Mower County court records, Minnesota, are available through several channels. MowerCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state online tools, including Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), directly at the district court clerk's office, or through public terminals installed in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide on searching, obtaining copies, and paying for court documents.
Mower Court System & Jurisdictions
The county has one general jurisdiction court — Mower County District Court. It is located in the Justice Center in the city of Austin. In Minnesota, there are no separate magistrate or municipal courts at the county level: the district court handles all categories of cases.
Types of cases handled here:
- Criminal — from felonies to misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.
- Civil — lawsuits of any size, including small claims (conciliation court / small claims) up to $15,000.
- Family — divorces, custody, child support, protective orders.
- Probate — wills, appointment of guardians, estate management.
- Juvenile — cases involving minors, including offenses and child protection issues.
- Traffic — fines, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI).
If you are unsure which registry to contact, all the listed types of cases are handled by one Court Administration office in the Justice Center.
Mower Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be determined in several ways.
- Call the court office. Court Administration staff will confirm the time and room of a specific hearing. This is the quickest way to check if there has been a rescheduling.
- Public terminals in the courthouse. Computers are installed in the Justice Center lobby, which provide the most comprehensive access to electronic district court records, including the hearing calendar.
- MCRO online. Through the MCRO search system, you can find a case by number or party name and see scheduled hearing dates if they are entered into the system.
Note: MCRO is not an official registry, and the judicial branch does not certify search results. For confirmation of a hearing date, it is better to contact the office directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Mower Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. An uncertified copy is suitable for review, while a certified one is needed when the document must be submitted to another authority or used as official evidence.
Online
Through MCRO, you can view many public documents for free and download uncertified copies. However, not all documents are available electronically — some exist only in paper form.
In Person or by Mail
To obtain a certified copy, contact Court Administration:
- Visit the office in the Justice Center or send a written request by mail.
- Provide the case number, full name of the party, and document title.
- Pay the appropriate fee (see the table below).
Copies of divorce decrees can also be ordered through the office. The Minnesota State Law Library explains the procedure for obtaining such documents.
If a case has been expunged, public access to it is closed. The office will not issue copies without the appropriate court order.
Mower Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court services in Minnesota are established by law (Minn. Stat. § 357.021 and Judicial Branch administrative orders). Below are the main rates applicable to state district courts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Court record search | $10.00 per name |
| Uncertified document copy | $0.25 per page (minimum varies depending on the document) |
| Document certification | $10.00 per document |
| Certified copy of judgment | $10.00 + copying cost |
| Civil filing fee | Depends on the type of case; check with the office |
The office accepts payment in person. Confirm acceptable payment methods (cash, check, card) when contacting — rules may vary.
For those who need legal assistance but cannot afford an attorney, the Mower County legal referrals page contains contacts for free legal services. Certain categories of applicants may apply for a fee waiver — ask for the appropriate form at the Court Administration office.