Scott County Court Records

State Court Rule 3 defines a Minnesota court record as any recorded information received, created, maintained, or disseminated by a court, regardless of physical form or storage method. Generally, court records provide official documentation of case proceedings and decisions, including pleadings, motions, hearings, and judgments. They also serve as evidence of what transpired in court and the basis for the court’s decisions. The Clerk of the District Court is the custodian of all court records in Scott County. A typical court record contains the following information:

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

Are Court Records Public in Scott County?

Yes. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch permit public access to court records. Therefore, anyone can inspect or copy records maintained by the Scott County District Court. Unfortunately, not all court records are open to the public. Per Minnesota Court Rule 4, the following court records are inaccessible to the public:

• Race records
• Medical records
• Juvenile appeal cases
• Court services records
• Administrative warrants
• Drivers' licenses and passports
• Judicial work product and drafts
• Voluntary foster care for treatment
• Minor victim identifying information
• Domestic abuse and harassment records
• Images containing sexual content or nudity
• Response to petition for criminal expungement
• Information from DPS for collection of court debt
• Will deposited for safekeeping while a testator is still alive
• Release of video recordings for use in administrative hearing
• Request for assistance other than counsel and any resulting order
• Searched results for juvenile protection case records under the child's name
• Pre-adjudication paternity proceedings in cases filed prior to January 1, 2021
• Motion to enforce or quash a subpoena from the attorney general or county attorney

Scott County Court Records Search

A Scott County court records search can be conducted in the following ways:

• Online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal
• By submitting a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form by fax, email, or mail
• Through public access terminals at the courthouse
• At the court’s counter

Scott County Court Records Search by Name

The easiest way to find court records by name in Scott County is online through the Case Search portal. A first name and last name or business name should be provided to access information available on the portal. Individuals can also use the public access terminals at the courthouse to find court records by name. Copies of court records can be retrieved at the court’s counter. The requester must provide a name and a fee for certified copies to process the request.

Scott County Courts

The major court in Scott County is the District Court, which is part of the First Judicial District. Below are the addresses of the courts in this county:

Scott County Justice Center
200 Fourth Avenue West
Government Center - JC115
Shakopee, MN 55379-1220
Phone: (952) 496-8200
Fax: (952) 496-8211

First Judicial District Administration
1620 S. Frontage Road, Suite 200
Hastings, MN 55033

Scott County Superior Court Case Search

The Minnesota court system comprises a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals, and District Courts. Therefore, there is no Superior Court in Minnesota. All Scott County records can be viewed and copied at the District Court.

Scott County District Court Records

The Scott County District Court has original jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, probate, juvenile, family, and traffic cases. Individuals can view or copy District Court records online, by mail, fax, email, or in person. Uncertified copies of court records can be obtained for free, while certified copies cost $14 per copy.

The District Court makes court records available to the public through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. Users can have limited access to many public district court records and documents by conducting a Case Search, Document Search, Hearing Search, or Judgment Search. Individuals who want complete access to electronic District Court records can visit the courthouse to use the public access terminals. Alternatively, they can go to the court’s counter to request copies of District Court records to the court's counter. Requesters can also submit a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form by email to the Scott County Court Administration, by fax at (952) 496-8211, and by mail.

Scott County Criminal Records

Scott County criminal records include arrest and conviction information. Requesters may want to begin their criminal records search by requesting Scott County arrest records from the Sheriff’s Office via the Jail Roster or by emailing the office at letgsupport@co.scott.mn.us. The Sheriff Records maintains criminal history records in Scott County. Requests can be made online through the Online Data Request Portal, by mail, or in person during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) at:

Sheriff's Office Records
301 Fuller Street S
2nd Floor
Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 496-8300
Fax: (952) 496-8715

Scott County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The District Court is the custodian of all criminal records in Scott County. Criminal case information can be viewed online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. The portal provides limited access to many public criminal court records for free. The search criteria are by the case, document, hearing, or Judgment.

Record seekers who cannot find criminal court records online can submit a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form to the District Court by email to the Scott County Court Administration, by fax at (952) 496-8211, and by mail. Ensure to check the “Criminal” box under the “Case Type” Section to streamline the search to only criminal cases. The District Court also offers electronic access to public criminal case records through its public access terminals. In-person counter access to locally stored public criminal case records in paper form is possible.

Get Scott County Civil Court Records

Civil court records can be found at the Scott County District Court. Requests can be made online or in person. The Court also has a Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, where individuals can find civil court information for free. To conduct a search via this portal, click the Case Search link. The search criteria are by name, case number, or attorney. There is a Case Category area where users can check the Civil box to streamline their searches to only civil cases. Alternatively, requesters can visit the District Court office to use the public access terminals to conduct civil court record searches or go to the counter to request copies of such records. The District Court does not charge a fee for uncertified copies of civil records, but certified copies attract a fee of $14.

Another way to obtain copies of civil court records in Scott County is to complete a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form and email it to the Scott County Court Administration, fax it to (952) 496-8211, or mail it to the District Court. Check the “Civil” box under the “Case Type” Section to limit the search to only civil cases.

Scott County Family Court Records

The Scott County District Court is the official keeper of Family Court records. Because of their nature, most Family Court records are not open to the public. However, public Family Court records are available online, in person, by email, by fax, and by mail. Online requests can be made through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. Click the Case Search link and conduct a search by name, case number, or attorney. Go to the “Case Category area and check the “Family” box to view only Family Court records.

