Court records in Carver County, Minnesota can be searched through several channels. CarverCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also search records through official state court databases, visit the Court Administration office at the Carver County Justice Center in Chaska, or use public-access terminals available at the courthouse. The sections below explain which courts handle specific case types, how to look up hearings, and how to obtain copies of court documents.
Carver Court System & Jurisdictions
Carver County is served by the Carver County District Court, part of Minnesota's First Judicial District. Minnesota operates a unified trial court system, so the district court has original jurisdiction over virtually all case types filed in the county. There is no separate magistrate court or standalone family court — all matters are handled within divisions of the district court.
Case types handled by the Carver County District Court:
- Criminal — Felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors
- Civil — Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, and other civil claims
- Family — Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic abuse matters
- Probate — Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts
- Juvenile — Delinquency, child protection, and juvenile traffic matters
- Traffic — Moving violations, DWI/DUI, and parking offenses
- Conciliation (Small Claims) — Civil disputes generally involving $15,000 or less
All of these case types are filed and docketed at the Carver County Justice Center:
Appeals from the district court go to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and, in some cases, the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Carver Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find today's or upcoming hearings in Carver County, start with the Carver County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. That page provides links to the court's daily calendar and general scheduling information.
Steps to look up a hearing:
- Visit the Carver County District Court page linked above.
- Look for the court calendar or daily hearing schedule section.
- If you already have a case number, search for it on Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) to see scheduled hearing dates and times.
- You can also call Court Administration at (952) 361-1420 to confirm a hearing date or courtroom assignment.
MCRO lets you filter by county — select "Carver" from the county list to narrow results. Keep in mind that MCRO data is not the official court record and may not reflect last-minute changes. For same-day schedule updates, contact the courthouse directly or check the posted calendars at the Justice Center.
How to Get a Copy of a Carver Court Document
You can obtain copies of most Carver County court documents through the Court Administration office, online, or by mail. The type of copy you need — certified or uncertified — will affect the process and cost.
Certified vs. uncertified copies
- Uncertified copies are plain reproductions of court documents. They work for personal reference but are generally not accepted for legal proceedings.
- Certified copies bear the court's official seal and clerk signature. These are typically required for legal filings, background checks, or submitting documents to another court or government agency.
How to request copies:
- Online — Many documents can be viewed and printed through MCRO. Documents downloaded from MCRO are not certified. For certified copies, you will need to contact Court Administration.
- In person — Visit the Clerk's office at the Carver County Justice Center during business hours. Bring the case number if you have it; staff can also search by party name.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the case number (or party names and approximate filing date), the specific documents needed, whether you need certified or uncertified copies, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Mail requests to:
For divorce decrees, certified copies must be obtained from the county courthouse where the divorce was granted.
Restricted records
Certain records are not publicly accessible under the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. These may include:
- Juvenile case files (generally confidential)
- Sealed or expunged records
- Certain mental health and chemical dependency records
- Records in harassment or domestic abuse cases where access has been restricted by court order
If you are unsure whether a record is available, ask Court Administration before submitting payment.
Carver Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record searches, copies, and certifications in Minnesota are set by statute and court administrative order. The table below lists common fees. Contact Court Administration at (952) 361-1420 to confirm current amounts before submitting a request.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $14.00 |
| Certificate of no record found | $14.00 |
| Court record search (per name, per type) | $10.00 |
| Audio recording copy (per CD/media) | $7.50 |
Payment methods
- In person: Cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card (accepted methods may vary; confirm with the clerk).
- By mail: Check or money order payable to "Carver County Court Administration."
- Online: Viewing records on MCRO is free. Printing uncertified copies from MCRO does not involve a court fee, though certified copies still require a separate request and payment.
Fee amounts are based on Minnesota Statutes § 357.021 and applicable judicial branch administrative orders. Fees are subject to change; always verify with the court before mailing payment. If you need multiple certified copies of the same document, each copy incurs the certification fee separately.