Morrison County Court Records

In Morrison County, Minnesota, court records encompass various documents produced or filed during legal proceedings within the county’s courts. They are typically generated by criminal prosecutions, civil lawsuits, family law disputes, probate cases, or other judicial actions.

Morrison County court records are fundamental to upholding the transparency and accountability of the judiciary, as guaranteed by Minnesota’s legal framework. Beyond the courtroom, certified documents such as divorce decrees, child support orders, and probate judgments may be used to fulfill various legal requirements, including applications for marriage licenses, birth certificates, property titles, and professional licenses.

Are Court Records Public in Morrison County?

Yes. Under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq.), most Morrison County court records are considered public records. Some examples of information and records that may be sealed or confidential include:

• Personally identifiable information (e.g., Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account details) protected under Minn. Gen. R. Prac. and Minn. Stat. § 13.355.
• Medical or psychological reports filed under protective orders.
• Juvenile court proceedings
• Adoption records
• Records tied to ongoing criminal investigations and certain victim-identifying information
• Court records explicitly sealed by judicial order.

Individuals interested in specific restricted records may need a court order or must meet statutory criteria to gain access.

Morrison County Court Records Search

Interested members of the public may conduct a Morrison County court records search via any of the following means:

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO):

The MCRO portal provides a user-friendly platform for searching statewide court cases. Users can search by name, business entity, attorney, case number, or citation number. Additionally, there are search tools for locating documents, hearing dates, and judgments.

Onsite Searches at the Morrison County District Court:

Inquirers may also query the county’s district court directly for court records of interest. Most county courthouses have self-service terminals where inquirers can look up their records or request assistance from the clerk staff. The county courthouse is located at:

Morrison County Government Center
213 1st Avenue Southeast
Little Falls, MN 56345
Phone: (320) 632-0327

Court Administration Inquiries:

The office of the court administrator can also assist with Morrison County court record requests. Court staff may direct inquirers to submit their queries in person or by mail.

Morrison County Courts

Morrison County is served by the Seventh Judicial District, which encompasses several other counties in Central Minnesota. While many cases are resolved at the local district courthouse, more complex matters may sometimes be transferred or appealed within the district or to higher courts in Minnesota. The address and contact information of the county’s only courthouse is:

Morrison County District Court
Morrison County Government Center
213 1st Avenue SE,
Little Falls, MN 56345
Phone: (320) 632-0327
Fax: (320) 632-0340

Morrison County Criminal and Civil Records

Morrison County criminal court records arise when prosecutors charge individuals with alleged violations of Minnesota’s criminal statutes. These documents may include charging complaints, indictments, court orders, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. Public access to most criminal court records is permitted, though restricted information—such as records of juveniles or active investigative materials—may be withheld.

Civil court records detail disputes between parties, including lawsuits involving contracts, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant matters, and family law issues like divorce and custody. These files may contain pleadings, motions, evidence, judgments, and court orders.

Interested parties may obtain Morrison County court records through the Minnesota Judicial Branch Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, a statewide digital platform that allows the public to search for and view certain records electronically.

Morrison County Marriage and Divorce Records

Vital records are not court records but often intersect with legal proceedings. Morrison County vital records—such as birth, death, and marriage records—are maintained by the County Recorder’s Office. While some vital statistics inform family law cases and probate matters, they are generally obtained from the recorder, not the court.

Requests for certified copies of Morrison County marriage certificates can be made to the county recorder’s office at:

Morrison County Recorder’s Office
213 1st Avenue Southeast
Little Falls, MN 56345
Phone: (320) 632-0146

Each certified marriage certificate copy costs $9. Requests may be made in person or by mail. The Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) also provides an online search tool for statewide marriage records.

On the other hand, the district court handles divorce proceedings, and the resulting judgment and decree are accessible through the same methods used to obtain civil case records. The district court can provide certified copies upon request and payment of the required fees.

Morrison County Birth and Death Records

In Morrison County, birth and death certificates are vital records managed by the Recorder’s Office. The first certified copy of a birth record costs $26, and each additional copy requested at the same time is $19. Death records follow a similar fee structure. Access may be limited to individuals who meet eligibility requirements established by Minnesota law. Summarily, only those with direct, tangible interest in the record can access them-including persons authorized by a judicial order.

To request a birth or death record, the requester must furnish the custodian with details of the record of interest, including the name of the record holder, the date and location of the event, and proof of eligibility to access the record.

Morrison County Probate Court Records

Morrison County probate records are created during the administration of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, wills, and trust proceedings. Researchers, family members, or other interested parties can access these files by visiting the district court or using public access terminals. Many probate documents are available for public inspection unless sealed by a judge.

Morrison County Property Records

Morrison County property records, including deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and tax assessments, are publicly accessible through the County Recorder’s Office and County Assessor. The county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) website provides online mapping tools and property data. Property records may also be obtained by visiting county offices or submitting a written request containing details of the property of interest and/or the owner.

Morrison County Court Records Online

In addition to government-provided search tools, commercial record aggregators may offer databases of Minnesota court records. Websites like Minnesotacourtrecords.us compile data from various government sources, making it easier for users to conduct a broad search. However, these third-party sites are operated independently of official government repositories, and the accuracy of the records they provide may not be guaranteed.