Fax, email, and mail requests can be made by submitting a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form. Check the “Family” box under the “Case Type” Section to limit the search to only family cases. In-person requests require visiting the District Court during office hours. Requesters can use the public access terminals at the courthouse to conduct Family Court record searches or request copies of records at the counter. The service is free except if a certified copy of a Family Court record is requested.

Scott Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Scott County District Court publicly disseminates dissolution of marriage records, commonly called divorce records. Requests can be made online through the online portal, by fax, email, or mail by submitting a form, or in person through public access terminals and at the counter. Uncertified copies of dissolution of marriage records are free, but certified copies cost $14 per copy.

Scott County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage and divorce records are open to the public for inspection and copying because they are part of Scott County's public records. Certified copies of Scott County marriage certificates attract a $9 fee. Certified copies of Scott County marriage records can be retrieved via the following methods at the Customer Service:

• By email: Requesters can send an email that includes the couple’s full names, the couple's names before marriage (if changed), the marriage date, a return address, and the correct fees to customerservicevm@co.scott.mn.us. Daytime contact information must be included in the body of the email. Payments can be made via credit/debit cards. The record staff will call the requester to obtain the credit/debit information. A 2.49% fee applies to all credit/debit transactions. The marriage certificate will be sent to the requester by mail.
• Mail/drop off: Write a short note that includes the couple’s full names, the couple's names before marriage (if changed), the marriage date, a return address, and the correct fees. Mail or drop off the note in the Customer Service’s drop box with a check to:

Scott County Government Center
Attn: Customer Service
200 Fourth Avenue West
Shakopee, MN 55379

• In-person: Record seekers can apply in person using the Customer Service Appointment System standby list. They can also pay for copies of their requests in cash.

Divorce records can be obtained at the Scott County District Court. Requests can be made online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. Users can click the Case Search link and search by name, case number, or attorney. Scroll to the “Case Category area and check the “Family” box to view divorce records. Record seekers can get divorce records by submitting a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form to the court by fax, email, and mail. Check the “Family” box under the “Case Type” Section to limit the search to only family cases. Individuals who are unable to view divorce records online or send a request form can visit the District Court during office hours to use the public access terminals to find the appropriate records. They can also go to the counter at the office to request copies of divorce records.

Scott Birth and Death Records

All Scott County Vital records (like birth and death) are public. Therefore, anyone can purchase a noncertified (informational only) birth or death record. Specifically, Scott County birth records of children born to legally married couples are public information. However, birth records of children born to unmarried parents are confidential unless the parents decide to make them public at the time of birth. Confidential Scott County birth certificates are only available to the following people:

• A person with a court order
• A parent named on the subject’s record
• The record holder (when they are 16 years or older)
• The subject’s legal custodian, guardian, or conservator
• Representatives of Minnesota programs that administer child support, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, and services and tribal child support programs.

The Scott County Customer Service issues birth and death certificates to the public. Requesters must print and complete the Birth or Death Record Application Form, take it to a notary, and have them notarize their signatures. The application form must include a daytime contact information. Afterward, submit the application form by email to customerservicevm@co.scott.mn.us or mail to:

Scott County Government Center
Attn: Customer Service
200 Fourth Avenue West
Shakopee, MN 55379

Mail requesters must include a check for the appropriate fees with their mail package. Email requesters must include daytime contact information in the body of the email.

Certified copies of birth and death certificates can be obtained in person at Customer Service. Birth records cost $26 for the first copy and $19 for additional copies ordered simultaneously. Certified copies of death records cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies. Cash, checks, or credit cards are the acceptable forms of payment. Credit card payments attract a convenience fee of 2.45%.

Scott County Probate Court Records

The District Court is the official keeper of probate records in Scott County. Individuals can view and obtain uncertified copies of probate court records for free online, by fax, email, mail, or in person at the courthouse. Online requests can be made through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. To make the search easier, click the Case Search link and conduct a search by name, case number, or attorney. Scroll to the “Case Category” area and check the “Probate or Mental Health” box to view only probate cases. Fax, email, and mail requesters must submit a Minnesota Judicial Branch Copy Request Form to the court. Check the “Probate/Guardianship/Conservatorship/Mental Health” box under the “Case Type” Section to limit the search to only probate cases. In-person requests should be made during office hours. Requesters use the public access terminals at the courthouse to find probate cases or go to the counter to request them.

Scott County Property Records

The Property & Taxation Services Department is the custodian of all property records in Scott County. The Department has a Property Information Site that provides access to information such as building features, property tax details and statements, legal description, property valuation, and recorded documents of real estate value. Property records can be retrieved in person at the Department during office hours. The following offices provide access to property records online:

• Land Records Department: Individuals can find mortgages, deeds, assignments, releases, and satisfactions at this office. Property records can be viewed for free when requesters search for documents, plats or liens, or documents by Tract Index.
• Taxation: The Office has a search portal that can be used to find property tax information online. Requesters can conduct a basic, legal, advanced, or map search.

Scott County Court Records Online

Scott County residents often use third-party portals like minnesotacourtrecords.us to search for court records. These websites allow access to court records by name or case number across multiple platforms. The initial search results display all public court records associated with the searched name, including the parties' names, ages, and locations. Users can click the “View Full Report” link to retrieve specific court records, which requires a fee.