Update, July 7, 2020:

The Minnesota Judicial Branch continues to be in a transitional phase, as established by orders from the Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea.

Order Requiring Face Coverings at Court Facilities mandates face coverings to be worn in all court facilities by visitors, staff and judicial officers beginning July 13.

​May 28, 2020 order reopened court facilities on a limited basis for additional in-person access.

People are required to wear their own face coverings when they will be doing business in person with a district or appellate court. Visitors to any of the 105 court facilities should talk to court staff immediately upon entry if they do not have access to a face covering or have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing one. Visitors who do not have access to a face covering will be provided one.

Local conditions and requirements for access are posted on each county’s COVID-19 webpage, which can be found by visiting the reopening webpage. Some counties may require appointments for public counter or public access terminals (courthouse terminals) access.

People exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days of when they need to enter a court facility are asked to contact the court or their attorney, rather than come to the courthouse. Symptoms to self-screen for: chills, cough, muscle pain, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or new loss of taste or smell.



Courts must continue to comply with the Judicial Council-approved Minnesota Judicial Branch COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which addresses exposure control measures and specific recommendations courts will follow in order to reopen for in-person courthouse activities.

This order does not change the continued use of remote hearing technology or the previously announced requirements to implement the Transitional Case Strategies for Civil, Criminal, Juvenile, and Probate case types. Self-Help Center services continue to be conducted by phone and email only. The Minnesota State Law Library continues to by appointment only.



County-specific District Court Information