Search Hennepin County Family Court Records
Hennepin County family court records cover dissolution of marriage, child custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, spousal maintenance, and domestic abuse proceedings. The District Court in Minneapolis is part of the Fourth Judicial District and serves about 1.28 million people, making it the busiest court in the state. Records can be searched online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, or you can visit the courthouse in person to get certified copies and review full case files. This guide covers every step of finding and requesting Hennepin County family court records.
Hennepin County Overview
Hennepin County District Court
The Hennepin County District Court is part of the Fourth Judicial District, which covers Hennepin County alone. It is the only single-county judicial district in Minnesota and by far the largest. Court Administrator Sara Gonsalves oversees the clerk operations. Family Court moved to the Hennepin County Government Center in March 2020 after previously operating from the Family Justice Center. Fifteen new courtrooms were constructed at the Government Center specifically for family court matters.
The Government Center in downtown Minneapolis handles all family court filings and records. The Records Center is located in Room A260 on the Skyway Level of the Administration Tower. The main public phone for the court is (612) 348-6000. Family Court specifically can be reached at (612) 348-6734, with a fax at (612) 596-9309. The Self-Help Center for family cases is at Government Center A-20. Signing Judge hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 9:00 AM and 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
| Court | Hennepin County District Court - Fourth Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Hennepin County Government Center 300 South 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 |
| Records Center | Room A260, Skyway Level, Administration Tower |
| Main Phone | (612) 348-6000 |
| Family Court Phone | (612) 348-6734 |
| Family Court Fax | (612) 596-9309 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Family Court Page | mncourts.gov - Hennepin Family Court |
| County Website | hennepin.us |
The Hennepin County Family Court page on mncourts.gov lists current contact details, court calendars, and filing instructions for the Fourth Judicial District.
Check this page before visiting or filing to see current hours and any closures that might affect your deadline.
Hennepin County Family Court Division
Family court in Hennepin County handles a broad range of domestic relations matters. Dissolution of marriage (divorce) is the most common case type, but the family division also handles custody and parenting time disputes, child support proceedings, paternity actions, spousal maintenance, post-decree motions, harassment restraining orders, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. As of 2024, harassment cases and Extreme Risk Protection Orders moved from the Civil Division into the Family Division.
The Hennepin Family Court page at mncourts.gov has detailed information specific to the family division. For self-represented parties, there is a key procedural rule to know: all motions filed by people without attorneys must be reviewed by the Self-Help Center before the court will set a hearing date. This is a standing order that helps ensure filings are complete and procedurally correct before a judge's time is scheduled.
Hennepin County also runs several specialty courts. Mental Health Court has operated since 2003. Veterans Treatment Court started in 2010. These are not family court programs, but they show the county's broader approach to addressing the needs of people in the court system. For family cases specifically, the county maintains a separate set of resources through Hennepin Family Court Services at hennepin.us/family-court.
How to Search Hennepin County Family Court Records
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is free and covers all Hennepin County family court cases. Search by name or case number. For family cases, public orders and judgments filed from July 1, 2005 onward appear in MCRO. Older records require a direct request to the Records Center.
MCRO shows the register of actions at no cost. This is the full chronological log of every filing, hearing, and court order in a case. Downloading actual documents from MCRO costs per page. For certified copies, you go to the Records Center at Room A260 in the Government Center or mail your request to:
4th District Court Records Center, 300 South 6th Street, #SK-0260, Minneapolis, MN 55487-0332. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. You can pay by credit card through the electronic filing system, or by check or money order dropped off or mailed to the Skyway Level drop-box. Plain copies can be emailed if you provide an email address in your request. Certified copies go by U.S. mail or are available for pickup.
Note: As of July 1, 2024, Hennepin County Family Court only accepts exhibits through the Minnesota Digital Exhibit System (MNDES). Attorneys and parties must use this system when submitting exhibits in family cases.
