Divorce records in Hennepin County, Minnesota can be accessed through several channels. HennepinCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also request records directly from the Hennepin County District Court, which issued the decree, or through the Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Vital Records for divorce certificates. The 4th District Records Center provides public access to court documents online, in person, and by mail.
Hennepin Divorce Records Search
Hennepin County divorce records are maintained by two separate entities, each holding different types of documents. The Hennepin County District Court — Family Court Division (part of Minnesota's Fourth Judicial District) keeps the full case file, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, parenting plans, and all pleadings filed during the proceeding. The Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, maintains a shorter divorce certificate that confirms the divorce occurred but does not include the full terms.
You can search many public court records online through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). To obtain copies of actual documents — especially certified copies of a divorce decree — contact the Records Center directly.
Hennepin County District Court — 4th District Records Center
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Hennepin
In Minnesota, divorce (called "dissolution of marriage") is handled at the district court level. In Hennepin County, that means the Fourth Judicial District Court's Family Court Division processes all divorce filings. Once a judge signs the decree, it becomes part of the permanent court file maintained by the district court clerk.
The state vital records office — the Minnesota Department of Health — also receives a record of the divorce and can issue a divorce certificate. This certificate is a summary document; it does not contain property division terms, custody arrangements, or other details found in the full decree.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, or other filed documents — contact the 4th District Records Center at the Hennepin County District Court.
- Divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred) — contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
Hennepin County District Court — Family Court Records
You can get copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, and other Family Court documents from this office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or — for some records — online through MCRO.
Minnesota Department of Health — Office of Vital Records
The Office of Vital Records issues divorce certificates for dissolutions granted in Minnesota. As noted by the Minnesota State Law Library, certified copies of the actual divorce decree must be obtained from the county courthouse where the divorce was granted — not from the state vital records office.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Hennepin
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copy (uncertified, per page) | $0.25 | Same day if requested in person |
| Certified copy of court document | $14.00 | 3–5 business days by mail |
| MCRO online record search | Free to search; fees for document copies | Immediate search results |
| Divorce certificate (Minnesota Dept. of Health) | $9.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |