Otter Tail County Court Records

Rule 3 Subd. 5 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access of Records of the Judicial Branch defines Otter Tail County court records as any documented information received, generated, maintained, or issued by a court or court administrator. Most of these records are available to the public. This public access to court records helps ensure that trials are conducted fairly by giving the public the right to scrutinize the evidence, arguments, and decisions reached by judges or juries. Access to court records makes the following information available to the public:

• Case events (date and events)
• Disposition (disposition, date, and judgment’s name)
• Hearings (hearing date, time, location, result, and judicial officer’s name)
• Party information (plantiff and defendant’s names and addresses, date of birth, and attorney’s name)
• Financial information (date, fines and fees, total payment and credits, current balance, and charge)
• Case information (case number, title, type, location, and status, citation number, filing date, and judicial officer’s name)
• Charges (statute, level of charge, offense date, community of offense, law enforcement agency, and prosecuting agency)

Are Court Records Public in Otter Tail County?

Yes. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch govern public access to court records. They authorize the release of records in the custody of the Otter Tail County District Court to members of the public. However, Minnesota law exempts certain court records from public disclosure. Examples of such records are:

• Race records
• Medical records
• Court services records
• Juvenile appeal cases
• Administrative warrants
• Driver’s licenses and passports
• In forma pauperis denials
• Voluntary foster care for treatment
• Minor victim identifying information
• Domestic abuse and harassment records
• Response to petition for criminal expungement
• Images containing sexual content or nudity
• Will be deposited for safekeeping during the testator’s lifetime
• Motion to quash or enforce attorney general or county attorney subpoena
• Request for release of a video recording for use in administrative hearing
• Information obtained from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for collection of court debt
• Pre-adjudication paternity records relating to cases filed before January 1, 2021
• Records about juvenile protection cases revealing the result of a child name search.

Otter Tail County Court Records Search

Record seekers can conduct Otter County court record searches in the following ways:

• Over the counter at the District Court
• Online through third-party platforms
• Online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal
• Through public access terminals at the District Courthouse
• By submitting a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form to the Court Administration

Otter Tail County Courts

The only court available in Otter Tail County is the District Court. The court has original jurisdiction over all family, civil, probate, criminal, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in Otter Tail County. The court is located at:

Otter Tail County Courthouse
121 West Junius Avenue #310
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: (218) 560-7045
Fax: (218) 998-8438

Otter Tail County Criminal Records

Individuals can request Otter Tail County criminal records from the Sheriff’s Office. They have to print the Records Request Form, fill out Part “A,” and send it to the office by email at sheriffsrecords@ottertailcounty.gov or by mail to:

Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office
417 S Court Street
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Interested persons looking for Otter Tail County arrest records can use the Jail In Custody List to locate the appropriate information. They can also visit the Sheriff’s Office to submit their requests.

Get Otter Tail County Civil Court Records

The Otter Tail County District Court maintains civil case records and makes them available to members of the public online and in person. Individuals can come to the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to use the public access terminals to view and download civil court records. Certified copies of such records can also be obtained from the record staff over the counter for a fee of $14.

The District Court provides access to civil case records online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). The portal has a Case, Document, Hearing, and Judgment Search tab where users can access civil court records and documents. The search criteria are name, case number, or attorney.

Individuals can also obtain copies of civil court records from the Otter Tail County Court Administration. They must submit a completed Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form and the appropriate fees. The court does not charge a fee for plain copies, but certified copies attract a fee of $14.

Otter Tail County Marriage Records

The Otter Tail County Recorder accepts requests for marriage records in person and by mail. To obtain a certified copy of an Otter Tail County marriage certificate by mail, customers should complete the Marriage Record Request Form and enclose appropriate fees as a check. The Recorder charges $9 per copy for certified and non-certified copies of marriage records. Individuals who want to submit requests in person should visit the office during business hours. The staff will give them an application form to fill out and ask for the appropriate fees. The Recorder’s office is located at:

Otter Tail County Recorder
565 W Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: (218) 998-8140
Email: recorder@ottertailcounty.gov

Otter Tail County Divorce Records

Interested persons can find divorce records online and in person at the Otter Tail County District Court. Online requesters can use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) to conduct their searches for free. The portal has different search options that help users find documents, cases, hearings, and judgment information. Users must provide a person’s name, business name, attorney name, case number, or attorney bar number to locate a divorce record. Those who conduct a name-based search can narrow their searches by selecting “Family” under the “Case Category”.

In-person requesters can use the public access terminal in the courthouse to view and print divorce records. They can also obtain copies of divorce records over the counter for a fee. The record staff may ask them to complete an application form or provide a name or divorce date for the search. Certified copies of divorce records cost $14.

Otter Tail Birth and Death Records

The Recorder is the custodian of all Otter Tail County vital records (birth and death). Individuals can obtain copies of these records from the County Recorder in person, by mail, or by email at recorder@ottertailcounty.gov. Mail requests include submitting a completed Birth or Death Certificate Application Form signed in front of a notary and payment of the appropriate fees by check or credit card. Customers can download the application form from the website and bring it with an ID to the office during business hours. They have to sign the document in the office. They have to copy fees by check, cash, or credit card. Certified copies of Otter Tail County birth certificates cost $26 and $19 for each additional copy of the same certificate. Non-certified copies cost $13. Death certificates cost $13, and additional copies of the same record cost $6 each.

Otter Tail County Probate Court Records

The Otter Tail County District Court has original jurisdiction over probate cases and makes them available to the public upon request. The court has public access terminals that provide electronic access to public probate records. It also offers in-person counter access to probate court records in paper form. Individuals can visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to enjoy these services. Those unable to visit the courthouse can use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) to view probate court records from the comfort of their homes. Users should click the “Case Search” tab and search by name, case number, or attorney. Those who choose to find probate court records using a name or attorney can streamline their searches by selecting “Probate or Mental Health” under the “Case Category”.

Otter Tail County Property Records

The Assessor’s Department, Recorder, and Treasurer are the custodians of property records in Otter Tail County. They disseminate these records to anyone upon request because they are part of Otter Tail public records. Residents can visit any of these custodian offices during business hours to retrieve copies of property records. A certified copy of a document costs $10, while a plat, CIC, or registered land survey (full size) costs $15. These record custodians also have online portals where individuals can view or copy property records. Some provide these services for free, while others charge a fee. For example:

• The Recorder’s office partners with two third-party vendors to provide property records online to its customers. One vendor provides pay-as-you-go services, while the other is subscription-based.
• The Assessor’s Department has a Parcel Search and a GIS Web Map where individuals can view property records for free. The search criteria are parcel number (PIN), deed holder, house number, street name, city, legal description, subdivision, section, township, range, or lot area (acres).
• The Treasurer’s office provides free access to property tax information through its Property Tax Search portal. Users can locate their desired records using a parcel number or property address.

Otter Tail County Court Records Online

Record seekers who have difficulty visiting the Otter Tail County courthouse or locating court information on official websites can use third-party sites like minnesotacourtrecords.us for court records searches. These sites provide court information across multiple jurisdictions and are very user-friendly. They make court records available when a name or case number is entered into the search field and display basic information for free. However, users who prefer complete court reports or want to download a court record would have to pay a small fee.