Rice County Court Docket Records

Rice County court docket records are publicly accessible online through the Minnesota Court Records Online system and in person at the Rice County Courthouse in Faribault. The court is part of the Third Judicial District and handles all case types, including civil, criminal, family, and probate. You can search Rice County court docket records for free using MCRO without registering for an account, or visit the courthouse to access records and request certified copies.

Rice County District Court

The Rice County District Court is in the county courthouse in Faribault, the county seat. The court is one of 11 county courts in the Third Judicial District, which covers southeastern Minnesota from Olmsted and Dodge counties in the west to Winona County on the Wisconsin border. Court staff in Faribault handle all filings, copy requests, and record inquiries. The courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

The Rice County District Court page on mncourts.gov lists the court's contact information and links to court services. The Third Judicial District Chief Judge is Hon. Christine A. Long, and the Assistant Chief Judge is Hon. Christa M. Daily. Their district covers 11 counties in southeastern Minnesota, with Rice County being one of the more centrally located in the district.

How to Search Rice County Court Dockets Online

MCRO at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the primary way to search Rice County court docket records online. It is free and no login is needed. When searching by name, always filter results to Rice County so you don't pull in records from across the state. Each case result shows the full register of actions, which is the official chronological record of everything that happened in the case from filing to close.

MCRO includes four separate search tools. Case Search handles name and case number lookups and displays the register of actions. Document Search lets you pull individual filed documents for cases after July 1, 2015. Hearing Search shows court schedules for a specific case or person. Judgment Search is used to find civil money judgments entered against a debtor in Rice County. All four tools work together and cover the full range of public court records available for Rice County cases.

For records that are not online, including older filings or restricted case types, visit the courthouse in Faribault or call (507) 332-6107. Public access terminals at the courthouse give broader access than the remote portal and are available free of charge during business hours.

Note: Do not use MCRO for employment screening or background checks. For criminal history, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at chs.state.mn.us is the appropriate resource.

Contents of a Rice County Court Docket

Each case in the Rice County court docket has a register of actions. This is a date-ordered log of every event in the case. Criminal dockets show charges, the initial appearance, bail or detention orders, plea entries, any motions ruled on, the verdict or plea agreement, and the sentence. Civil dockets show the complaint, service of process, answers, motions, any discovery orders, and the final judgment. Family case dockets include dissolution filings, temporary orders, custody evaluations, and final decrees.

Rice County handles the full range of case types typical of a county its size: civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, and housing. Probate matters cover wills, intestate estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. Small claims cases go through conciliation court and typically involve amounts under a few thousand dollars. Each of these case types produces a public docket searchable through MCRO or the courthouse terminal.

Fees and How to Get Copies

Plain copies of Rice County court records are free. This change came from a legislative update effective July 1, 2023, that eliminated per-page fees for uncertified copies. Certified copies cost $14.00 under Minn. Stat. § 357.31. Exemplified and certified copies, used for presenting records in other courts, cost $28.00. For large report copies, the fee is $5.00 for the first 50 pages and $25.00 for each additional 50 pages.

You can get copies at the courthouse counter or by mail. Mail requests should go to Rice County Court Administration, 218 3rd St NW, Faribault, MN 55021. Include the case number, party names, a description of what you need, and a check or money order for the fee. Call (507) 332-6107 before mailing to confirm the total cost and check availability for the specific records you are requesting.

Legal Framework for Access

Access to Rice County court records is governed by the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Courts are exempt from the Government Data Practices Act under Minn. Stat. § 13.90 and operate under their own rules. Most filed records are presumed public, but sealed, expunged, and confidential records are not available through public searches. Juvenile records, civil commitment files, and protection orders are restricted from remote access under state rules.

Individuals can petition for expungement of qualifying criminal records under Minn. Stat. § 609A. Expunged records are removed from public searches. Data that is generally public under Minn. Stat. § 13.84 includes name, date of birth, offense information, and supervision conditions. If you have trouble finding a record or need clarification about what is available, contact the court at (507) 332-6107.

Nearby Counties

Rice County is in southern Minnesota and borders several other district court counties in the Third Judicial District and beyond. Links to neighboring county pages are below.