourts.gov - Fillmore County |
The Fillmore County District Court page on mncourts.gov provides the court calendar, contact information, and links to the statewide online case search for family and other court records.
Searching Fillmore County Family Court Records
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the primary tool for searching Fillmore County family court records. It is free to use. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows family case orders and judgments filed from July 1, 2005 onward. For cases before that date, you need to contact the courthouse directly.
If the online search does not yield results, call (507) 765-6021 or send a fax to (507) 765-4571. Court staff can look up cases by name and tell you what documents are on file. In-person visits during business hours allow you to review files and request copies right away. For mail requests, write to the Fillmore County District Court at 101 Fillmore Street E., Preston, MN 55965. Include both parties' names, the approximate filing year, and any case number you have. Specify whether you need plain or certified copies and include payment.
Plain copies are free. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. Exemplified copies are $14.00, or $28.00 for both certified and exemplified. Mail payments should be checks or money orders made payable to District Court Administrator. Turnaround time for mail requests varies but is typically a few business days.
Family Court Records in Fillmore County
Fillmore County family court records span a range of case types under the family law umbrella. Dissolution of marriage is the formal term Minnesota uses for divorce. Cases are governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 518. Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state. Either spouse can file without proving the other did anything wrong. The sole ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Once a dissolution case is filed, it goes through several stages. The petitioner files and serves the respondent. Both sides may file financial disclosures. If children are involved, parenting education is typically required. Mediation is often used to help parties reach agreements on custody and property. If the parties settle everything, they submit a marital termination agreement and the court enters the final judgment and decree.
Custody and parenting time orders are determined using the best interests of the child standard under Minn. Stat. 518.17. Child support is calculated using the income shares formula in Chapter 518A. Paternity cases establish legal parentage and can also include custody and support as part of the same action. Protection orders for domestic abuse are handled through the family court division as well.
Most records are public. You do not need to be a party to ask for copies. Juvenile records, adoption files, mental health proceedings, and sealed documents are restricted. Financial exhibits filed with the court are also kept from the public record because they contain sensitive personal information.
Filing in Fillmore County
To start a family court case in Fillmore County, you must be a resident of the county. For dissolution cases, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. You bring or mail your completed petition forms and filing fee to the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston. E-Filing through the state system is also available for attorneys and eligible self-represented parties.
The court will assign a case number and schedule hearings as needed. Uncontested cases move faster than contested ones. A case with full agreement on all terms can sometimes be finalized in a matter of months. Contested matters involving property disputes, custody disagreements, or child support disputes may take longer and require additional hearings or a trial. Throughout the process, all filings become part of the public case record accessible through MCRO.
Note: Fee waivers are available for people who cannot pay. Ask the court staff for an In Forma Pauperis form or find it at mncourts.gov/GetForms.
Legal Help in Fillmore County
Fillmore County residents who need legal help with a family court matter have several options. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people in the region. They handle divorce, custody, child support, and domestic abuse cases. Their website is smrls.org.
LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org provides free self-help guides and forms for people who represent themselves in family court. Official court forms for dissolution, custody, support, and paternity are free at mncourts.gov/GetForms. The Minnesota State Bar Association lawyer referral service at (612) 752-6699 can connect you with a family law attorney in southeast Minnesota if you need private legal counsel.
Cities in Fillmore County
Fillmore County is a rural county in southeast Minnesota. All family court cases for the county are filed at the District Court in Preston.
Communities in Fillmore County include Preston, Spring Valley, Lanesboro, Chatfield, Canton, Harmony, Rushford, and other small towns. None of these communities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All family court filings for Fillmore County residents are handled by the District Court at the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Fillmore County in the bluff country of southeast Minnesota. File your case in the county where you live.