Search Carver County Court Records
Carver County court records are maintained at the District Court in Chaska, located at the Justice Center on East Fourth Street. The 1st Judicial District serves Carver County along with six other southern Minnesota counties. You can search case records online for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, visit the courthouse in person during business hours, or submit a written request by mail. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic records are generally public under Minnesota law.
Carver County Overview
Carver County District Court
The Carver County District Court sits at the Justice Center at 604 East Fourth Street in Chaska. It handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in Carver County. The 1st Judicial District covers Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott, and Sibley counties, with 36 judges and more than 250 staff handling over 95,000 cases each year. Court Administrator Mary Dalbec oversees clerk operations. Call the court at (952) 361-1420 for general inquiries.
The courthouse in Chaska is the only court location in Carver County. All case types, from felony criminal to family law to small claims, are handled at this facility. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fax number for the court is (952) 361-1491. The Carver County Law Library is also at the same address, at 604 East Fourth Street in Chaska, and can be reached at (952) 361-1564.
| Court | Carver County District Court - 1st Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Carver County Justice Center 604 East Fourth Street Chaska, MN 55318 |
| Phone | (952) 361-1420 |
| Fax | (952) 361-1491 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Administrator | Mary Dalbec |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/carver |
Carver County District Court Website
The Carver County District Court page on mncourts.gov provides contact details, office hours, court calendar links, and filing resources for cases in Carver County.
This page is updated by the Minnesota Judicial Branch when hours, services, or staff change. It is the best place to check for current court news in Carver County.
How to Search Carver County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the best starting point for any Carver County case search. You can search by name, business name, case number, citation number, or attorney. MCRO shows case type, filing date, party names, full docket history, and current status for each case. As of July 1, 2023, all searches and document viewing on MCRO are free. Documents filed before July 1, 2015 may not be fully available in digital form.
For in-person access, go to the courthouse at 604 East Fourth Street in Chaska. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during regular business hours at no charge. You can view all public records at these terminals. Staff at the clerk's office can assist with copy requests and answer questions about how to search for a specific case. There is free parking available near the Justice Center.
Certified copies of Carver County court documents cost $14 each. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies are $28. You can pay court fines online at the Court Web Payment portal. Traffic fines can also be paid by phone through the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (800) 657-3611. To request copies by mail, write to the Court Administrator at 604 East Fourth Street, Chaska, MN 55318, and include the case number, party names, and the specific documents you need.
Minnesota law under Minn. Stat. § 13.03 presumes government data is public unless another law restricts it. This applies to most Carver County court records. Juvenile records, certain family court documents, and sealed files are not open to the public. Ask the clerk if you are unsure about the status of a particular file.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide system for searching Carver County court records. It covers all 87 Minnesota counties and every case type.
Search Carver County cases by name, case number, or citation. Results show full docket history and case status for all public cases filed in the county.
Criminal History Records
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a statewide criminal history system separate from the court records in MCRO. The BCA covers arrests, charges, and convictions from all Minnesota counties. You can request a criminal history check through the BCA's online portal. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data collected by law enforcement agencies is public data in Minnesota. Using both BCA and MCRO together gives the most thorough view of someone's public record.
For local law enforcement records in Carver County, contact the Carver County Sheriff's Office directly. Sheriff records include jail booking information, incident reports, and other data that is maintained separately from the court system. The court file shows what was charged and how the case was resolved, but arrest and booking details come from the sheriff or the arresting agency.
Pay Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay Carver County traffic fines and court fees online without visiting the courthouse in Chaska.
Have your case number or citation number ready before you begin. Traffic fines can also be paid by phone at (800) 657-3611 through the Minnesota Court Payment Center.
Legal Help in Carver County
Several free resources are available for people with court matters in Carver County. LawHelpMN provides free plain-language guides and court forms covering family law, housing, consumer debt, and other civil matters. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website also has self-help forms and step-by-step guides for most case types, which you can use without a lawyer.
The Carver County Law Library at 604 East Fourth Street in Chaska is open to the public and has legal reference materials, statutes, and case law resources. The phone is (952) 361-1564. For attorney referrals, the Minnesota State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service available through the MSBA website. If your income qualifies, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid may be able to provide free or reduced-cost legal help for civil matters in Carver County.
Cities in Carver County
Carver County includes Chaska (county seat), Chanhassen, Victoria, Waconia, and other communities. No cities in Carver County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All cases filed anywhere in the county go through the Carver County District Court in Chaska.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carver County. Each has its own district court and courthouse. If you are not sure which county your case is in, check the address where the case was filed or where the incident occurred.