Court records in Goodhue County, Minnesota can be searched through several channels. GoodhueCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through the statewide Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, visit the Court Administrator's office at the Goodhue County Courthouse, or use the public access terminals located inside the courthouse in Red Wing.
Goodhue Court System & Jurisdictions
Goodhue County is served by the Goodhue County District Court, part of Minnesota's First Judicial District. Minnesota operates a unified court system, meaning the district court has original jurisdiction over virtually all case types. There is no separate magistrate, probate, or family court building — all matters are handled within the district court.
Case types heard in Goodhue County District Court include:
- Criminal — felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors
- Civil — contract disputes, personal injury, landlord-tenant, and other civil actions
- Family — divorce/dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse matters
- Probate & Mental Health — estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and civil commitments
- Juvenile — delinquency, child protection (CHIPS), and truancy
- Traffic & Petty Misdemeanors — speeding, DWI, and other traffic-related offenses
- Conciliation Court (Small Claims) — civil disputes up to $15,000
Knowing the case type matters because it determines which docket or register of actions you need to search. Juvenile records and certain family court filings are generally not accessible to the public.
Goodhue Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
Court calendars for Goodhue County are managed through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. To find today's or upcoming hearing schedules:
- Visit the Goodhue County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
- Look for links to daily calendars or contact the Court Administrator's office directly.
- Call the Court Administrator at (651) 267-4800 to ask about a specific hearing date or confirm a scheduled appearance.
Some hearing calendars may also be posted at the courthouse. If you are a party to a case, your hearing date and time will appear on your summons or notice of hearing. The MCRO case search also displays future hearing dates on individual case records when available.
Goodhue County Courthouse
How to Get a Copy of a Goodhue Court Document
You can obtain court documents from Goodhue County in several ways, depending on whether you need a certified or uncertified copy.
Online
Search for case records and view or print available documents through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Select "Goodhue" from the county list to narrow your search. Note that not all documents in a case file are available online — courthouse public access terminals typically provide more complete access than the remote MCRO system.
In Person
Visit the Court Administrator's office at the Goodhue County Courthouse during business hours. You can:
- Review case files at the counter or at a public access terminal
- Request uncertified photocopies of documents in the file
- Request certified copies with the court seal (needed for legal proceedings, background checks, or filings in other courts)
By Mail
Send a written request to the Court Administrator specifying the case number (if known), party names, case type, and the documents you need. Include whether you need certified or uncertified copies, and enclose payment for applicable fees.
For divorce decrees, certified copies are obtained from the courthouse where the dissolution was granted. The Minnesota State Law Library also provides guidance on locating various types of court documents.
What You May Need to Provide
- Full names of parties involved
- Case number (speeds up the search significantly)
- Approximate date the case was filed
- Type of case (criminal, civil, family, etc.)
- Valid photo ID if requesting restricted records in person
Certain records — including juvenile cases, sealed files, and some family court documents — are restricted by Minnesota law and may not be available to the general public.
Goodhue Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court document copies in Minnesota are set by statute and court administrative order. The following table reflects standard fees charged by Minnesota district courts, including Goodhue County. Contact the Court Administrator at (651) 267-4800 to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $14.00 |
| Certificate of no record found | $14.00 |
| Court record search (per name, per case type) | $10.00 |
| Copies retrieved from archival storage | May vary; contact the court |
Payment methods: The Court Administrator's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders made payable to "Goodhue County District Court." Ask the office directly whether credit or debit cards are accepted for copy fees.
Fees cited above are based on the Minnesota Judicial Branch fee schedule established under Minnesota Statutes and court administrative orders. Older records stored off-site may take additional time to retrieve, and the court may charge extra for retrieval from archival storage. MCRO online searches are free, though printing or downloading documents may still be subject to per-page charges at courthouse terminals.