Sherburne County Court Records Search
Sherburne County court records are held at the District Court in Elk River, Minnesota, and are open to the public under state law. You can search cases online for free through the Minnesota Court Records Online system, visit the courthouse on Business Center Drive, or request copies by mail or email.
Sherburne County Overview
Sherburne County District Court
The Sherburne County District Court is at 13880 Business Center Drive in Elk River. Court Administrator Katrese Ringham oversees clerk operations and handles public records requests. You can reach the court by phone at (763) 284-7140. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free surface lot and on-street parking are available at the courthouse.
Sherburne County is in the Tenth Judicial District, which covers eight counties in the central and eastern metro fringe: Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright. The court handles all case types filed in Sherburne County, including civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal, and traffic matters. All case data is entered into the statewide system and is searchable through MCRO.
The courthouse has screens outside courtrooms and in public lobbies that display daily court calendars. A weekly public court calendar and a District Referee weekly calendar are also available as searchable PDFs by 7:00 a.m. on business days, updating hourly throughout the day. Confidential case information is not shown on any public calendar. Find the calendar links through the Sherburne County court page at mncourts.gov.
| Court | Sherburne County District Court - Tenth Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
13880 Business Center Drive Elk River, MN 55330 |
| Phone | (763) 284-7140 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Administrator | Katrese Ringham |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/sherburne |
| Parking | Free surface lot and on-street parking |
Sherburne County District Court Website
The Sherburne County District Court page on mncourts.gov has contact info, courthouse hours, and links to both the weekly public court calendar and the District Referee calendar for Elk River.
This page is updated with changes to court procedures, contact information, and any new services added to the Elk River courthouse in the Tenth Judicial District.
How to Search Sherburne County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system covers all Sherburne County court cases and is available around the clock with no account needed. Search by name, case number, business name, or citation. Results show case type, party names, filing dates, docket entries, and current status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally viewable in digital form at no cost.
A few types of records are not available through the online system. Civil commitment, domestic abuse, harassment, juvenile delinquency felonies for those 16 and older, and CHIPS cases cannot be accessed through MCRO. For those, you need to go in person or contact Court Administration directly. Criminal cases without a conviction are also not searchable by name in MCRO. You must use the case number to find them.
For in-person searches, public access terminals at the courthouse let you view records at no cost. To get copies, contact Court Administration in person, by email, or by mail at 13880 Business Center Drive, Elk River, MN 55330. Fax requests go to (763) 284-7140. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with mail requests. Payments by mail should be checks or money orders made out to Sherburne County Court Administration.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data in Minnesota is presumed public 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. Juvenile files, sealed cases, expunged records, and some family court documents have restricted access.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide search system for Sherburne County court records. No account is needed to look up cases.
Search Sherburne 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. Criminal cases without a conviction must be searched by case number only.
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 from law enforcement agencies across Minnesota. It is separate from MCRO and gives a broader view of someone's criminal record in the state, not just what was filed in Sherburne County.
The BCA system charges a fee for full background searches. Access it at chs.state.mn.us. Combining a BCA check with an MCRO search gives the most complete picture. MCRO shows what the court recorded. The BCA shows what law enforcement reported statewide. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data collected by law enforcement is public data in Minnesota.
Sherburne County records only cover cases filed in this county. If someone has cases in Wright, Anoka, or other nearby counties, you need to search each one in MCRO or run a statewide BCA check. The depth of historical records in MCRO varies by case type.
Pay Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay Sherburne County traffic fines and other court fees online without going to the Elk River courthouse.
Have your case number or citation ready before you log in. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Traffic fines can also be paid by phone through the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (800) 657-3611.
Legal Help in Sherburne County
If you need help with a court matter in Sherburne County, start with LawHelpMN. The site has free plain-language guides and forms for divorce, custody, protection orders, housing, and other common legal issues. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website has self-help forms and step-by-step instructions for people who do not have an attorney.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid may be able to help income-qualifying Sherburne County residents with civil legal matters. The state self-help center at (651) 435-6535 is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They help you find the right forms and understand court procedures but cannot give legal advice. For attorney referrals, contact the Minnesota State Bar Association at (612) 752-6699. Many family law and criminal defense attorneys in the Tenth District region serve Sherburne County clients.
The clerk's office on Business Center Drive can answer basic questions about forms and procedures during regular hours. For anything involving strategy or legal decisions in your case, speak with an attorney. Many offer a first consultation at no cost or a reduced rate.
Cities in Sherburne County
Sherburne County includes Elk River, Big Lake, Becker, and Zimmerman, among other communities. The county has grown steadily as families moved northwest from the Twin Cities metro. No cities in Sherburne County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated records page. All residents file court cases at the Sherburne County District Court in Elk River.
Nearby Counties
Sherburne County sits in the northwest metro fringe and borders several other counties in and around the Tenth Judicial District. File your case in the county where the parties live or where the incident occurred.