Find Civil Court Records in St. Paul
St. Paul civil court records are handled by the Ramsey County District Court, which serves as the Second Judicial District court for the state capital and all other Ramsey County cities. If you need to search for a civil case, look up a judgment, or get copies of court documents filed in St. Paul, the Ramsey County Courthouse at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard is where you start. The Minnesota Court Records Online system gives you free online access to most public civil records from that court.
St. Paul Overview
Ramsey County District Court Civil Records
All civil cases in St. Paul are filed at the Ramsey County District Court. Minnesota has a unified court system, meaning there are no separate municipal courts for civil matters. The Second Judicial District handles civil filings for St. Paul and the rest of Ramsey County. The Court Administrator manages all civil case files and handles requests for copies and record lookups.
Ramsey County has three court locations. The main courthouse is at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Room 72, in downtown St. Paul. There is also a suburban court location in Maplewood at 2050 White Bear Avenue, and the Juvenile and Family Justice Center at 25 West 7th Street in St. Paul. Most civil filings, including contract disputes, small claims, property cases, and personal injury lawsuits, are processed through the main courthouse location.
| Court | Ramsey County District Court (2nd Judicial District) |
|---|---|
| Main Address | 15 W Kellogg Blvd, Room 72 St. Paul, MN 55102 |
| Records Phone | (651) 266-8237 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Website | mncourts.gov - Ramsey County |
The main courthouse is in the St. Paul City Hall and Courthouse building. You can also mail written records requests to: District Court Records Center, Saint Paul City Hall, Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd Room 72, St. Paul, MN 55102. Include payment by check or money order when mailing requests.
Search St. Paul Civil Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us covers Ramsey County civil cases. You can search by party name, business name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows docket entries, case status, hearing dates, and links to downloadable public documents. For civil cases, this includes things like complaints, answers, orders, and judgments.
MCRO has a dedicated judgment search tool. Search by debtor name to find money judgments entered against a person or business in St. Paul. Results show the judgment amount, the date it was entered, and whether it has been satisfied or is still open. This tool is widely used by attorneys, businesses, and individuals who need to check civil judgment history.
Documents filed before July 1, 2015, have limited availability through MCRO. For older St. Paul civil records, you may need to contact the Records Office at (651) 266-8237 or submit a written request to the courthouse. Staff can assist with finding older case files.
Note: The Ramsey County Records Office also takes requests by phone, and you can pay for copies by credit or debit card when ordering over the phone.
The St. Paul City Attorney's Office handles legal matters for the city and represents St. Paul in civil litigation involving municipal affairs.
The City Attorney's office, led by Samuel J. Clark, is located at 400 City Hall and Courthouse, 15 Kellogg Blvd. West, and can be reached at (651) 266-8710 for city-related civil legal matters.
Civil Cases Filed in St. Paul
The Ramsey County District Court handles all types of civil cases for St. Paul. These include contract disputes between individuals or businesses, personal injury claims, property disputes, debt collection actions, landlord-tenant evictions, and civil harassment restraining orders. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 540, district courts have general jurisdiction over all civil disputes in the state.
Small claims cases go to conciliation court. In St. Paul, conciliation court is part of the Ramsey County District Court. Claims must be $20,000 or less. The process is simpler than a full civil trial, and most people handle conciliation court cases without a lawyer. The conciliation court help page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website explains how to file and what to expect at a hearing.
Ramsey County also has a robust set of legal clinics available at the courthouse law library on the 18th floor. These include a Housing Court Clinic on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., which is relevant for civil landlord-tenant disputes, and a Conciliation Court Clinic on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. These clinics are free and run by volunteer attorneys.
Getting Copies of St. Paul Civil Records
You can get copies of St. Paul civil court records in several ways. The easiest is through MCRO, where you can download public documents for free. For certified copies or records not available online, contact the Ramsey County Records Office.
Copy fees at Ramsey County follow the state standard: plain copies cost $0.25 per page, certified copies are $16.00 per document plus copy fees, and exemplified copies cost $28.00. In-person payments at the courthouse are accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit and debit cards. Mailed requests require a check or money order. Phone requests can be paid by credit or debit card.
To request records by mail, send your written request to the District Court Records Center at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd Room 72, St. Paul, MN 55102. Include the case number or names of the parties, the document types you want, and payment. Allow a few business days for processing and mailing.
Legal Resources for St. Paul Civil Cases
St. Paul residents dealing with a civil matter have access to several legal resources. The Ramsey County Law Library on the 18th floor of the courthouse offers free legal clinics during the week, including sessions focused on housing and conciliation court. These clinics connect you with a volunteer attorney who can answer questions about your specific situation.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help page at mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Civil-Actions.aspx explains civil court procedures and has links to court forms. For free legal aid, residents with limited income can contact Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid or Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, which covers Ramsey County. LawHelpMN at lawhelpmn.org provides guides and self-help tools for civil matters including housing, debt, and consumer issues.
For people who want to file documents electronically, the eFile and eServe system is available for self-represented litigants in Ramsey County. Attorneys are required to use e-filing for all civil cases.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near St. Paul with civil court record pages include:
Ramsey County Civil Court Records
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County, and all civil filings for the city are processed through the Ramsey County District Court. For full details on the court system, access methods, and fee schedules at the county level, visit the Ramsey County civil court records page.