Nobles County Court Records
Nobles County court records are filed and maintained at the Nobles County Justice Center in Worthington. The District Court covers all civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases for the county. Court Administrator Shelby Lucht manages the records office and handles access requests. You can search Nobles County court records free online using Minnesota Court Records Online or visit the courthouse on Airport Road in Worthington. This page explains how to find records, what documents are public, and what it costs to get copies.
Nobles County Overview
Nobles County Justice Center
The Nobles County District Court operates out of the Nobles County Justice Center at 1530 Airport Road in Worthington. Court Administrator Shelby Lucht runs the office. The court belongs to the Fifth Judicial District, which covers 15 counties in southern Minnesota. The Fifth District includes Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, and Watonwan counties.
The court counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff remain available by phone from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. if you have questions but can no longer visit in person. The Fifth Judicial District Court Administration can also be reached at (507) 295-5170 for help with county-level inquiries.
| Court | Nobles County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
Nobles County Justice Center 1530 Airport Road, PO Box 547 Worthington, MN 56187 |
| Phone | (507) 350-3015 |
| Counter Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Phone Hours | Monday through Friday, 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Administrator | Shelby Lucht |
| Judicial District | Fifth Judicial District |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/nobles |
Free parking is available in the surface lot at the Justice Center and on surrounding streets. Public access terminals let you look up records on-site at no charge.
How to Search Nobles County Court Records
You can search Nobles County court records online or at the courthouse. The online system is free and available any time. In-person visits let you review full case files and get copies right away.
Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the starting point for most online searches. It covers all 87 Minnesota counties. You can search by person name, business name, case number, or citation number. The system shows party names, filing dates, docket entries, and current case status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally available online. For older documents, you may need to request them in person or by mail.
The court posts a Nobles County Weekly Public Court Calendar each business day at 7:00 a.m. as a searchable PDF. The calendar is updated hourly. This is a useful way to check whether a hearing has been scheduled in a case you are following.
For in-person visits, go to 1530 Airport Road in Worthington before 4:00 p.m. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies. Written mail requests are also accepted. Include the case number or party names, what documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Nobles County also has court records going back to 1882 and vital records starting in 1872.
Note: Minn. Stat. § 13.03 gives you the right to view public data free of charge before deciding whether to order copies.
Court Records Online for Nobles County
The Minnesota Court Records Online system gives you free access to Nobles County case filings, docket history, and public documents.
MCRO is updated daily. You can search active cases, closed cases, and judgments for Nobles County without any account or login required.
Types of Records at the Nobles County Court
The Nobles County District Court maintains records for every case type it handles: civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic. Each file includes a docket that tracks all filings and hearings, plus the actual documents submitted to the court.
Criminal records include misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and felony charges. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, law enforcement arrest data is public. Court records tied to those arrests follow the same public access rules. A conviction becomes part of the public record. Cases that ended in a dismissal or acquittal may still appear in the system, though some defendants may petition for expungement.
Civil records include lawsuits, debt cases, small claims, and landlord matters. Family records include dissolution cases, custody orders, and child support filings. Most family orders are public. Financial documents filed in those cases, like tax returns, are restricted. Probate records are public and include wills, estate inventories, and final accountings. Juvenile files are sealed. eCheck-in is available for criminal, juvenile delinquency, and CHIPS cases through the court's online system.
Pay Fines for Nobles County Cases
The Minnesota Court Web Payment portal lets you pay traffic fines and court fees for Nobles County cases online from home.
Use your citation or case number to search for your balance and pay online. The portal is available around the clock for eligible cases.
Court Fees in Nobles County
Nobles County follows the statewide fee schedule. Looking at records in person is always free. You pay only when you want a copy.
Certified copies cost $14.00 each. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies cost $28.00. Large copy orders carry a scanning fee of $25 per 50 pages. Filing a first paper in a civil case costs $310 plus the law library fee, which is typically $10 to $16. Motions and responses cost $100 each. Conciliation court first papers are $65.
Income-based fee waivers are available. Ask the court clerk for the In Forma Pauperis petition form if you need to request a waiver. The court reviews your income information and the judge decides whether to grant the waiver. No one is turned away from court access because they cannot pay filing fees if they qualify for a waiver.
Nobles County District Court Page
The Nobles County page on mncourts.gov lists courthouse hours, the local court calendar, contact information, and forms for cases filed at the Justice Center in Worthington.
Use this page to get the current court calendar, download forms, and find contact details for the Nobles County Court Administrator.
Legal Help in Nobles County
If you need legal help in Nobles County, free and low-cost resources are available in the region. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services assists residents with low income who face civil legal problems, including family law and housing cases.
The Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral line at (612) 752-6699. You can also search for attorneys online at mnbar.org. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org provides free guides and court form links. The MN Judicial Branch Self-Help Center at (651) 435-6535 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All official court forms are free at mncourts.gov.
Cities in Nobles County
Nobles County includes Worthington as its county seat, along with several smaller communities. All cases are filed at the Nobles County Justice Center in Worthington.
Communities in Nobles County include Worthington, Adrian, Brewster, Ellsworth, Fulda, Lismore, Rushmore, and others. All court filings for Nobles County residents go through the Justice Center on Airport Road in Worthington.
Nearby Counties
These counties are adjacent to Nobles County. Confirm which county handles your case before you search or file.