Divorce records in Rice County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. RiceCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about divorces in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the district court that issued the decision, at the County Recorder's Office, as well as from the Minnesota Department of Health, which maintains vital records. Online court case searches are also available through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system.
Rice Divorce Records Search
In Rice County, divorce records are maintained by two main institutions. The Rice County District Court, located in Faribault, handles all family cases, including divorce cases, and maintains a complete court file—from the complaint to the final court decision. The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a separate registry of divorce certificates at the state level.
A divorce court file may contain:
- Divorce decree
- Settlement agreements
- Orders regarding child custody and support
- Motions filed by the parties during the proceedings
- Court orders and judge's decisions
The Court Administration department of Rice County is responsible for processing and storing all district court cases and provides public services regarding access to these records.
Rice County Courthouse — Court Administration
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Rice
In Minnesota, divorce cases are handled by the District Court. In Rice County, this is the Third Judicial District — Rice County District Court. After the final divorce decree is issued, it remains in the case file at the court office. This is where you should go if you need a full copy of the court decision or any documents from the case.
The Minnesota Department of Health also receives notification of each divorce and issues so-called divorce certificates — brief certificates confirming the fact of divorce. This document does not contain details of the settlement or custody orders.
Where to contact depending on your needs:
- Full court file (decree, agreements, orders) — Rice County Court Administration
- Divorce certificate — Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
Rice County District Court
Online court case searches are available through the court records access system of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Public terminals in the courthouse provide the most comprehensive access to electronic records. Additional information about the structure of court documents can be found on the Minnesota State Law Library page.
Minnesota Department of Health — Office of Vital Records
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Rice
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Minnesota Department of Health) | $9.00 | 2–4 weeks |
| Copy of court document (Court Administration) | $0.25 per page | Usually within a few business days |
| Certified copy of court document | $10.00 | Usually within a few business days |
| Search via MCRO (online) | Free | Immediate |