Rice County Court Records Search

Rice County court records are maintained at the District Court in Faribault. The court keeps civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic case files for everyone who lives or does business in the county. You can search records free online or visit the courthouse on NW Third Street to look up cases and get copies. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular hours.

Rice County District Court

The Rice County District Court is at 218 NW Third Street in Faribault. Court Administrator Lisa Kuhlman handles records and public requests. Phone: (507) 497-7134. Fax: (507) 332-6199. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Public parking is available in a lot on the west side of the courthouse and on the street.

Rice County is in the Third Judicial District, which covers 11 counties in southeastern Minnesota including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, and Winona. The court has original jurisdiction over all case types in the county. Cases are entered into the statewide MNCIS system and are searchable through MCRO from any location.

How to Search Rice County Court Records

You can search Rice County court cases online for free at Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). Search by name, case number, business name, or attorney. Results include party names, case type, filing date, and docket entries. Document downloads are $8 each. Basic case data is free. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, the public can inspect government records including most court filings.

The courthouse has three calendar display monitors. One is near Court Administration on the ground floor, one is on the top floor near the courtrooms, and one is on the ground level near the main entrance. The daily court calendar posts as a PDF by 7:00 p.m. the night before and updates hourly starting at 7:00 a.m. This is useful if you need to know when a specific case is scheduled.

Rice County has Zoom rooms available at the courthouse for people who need to join a remote hearing in person but cannot get to the courtroom. Call (507) 497-7134 or visit the Court Administration Office on the first floor if you need help connecting. Some hearings are fully remote via Zoom, and you may see those courtrooms locked when you arrive.

To get copies by mail, contact Court Administration. Provide the case number or party names and the specific documents you need. Certified copies cost $14 each. Uncertified copies are free. Mail your request with payment to 218 NW Third Street, Faribault, MN 55021. Include a return envelope.

Rice County Court Record Types

The Rice County District Court keeps records for all case types. Civil cases include money disputes, property matters, and civil protection orders. Family cases cover divorce, custody, child support, and paternity. Probate records handle wills, estates, and guardianships. Criminal records include felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors charged in the county. Juvenile records exist but have more limited public access.

Most records are open to the public. You do not have to be a party to ask for them. Some items are restricted. Financial source documents attached to family cases are often limited. Records sealed or expunged by court order are not available. Minn. Stat. § 13.82 covers the public nature of criminal justice data. The rules distinguish between what is always public, what is confidential, and what the court can seal on request.

Online Tools for Rice County Records

You can handle most records lookups for Rice County without visiting Faribault. MCRO is the search tool. The Court Web Payment portal handles fines. The MN Judicial Branch site has the daily calendar, court forms, and self-help tools. All three are free to access.

The Rice County District Court page at mncourts.gov has contact information, hours, and a link to the daily court calendar which posts the night before and updates throughout the day.

Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the free portal for Rice County case searches. Look up civil, criminal, and family cases by name or case number.

Pay Rice County court fines and fees at the Court Web Payment portal. Accepts credit and debit cards for fines tied to Rice County court cases.

Legal Help in Rice County

Several resources are available for people dealing with court matters in Rice County. The state self-help center operates remotely and can be reached at (651) 435-6535 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They handle questions about forms and court procedures for most common case types.

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services handles civil legal aid in the region. Visit lawhelpmn.org for guides and forms on divorce, custody, housing, and other matters. All official court forms are free at mncourts.gov. For help finding a family or criminal attorney, call the Minnesota State Bar Association referral line at (612) 752-6699. For background checks separate from court records, use the BCA at chs.state.mn.us.

Cities in Rice County

Rice County is in southeastern Minnesota and includes the city of Faribault as well as Northfield and several smaller communities. All court cases in the county are filed at the Rice County District Court in Faribault.

Communities in Rice County include Faribault, Northfield, Lonsdale, Dundas, Morristown, and others. Cases from all of these communities go through the Rice County District Court. Northfield is a larger community in the county but does not currently have its own dedicated records page.

Nearby Counties

Rice County borders several southeastern Minnesota counties. File in the county where the parties live or where the case event occurred.