Scott County, Minnesota court records are available through several channels. ScottCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, directly at the district court clerk's office, or at public access terminals in the courthouse in Shakopee. For certified copies, contact the court administrator.
Scott Court System & Jurisdictions
Scott County is part of the First Judicial District of Minnesota. The only court of general jurisdiction here is the Scott County District Court, located in the courthouse in Shakopee. Unlike some other states, Minnesota does not have separate justice or magistrate courts at the county level — the district court handles all categories of cases.
Here's what this court handles:
- Criminal cases — from misdemeanors to felonies
- Civil claims — disputes between individuals and legal entities, including contract and tort cases
- Small Claims — claims up to $15,000, handled through a simplified procedure
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, protection orders. Certified copies of divorce decrees are issued by the court office where the case was heard
- Probate cases — estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators
- Traffic violations — fines, license revocations, DUI cases
- Juvenile cases — offenses, child protection, dependency issues
The court administrator coordinates the work of all departments. Call (952) 496-8200 if you're unsure which department your case belongs to.
Scott Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court sessions for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways. The quickest is to use the MCRO system, where scheduled hearing dates are displayed after searching for a specific case.
If you know the case number:
- Open MCRO and select Scott County from the list
- Enter the case number or party's last name
- In the search results, review the section with scheduled hearings
Public terminals in the courthouse in Shakopee sometimes show a wider range of data than the online version of MCRO. Some documents and hearing details are only available from these terminals or through the State Law Library.
For general information about court hours and holidays, visit the Scott County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. The specific time and courtroom for a hearing are usually indicated in the summons received by each party to the case.
How to Get a Copy of a Scott Court Document
Court document copies come in two types: uncertified and certified. A certified copy has the court seal and the administrator's signature — it is usually required by other government agencies, banks, and employers.
Online. Through MCRO, you can view and download some public documents for free. However, not all documents are available electronically, and downloaded files are not certified copies.
In person. Visit the court administrator's office at the address provided above. Bring the case number or sufficient identification details (party's last name, approximate filing date). Certified copies are issued on-site.
By mail. Send a written request to the court's address specifying:
- Case number (if known)
- Full names of the parties
- Type of document needed
- Whether a certified copy is needed
- Return address and payment
Detailed instructions for requests are posted on the Copy Requests — Scott County District Court page.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed criminal cases, certain family cases, and mental health records are generally closed to public view according to Minnesota law.
Scott Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copying and certifying court documents in Minnesota are set by law. Below are the main rates applicable in state district courts according to Minnesota Statutes § 357.021.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Document certification (certification fee) | $14.00 |
| Court registry search (search fee) | $10.00 |
| Copy of hearing audio recording | Check with the office |
Please note: fees may change. Before sending a mail request, confirm the current amount by calling (952) 496-8200.
Payment is usually accepted by check or money order payable to the Scott County Court Administrator. When visiting the office in person, credit and debit cards are often accepted as well — confirm in advance.
For non-court-related requests — such as land records or general county data requests — separate fees and procedures apply from the relevant Scott County departments.