Skip to main content

File a Case

File a Case in District Court

Most cases begin in Minnesota’s district courts. District courts are located in each of the state's 87 counties and are divided among 10 judicial districts for administration purposes.

File using paper

Unless required to use the eFile and eServe (eFS) System as described below, court users can file paper documents and court forms at the courthouse by going to the courthouse or by mailing their filings to the courthouse. You can find the addresses to the courthouses on our Find Courts page.

Guide & File

Minnesota Guide & File is an electronic tool that helps you create court forms in certain types of cases. In most situations, you can then file your forms electronically (eFile) through Guide & File or print and file on paper.

eFiling

eFiling is the process of submitting court filings electronically. To use eFiling, you must have completed documents saved as PDF’s on your computer. If you do not yet have completed documents saved on your computer, please review the Help Topics for links to forms and other information about your case type.

  • Attorney, government agencies, or guardians ad litem, are mandatory eFilers and are required to use eFiling to file documents.
  • Filers who have eFiled into a case before must continue to use eFiling to file documents into that case.

Follow the link below to:

  • Learn about filing a case in district court
  • Find instructions and eFiling resources
  • Electronically file and serve court documents (for applicable filers)
  • Contact the eFile Support Center
eFile a Case in District (Trial) Court

Need Help?

Self-Help Centers

A Self-Help Center is a place where you can find helpful information, services and resources about your legal problem if you are not represented by a lawyer.

Self-Help Center Locations

Get Legal Help

Find a Lawyer

State Law Library

Room G25
Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

mn.gov/law-library