Court Forms

Organized directory of official Minnesota court forms by legal topic. All forms are free and maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides free court forms for many common legal matters. The pages below organize the most commonly needed forms by topic, explain what each form does in plain language, and link directly to the official forms at mncourts.gov.

Forms by Topic

• General Civil Forms – filing lawsuits, responding to lawsuits, motions, default judgments, fee waivers, and appeals
• Criminal & Expungement Forms – expungement petitions, public defender applications, firearm rights restoration, and probation matters
• Family Court Forms – divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, orders for protection, paternity, and name changes
• Housing & Eviction Forms – eviction actions, tenant defenses, rent escrow, tenant remedies, and harassment restraining orders
• Conciliation Court (Small Claims) Forms – filing claims, counterclaims, appeals, and judgment collection tools

General Tips for Court Forms

1. Use the most current version. Court forms are updated periodically. Always download the most current version from mncourts.gov before filing.
2. Read the instructions. Many forms include detailed instructions. Read them completely before filling out any form.
3. Print clearly or type. If the form is a fillable PDF, type your answers. If printing by hand, print clearly in black or blue ink.
4. Use your full legal name. Use your name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.
5. Make copies. Before filing, make at least two copies of every completed form – one for the court and one for your records.
6. File in the correct court. Most forms are filed with the district court in a specific county. The correct county depends on the type of case.
7. Pay the filing fee or apply for a waiver. Filing fees vary by case type and county. If you cannot afford the fee, apply for a fee waiver (In Forma Pauperis) before or at the time of filing.
8. Serve the other party. In most cases, you must formally serve copies of your filed documents on the other party. You cannot serve them yourself – a neutral third party must do it.
9. Keep records of everything. Save copies of all filed documents, receipts for filing fees, and proof of service.
10. Meet all deadlines. Court deadlines are strict. Mark all deadlines on a calendar and file early when possible.

Cannot Afford Filing Fees?

If you cannot afford court filing fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. The In Forma Pauperis (IFP) application is available for all case types. You must provide information about your income, expenses, assets, and debts. People receiving public assistance (SNAP, MFIP, SSI) generally qualify automatically.

Learn more about fee waivers on the civil forms page.

Need Help?

If you are not sure which forms you need or how to fill them out:

• Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center for step-by-step guides
• Contact your county’s court administration office – staff can help you identify the right forms (they cannot give legal advice, but they can help with procedures)
• Visit our legal aid directory for free legal help
• Call LawHelpMN for statewide legal information and referrals

Looking for Legal Templates?

If you need downloadable templates (such as a bill of sale, demand letter, or lease agreement) rather than official court forms, visit our Legal Templates section.