Pope County Court Records
Pope County court records are maintained by the District Court in Glenwood, Minnesota. You can search civil, criminal, family, and probate case files online through the state system or visit the courthouse in person to look up records and get certified copies. The Court Administrator handles all records requests and can help you find what you need whether you have a case number or just a name.
Pope County Overview
Pope County District Court
The Pope County District Court in Glenwood handles all court records for the county. The court has original jurisdiction over civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, and traffic cases. Court Administrator Rachel Schmidt oversees records and handles requests. The courthouse is on Minnesota Avenue in downtown Glenwood, with street parking available nearby.
Pope County is part of the Eighth Judicial District, which covers 13 counties in west-central Minnesota including Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine. The district administrator is Debra Mueske. Cases filed here go into the state court information system and are accessible through public terminals at the courthouse.
| Court | Pope County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 130 E. Minnesota Avenue Glenwood, MN 56334 |
| Phone | (320) 424-7170 |
| Fax | (320) 634-5527 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Court Administrator | Rachel Schmidt |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/pope |
How to Search Pope County Court Records
There are two main ways to search court records in Pope County. You can use the free online system or go to the courthouse in person. Both give you access to case information. Online works well for a quick name search. In person is best when you need copies of actual documents.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) covers Pope County District Court cases. The system is free to use. You can search by person name, business name, attorney name, case number, or citation number. The portal shows party names, case type, filing date, and docket entries. Document downloads cost $8 each. Under Minn. Stat. ยง 13.03, the public has a right to access government data, which includes most court records. Start your search at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us.
The courthouse has public access terminals on site. You can use them to search and view records at no charge. To get paper copies, speak with Court Administration. Staff can search by name or case number and print what you need.
The court posts a weekly public calendar as a searchable PDF. It goes up by 7:00 a.m. each business day and updates hourly. Confidential cases are not listed on the calendar, per Minn. R. Pub. Access 8, subd. 2.
Note: Documents filed before July 1, 2015 may have limited availability through MCRO. For older records, contact Court Administration directly at (320) 424-7170.
The Pope County courthouse was built in 1930 in a Classic Revival style. It sits at the center of Glenwood on Minnesota Avenue. Most civil and family case files are stored here. If you are researching older records, the court may have them on file or can direct you to the right place.
Pope County Court Fees and Copies
Copy fees in Pope County follow the state schedule. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies cost $28. If you need a large number of pages scanned or faxed, there is a $25 fee for every 50 pages or part of 50 pages.
Filing fees in Pope County include a $12 law library surcharge on top of the base state fee. A civil or family first paper costs $310 plus $12, totaling $322. A motion or response is $100. Jury trial requests add $100. Subpoenas run $16 per name. Foreign judgment filings over $20,000 cost $322, and those under $20,000 cost $77.
Uncertified copies are free. Bring the case number if you have it. The court also accepts copy requests by mail. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for certified copies. Make checks payable to Pope County Court Administration.
Types of Court Records in Pope County
The Pope County District Court keeps records across all case types. Civil cases include disputes over contracts, property, and money. Family cases cover divorce, custody, child support, and name changes. Probate handles estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Criminal cases include both misdemeanors and felonies filed in the county. Juvenile records have more restrictions on public access.
Most records are public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Some documents are sealed by court order or restricted by law. Records tied to active investigations, juvenile cases, and certain mental health proceedings are not open to the public. The court follows the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, approved by the Minnesota Supreme Court.
You can view records in person at no cost. Copies cost money. The court's records retention schedule determines how long files are kept. For most civil and criminal cases, files are kept for many years. Ask Court Administration if you need help finding a specific case or document type.
Note: Criminal cases without a conviction must be searched by case number only through MCRO. Name searches for those cases will not return results.
Online Access to Pope County Records
The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides online access through several tools. MCRO is the main public search portal. The Court Web Payment system lets you pay fines and fees online for Pope County cases. You can also check the Minnesota Judicial Branch website for court calendars, forms, and self-help resources.
The Pope County District Court page on the MN Judicial Branch site shows the weekly calendar, court hours, and contact information. The calendar posts by 7:00 a.m. and updates during the day. If you have a hearing coming up, this is a good way to confirm the time and room. Remote hearings may be held by Zoom for some case types.
The Pope County District Court page at mncourts.gov lists hours, contact details, and links to the weekly court calendar and case search tools.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us lets you search Pope County cases by name or case number for free.
The Court Web Payment portal handles online payments for fines and fees tied to Pope County court cases.
Legal Help in Pope County
If you need help with a court case in Pope County, several resources are available. The state self-help center offers remote services by phone. Call (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can help you understand court forms and what to expect during hearings.
Prairie Lakes Youth and Family Services and other regional nonprofits may be able to connect you with legal aid. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid serves the west-central region. Call their main line or visit lawhelpmn.org for self-help guides, forms, and referrals. All official court forms are free at mncourts.gov. The Minnesota State Bar Association's lawyer referral service can be reached at (612) 752-6699.
The State Law Library in St. Paul is open to the public. It is located at Room G25, Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155. Phone: (651) 297-7651. You can also find statutes and court rules at revisor.mn.gov.
Cities in Pope County
Pope County is a rural county in west-central Minnesota. Glenwood is the county seat and the largest city. All court cases in the county are filed at the District Court in Glenwood.
Other communities in Pope County include Cyrus, Farwell, Hancock, Starbuck, and Villard. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated page, but all residents file court cases through the Pope County District Court in Glenwood.
Nearby Counties
Pope County borders several other west-central Minnesota counties. If you are unsure which county handles your case, your county is the one where you or the other party lives or where the event took place.