Find Probate Court Records in St. Paul
St. Paul probate court records are maintained by Ramsey County District Court, located in downtown St. Paul at 15 W. Kellogg Boulevard. This court serves as the Second Judicial District's primary probate filing point for all St. Paul residents. Whether you are searching for a filed will, an estate case, or probate documents tied to a St. Paul decedent, this page explains how to find those records online and in person and what the process involves.
St. Paul Overview
Where to File St. Paul Probate Cases
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County and the capital of Minnesota. All probate filings for St. Paul residents go through Ramsey County District Court, part of the Second Judicial District. The court sits in downtown St. Paul and handles all estate cases for the county.
The probate division at Ramsey County accepts both in-person and mailed filings. Walk-in filers go to the court administration office during business hours. The court's main general number is (651) 266-8266, while the direct probate line is (651) 266-8145. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
| Court | Ramsey County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102 |
| General Phone | (651) 266-8266 |
| Probate Phone | (651) 266-8145 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Website | mncourts.gov - Ramsey County |
Ramsey County also has a self-help center at (651) 266-8266 that can assist with forms and procedural questions for people navigating probate without an attorney. This is a useful resource if you are not sure where to start.
How to Search St. Paul Probate Court Records
St. Paul probate court records filed from July 1, 2015 onward are accessible through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). This free state portal lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. You can view case summaries, hearing schedules, and documents. No account is needed for a basic search.
Records from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2015 are in the system but limited. MCRO shows orders and judgments from that period but not all documents. Probate filings before July 1, 2005 are not available online. For those older Ramsey County records, you need to contact the court directly at (651) 266-8145 or visit in person. Staff can pull physical files and provide copies.
The Minnesota probate help topic page on the judicial branch website is a good reference for understanding what you find in search results and how probate cases are structured.
Note: Some recent guardianship and conservatorship records in Ramsey County are restricted under court confidentiality rules. If you are searching for those types of cases and cannot find what you need, contact the court directly.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch probate help page provides an overview of the probate process and links to forms used in St. Paul and across the state.
The judicial branch's help topic pages cover informal and formal probate, small estates, guardianship, and more. They apply to all Ramsey County filings including those for St. Paul residents.
What St. Paul Probate Court Records Include
A probate case file at Ramsey County District Court typically includes the petition to open the estate, the will if one was left, an inventory of the decedent's assets, creditor notices, and a final order distributing the estate. More complex estates may also include accountings, motions, hearing transcripts, and additional court orders. Each document becomes part of the public record once filed.
Wills deposited with the court before death are held until needed. Letters testamentary and letters of administration are court-issued documents that name the personal representative and authorize them to act on behalf of the estate. These are key documents in any probate case and are searchable through MCRO for cases filed after 2015.
Guardianship and conservatorship records are also filed at Ramsey County District Court. These involve the care of minors or incapacitated adults and their property. Some of these records, especially recent ones, may be restricted or available only to parties in the case.
Probate Process for St. Paul Residents
Minnesota gives families several options when handling a deceased person's estate. The simplest is the small estate affidavit, available under Minnesota Statute 524.3-1201 when personal property is $75,000 or less and there is no real estate involved. This process skips the court entirely. You must wait 30 days after the death before using it. The PRO201-202 small estate forms packet has what you need to start.
For larger estates or those with real property, probate goes through Ramsey County District Court. Informal probate is an administrative process that does not require a court hearing in most cases. Formal probate involves a judge and is used when there are disputes about the will or the estate's administration. Both types are governed by Chapter 524 of the Minnesota Uniform Probate Code.
Minnesota law under Statute 524.3-108 generally requires probate to begin within three years of death. Creditors have a four-month window to file claims after the first published notice, set by Statute 524.3-803. Starting the process promptly protects heirs and avoids complications.
The Ramsey County District Court page on the judicial branch website has current contact details, hours, and filing information for St. Paul probate cases.
Ramsey County District Court at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. is the filing location for all St. Paul probate cases. The court is in the heart of downtown St. Paul, close to city hall and other county offices.
Filing Fees for St. Paul Probate Cases
Ramsey County charges a $15 law library surcharge on top of the statewide $310 base probate filing fee. The total first-paper filing fee for a probate case in St. Paul is $325. This applies to both informal and formal probate petitions.
Other costs to plan for: $27 to deposit a will with the court for safekeeping, $14 for a certified copy of a court document or will, and $14 per file for microfilm copies. Uncertified copies are typically free. Payment options at the courthouse include cash, check, or money order made payable to Ramsey County District Court. Credit and debit cards may be accepted depending on the specific transaction.
If the cost of filing creates a financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver by submitting an Affidavit of Inability to Pay. To qualify, your income generally must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Ask the clerk for the IFP form when you file or download it from the court forms page.
Historical Probate Records in St. Paul
The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) holds historical will books for Ramsey County as part of its statewide probate records collection. These will books cover wills transcribed and recorded from the 1800s through approximately 1985. If you are researching a St. Paul estate from that period, the MNHS probate records guide explains what they have and how to access it.
The MNHS Gale Family Library is located at 345 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102. Their phone is (651) 259-3300 and they are open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For older St. Paul probate records not covered by MNHS will books, contact Ramsey County District Court directly. The court can advise on what historical files are available and how to request them.
Legal Help for St. Paul Probate Cases
Several organizations in St. Paul offer help with probate matters. The Ramsey County District Court self-help center at (651) 266-8266 handles form-related questions and can point you to the right office. They cannot give legal advice but can help you understand the process.
The Minnesota State Law Library, located at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in St. Paul, provides research help and runs a Probate Brief Advice Clinic on the first Thursday of each month at (651) 297-7651. This free monthly clinic gives you a short session with a lawyer. The Volunteer Lawyers Network at (612) 752-6677 offers additional free clinics for income-qualifying residents. Legal Services State Support at (651) 228-9105, through lawhelpmn.org, can help you find the right legal aid program.
Ramsey County Probate Court Records
St. Paul probate cases are filed at Ramsey County District Court. For more details on the county court and probate resources, visit the Ramsey County page.
Nearby Cities
Minneapolis, just across the Mississippi River from St. Paul, also has a large volume of probate filings through Hennepin County District Court.