Common Questions About Washington County Court Records
How do I search Washington County court records online?
Use Minnesota Court Records Online, the state's free portal often called MCRO. Choose Case Search for names, case numbers, citation numbers, or attorney searches. Open Court Locations, pick County, and check Washington to keep results local. MCRO is not the official certified record, and pending criminal cases will not return by name. The court records page covers the full process.
Why can't I find a pending criminal case by name?
MCRO does not return pending criminal, traffic, or petty misdemeanor cases by defendant name when there is no conviction yet. Those cases can still be found by case number or citation number. If you know a case exists but cannot find it, contact Washington County Court Administration or search the court dockets by case number.
How do I get a certified copy of a court document?
Request it from Washington County Court Administration. Certified copies are $14 and can be made only from a document in a Washington County file. Plain, uncertified copies are listed as no charge. Call Court Records at 651-413-8030 and press option 6. The Court Administration page explains the steps and what to bring.
Is MCRO an official background check?
No. MCRO warns that it should not be used for background checks. For public Minnesota conviction history, use the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Public Criminal History Search instead. MCRO is a court-record tool with name-search and remote-access limits. The arrest records page explains the difference between court records and a background check.
Where is the Washington County Courthouse?
The courthouse sits at 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082, on the Government Center campus. The main court line is 651-413-8030, and hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The historic 1870 courthouse downtown is a landmark, not the records office. See the District Court page for divisions and judges.
Who is the court clerk in Washington County?
Minnesota does not elect a district clerk. Court Administration handles records and filings under the Judicial Branch, and the Judicial Branch lists Deb Lepper as the Washington County Court Administrator. That office is separate from the county office that handles marriage and property records. The Court Administration page has the details.
How do I search jail inmates?
Use the official Washington County active inmate roster. It lists name, jail ID, booking date and number, an estimated release date when set, and days in custody. It does not show mugshots, charges, or bond. Call the jail at 651-430-7900 with questions. The inmate records page covers the roster and contacts.
Does Washington County publish released inmates?
There is no separate released-inmate archive. The official source is the active roster, which drops a person at release. After a court hearing, release can take up to four hours, and sentenced inmates are generally released after 8:30 a.m. The released inmates page covers timing and state and federal locators.
How do I post bail?
From Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., post Washington County bail at Court Administration in the courthouse. After 4:15 p.m. and on weekends, post it at the Jail Administration window. A jail lobby kiosk takes bail 24 hours a day, with a $1,000 limit and an $8.95 credit card fee. See inmate records for the booking process.
How do I search for warrants?
Start at the Sheriff's Office warrant search page and use the linked public form, which has a single name box. The county warns not to act on a result alone, because all warrants must be confirmed by the issuing agency. Call the Warrants Division at 651-430-7998. The warrant records page has the full process.
What should I do if I have a warrant?
Confirm it first with the Warrants Division or District Court. To turn yourself in, report to the Jail Division main lobby no later than 5:45 a.m. on a weekday, excluding holidays. If bail is set, you must be booked before bail or bond can be posted. The warrant records page explains the steps and bail.
How do I apply for a marriage license?
Complete the online application linked from the county's marriage page, then appear in person at the Government Center within seven days to take the oath and pay. The fee is $125, or $50 with qualifying premarital education. Applicants must be at least 18. The marriage and divorce records page lists the form fields.
Where do I get a marriage certificate?
Washington County provides certified marriage copies for licenses applied for in the county, with records from 1870 to the present. Certified copies cost $10. Request one in person at the Government Center or by mail with the Marriage Record form and payment. The marriage and divorce records page has the mailing details.
Where are divorce records?
Divorce, called dissolution, is a family record of the District Court. Search MCRO by party name or case number with Family selected and Washington County checked. Online family documents are limited, so contact Family Court at 651-413-8132 for more. The marriage and divorce records page covers the search.
Where are probate records?
Probate records are in the District Court Probate Division. Search MCRO with Probate or Mental Health selected and Washington County checked. Public probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust documents may be online if filed after July 1, 2015, but civil commitment documents are not available remotely. See the probate records page.
How do I pay or contest a traffic ticket?
A payable citation gives 30 days to pay the fine or schedule a hearing officer appointment. Paying the fine is a guilty plea. Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch Pay Fines page or the Court Payment Center at 651-281-3219. Ignoring a citation adds penalties and can suspend the license. The traffic court records page covers the options.
Can I seal my criminal record?
Maybe. Minnesota expungement is governed by Chapter 609A. Eligibility depends on the case outcome, the offense, waiting periods, probation discharge, and exclusions such as predatory offender registration cases. Use the Judicial Branch expungement help topic and consider legal help. The arrest records page explains sealed versus expunged records.
Still Have Questions?
If a question is not answered here, the right office can help. Call Court Administration at 651-413-8030 for court records, the jail at 651-430-7900 for custody questions, or the Warrants Division at 651-430-7998 for warrants. For help without a lawyer, the Tenth District Self-Help Center can be reached at 763-760-6699. You can also start from the home page or the court records page to find the right tool.