Dodge County Court Records

Minnesota statutes define Dodge County court records as any information created, received, stored, or shared by a court or court administrator. Court records may be in different formats or storage methods. Dodge County Court records include all the contents of court files. These include the progress docket and other documents used to track case developments and transcripts maintained by the clerk of the court.

Dodge County court records are essential to the county's justice system. They document both past and ongoing cases and track legal proceedings. They also show residents' interactions with law enforcement and the courts. Dodge County arrest records become part of court records when arrests made within and around the county proceed to trial.

Are Court Records Public in Dodge County?

Yes. Under the Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, Dodge County court records are public. Dodge County court records are maintained under the Minnesota Official Records Act, which requires courts to create and preserve all documents needed for a full and accurate record of their activities. However, specific categories of court records remain inaccessible to the public. These include:

• Records about sexual harassment
• Juvenile Records
• Sensitive personal information such as social security numbers, bank details, and insurance information.
• Wills deposited at the probate court for safekeeping
• Medical records
• Child custody and adoption records
• Information that could hamper ongoing investigations

Dodge County Court Records Search

Interested individuals may find Dodge County court records using any of the following avenues:

• In-person visit to the court administrator's office in any Dodge County court
• Using the public access terminals at county courthouses
• Searching online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal
• Through the Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS)
• Through reliable third-party websites

Dodge County Courts

The court system in Dodge County consists of one district court. The Dodge County District Court is a trial court with original jurisdiction over all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in Dodge County. The court is located at:

Dodge County District Court
Dodge County Courthouse
22 6th Street East, Department 12,
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6260

Dodge County Criminal and Civil Records

In Dodge County, the District Court serves as the primary trial court and handles all criminal and civil cases filed. The District clerk is the custodian of records pertaining to these cases and makes them available on request. Civil cases involve disputes between individuals or organizations. On the other hand, criminal cases arise when the government charges an individual in court for an act considered dangerous to society.

Interested parties seeking criminal records in Dodge County may access such records through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The agency serves as the main source of criminal history information. Inquirers may write to the BCA or visit their office in person. The request must contain the applicant's complete name and birth date. It must also be signed, dated, and notarized. However, individuals seeking criminal history information, including Dodge County arrest records, should contact the law enforcement agencies within the county.

Dodge County civil court records cover cases related to conciliation, housing, probate, civil commitment, and other civil cases. Record seekers may search for these records through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) or the Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS).

Dodge County Marriage Records

In Dodge County, marriage records are categorized under vital records. They are maintained by the county recorder. Record seekers may find Dodge County Marriage records online using the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). Alternatively, record seekers may visit the recorder's office in person. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. Individuals may order copies of their Dodge County marriage certificates online through the MOMS website.

Dodge County Divorce Records

The Dodge County District Court handles divorce cases. All records associated with the dissolution of marriage are maintained by the District Clerk. Inquirers may query the Clerk's office or visit the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal to look up a record.

Dodge Birth Records

Birth records are used for estate administration matters, protecting legal rights, and tracing family history. In Dodge County, these records are not fully public. Access is limited to eligible individuals. Birth records are maintained by the County Recorder, who issues copies to authorized requesters. Authorized requesters seeking access to birth records should fill out a Birth Certificate Application and submit it to the office of the County Recorder with the required fees.

Dodge Death Records

Dodge County death records officially document the death of an individual. They are maintained by the county recorder. They contain information such as the deceased's name, date of death, and the cause of death. Death records are released to authorized requesters only. Additionally, record seekers may use the Minnesota Department of Health's state office to get certified copies of death records.

Dodge County Probate Court Records

Probate records in Dodge County cover probate cases adjudicated in the county. These include cases involving estate distribution, will validation, appointing executors or administrators, and court-ordered guardianship. Interested parties may visit the office of the District Court clerk. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They must provide vital information, including the deceased's name and the case number.

Dodge County Property Records

Dodge County property records include details on deeds, parcel numbers, zoning, building permits, plat maps, mortgages, liens, sales history, and tax information. These records are maintained by the County Recorder's Office and the County Assessor's Office. Record seekers may visit in person or use their online portals. Additionally, they may use online GIS tools or property search portals to access property records.

Dodge County Court Records Online

Record seekers may perform an online court records lookup through the Minnesota Court Records Online system. Additionally, third-party websites such as Minnesotacourtrecords.us provide an alternative avenue to access public Dodge County court records. Users may search cases by entering a case number, party name, or date. Third-party sites allow quick viewing and downloading of court documents. However, these platforms are not run by the government, so their accuracy is not guaranteed.