Hennepin County Records Center
The Records Center at the Government Center is where you go in person for family court records. It is in Room A260 on the Skyway Level. Public access terminals in the Records Center let you search statewide public case information, including viewing public documents, at no charge. Staff can assist with name searches and copy requests.
The MCRO case search portal lets you look up Hennepin County family court cases by party name, case number, or attorney at no cost.
MCRO covers cases from July 1, 2015 onward and shows docket entries, hearing dates, and case status for most family court filings in the county.
The Records Center page at mncourts.gov/Hennepin/records-center has full instructions for submitting copy requests, payment options, and mailing details. For anyone who cannot visit in person, the page explains how to submit a written or electronic request and what to include.
What Hennepin County Family Court Records Include
Family court records in Hennepin County span a wide range of documents depending on the case type. A dissolution of marriage file typically starts with the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons. As the case moves forward, financial affidavits are filed showing each party's income, assets, and debts. If children are involved, a parenting plan and child support worksheets are part of the file. A Marital Termination Agreement is filed if the parties settle all issues. The final document is the Judgment and Decree.
The Judgment and Decree is the most commonly requested document. It is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It sets out all terms: property and debt division, custody, parenting time schedule, child support amounts, and any spousal maintenance. You may need a certified copy for name changes, real estate transactions, changing beneficiary designations, or proving your marital status to government agencies.
Other family court record types in Hennepin County include:
- Child custody and parenting time orders (separate from divorce)
- Child support establishment and modification orders
- Paternity judgments under Chapter 518
- Spousal maintenance orders and modifications
- Harassment restraining orders and Extreme Risk Protection Orders
- Post-decree motions to modify prior orders
Minnesota dissolution law is in Chapter 518. Child support uses the formula in Chapter 518A. Custody decisions rely on the best interests factors in Minn. Stat. 518.17. Child protection matters fall under Chapter 260C. Most records in these cases are public. Adoption files, juvenile proceedings, mental health cases, and sealed documents are restricted.
Filing a Family Court Case in Hennepin County
To file a family court case in Hennepin County, you or your spouse must live in the county. For dissolution, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. You bring completed forms and the filing fee to the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. E-Filing is also available through the state's electronic filing system for attorneys and eligible self-represented parties.
The court assigns a case number when you file. The other party must be served. Once served, they have time to respond. When children are part of a dissolution or custody case, both parents are typically required to complete an approved parenting education program. A parenting plan is usually part of any case involving minor children. The settlement of motions is encouraged throughout, and the court expects that any pending motions are resolved within seven days if the parties reach an agreement.
Contested Hennepin County family cases can take longer than in smaller counties simply due to volume. The court manages a large caseload. Having all paperwork in order, using e-Filing where available, and working with the Self-Help Center before filing motions can help keep cases moving. For those with legal representation, the court's electronic systems are the standard method for all filings and exhibit submissions.
Legal Help for Family Cases in Hennepin County
Hennepin County has more legal aid resources than most other Minnesota counties because of the population and the presence of major legal organizations in Minneapolis. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves Hennepin County and handles family law cases for low-income residents including divorce, custody, and support. Call (612) 334-5970 or visit mylegalaid.org to apply for services.
The Volunteer Lawyers Network in Minneapolis offers free legal clinics. Call (612) 752-6677 for information on clinic schedules and eligibility. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has free guides for self-represented parties. Court forms for all family case types are free at mncourts.gov/GetForms.
For private attorney referrals, the Minnesota State Bar Association runs a referral service at (612) 752-6699 and an online directory at mnbar.org. The Hennepin County Bar Association also has resources for finding local family law attorneys. The Self-Help Center at Government Center A-20 assists self-represented parties directly at the courthouse and can review motions before they are filed.
Cities in Hennepin County
Hennepin County includes Minneapolis and dozens of suburbs. All family court cases for the county are filed at the Government Center in Minneapolis.
Other communities in Hennepin County include Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Richfield, Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Osseo, and many more. All family court cases for any address in Hennepin County are handled by the Fourth District Court at the Government Center in Minneapolis.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Hennepin County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where you live. You must file in the county of your residence.