Fillmore County Court Docket Records
The Fillmore County court docket is maintained at the district court in Preston and covers all civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in the county. You can search these records for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, or visit the courthouse during regular hours. Most Fillmore County court docket records are public, allowing you to look up case numbers, party names, hearing dates, and the complete register of actions for any case on file.
Fillmore County Overview
Fillmore County District Court Information
The Fillmore County District Court is located in Preston, the county seat tucked into the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. Court Administrator Theresa K. F Betterly manages court operations and record requests. The courthouse serves all of Fillmore County and handles the full range of case types that come before any Minnesota district court.
| Address | 101 Fillmore St, Preston, MN 55965 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (507) 765-4901 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | Third Judicial District |
| Court Administrator | Theresa K. F Betterly |
The Fillmore County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site lists contact details, directions, and links to local court resources. Confirm hours before making the trip if you're coming from a distance.
Fillmore County is part of the Third Judicial District, which covers eleven counties in southeastern Minnesota. Chief Judge Christine A. Long leads the district. Judges rotate among counties, so the judge on your case may be from a neighboring county.
Searching the Fillmore County Court Docket Online
Minnesota Court Records Online is the best starting point for searching Fillmore County court docket records. The MCRO portal is free and accessible at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. No account is needed to run a name search or look up a case number.
Go to the case search page and type in a party name or case number. Filter results to Fillmore County and select a case type if you have it. Each result shows the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and current status. Click into any result to see the full register of actions, which documents every filing, every hearing, and every ruling in the case.
The Hearing Search shows cases set for a specific court date. This is useful when you need to confirm a hearing time or want to attend a session at the Preston courthouse. The Judgment Search covers civil money judgments and is commonly used by attorneys and creditors researching a party's financial history in the courts.
Some records are not available to the public. Juvenile cases, sealed matters, and records restricted under Minn. Stat. § 13.84 are excluded from MCRO searches. If a record you're looking for doesn't appear, contact the court administrator's office directly.
Note: Set the county filter to Fillmore County when running a local search. MCRO pulls records from all Minnesota courts, and without a filter, results from other counties will appear alongside local cases.
What a Fillmore County Court Docket Record Contains
A court docket is the official log of every action in a case. Each entry marks the date, describes what happened, and notes any order or ruling that resulted. When you search the Fillmore County court docket, you get the full timeline of a case from its first filing to its final outcome.
The district court in Preston handles all standard case types. Criminal cases include traffic offenses, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies. Civil cases cover money disputes, property claims, and contract matters. Family law handles divorce, custody, child support, and name changes. Probate deals with estates, wills, and guardianships. All of these are logged in MCRO.
For each case, the docket record contains party names, the assigned judge or judicial officer, the case number, the filing date, and the complete register of actions. The register is the detailed part. It shows every document filed, every scheduled and completed hearing, and the final resolution of the case. This gives you an accurate record of what the court did and when. That's useful whether you're an attorney doing case research, a party tracking a case you're involved in, or a member of the public looking into the history of someone before the courts.
The Fillmore County court page on mncourts.gov lists contact information and resources for the district court in Preston.
This screenshot shows the Fillmore County page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website, with contact details and links for the district court serving this southeastern Minnesota county.
Fillmore County Court Record Copy Fees
Online access to the Fillmore County court docket through MCRO is free. You can view the case index, read the register of actions, and check hearing dates at no charge.
Certified copies cost $14.00 per document. This fee comes from Minn. Stat. § 357.31, which sets court administrator fees across Minnesota. Uncertified copies may carry a per-page charge. Call (507) 765-4901 to ask about current rates before your visit or before sending a mail request.
Mail requests should be sent to Fillmore County Court Administration at 101 Fillmore St, Preston, MN 55965. Include the case number, party names, and payment for the fee. If you're unsure of the exact cost, write ahead and ask before including a check.
Some documents in MCRO can be downloaded through the Document Search feature. Download fees vary by file. Checking there before submitting a formal copy request can be a faster option when you need a specific document.
In-Person Access at the Fillmore County Courthouse
The Preston courthouse is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Public access terminals inside the building give you access to MCRO, the same system available online. If you need help finding a case or navigating the search tools, staff at the counter can assist you.
Some older cases may not be in the electronic system. If you're looking for records from years past, ask the court administrator's office whether a paper file exists. They can tell you what's available and arrange an in-person review if needed.
New filings are accepted at the counter during business hours. Self-represented parties file in person or by mail. The court does not offer direct public e-filing; attorneys file electronically through the state's platform.
Legal Help and Resources in Fillmore County
The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers Self-Help Centers at courthouses around the state. These centers help you find the right forms and understand filing steps. They do not give legal advice, but they're a good first resource if you're handling a court matter on your own.
Legal aid organizations in southeastern Minnesota serve qualifying individuals in civil matters. Ask the court administrator's office for current referral information or contact a regional legal aid provider directly.
The BCA Criminal History Search from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides statewide criminal history records. That system is separate from the court docket and draws on law enforcement data from across Minnesota. Use it when broader criminal history information is what you need.
The Access Case Records page explains what data is public and how to request restricted records. Minn. Stat. § 13.90 governs public access to court data in Minnesota. For records that have been sealed through expungement, see Minn. Stat. § 609A. Expunged records are removed from public docket searches statewide.
Cities in Fillmore County
Fillmore County includes Preston as the county seat along with communities like Spring Valley, Chatfield, Harmony, and Lanesboro. All court filings for residents throughout the county go through the district court in Preston.
No cities in Fillmore County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All court docket records for the county are held at the district court in Preston.
Nearby Counties
Fillmore County is bordered by other southeastern Minnesota counties and shares a border with Iowa. Each neighboring county has its own district court and court docket. Cases crossing county lines may be filed in any adjacent jurisdiction.