Fillmore County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Fillmore County in 2026
FillmoreRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Fillmore County, Minnesota. Members of the public may find case summaries, filing dates, party names, and final judgment information through official court resources. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage decrees, parenting plan orders, property division judgments, spousal support orders, and post-judgment modification records.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Fillmore County District Court Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Case Search through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the most common method for locating divorce case information remotely. Members of the public may search by party name or case number at no cost for basic case details. Obtaining copies of filed documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains a statewide portal through which members of the public may access case records across all district court jurisdictions, including Fillmore County. This consolidated database allows searches across multiple counties and provides the Register of Actions, which reflects the chronological history of each case.
3. State Vital Records
The Minnesota Department of Health does not record marriages or divorces. Divorce records in Minnesota are maintained exclusively by the district court in the county where the dissolution was granted, not by the state vital records office.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Fillmore County District Court:
- Address: 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Phone: (507) 765-3356
- Services:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees
- Receive staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
The Clerk of Court office serves as the primary records department for Fillmore County divorce files. Historical and archived cases, including those not yet digitized, may be retrieved upon written request. Older paper records may require additional processing time.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Fillmore County District Court, 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965
- Include:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on record age and volume
By Phone
Limited Information:
- Clerk of Court: (507) 765-3356
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- The assigned case number
- Current case status
- Original filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Minnesota may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may be subject to restricted access. Attorneys may also petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. The Minnesota State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public seeking legal representation in family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if previously obtained
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Minnesota
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 518.09, a petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. The county where the marriage ceremony occurred is not necessarily the county where the dissolution was filed.
Residency Requirement:
Under current Minnesota law, at least one spouse must have resided in Minnesota for a minimum of 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the petition for dissolution of marriage.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
- Records are processed within days to weeks of the court's entry of the final judgment
- Members of the public should allow adequate processing time before conducting a search
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may exist only in paper format
- Archived records may require a special retrieval request
- Additional time should be anticipated for older records not yet digitized
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case remains pending and has not been finalized
- Very old records stored in physical archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Court at (507) 765-3356
- Attempt alternate name spellings in the search system
- Search under both spouses' names
- Consult the Minnesota State Law Library's guidance on locating a divorce decree
- Retain an attorney for complex search situations
What Are Fillmore County Divorce Records?
Fillmore County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed with the Fillmore County District Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court and constitute part of the permanent family law case file. Under current Minnesota law, dissolution of marriage proceedings are governed by Minnesota Statutes § 518, which establishes the legal framework for all aspects of marital dissolution in the state.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Proposed and approved parenting plans
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment and decree of dissolution
Final Decree:
The final decree of dissolution is the official court order that legally terminates the marriage. It serves as the primary legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date the marriage was dissolved
- Division of marital property and allocation of debts
- Spousal maintenance terms, if ordered
- Legal and physical custody of minor children, if applicable
- Child support obligations, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents:
- Financial disclosure statements
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Parenting plan details and modifications
- Post-judgment modification orders
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Court at the Fillmore County District Court is the primary custodian of all divorce records. The office indexes records by the names of both parties and maintains complete case files. As noted by the Minnesota Department of Health, the state vital records office does not record or maintain divorce records; those records remain exclusively with the district court where the dissolution was granted.
Are Fillmore County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed with the Fillmore County District Court are public court records subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes § 13. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. Certain categories of information are restricted or redacted to protect sensitive personal data.
What Is Public:
- Case number and original filing date
- Names of both parties to the dissolution
- Names of attorneys of record
- Scheduled and completed court hearing dates
- Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
- Certain financial statements may be filed under restricted access
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools attended by minor children
- Medical and psychological evaluation records
- Guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
- Child custody evaluation reports may be restricted
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications, which are confidential by statute
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor Category | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General Public | Public documents, docket entries, case summaries |
| Parties to the Case | Full access to their own complete case file |
| Licensed Attorneys | Case files; may petition for sealed records |
| Researchers and Media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law Enforcement | Statutory access to restricted information |
Obtaining Confidential Records:
Members of the public seeking access to restricted or sealed records must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in transparency and the privacy interests of the parties involved.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Fillmore County?
