Olmsted County, Minnesota court records are available through several channels. OlmstedCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, directly at the district court office, or at public access terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to navigating the county's court system.
Olmsted Court System & Jurisdictions
Olmsted County has one trial court — the Olmsted County District Court, located in Rochester. In Minnesota, district courts have general jurisdiction, meaning the same court handles virtually all categories of cases.
Types of cases handled by the District Court:
- Criminal — from felonies to misdemeanors and traffic violations
- Civil — claims of any size, including small claims (up to $15,000)
- Family — divorces, child custody, alimony, protection orders
- Probate and Guardianship — estate administration, appointment of guardians
- Juvenile — cases involving minors (usually closed to public access)
There is no separate justice or magistrate court in the county. Traffic violations and minor offenses also go to the District Court. If you're unsure which court division to contact, call the court office at (507) 722-7264.
Olmsted Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- Online via MCRO. Open the MCRO case search, select Olmsted County from the list, and find the desired case by party name or case number. The case card displays the scheduled hearing dates.
- Public terminals at the courthouse. MPA (Minnesota Public Access) terminals are installed in the Olmsted County Courthouse, providing more comprehensive information than the online MCRO version.
- Phone inquiry. Call the court office and provide the case number — the staff will confirm the date and time of the next hearing.
Olmsted County District Court
Note: The schedule may change on the day of the hearing. If you are a party to the case, confirm the time directly before your visit.
How to Get a Copy of a Olmsted Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types — regular and certified. A certified copy bears the court's seal and confirms the document's authenticity; it is usually required for submission to another court, government agency, or employer.
Online
Through MCRO, you can view and download some case documents. Not all documents are available online — confidential materials, juvenile cases, and certain family cases are restricted. For a certified copy, you need to contact the court office.
In Person
Visit the Olmsted County District Court office at the address above. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date. The court clerk will make a copy and certify it if necessary.
By Mail
Send a written request to the court's address, specifying:
- Case number (if known)
- Full name of the party and type of case
- Number of copies needed and type (regular or certified)
- Return address
- Payment in the form of a check or money order payable to Olmsted County District Court
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, the Minnesota State Law Library recommends contacting the county court where the decree was issued. Additional information about court documents in general can be found on the library's Court Records page.
Olmsted Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and document searches in Minnesota courts are set by the State Court Administration Office. Below are the standard rates applicable in Olmsted County District Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification | $10.00 per document |
| Case register search fee | Free via MCRO; a fee may apply for mail requests |
| Copy of hearing audio recording | Cost depends on the medium; check with the court office |
These rates are determined according to Minnesota Statutes and court administrative orders. It is best to verify current amounts directly with the court office, as they may be subject to review.
Payment methods:
- In person — cash, check, money order
- By mail — check or money order payable to Olmsted County District Court
If you need property or real estate records instead of court records, contact the Property Records & Licensing department of Olmsted County — they have a separate fee system.