Dakota County Court Records

Dakota County court records contain documentation about court cases and judicial actions in the county. These records may exist in digital or physical formats, such as audio or video recordings, photographs, and hand-written or typed documents.

Court records may feature different information, and these differences may be influenced by case types or status. For instance, you may find birth certificates in probate court records but not in bankruptcy records. That said, most Dakota county records provide information on the following:

• Case-party information
• Case information, which may include case number, type, and status
• Case events or summary
• Dispositions

Note: Dakota County court records indicate that a particular action occurred within the courts. Public members or legal representatives can utilize these records to back up their claims in legal issues.

Are Court Records Public in Dakota County?

Dakota County court records are mostly accessible to the public under state laws or statutes. The Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch governs access to such records. The law also exempts certain court records from the public. Per state laws, the following court documents are not publicly accessible:

• Court records on harassment and domestic abuse.
• Court service records are collated at the behest of the court. The record may include psychological evaluation and rehabilitation measures.
• Notes, drafts, or memoranda prepared by court-employed or appointed officials and used in decision-making.
• Records on court appeals for juvenile cases.
• Court documents containing data on medical records
• documents on wills which are in the custody of the court until the testator's death.
• Court documents that contain minor-identifying data.
• Court documents that are generally exempt due to a court order, state or federal statutes.

Dakota County Court Records Search

There are multiple options for searching Dakota County court records. These options may include online, mail, or in-person requests for court documents.

Online search portals allow requesters to view and download online court documents. In contrast, requesters may use in-person or mail requests to obtain paper copies of court documents. Note that you need a letter of request via mail to obtain court documents.

Interested parties must direct all searches for court records to the record custodian. The Minnesota Judicial Branch and the county clerk of courts are the designated custodians of court records.

Dakota County Court Records Search by Name

The Minnesota Judicial Branch allows name-based online searches for Dakota County court cases. Requesters can view the court records using the agency's online case records system. The records system allows name searches for both trial court and appellate court case records.

The clerk of courts may also offer name searches for court records. Requesters may need to visit the clerk's office to utilize this search option.

Dakota County Courts

Dakota County's court system is home to three district courts. The court’s location and contact details are listed below:

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 438-8100
Fax: (651) 438-8162

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: (952) 891-7256
Fax: (952) 891-7285

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Northern Service Center
1 West Mendota Road
Suite 140
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 554-6200
Fax: (651) 554-6226

Dakota County District Court Records

The Dakota County district courts have jurisdiction over all court cases filed in the county. Court case types under its jurisdiction include, but are not limited to, probate, juvenile, domestic relations, civil, and criminal court cases.

District court records are under the jurisdiction of both state and local custodian agencies

For example, the Minnesota Judicial Branch is a state-level record custodian that maintains a searchable database for all district court records in the state. To view Dakota district court records, interested parties may search the database using these search options:

• Case Search
• Hearing Search
• Document Search
• Judgment Search

On the other hand, the Dakota County district courts may serve as avenues for getting court records in person. Visit the district courts at these locations:

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 438-8100
Fax: (651) 438-8162

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: (952) 891-7256
Fax: (952) 891-7285

Dakota County District Court
Dakota County Northern Service Center
1 West Mendota Road
Suite 140
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 554-6200
Fax: (651) 554-6226

Note: You may need to provide a valid ID when requesting confidential court records at the district courts. Also, visit the courthouse within business hours to process record requests.

Dakota County Criminal Records

Dakota County criminal records provide information on criminal offenses, arrest events, and conviction details. That said, all criminal records are available at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The agency enables access to both private and public criminal records. Record seekers can access the records via one of these options:

Access Dakota criminal records online

Visit the BCA's online search portal to view public criminal records.

Access criminal records via mail

This option is open to only the record subject. The record subject must send a notarized, dated, and signed written request to the BCA. Furthermore, the written request must include the record subject’s name, birth date, and maiden or former name. Third-party requesters can also request via mail by including a signed consent form from the record subject.

In addition to the written request, the record subject must enclose an $8 money order or check payable to the BCA. Third-party requesters will pay $15 to access the same records. That said, send the documents in a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106

Conversely, you can obtain Dakota's criminal record by visiting the BCA during business hours (8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

Dakota County arrest records also provide information on criminal histories. You can search these records online using the county attorney’s online criminal complaint search form. In addition, requesters may inquire in person about Dakota County arrest records from the county sheriff's office at:

1580 Highway 55,
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 438-4700
Email: sheriff@co.dakota.mn.us

Dakota County Criminal Court Case Lookup

You can look at criminal court case records online or offline via custodian agencies. The Minnesota Judicial Branch allows online viewing of court records via a search portal. Interested parties can search court records using one of these options:

On the other hand, you can find Dakota criminal records at the county district courts. To get the records, you must visit the courts during business hours at these locations:

Dakota County Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: (651) 377-7180

Dakota County Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: (952) 247-7099
Fax: (952) 891-2820

Dakota County Northern Service Center
1 West Mendota Road
Suite 140
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 377-7190
Fax: (651) 455-1993

Get Dakota County Civil Court Records

Civil court records provide information on civil lawsuit proceedings, such as general civil, civil equity, complex civil commercial, and small claims. Furthermore, civil court records are public information in Dakota County.

Interested parties can find Dakota civil court records via the Minnesota Judicial Branch and the county district court. The Minnesota Branch maintains an online searchable portal for these records. Interested parties may view civil court cases by providing the required search details on the portal.

