Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Redwood County
Redwood County Dissolution Of Marriage records are filed and maintained at the 5th Judicial District Court in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. This page covers how to search case records, request certified copies of decrees, and understand what is required to file a dissolution of marriage in Redwood County.
Redwood County Overview
Redwood County District Court
The Redwood County District Court handles all family law matters in the county, including dissolution of marriage cases. The court is part of the 5th Judicial District, which covers a large portion of southwestern Minnesota. Court administrator Rachel A. Scholz oversees the office that accepts filings, processes paperwork, and keeps the official case records for all dissolution proceedings. Redwood Falls is the county seat and the location where all court filings are submitted.
Under Minnesota Statutes § 518.07, at least one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for 180 days before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives. Redwood County residents file in Redwood Falls. The courthouse accepts in-person filings on weekdays during standard business hours.
| Court | Redwood County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Redwood County Courthouse, 250 South Jefferson Street Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
| Phone | (507) 637-4050 |
| Court Administrator | Rachel A. Scholz |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| County Website | co.redwood.mn.us |
Check the court page on the MN Judicial Branch site for current contact details, hours, and any updates to filing procedures before visiting the courthouse in Redwood Falls.
The Redwood County court page provides current contact details and information about the court administrator handling dissolution of marriage filings in Redwood Falls.
This page is the right place to start when you need current information about how the Redwood County District Court handles dissolution of marriage filings and family law cases.
The 5th Judicial District covers Redwood County and several other southwestern Minnesota counties. District-level rules apply to all dissolution cases filed here. The judge on your case handles hearings, issues temporary orders under Minn. Stat. § 518.131, and enters the final dissolution decree once all matters are resolved.
The 5th Judicial District page lists all counties under its jurisdiction and has a judge directory and procedural information applicable to Redwood County dissolution cases.
Redwood County dissolution cases follow the 5th Judicial District's shared rules and procedures, and the district page explains how the court system operates across southwestern Minnesota.
The state court fee schedule for Redwood County lists current filing costs and other court fees. Review it before you submit a petition to confirm the correct payment amounts for both the petitioner and respondent.
The Redwood County fee schedule on the state court site lists current costs for filings, certified copies, and other court services at the Redwood Falls courthouse.
The fee schedule shows what you will pay for a dissolution petition, certified copies, and other court services in Redwood County.
Searching Redwood County Dissolution Records Online
Minnesota Court Records Online, or MCRO, is the free statewide public search system for court records. No account is needed to use it. Look up cases by party name or case number. Most dissolution cases filed after 2005 are indexed in the system. Documents from 2015 onward are often available to view and download at no cost. Redwood County is a smaller court, so if you need records from before 2005, it is best to contact the administrator directly.
The MCRO information page explains which records are public and which have restricted access. Cases involving minor children or sealed by court order may have limited results in the portal. Free plain copies of available documents can be downloaded directly from the system.
The MCRO search portal is the most direct way to search Redwood County dissolution of marriage cases without making the trip to Redwood Falls.
If MCRO does not return the record you need, calling the court administrator's office directly is the next step. The Redwood County government website at co.redwood.mn.us also has links to county departments and contacts that may be helpful when tracking down local records or reaching court staff.
The MCRO information page describes what records are accessible through the public portal and how to request documents that are not available online, including those from Redwood County cases.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Redwood County
Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state. The only legal ground for dissolving a marriage is irretrievable breakdown, as stated in Minn. Stat. § 518.06. No fault needs to be proven. You don't need your spouse's agreement. You just need to show the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of being repaired.
Start with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Bring the petition, summons, and required attachments to the Redwood County court administrator in Redwood Falls. The petitioner's fee runs around $400. The respondent pays roughly $300 to $350. If you can't afford the fee, apply for the In Forma Pauperis (IFP) waiver. Income guidelines apply, and the court can reduce or waive fees for qualifying parties.
Marriages that qualify may use the summary dissolution process under Minn. Stat. § 518.195. Requirements: fewer than 8 years married, no real property, no more than $8,000 in shared debt, and no domestic abuse history. This track is simpler and faster. Most Redwood County cases take the standard route. Check if your situation qualifies before deciding which path to follow. The MN Judicial Branch help page explains both processes in detail.
When minor children are involved, both parents must usually complete a parenting education course before the court enters a final order, per Minn. Stat. § 518.157. Courts can waive it for cause, but it is expected in most cases with kids. Ask the Redwood Falls court administrator for a list of approved providers in the area.
Property division follows the equitable distribution standard in Minn. Stat. § 518.58. The court considers how long the marriage lasted, each spouse's income and contributions, and other relevant factors. The Guide and File tool helps you prepare the right forms for your case.
Getting Copies of Redwood County Dissolution Records
Plain copies and certified copies are both available. Plain copies are free through MCRO for cases with accessible documents. Certified copies must be requested from the Redwood County court administrator in Redwood Falls and carry the court's official seal for legal purposes.
Certified copies cost approximately $14 per copy under Minn. Stat. § 357.021. You can request them in person at the Redwood Falls courthouse or by mail. Mail requests need the case number, both parties' names, the year the decree was entered, your return address, and a check or money order payable to the court. In-person requests are often handled the same day. Mail takes longer. Calling ahead to confirm what the office needs is always a good idea before sending anything.
Note: The Minnesota Department of Health does not issue dissolution of marriage records. All requests for divorce decrees and related documents must go to the district court where the case was filed.
Legal Help in Redwood County
If you can't afford a lawyer, free resources are available. LawHelp Minnesota has plain-language guides on dissolution of marriage, free legal forms, and a statewide directory of legal aid programs. It is the first place to look if you are handling a case without an attorney.
The MN Judicial Branch Self-Help Center has court guides, checklists, and forms for self-represented parties. Use the forms guide to see which forms you need to file first. The Guide and File tool lets you complete forms step by step online at no cost.
To find a licensed family law attorney in the area, search the Minnesota State Bar Association lawyer directory by county and practice area. The Minnesota State Law Library has research guides on dissolution law and help finding past decrees.
Fee Waivers: If filing fees are a hardship, ask the Redwood County court administrator about the IFP (In Forma Pauperis) process. Income-based guidelines apply, and qualifying parties may have fees reduced or waived entirely.
Cities in Redwood County
Redwood County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. The county seat of Redwood Falls serves as the main hub for court filings and record requests. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents throughout the county are handled at the Redwood County Courthouse.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you live in a county bordering Redwood, you may need to file there instead. The counties below are adjacent to Redwood County.