Murray County Court Records
Murray County court records are kept by the District Court in Slayton. You can search them online through Minnesota Court Records Online or visit the courthouse on 28th Street. The court handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in the county. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson runs the records office and manages access requests. Most records are public under Minnesota law. If you need to find a case, look up a judgment, or get certified copies of court documents, this guide covers all your options for Murray County.
Murray County Overview
Murray County District Court
The Murray County District Court handles all case filings for the county. The court sits at the Murray County Courthouse on 28th Street in Slayton. Court Administrator Sheila Pierson oversees the office and handles records requests. The court is part of the Fifth Judicial District, which covers several counties in southwestern Minnesota including Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, and others.
The courthouse is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Staff can help you search for a case, request copies of records, or explain the process for filing. One thing to keep in mind: the court cannot accept payments at the service counter after 2:30 p.m. on the last working day of each month. Plan your visit around that if you need to pay fees.
| Court | Murray County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Murray County Courthouse 2500 28th Street Slayton, MN 56172 |
| Phone | (507) 873-7001 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Administrator | Sheila Pierson |
| Judicial District | Fifth Judicial District |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/murray |
Free parking is available in the surface lot and on nearby streets. Public access terminals inside the courthouse let you look up case records at no charge during business hours. These terminals connect to the statewide court records system and show the same data as the online search tool.
Search Murray County Court Records
You have two main ways to search court records in Murray County. The first is online through the state's free public access system. The second is an in-person visit to the courthouse. Both give you access to case information going back many years.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the state system that covers all 87 counties, including Murray. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. The system shows party names, case type, filing date, docket entries, and current case status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are usually available to view. Older records may show limited detail. Go to publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to run a free search. The Minnesota Judicial Branch also keeps a page for Murray County at mncourts.gov with local court details and calendar links.
The MCRO system has four search tabs: Case Search, Document Search, Hearing Search, and Judgment Search. The Judgment Search tab is useful if you need to find a money judgment filed against a debtor. Note: some case types are not accessible by name search, and certain case types like civil commitment and domestic abuse have restricted access.
For in-person searches, go to the courthouse at 2500 28th Street in Slayton. Staff can look up cases and print copies. Bring a valid ID. Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. If you need to submit a written request by mail, include the case number, names of the parties, the documents you want, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The court also posts a weekly court calendar as a searchable PDF. It goes up at 7:00 a.m. each business day and is updated every hour. This is handy if you want to know when a case has a hearing scheduled.
Note: Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, you have the right to look at public government data free of charge before deciding whether to request copies.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
The Minnesota Court Records Online system gives free public access to Murray County case information from any device.
MCRO covers all active and closed cases in Murray County. Search by name or case number to find filings, docket entries, and case outcomes.
Types of Court Records in Murray County
The Murray County District Court maintains records for every case type it handles. That means civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, probate, and traffic violations. Each case type has its own file with documents, orders, and a docket that tracks what has happened in the case.
Criminal records include charges, case dispositions, and sentencing information. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest and incident data from law enforcement is public. Court records tied to those arrests follow the same public access rules once the case is filed. Civil records cover debt collection cases, small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil tort cases. These are generally public unless sealed by court order.
Family law records include divorce cases, custody orders, and child support filings. Most family court orders are public. However, financial source documents like tax returns, pay stubs, and detailed financial affidavits filed in those cases are restricted. Juvenile records and child protection cases are not open to the public. Probate records are also public and can be searched by the decedent's name or estate case number.
Records go back to the early days of the county. The Recorder's Office holds birth, marriage, and death records. Court filings date to the 1800s for some case types, though older paper records may need an in-person search request.
Pay Court Fines Online
The Minnesota Court Web Payment system lets you pay traffic tickets and court fines for Murray County cases online without visiting the courthouse.
You can use the web payment portal to resolve eligible fines and fees. You will need your citation number or case number to look up your balance.
Fees and Records Access
Murray County follows the statewide fee schedule set by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Most people who look at public court records do not pay anything. You only pay when you need a copy.
Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. Uncertified copies are free. If you need an exemplified and certified copy, the fee is $28.00. Scanning fees apply for large requests: $25 for every 50 pages or part of 50 pages. Reports under 50 pages cost $5.00; reports over 50 pages run $25.00 per 50 pages. Fax transmissions carry the same $25 per 50-page rate.
Filing fees in Murray County follow state rules as well. A first civil paper costs $310 plus a law library fee. Conciliation court first paper is $65. A motion or response costs $100. The law library fee varies by county but is usually $10 to $16. Remember: no payments at the service counter after 2:30 p.m. on the last business day of the month.
Note: Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. Ask the court clerk about the In Forma Pauperis process or check mncourts.gov for forms.
Murray County District Court Online
The Murray County District Court page on mncourts.gov has courthouse hours, the court calendar, contact details, and links to court forms.
Use the court page to get current contact info, check the court calendar, and download forms you need for your case in Murray County.
Legal Help in Murray County
Several resources are available if you need help with a court case in Murray County. Some are free; others charge a reduced fee based on your income.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) provides free civil legal help to low-income residents across the region. They handle family law cases, housing issues, and other civil matters. You can reach them through their website or by phone. The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (612) 752-6699 where you can get matched with a licensed attorney. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org has free self-help guides and court forms for many common case types.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center can be reached at (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff there can answer general questions about court procedures, forms, and where to file. Official court forms for every case type are available free at mncourts.gov.
Cities in Murray County
Murray County includes the city of Slayton, the county seat, along with several smaller communities. All cases are filed at the Murray County District Court in Slayton regardless of which city the parties live in.
Communities in Murray County include Slayton, Avoca, Currie, Fulda, Hadley, Iona, Lake Wilson, Lowry, Slayton, and Tracy. None currently qualify as major cities by population, so all residents file in Slayton.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Murray County. If you are not sure which county handles your case, check the address where you filed or where the incident occurred.