On the other hand, paper copies of Dakota County civil court records are available at the district courthouses. So, visit the courthouses during business hours and provide necessary information about the record.

Note: The online platform has limited access to court cases filed before 2015. So, you may contact the Dakota District Court to retrieve all court records created prior to and after 2015.

Dakota County Family Court Records

Dakota County family court records provide information on domestic relations and some juvenile court cases filed in the county. Cases under this category may include child adoption or custody rights, divorce, termination of parental rights, and child abuse and neglect.

You will find Dakota family court records through these agencies:

• The Minnesota Judicial Branch
• The Dakota County District Courts.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch allows online viewing and downloading of family court records via a search portal. Conversely, paper copies of family court records are accessible at the county district courts. Requesters may need to verify their identity before accessing the records at the courthouse.

Note that family court records contain sensitive data which is redacted or exempt from public access. Thus, the court will only release the confidential data to requesters with a legal and direct interest in it. Eligible requesters generally include the record subject, family relations, legal representatives, and government entities.

Dakota Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Dakota County, dissolution of marriage records is official information pertaining to divorce events. Record seekers can obtain these records by following these general outlines:

1. Find the agency holding the dissolution of marriage record
2. Determine the preferred way to request the record
3. Select your preferred document format
4. Pay the required copying fee for in-person or mail access to court records.

Dakota County Marriage and Divorce Records

Dakota County's marriage and divorce records are publicly available through local and state government entities. The county district court maintains divorce records at the local or county level, while the Dakota County Vital Records office keeps marriage records. On the other hand, the Minnesota Department of Health provides online access to marriage and divorce records.

How can I access Dakota County marriage records?

At the county level, you can get copies of marriage certificates in Dakota County via these steps:

1. Fill out and print the Marriage Certificate Application Form
2. Include a $9 copy fee in your preferred payment option. Use mail or checks for mail or drop-box requests. The check must be payable to Dakota County.
3. Send the request form and fee via mail, drop-box, or in-person at any of these locations:

Administration Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343

Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road West
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Requesters may also search and view online marriage records via the Minnesota Official Marriage System.

How can I access divorce records in Dakota County?

You can access divorce records by mailing a request to the court location where the divorce was filed. Also, the request letter must contain the case party’s name and file number. Requesters may also access the records in person at the courthouses.

Dakota County divorce records are accessible online via the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s online case search platform. Requesters may search for the record using these search options:

• Case Search
• Document Search
• Hearing Search
• Judgment Search

Dakota Birth and Death Records

Dakota County birth and death records are available at the county's license and service centers. Interested parties can make requests for certified or non-certified copies of the records at these centers. Note that only eligible applicants can obtain certified copies of Dakota birth or death records.

How can I access Dakota birth records?

To get Dakota County birth records, record seekers must provide the following documents:

• A request form for certified or non-certified birth records (for in-person requests)
• Notarized and signed mail-based certified or non-certified birth record (for mail requests)
• A valid government-issued ID or a witness in the absence of an ID (this requirement only applies to requests for certified copies)
• The required fees for accessing the record. It costs $26 and $19 for a first copy of the certified or non-certified birth record. Also, additional certified copies cost $19, while non-certified ones are $9 per copy.

Send these documents in person or via mail to:

Northern Service Center
Service Desk
1 Mendota Road West
West St. Paul, MN 55118

Note: Northern Service Center accepts mail-based requests

Administration Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033-2343

Note: It provides access to birth records prior to 1935.

Burnsville License Center
1101 West County Road 42
Burnsville, MN 55306
Phone: (952) 891-7850

Lakeville License Center
20085 Heritage Drive
Lakeville, MN 55044

Robert Trail License Center
14395 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
Phone: (651) 480-1234

How can I access Dakota County death records?

Follow these steps to obtain certified or non-certified death records:

1. Fill out these request forms depending on the request option:
   1. Certified or non-certified death records (for in-person request)
   2. Mail-based certified or non-certified death records
2. Pay the required fees:
   1. First copies of death records cost $13, while additional copies are $6.
   2. Notarize and sign the certified records request form if you are sending it via mail.
3. Send these documents to the above-listed service and license centers.

Note: Dakota County vital records, such as birth and death, play important roles in genealogy research. Furthermore, they help protect your rights to property or safety. Birth records, for instance, protect minors from exploitation, such as underage marriages.

Dakota County Probate Court Records

The Dakota County district courts have jurisdiction over all probate cases filed in the county. Furthermore, the courts maintain records of probate cases like wills, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships. You can access the records by visiting the county district courts at any of their physical locations.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Judicial Branch also offers online access to Dakota probate court records. Requesters may search probate cases by providing relevant search details like the case party’s name or case number.

Dakota County Property Records

In Dakota County, property records are publicly accessible. The records contain information on deeds, titles, liens, appraisals, tract indexes, plats, and even map information.

The Dakota County’s Recorder and Registrar of Titles is the designated custodian agency for property records. Also, the agency allows public access to court records via the RecordEASE online search platform. To access property records, interested parties must create an account and subscribe to the platform by taking these steps:

1. Print and complete these forms:
   1. RecordEASE User ID/Escrow Account Application Form
   2. Subscriber Agreement
2. Send the completed documents to this address:

Dakota County Property Taxation & Records
Attn: RecordEASE Subscriber Administrator
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033

Dakota County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like courtrecords.us also provide access to Dakota County court records. Some of these sites may feature specific or multiple types of court records. That said, requesters may opt to utilize these sites since they are easier to navigate and do not require complex login requirements. Despite these perks, third-party sites may contain incomplete or outdated court records.