The Fillmore County District Court Clerk's office applies standard Minnesota Judicial Branch fee schedules for record requests. Current fees are as follows:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (paper, per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $14.00 per document |
| Certification fee | Included in certified copy fee |
| Public access terminal use | No charge |
| Electronic document copies | Fees may vary; confirm with Clerk |
| Search fee | No separate search fee assessed |
- Inspection of public records at courthouse public access terminals is available at no charge
- Certified copies of the final decree of dissolution carry a standard certification fee
- Payment is accepted by cash, check payable to Fillmore County District Court, and credit or debit card at the clerk's window
- Fee waiver provisions may be available for qualifying individuals who demonstrate financial hardship; members of the public may inquire with the Clerk of Court regarding applicable waiver procedures
- Fees for mail requests must be submitted with the written request; the Clerk's office will not process requests without payment
Fillmore County District Court — Clerk of Court
101 Fillmore Street
Preston, MN 55965
Phone: (507) 765-3356
Fillmore County District Court
What's Included in Divorce Records in Fillmore County
A complete Fillmore County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the court from the date of the initial petition through the entry of the final judgment and any subsequent post-judgment proceedings.
Basic Case Information:
- Case number, court name, and assigned judge
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Names and contact information of attorneys of record
- Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis
Initial Pleadings:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage, including marriage date and location, grounds for dissolution (irretrievable breakdown under Minnesota's no-fault standard), information regarding minor children, and relief requested
- Response or answer filed by the respondent
- Counterpetition, if filed
- Financial affidavits from both parties detailing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Financial disclosure statements
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
- Bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs, and investment account records
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory including real property, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, and personal property
- Debt inventory including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
- Appraisals and expert valuations of real property and business interests
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for division of retirement benefits
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Proposed and approved parenting plans specifying legal custody, physical custody, and timesharing schedules
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income information used in support calculations
- Custody evaluation reports (which may be restricted)
- Guardian ad litem reports (which may be sealed)
Settlement Documents:
- Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all contested issues
- Mediation agreements, if the case was mediated
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
- Final Judgment and Decree of Dissolution, which constitutes the official legal termination of the marriage
- Post-judgment modification orders, if applicable
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders, if applicable
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Fillmore County?
Proof of divorce in Fillmore County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment and Decree of Dissolution issued by the Fillmore County District Court. As stated by the Minnesota State Law Library, "Certified copies of a divorce decree may be obtained from the county courthouse where the divorce was granted."
Members of the public may obtain proof of divorce through the following methods:
In Person:
- Visit the Fillmore County District Court Clerk's office at 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965
- Provide the names of both parties and the approximate date of dissolution
- Pay the applicable certified copy fee
- Receive the certified copy at the time of the visit, subject to staff availability
By Mail:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court at the address above
- Include full names of both parties, approximate divorce date, case number if known, requestor contact information, and payment
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Allow approximately 1–2 weeks for processing and return
Online:
- Use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system to locate the case and identify the case number
- Contact the Clerk's office to arrange payment and delivery of a certified copy; certified copies are not currently available for direct download through MCRO
Fillmore County District Court — Clerk of Court
101 Fillmore Street
Preston, MN 55965
Phone: (507) 765-3356
Fillmore County District Court
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Fillmore County?
Divorce proceedings in Fillmore County are presumptively public under Minnesota law; however, certain records or entire cases may be sealed or restricted under specific legal circumstances.
- A party may petition the court to seal specific documents or portions of the case file by demonstrating a compelling privacy interest that outweighs the public's interest in access
- Cases involving domestic violence, sexual abuse allegations, or child protection concerns may have sensitive documents sealed by court order
- Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and children's identifying information are redacted from public-facing documents as a matter of standard court practice
- Mediation communications are confidential by statute and are not part of the public court record
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse records, and psychological assessments submitted in custody proceedings may be restricted from general public access
- Guardian ad litem reports and child custody evaluation reports may be sealed to protect the best interests of minor children
- A court may seal an entire case file upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances, though this is not the standard outcome in dissolution proceedings
- Protective orders issued in connection with dissolution cases may restrict public access to the petitioner's address and contact information
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a formal motion with the Fillmore County District Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Fillmore County Keep Divorce Records?
Fillmore County District Court retains divorce records in accordance with the Minnesota Judicial Branch records retention schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for all court case types.
- Final judgments and decrees of dissolution are retained permanently as part of the official court record
- Complete dissolution case files, including all pleadings, orders, and supporting documents, are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the close of the case
- Cases involving minor children are retained until the youngest child reaches the age of majority, plus an additional retention period as specified by the retention schedule
- Post-judgment modification records are retained as part of the original case file and follow the same retention schedule
- Paper records from older cases that have not been digitized are maintained in physical archives and may require additional retrieval time
- Electronic records for cases filed after the implementation of the Minnesota Judicial Branch's electronic filing system are maintained in the court's digital case management system
- Members of the public seeking records from cases that have exceeded standard retention periods should contact the Clerk of Court directly to determine whether the records remain available
The Minnesota Judicial Branch's records retention policies are established pursuant to authority granted under Minnesota Statutes § 484.74, which governs court administration and record-keeping requirements for district courts statewide.