Family Court
Family Court Overview
Family Court oversees court cases involving family matters such as dissolutions of marriage, parenting time schedules and disputes, child custody issues, child support establishment and modification, and paternity cases.Family Court judges, referees, and magistrates hold court hearings on these issues, and the Family Court Clerk’s Office maintains the court files and provides access to records and documents.
Family Court Judicial Contact Information
The Self-Help Service Center provides assistance to individuals representing themselves in Family Court matters. For more information, please visit the Self-Help Service Center page or call the Self-Help Service Center at (651) 266-5125.
In July, 2009, the Second Judicial District implemented Early Case Management, specific resources can be found on the ENE/ECM Help Topic.
Location of Family Court
Family Court Administration is located in Suite B134 of the Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55102. The Family Court Administration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Family Court hearings before referees are located at the Juvenile and Family Justice Center, 25 West 7th Street, St. Paul, MN. Family Court hearings before judges are located at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102.Family Court Organization
Filing UnitThe Family Court Filing Unit is located in Suite B134 of the Juvenile and Family Justice Center. Responsibilities of this unit include processing Family Court documents for filing. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions or call (651) 266-2842 for more information.
Approximately 100,000 paper files are maintained by District Court Records. Other permanent files are kept in archival form either microfilmed records or imaged records. Dissolution records before 1981 are maintained by the District Court Records Unit. Questions regarding copy requests should be directed to District Court Records at (651) 266-8237.
Child Support Unit
The Family Court Child Support Unit is located in Suite B134 of the Juvenile and Family Justice Center. Responsibilities of this unit include processing IV-D child support matters, scheduling and holding hearings regarding those cases, and responding to requests for information. Hearings within this unit are heard by child support magistrates. Please see the Self-Help Service Center or call (651) 266-2831 for more information.
Assignment Unit
The Assignment Unit responsibilities include scheduling and holding hearings regarding Family Court cases other than IV-D child support matters, staffing the Self-Help Service Center, and responding to requests for information. Hearings within this unit are heard by Family Court judges and referees. Please see the Self-Help Service Center tab or call (651) 266-5125 for more information.
When and where is my next court date?
Check online, in the Search Court Records section of this site, or call us at the number above. Be prepared to provide your case number.How do I schedule a motion hearing?
If you are an attorney, contact a scheduling clerk in Family Court for a hearing date. If you are representing yourself, come in to the Family Court Self-Help Service Center to schedule a hearing.What should I do if I can't appear at a hearing that's been scheduled? / Can I request a new court date?
Submit a written Request for Continuance for a new hearing date to Family Court in Room 160. The court will also accept a letter. Send a copy of the request to all other parties in the case. The judicial officer will issue an order granting or denying your request or a scheduling clerk will contact you.Are files confidential?
Actions for dissolution of marriage, child custody, and child support are public cases. Actions to establish paternity are confidential cases.Regarding documents, some documents in public cases are confidential. Any document within a confidential case is confidential.
How do I view a file?
Non-confidential case information is online through the Access Case Records page. File documents may be viewed by coming to the Family Court office on Kellogg Blvd (the address on the right). You will need a photo ID if the information is restricted to parties in the case.
You may also mail a request to the Kellogg Blvd office along with a check made out to Ramsey District Court. Tell us which document you would like to receive and the file number. It will take about two to four weeks to complete your request.
Copies of confidential documents are available only to the parties and their attorneys. When requesting a copy of a confidential document at the counter, a driver's license or state-issued ID must be produced. If requesting a copy by mail, a photocopy of the license or ID must accompany the written request.
Transcripts are prepared upon request. Contact the court reporter and request it. To contact the court reporter, call (651) 266-8302. The court reporter will give you an estimate of the cost and timeline.
If your hearing was in front of a Child Support Magistrate, submit a Request for Transcript form. The transcriber will contact you regarding cost and timeline.
Current fees are available on the Family Court Fee Schedule.
Yes, but you are expected to provide financial information to demonstrate that you cannot pay. This information must be verifiable. The process is known as In Forma Pauperis (IFP), and you must submit an IFP form. If you have questions about the form, Family Court Self-Help Service Center staff can review the document with you.
How do I obtain a copy of a court document?
Copies may be purchased at the Kellogg Blvd location above. There is a fee.You may also mail a request to the Kellogg Blvd office along with a check made out to Ramsey District Court. Tell us which document you would like to receive and the file number. It will take about two to four weeks to complete your request.
Copies of confidential documents are available only to the parties and their attorneys. When requesting a copy of a confidential document at the counter, a driver's license or state-issued ID must be produced. If requesting a copy by mail, a photocopy of the license or ID must accompany the written request.
How do I obtain a transcript of a hearing?
Transcripts are prepared upon request. Contact the court reporter and request it. To contact the court reporter, call (651) 266-8302. The court reporter will give you an estimate of the cost and timeline.If your hearing was in front of a Child Support Magistrate, submit a Request for Transcript form. The transcriber will contact you regarding cost and timeline.
How much does it cost to file?
Current fees are available on the Family Court Fee Schedule.
Can court fees be waived if I can't afford to pay them?
Yes, but you are expected to provide financial information to demonstrate that you cannot pay. This information must be verifiable. The process is known as In Forma Pauperis (IFP), and you must submit an IFP form. If you have questions about the form, Family Court Self-Help Service Center staff can review the document with you.Family Court Records Location:
Ramsey County Courthouse15 W. Kellogg Blvd
Room 72
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8237
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