McLeod County Court Records Search
McLeod County court records are maintained at the McLeod County Courthouse in Glencoe, part of Minnesota's First Judicial District. The court handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in the county. You can search records for free online through the state's Minnesota Court Records Online system, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. Most records are public under Minnesota law, and ample parking is available on the streets and in the lot across from the courthouse.
McLeod County Overview
McLeod County District Court
The McLeod County District Court is at the McLeod County Courthouse, 830 11th Avenue E., Glencoe, MN 55336. The main phone is (320) 864-5551. Ample parking is available on surrounding streets and in the lot across from the courthouse. The court is part of the First Judicial District, which serves 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.
McLeod County court records go back many years. The court administrator maintains birth, death, marriage, divorce, and court records, as well as probate records. The county recorder holds land records. If you are researching older case records or vital records tied to court proceedings, the court administrator's office in Glencoe is the right contact. For current case information, the online MCRO system is faster and available around the clock.
The First Judicial District has a fee schedule specific to McLeod County. Civil motion or response to motion fees are $100. Conciliation court first paper is $65. Writs cost $55 to issue. Certified copies of court documents cost $14, and uncertified copies are free. These fees are set by statute and apply to cases filed in McLeod County.
| Court | McLeod County District Court - First Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
McLeod County Courthouse 830 11th Avenue E. Glencoe, MN 55336 |
| Phone | (320) 864-5551 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/mcleod |
McLeod County District Court Website
The McLeod County District Court page on mncourts.gov provides contact details, court hours, fee information, and links to case search tools for the Glencoe courthouse.
Check this page for current hours, phone numbers, and links to fee schedules and filing resources specific to McLeod County.
How to Search McLeod County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system covers all McLeod County cases. Search by name, case number, or citation. The system shows party names, case types, filing dates, full registers of actions, and current case status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally available to view in digital form. MCRO runs 24 hours a day with no login or account required.
For in-person access, visit the McLeod County Courthouse in Glencoe during regular business hours. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse, where you can view records for free. To get copies, contact the court at (320) 864-5551. Certified copies are $14. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies are $28. The county recorder charges $10 per document for certified copies of recorder-filed documents, which is a separate fee from court copy fees.
For mail requests, write to: McLeod County District Court, 830 11th Avenue E., Glencoe, MN 55336. Include the case number, party names, and the specific documents you want. Include payment for any copies. If you are not sure of the case number, include as many identifying details as you can, such as full names and approximate filing dates.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data in Minnesota is presumed public unless classified otherwise by law. Most civil and criminal court records in McLeod County are open to the public. Juvenile records and certain family court documents are restricted.
You can pay court fines and fees online at the Court Web Payment portal. Phone payments are accepted at (800) 657-3611 through the Minnesota Court Payment Center. Have your citation or case number ready before you pay.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide case search system for McLeod County and all 87 Minnesota counties. No login is needed.
Search McLeod County cases by name, case number, or citation. Full docket history and case status are available. Documents filed from July 2015 onward can be viewed online.
Criminal Records and the BCA
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the state's criminal history database. It covers statewide arrest and conviction records and is separate from the MCRO court records system. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data collected by law enforcement is public in Minnesota. If you need to look beyond what is in a specific court file, the BCA system may have additional arrest and conviction information.
The McLeod County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records locally. For incident reports, arrest records, or related materials, contact the sheriff directly. Combining a BCA search with MCRO gives the most thorough view of a person's public record. Court records and arrest records serve different purposes and contain different information.
Pay McLeod County Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay McLeod County traffic fines and court fees online without going to the Glencoe courthouse.
Have your case number or citation number ready before you start. Phone payments are available at (800) 657-3611 through the Minnesota Court Payment Center.
Legal Help in McLeod County
LawHelpMN offers free court forms and plain-language legal guides for civil matters across Minnesota. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has self-help forms and guides for most case types. These are good starting points if you are handling a court matter on your own in McLeod County.
The First Judicial District offers remote hearing options for some case types. If you cannot travel to Glencoe for a hearing, contact the court to ask about options. For attorney referrals, the Minnesota State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations in the region may help low-income residents at no cost. Call the court at (320) 864-5551 with general questions about procedures or scheduling.
Cities in McLeod County
Glencoe is the county seat of McLeod County and the location of the district court. No cities in McLeod County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All court filings for the county are handled at the McLeod County Courthouse in Glencoe.
Nearby Counties
These counties border McLeod County. Each has its own district court. If you are unsure which county your case is in, check the address where the matter occurred.