Search Scott County Public Records
Scott County public records include court filings, property documents, criminal history data, and vital records maintained by county offices and state agencies in the southwestern Twin Cities metro area. This guide explains where to find those records, how to request them, and what each office can provide.
Scott County Overview
Scott County Court Records
Court records in Scott County fall under the 1st Judicial District. The Court Administrator's office is at 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379, and can be reached at 952-496-8200. The office handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in the county. Staff can confirm what documents are on file for a case and explain copy fees before you submit a request.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the fastest and easiest way to search Scott County court records. This free statewide tool lets you search by name, case number, or citation. You can view case types, filing dates, hearing schedules, and basic docket details without an account. MCRO does not include every document in a case file, but it shows you what was filed, when hearings are scheduled, and how a case was resolved. For sealed or restricted records, a written request to the court or an in-person visit is required.
Scott County is one of the faster-growing counties in the metro area, which means case volume at the courthouse is substantial. If you are searching for records from several years ago, it is worth calling ahead to confirm availability and processing time. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court case data is public unless a judge has specifically ordered it sealed. Scott County also maintains a 2025 Data Practices Manual that outlines how the county handles public records requests and what procedures apply to data requests directed at county departments.
Note: Juvenile and certain family court records in Scott County are confidential by law. A court order or specific legal standing is needed to access those files.
Scott County Property Records
Property records in Scott County are managed by the Property and Taxation Services office at 952-496-8912. The County Recorder, at 952-496-8910, maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. Both offices are at 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379.
Recorded documents are indexed by party name and parcel number. Scott County offers online tools to search property information through the Scott County official website. The county's parcel search and GIS tools let you look up ownership, assessed values, and boundary data without visiting in person. For certified copies of deeds or other recorded instruments, contact the Recorder's office directly. Fees are based on the number of pages and the type of document. Most recorded property documents are public under Minnesota law, so no prior approval is needed for basic ownership lookups.
Tax records and assessment data are also available. If you need to trace the ownership history of a parcel or verify a lien, the Recorder can pull chain-of-title information. Scott County's rapid growth over recent decades means there is a large volume of recorded documents, so online tools are particularly useful for narrowing down what you need before you visit in person.
Criminal History in Scott County
Minnesota's statewide criminal history database is managed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and returns conviction records from across the state, covering all counties including Scott. This is the most complete source for background checks in Minnesota.
For local arrest records and incident reports in Scott County, contact the Scott County Sheriff's Office at 952-496-8300. The Sheriff is located at 301 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379. Arrest data is generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement agencies to release certain data on request. This includes the name and address of the arrested person, the time and location of the arrest, and the charges. Some incident detail is not public, so being specific about what you need will help speed up the process.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, lists registered offenders by name or address. You can search it free online to see offenders living in Scott County. For individuals held in state correctional facilities, the Department of Corrections inmate search is available at no cost.
Vital Records in Scott County
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These records are not held at the county level. Requests go directly to MDH by mail, online, or in person at the state office in St. Paul. Fees vary by record type and how you submit the request.
Marriage licenses in Scott County are issued through the Court Administrator's office at 200 4th Avenue W in Shakopee. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the court. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the court office or from MDH for older records. Divorce decrees are court records and are filed with the Court Administrator as part of the case file. You can check for divorce filings through MCRO and request copies from the Scott County court office directly.
Note: Birth records in Minnesota are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible parties can request certified copies during those windows.
How to Access Scott County Public Records
Most Scott County public records can be found online, in person at county offices, or through a written data request. The MCRO portal covers court records at no cost. Property records are searchable through the county website and GIS tools. Criminal history goes through the BCA. Vital records come from MDH. For records not available online, the main county offices are at 200 4th Avenue W in Shakopee.
Scott County maintains a 2025 Data Practices Manual that explains the county's procedures for public records requests, how to submit a request, and what timelines apply. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, any government agency must tell you what data it holds, respond to your request within a set timeframe, and explain in writing if access is denied. If you need help with a records request or have questions about what is public, LawHelpMN has free resources and referrals available for low-income Minnesotans.
Fees differ by record type. Court copies, recorder documents, and vital records each have their own fee schedules. There is no single rate that covers all public records in Scott County.
| Office | Scott County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | 952-496-8200 |
| Sheriff | 952-496-8300 | 301 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Property & Taxation | 952-496-8912 |
| Recorder | 952-496-8910 |
| Judicial District | 1st District |
The Scott County website at scottcountymn.gov has links to county departments, online search tools, and the Data Practices Manual. It is a good first stop if you are not sure which office has the records you need.
Below is a screenshot of the Scott County official website, which provides access to county departments, property tools, and public records contact information.
The county site links to department contacts for the Court Administrator, Recorder, Assessor, and Sheriff, making it easy to find the right office for your records request.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, which is the primary tool for searching court case data in Scott County at no cost.
MCRO lets you search by name or case number and view filing dates, case types, and hearing information for cases across Scott County and the rest of Minnesota.
Cities in Scott County
Scott County includes several communities in the southwestern Twin Cities metro area. Shakopee is the county seat. Other cities in the county include Prior Lake, Savage, Jordan, Belle Plaine, and New Prague. None of these cities currently meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Scott County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.