Winona County, Minnesota court records are accessible through several channels. WinonaCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online court system tools, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals directly in the courthouse.
Winona Court System & Jurisdictions
In the state of Minnesota, there are no separate magistrate or justice courts at the county level — all first-instance jurisdiction is concentrated in the District Court. Winona County District Court is part of the Third Judicial District and handles a full range of cases:
- Criminal Cases — from minor offenses and traffic violations to felonies.
- Civil Cases — lawsuits between private individuals or organizations, including claims up to $15,000, which fall under the Conciliation Court procedure (similar to small claims court).
- Family Law — divorce, custody, child support, protective orders.
- Probate Cases — estate administration and guardianship appointments.
- Juvenile Cases — offenses and child protection cases.
All these categories are processed by one court, so the search for records begins in the same place — the office of the Winona County District Court or through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system.
Winona Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out about scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the week, use the online calendar on the Winona County District Court page. The calendar is updated regularly but has limitations: confidential cases and cases with restricted access according to Minn. R. Pub. Access 8, subd. 2, are not displayed.
If you cannot find your case in the online calendar, contact the court office directly by phone or in person. It is also helpful to check information through the MCRO case search — the system shows upcoming hearing dates along with basic case information.
Steps to check the calendar:
- Open the Winona County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
- Find the section with the hearing calendar (Court Calendar).
- Select the desired date or date range.
- If the case is not displayed — call the court office.
How to Get a Copy of a Winona Court Document
There is a difference between a regular copy of a document and a certified copy. A regular copy confirms the content but does not have the legal force of the original. A certified copy contains the clerk's seal and signature and is accepted as an official document in most institutions.
Online
Through MCRO, you can view and download some district court case documents. To search, you need to know the parties' names or the case number. Note: not all documents are available remotely — restrictions are set by state public access rules.
In Person
Visit the court office in the Winona County Courthouse building. The clerk can provide both regular and certified copies on-site.
By Mail
Send a written request to the court's address, specifying the case number, parties' names, document type, and number of copies. Include payment in the form of a money order. Certified copies cost more than regular ones.
For copies of divorce decrees, you can also contact the Minnesota Office of Vital Records. If the document requires an apostille for use abroad, it must first be notarized, after which you can request an apostille from the Secretary of State.
Winona Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Minnesota are set at the state level and regulated by Supreme Court administrative orders. Below are typical fees applicable in Winona County District Court.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search through MCRO | Free |
| Regular copy of a document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $14.00 |
| Copy of hearing audio recording | $5.00+ |
These amounts may change. The current list of fees is published on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website in the Court Fees section. Payment at the office is usually accepted by money order, cashier's check, or, in some cases, credit card — check with the clerk before visiting.
If you are looking for information about a person's criminal history, MCRO does not replace a full check. Official criminal history checks are conducted through the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search (CHS) system of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). For searching individuals under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, there is a separate online locator.