Divorce records in Winona County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. WinonaCourt.us allows quick access to public information regarding divorce cases in this county. In addition to this resource, records can be obtained through the District Court that issued the decision, through the Court Administration office at the court, and through the Minnesota Office of Vital Records. Below is a practical guide to each of these sources.
Winona Divorce Records Search
In Minnesota, divorce cases are handled by the District Court at the county level. In Winona County, this function is performed by the Winona County District Court, located in the Winona County Courthouse. The Court Administration office at this court maintains court case materials — complaints, divorce decrees, property division agreements, child custody orders, and other related documents.
Additionally, the Office of Vital Records of Minnesota maintains a registry of divorce certificates — concise documents that confirm the fact of divorce. The certificate does not contain details about property division or custody arrangements.
For online searches, you can use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, which displays data for all district courts in the state. You will need the last name of one of the parties or the case number.
Winona County District Court — Court Administration
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Winona
When a judge signs a divorce decree, the original decree is stored in the Court Administration office at the Winona County District Court. This is the place to contact if you need a full copy of the court decision or specific documents from the case — for example, a property division agreement or a parenting plan.
At the same time, the court reports the divorce to the state Office of Vital Records. This office issues divorce certificates — short documents often required for remarriage or name changes. As explained by the Minnesota State Law Library, simple copies of recent decisions can be found through MCRO, and certified copies can be ordered directly from the court.
Which institution to choose depends on the purpose:
- Full court decision, case documents, certified copies of the decree → Winona County District Court, Court Administration
- Divorce certificate (concise document for confirmation) → Minnesota Office of Vital Records
Winona County District Court — Court Administration
Minnesota Office of Vital Records
If the document is needed for use abroad, an apostille may be required — it is issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Winona
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Search court records via MCRO (online) | Free | Instant |
| Regular copy of court document (Court Administration) | $0.25 per page | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Court Administration) | $14.00 | 5–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate (Office of Vital Records) | $9.00 | 2–4 weeks |