Minnesota Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources

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Custody in Minnesota is decided in the District Court, usually in the Family Court. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official Minnesota documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official Minnesota custody resources

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Minnesota family law forms (official index) (Minnesota judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Minnesota family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.mncourts.gov/GetForms.aspx?c=14

Minnesota court self-help resources (Minnesota courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Minnesota family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics.aspx

Minnesota mediation and dispute resolution (Minnesota judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Minnesota family case without a trial. https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Mediation.aspx

Minnesota eFile and eServe (eFS) (Tyler Technologies): E-filing works in all 87 Minnesota counties. It is optional for people without a lawyer, but once you e-file one document in a case you must keep e-filing for the rest of that case. https://efilemn.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp

Minnesota rules of procedure (Minnesota judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Minnesota. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/court_rules

Verified official Minnesota custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Petition to Establish Custody and Parenting Time (CHC103), form CHC103 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://www.mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CourtForms/CHC103.pdf?ext=.pdf

Official link data for Minnesota was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Minnesota?

Family cases in Minnesota are heard in the District Court, usually in the Family Court. Divorce and custody are heard in the District Court; metro counties run a Family Court calendar. Minnesota's 87 counties are grouped into 10 judicial districts.

Does Minnesota favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official Minnesota forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official Minnesota mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.