Find Court Records in Scott County
Scott County court records are on file at the District Court in Shakopee, Minnesota, and are open to the public under state law. You can search cases online for free, visit the courthouse at Fourth Avenue West, or submit copy requests by mail, email, or fax.
Scott County Overview
Scott County District Court
The Scott County District Court is at 200 Fourth Avenue West in Shakopee. Court Administrator Jennifer Everett manages clerk operations and public records services. You can reach the court by phone at (952) 496-8200 or by fax at (952) 496-8211. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The court is part of the First Judicial District, which also covers Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, and Sibley counties.
A Law Library is located inside the courthouse building. MNCIS public access computers are available there for searching court records at no cost. Court filings and certified copies are printed in the Law Library as well. Court Administration can only provide copies from Scott County District Court cases. If you need records from another county, you must contact that county's court directly or use MCRO.
The court posts a weekly public court calendar and a District Referee weekly calendar. Both are available as searchable PDFs by 7:00 a.m. on each business day and update hourly. Find both calendars through the Scott County court page on mncourts.gov.
| Court | Scott County District Court - First Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
200 Fourth Avenue West Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | (952) 496-8200 |
| Fax | (952) 496-8211 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Administrator | Jennifer Everett |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/scott |
Scott County District Court Website
The Scott County District Court page on mncourts.gov has contact details, courthouse hours, and links to both the weekly public court calendar and the District Referee calendar for Shakopee.
This page is updated regularly with information on court procedures, filing requirements, and changes to how Scott County cases are handled in the First Judicial District.
How to Search Scott County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the first place to look for Scott County cases. MCRO is available 24 hours a day with no login required. You can search by party name, case number, business name, citation number, or attorney bar number. Results show case type, parties, filing dates, and full docket entries. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally available to view in digital form at no charge.
One rule to know: criminal cases without a conviction are not searchable by name in MCRO. You must use the case number to find those records. If you do not have the case number, contact Court Administration for help. The court has a specific form for requesting access to confidential or sealed records: the "Request for Access to Confidential or Sealed Record" form. You need a signed court order to get those documents.
For in-person searches, public access terminals in the Law Library let you view records at no cost. To get copies, contact Court Administration at the courthouse, by email, by fax at (952) 496-8211, or by mail at 200 4th Avenue West, Shakopee, MN 55379. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Mail payments should be made by check or money order payable to Scott County Court Administration. Phone payments accept credit or debit card. In-person payments take cash, check, money order, or card.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data is presumed public in Minnesota unless classified otherwise by law. Court records follow this standard along with the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Most civil and criminal records are open to the public. Sealed cases, expunged records, juvenile files, and some family court documents have restricted access.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide search system for Scott County court records. No account is needed to look up cases.
Search Scott County cases by name, case number, or citation. The system covers every case type filed in the county and shows full docket history for all public records. Keep in mind that criminal cases without a conviction must be searched by case number, not by name.
Criminal Records and the BCA
For criminal history beyond what is in the court file, use the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) criminal history system. The BCA holds statewide arrest and conviction records collected from law enforcement agencies across the state. It covers far more than just Scott County. The BCA system is separate from MCRO and charges a fee for full background searches.
Combining a BCA search with an MCRO name search gives you a thorough view of someone's public record in Minnesota. MCRO shows what was filed in court. The BCA shows what law enforcement reported statewide. For Scott County residents, arrest data is public under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, which classifies most criminal justice data as public information.
Note that Scott County court records only cover cases filed in Scott County. People with cases in Hennepin, Dakota, or other nearby counties will not show up in a Scott County search. Use MCRO across multiple counties or a statewide BCA check when you need broader coverage.
Pay Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay Scott County traffic fines and other court fees online without going to the Shakopee courthouse.
Have your case number or citation ready before you log in. Traffic fines can also be paid by phone through the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (800) 657-3611.
Legal Help in Scott County
If you need help with a court matter in Scott County, several free resources are available. LawHelpMN has plain-language guides and free court forms for family law, housing, civil cases, and other common legal matters. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has self-help forms and step-by-step guides for most case types filed in Minnesota courts.
Legal aid organizations serving the Twin Cities metro region may assist income-qualifying Scott County residents. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is one option. The state self-help center at (651) 435-6535 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can help you find the right forms and understand court procedures. They do not give legal advice. For attorney referrals, contact the Minnesota State Bar Association at (612) 752-6699.
The clerk's office at 200 Fourth Avenue West can answer basic questions about procedures and forms. For anything involving legal strategy or case decisions, talk to an attorney. Many family law, criminal defense, and civil attorneys in the First District serve Scott County clients and offer an initial consultation.
Cities in Scott County
Scott County includes Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, Jordan, Belle Plaine, and New Prague, among other communities. The county has grown rapidly as suburbs expanded south from the Twin Cities. No cities in Scott County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All residents file court cases at the Scott County District Court in Shakopee.
Nearby Counties
Scott County borders five counties, including two of the largest in the Twin Cities metro area. File your case in the county where the parties live or where the incident occurred.