Hennepin County Courts

Hennepin County is the most populous county in Minnesota, with a population of about 1.3 million residents, accounting for around 22% of the state's population. According to the Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Statistics and Reports, the District Court handles approximately 57,700 cases each year.

Hennepin County residents are served by the District and Federal Courts. These courts handle different types of cases, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, mental health, probate, and juvenile cases, depending on each court's jurisdiction.

• Hennepin County District Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil claims of any amount, domestic relations matters, probate proceedings, juvenile cases, and mental health commitments. It also hears appeals from the conciliation (small claims) court
• Hennepin County Conciliation Court has general jurisdiction over civil claims not exceeding $15,000, landlord/tenant disputes, and personal injury claims

Most trial court proceedings take place in Minneapolis, the county seat and administrative center of Hennepin County.

How To Access Hennepin County Court Records

Hennepin County court records, such as case filings, Register of Actions, judgments, motions, and hearing dates, are generally accessible to the public under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. While digital access to most court documents is free, obtaining certified or physical copies may require payment of fees.

However, certain records are exempt from public access for legal and privacy reasons. These may include juvenile records, child protection cases, mental health proceedings, adoption files, records of ongoing investigations, and court cases sealed or expunged by order or statute. Access to such confidential court records is typically restricted to authorized agencies, record owners, and their legal counsel. Additionally, obtaining court documents may require payment of applicable fees and valid identification, especially for in-person requests.

To access public court records in Hennepin County, individuals may use any of the following methods:

Online

Hennepin County court records may be accessed online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, which allows interested individuals to search by party name, case number, attorney name, or hearing date. Additionally, the Minnesota Judicial Branch offers a Record/Document Request Form, which enables individuals to request detailed copies of court records online. Requesters may also use the Hennepin County Record Request Form to obtain court records via mail or email.

Record seekers may also search Hennepin County court records using CourtCaseFinder, a subscription-based platform that provides court records search services. This platform aggregates publicly available court records from counties across the United States.

For access to federal court case files in Hennepin County, individuals may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. Users must first create a free PACER account to search federal court records. Access to court documents typically requires the payment of a fee. However, individuals who are unable to afford these charges may request a fee exemption.

In-Person

Record seekers may access Hennepin County court records in person by visiting the appropriate court where the case was heard. Each court's clerk typically maintains records for its respective cases. Before the visit, interested parties may contact the clerk's office of the relevant court to confirm the procedures for in-person access to court records. Depending on the court, requesters may be required to submit a written request or an application form, and there may be associated copy or certification fees. Additionally, many court facilities provide public-access computers that allow users to search and view publicly available court records onsite.

Old and Archived Court Records

The Minnesota State Archives typically maintains historical court records, which may include probate, civil, and criminal documents dating back to the 1800s. Interested parties may search available court records using the Archives Search tool. They may also request copies of archived court records by using the Distance Copy Request service. For assistance, requesters may contact the State Archives at:

How To File a Case in Hennepin County

Individuals seeking to file a case in Hennepin County may contact or visit the Clerk of Court's Office for guidance. This office provides information regarding the appropriate court division depending on the case types and the necessary steps for filing a case. Generally, interested parties may file cases in person, by mail, or through the online filing system.

Electronic filing service is generally available for certain civil and family-related matters through the Minnesota Courts E-Filing System (eFS). Litigants who choose to file in person may do so during regular business hours at the courthouse. Alternatively, documents may be submitted by mail to the appropriate division within the Hennepin County District Court.

Self-represented individuals may access court-approved forms and filing instructions through the Minnesota Judicial Branch's website, particularly on the Hennepin County Forms and Instructions page. These resources are intended to assist users in preparing their filings accurately and under court rules.

Court filing fees vary by case type. The applicable fee schedules are published on the Minnesota Judicial Branch's official website. Individuals who are unable to pay the required filing fees may apply for a fee waiver. This is done by submitting the Motion to Proceed Without Payment Form along with the affidavit in support of the motion, which details the applicant's financial situation. The court will evaluate the request based on the individual's income and eligibility for public assistance.

The following steps are generally required to file a case in Hennepin County:

• Complete the required court forms
• Provide accurate information for all parties involved, including legal names and contact details
• Confirm that the case is being filed in the appropriate court
• Pay the required filing fees or submit a fee waiver request
• Arrange for service of process: After filing, the plaintiff must officially notify the opposing party with legal notice and submit proof of service to the court

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in providing access to justice. Legal aid and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. While the availability of these services varies by jurisdiction, they typically include court-affiliated self-help centers, online legal portals, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and volunteer attorney programs

In Hennepin County, low-income individuals may obtain legal support through recognized nonprofit and pro bono organizations that offer services such as free consultations, free representation in certain cases, or referrals to attorneys with reduced-fee legal services.

The following self-help and legal aid resources are generally available to indigent litigants in the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Aid Society of Minnesota - This nonprofit organization provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying low-income individuals in Hennepin County on housing, family law, public benefits, and employment issues
• Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) - This network connects low-income residents with volunteer attorneys for free legal advice and representation on certain civil matters
• Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid - This organization provides assistance to individuals dealing with legal issues involving housing, disabilities, seniors, and family-law matters
• LawHelpMN - This statewide legal resource portal helps users locate free legal help, self-help materials, and legal clinics by topic or location
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• The Hennepin County Bar Association- This Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) offers referrals to private attorneys who may provide a reduced-fee consultation

Additional legal aid services and self-help resources available for residents of Hennepin County include the following:

• The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-help Center - This organization provides general legal information, court forms, and procedural guidance for civil, family, housing, and probate matters
• Hennepin County Self-Help Center - This platform provides direct assistance to litigants without attorneys

Types of Courts in Hennepin County, Minnesota

Hennepin County residents are served by several courts, including both district and federal courts. Below is a list of each court's jurisdiction and contact details:

Hennepin County District Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - General civil claims without financial limits, criminal cases including felony criminal cases, juvenile matters, family, and probate issues, as well as jury trials, and appeals from the Conciliation Court
• Address and Contact Information -

Hennepin County District Court - Family Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Family law matters including domestic violence, child custody and support, as well as legal separation
• Address and Contact Information -

Hennepin County District Court - Housing Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Housing-related matters such as landlord-tenant disputes, liens, and property maintenance issues
• Address and Contact Information -

Hennepin County District Court - Juvenile Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Juvenile delinquency, child protection, adoption, and juvenile traffic offences
• Address and Contact Information -

Hennepin County District Court - Probate/ Mental Health Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Wills, administration of estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health commitment
• Address and Contact Information -

Hennepin County Conciliation Court (Small Claims Division of District Court)

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - General civil claims not exceeding $15,000 (or $ 4,000 for consumer credit transactions), landlord/tenant disputes, contract issues, and personal injury claims
• Address and Contact Information -

Federal Courts in Hennepin County

The following are the federal courts serving Hennepin County residents:

United States District Court - District of Minnesota

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Federal civil and criminal cases involving federal regulatory issues, and constitutional claims against the U.S. Government
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - District of Minnesota

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Bankruptcy cases
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hennepin County Courts

These are the commonly asked questions about Hennepin County courts in Minnesota: