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Olmsted County, MN Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Olmsted County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Olmsted County District Court |
| Facility | Olmsted County Courthouse, Rochester |
| Judicial district | Third Judicial District, shared with Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Rice, Dodge, Steele, Waseca, Freeborn, Mower and Fillmore Counties (Minn. Stat. § 2.722, subd. 1) |
| Courthouse address | 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904 |
| Mailing address | Mail to the courthouse street address |
| Phone | (507) 722-7264 |
| Fax | (507) 285-8996 |
| Hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed on court holidays |
| First paper in an estate | $325 as published for August 2026, made up of the $310 filing fee plus Olmsted County's $15 law library fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); Minn. Stat. §§ 134A.09, 134A.10) |
| Local probate forms | None. Olmsted County uses the statewide Minnesota PRO forms. |
| E-filing | Required for attorneys, government agencies and guardians ad litem. A self-represented personal representative may choose eFile and eServe or may file on paper, but once a self-represented filer e-files in a case, later filings in that case must also be electronic (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01). |
| Original will | A copy may be e-filed, but the original paper will must be deposited with the court (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(2), 403(e)). |
| Case search | Minnesota Court Records Online. Public probate documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 can be downloaded at no charge, subject to confidentiality limits. |
| Remote appearance | Probate is remote by statewide default under Minnesota Judicial Council Policy 525, effective February 3, 2025. The hearing notice controls. |
| Website | https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/olmsted |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Olmsted County, get a complete list of the assets, debts, names on title and accounts that pass outside probate. Minnesota asks for that picture on the opening paperwork: an informal application must include approximate values for probate assets, non-probate assets and indebtedness (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 408(a)). That asset picture drives the route, the notices and the estate settlement plan.
Plan the filing around the Rochester courthouse hours, especially the Wednesday 9 a.m. opening. Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions so the family can assemble the estate settlement packet before a filing is made, instead of finding missing accounts after the papers are already at the court.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Probate for Olmsted County is filed with the Court Administrator's office at the Olmsted County Courthouse, 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. The courthouse serves Rochester and the rest of Olmsted County, including Byron, Stewartville, Eyota, Dover, Oronoco, Pine Island and the county's surrounding townships.
Olmsted County is in Minnesota's Third Judicial District with Wabasha, Winona, Houston, Rice, Dodge, Steele, Waseca, Freeborn, Mower and Fillmore Counties (Minn. Stat. § 2.722, subd. 1). Rochester is one of the district's statutory permanent chambers, but the probate case is still filed in Olmsted County, not with district administration.
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in Minnesota, venue may be in any Minnesota county where the decedent's property was located at death (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-201(a)).
The jurisdiction process
- Confirm that Olmsted County is the right venue. File in Olmsted County if the decedent was domiciled there at death, or, for a non-Minnesota domiciliary, if property was located there at death (Minn. Stat. § 524.3-201(a)).
- Build the asset and debt picture before choosing forms. Minnesota's informal application requires approximate values for probate assets, non-probate assets and indebtedness, including categories such as homestead, other real estate, cash, securities, joint tenancy and insurance (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 408(a)).
- Choose the Minnesota route. Informal probate uses an application to the probate registrar and seeks an administrative determination without prior notice and without a hearing. Formal probate uses a petition to a district court judge and seeks a judicial determination after notice (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 402(a), (b); Minn. Stat. § 524.1-307).
- Assemble the statewide forms. Informal probate with a will generally starts with PRO801, PRO802 and PRO803. Informal probate without a will generally starts with PRO701, PRO702 and PRO703. Formal probate with a will generally starts with PRO1201, PRO1202 and PRO1203. Formal probate without a will generally starts with PRO1101, PRO1102 and PRO1103. Olmsted County publishes no local probate form or cover sheet.
- Handle the original will correctly. A copy of the will may be e-filed, but the original will cannot be filed electronically. The person holding the original will must promptly deposit the original paper document with the court (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(2), 403(e)).
- File with the Court Administrator's office at the Olmsted County Courthouse, 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Attorneys, government agencies and guardians ad litem file through eFile and eServe. A self-represented personal representative may e-file voluntarily or file on paper at the Rochester courthouse or by mail (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(5)(i)).
- Pay the first-paper charge. In Olmsted County, the first paper in an estate costs $325 as published for August 2026: the $310 statutory filing fee plus Olmsted County's $15 law library fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); Minn. Stat. §§ 134A.09, 134A.10). Fees are payable in advance (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 3). A filer who cannot afford the charge may ask the court to reduce or waive fees (Minn. Stat. § 563.01).
- Give the notices required by the route. Informal probate is granted without prior notice, but the required mailing follows the application. Formal probate requires notice before hearing, and a formal testacy proceeding requires proof of publication before the order will issue (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 404(b)).
- Use the hearing notice as the appearance rule. Minnesota's statewide default for probate hearings is remote under Minnesota Judicial Council Policy 525, effective February 3, 2025, but a judicial officer may set a case differently. Remote hearings run on Zoom or by telephone, and form OTH1002 is used to ask for a different appearance type.
- Receive letters and administer the estate. Appointment produces letters testamentary when there is a will or letters of administration when there is not. Certified copies of letters are often needed for banks, title companies and buyers, and a certified copy of any instrument costs $14 as published for August 2026 (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(2)).
- Close the case through the proper Minnesota forms. Informal closing uses PRO914, filed no earlier than four months after the original appointment, with inventory, account, service and receipt forms. Formal settlement uses PRO1302, and discharge uses PRO1304. If a self-represented filer chose eFile and eServe earlier in the case, later filings in that case must also be electronic.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Olmsted County
Olmsted County publishes no local probate form, cover sheet or probate packet. Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch's statewide probate forms, known as the PRO series, for an Olmsted County filing.
| Need | Statewide forms |
|---|---|
| Probate orientation | PRO101 Information about Probate in Minnesota; PRO908 Responsibilities of Personal Representatives |
| Informal probate with a will | PRO801 instructions; PRO802 application; PRO803 affidavit of mailing |
| Informal probate without a will | PRO701 instructions; PRO702 application; PRO703 affidavit of mailing |
| Formal probate with a will | PRO1201 instructions; PRO1202 petition; PRO1203 affidavit of service |
| Formal probate without a will | PRO1101 instructions; PRO1102 petition; PRO1103 affidavit of service |
| Appointment paperwork | PRO901 nomination, renunciation and bond; PRO902 acceptance and oath |
| Inventory and accounting | PRO912 inventory; PRO913 final account and proposal for distribution |
| Close an informal estate | PRO911 instructions; PRO914 closing statement; PRO915 affidavit of service; PRO916 receipt for assets by distributee |
| Ask for a different hearing appearance | OTH1001 instructions; OTH1002 request for remote or in-person appearance |
The Judicial Branch groups many of these forms into packets. Start with the packet that matches the route, then file it with the Court Administrator's office in Rochester or through eFile and eServe if you are using electronic filing.
Local nuance
Olmsted County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for an Olmsted County filing |
|---|---|
| Wednesday opening | The court is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but Wednesday starts at 9 a.m. If you plan to hand over papers, deposit an original will or use a public terminal early in the day, do not assume the counter opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. |
| One Rochester courthouse | The Judicial Branch lists one Olmsted County court location: 151 Fourth Street SE in Rochester. Use that address for in-person filings and mail. |
| Law library in the same building | The Olmsted County Law Library is listed at the same Rochester address as the court. The first-paper charge includes Olmsted County's $15 law library fee, as published for August 2026, collected under chapter 134A (Minn. Stat. §§ 134A.09, 134A.10). |
| Parking | The court states that public parking is available in the lot in front of the building on 90-minute meters and in the Holiday Inn ramp connected to the Government Center by skyway. Build in time if you need a counter visit. |
| Published fax | The court lists fax (507) 285-8996. Do not use fax to send the original will, because the original paper will must be deposited with the court (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 403(e)). |
| Daily calendar | Olmsted County posts a daily court calendar at 7:00 p.m. for the next day and updates it hourly starting at 7:00 a.m. Confidential matters and cases not remotely accessible are not listed, and a case missing from the calendar should not be treated as cancelled. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Olmsted County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start at the Olmsted County Courthouse in Rochester with the Court Administrator's office. If the matter fits the informal route, it is an application to the probate registrar rather than a petition to a judge (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 402(b)). The first paper costs $325 as published for August 2026, made up of the $310 filing fee and Olmsted County's $15 law library fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); Minn. Stat. §§ 134A.09, 134A.10). If an informal appointment is used and real estate paperwork is involved, thirty days must pass after letters issue before a certified copy of unrestricted letters is given to a purchaser or distributee of real property (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 410(a)(1), (b)(2)(i)). | Sunset traces accounts and title first, so the spouse knows what is actually in the estate and what passed outside it before the Rochester filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | A nonresident may serve as personal representative (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 407(b)). A self-represented filer may choose eFile and eServe from outside Minnesota or may file on paper by mail to 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904 (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(5)(i)). Probate hearings have a statewide remote default under Policy 525, but the hearing notice controls. The original will is the document that must reach the court physically, because the original paper will cannot be e-filed (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(2), 403(e)). | Sunset builds the asset picture and probate packet remotely, so an out-of-state child is not traveling to Rochester just to learn what the filing was missing. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Open the estate in Rochester and expect letters testamentary or letters of administration to be the document a buyer, title company or lender asks to see. Certified copies cost $14 as published for August 2026 (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(2)). If the appointment was informal, account for the thirty-day wait before a certified copy of unrestricted letters is given for real estate transfer purposes (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 410(a)(1), (b)(2)(i)). If heirs or sale terms are disputed, the registrar cannot resolve the conflict, and the case belongs with a judge in a formal proceeding (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 415(a)(4)). | Sunset finds debts and liens tied to the property before the sale is priced, so the parent is not discovering them at the closing table. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Help Center workstation at the Olmsted County Courthouse | Provides a computer, phone and printer for legal information, court forms and phone contact with Self-Help Center staff. Staff provide legal information, not legal advice. | 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Use courthouse hours, including the Wednesday 9 a.m. opening. |
| Statewide Self-Help Center | Helps self-represented people by phone and email with legal information and resources. | (651) 435-6535, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on holidays |
| Olmsted County Law Library | Located in the same Rochester building as the court. No hours or phone are listed in the statewide law library directory. | 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904 |
| Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services | The civil legal aid organization serving Olmsted County, with a Rochester office. Its published case types do not include settling a decedent's estate, so use it as a first call to ask whether help is available. | 903 West Center Street, Suite 230, Rochester, MN 55902; intake 1-877-696-6529; local office (507) 292-0080 |
| Judicial Branch probate help and forms | Statewide probate information and the PRO forms used for Olmsted County cases. | https://mncourts.gov/help-topics/probate-wills-and-estates and https://mncourts.gov/getforms/probate |
| Minnesota Court Records Online | Searches cases and provides no-charge downloads of public probate documents filed on or after July 1, 2015, subject to access limits. | https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Minnesota probate attorney for an Olmsted County estate if heirs disagree, the will is ambiguous or damaged, the estate may be insolvent, there is a business interest, a lawyer is also serving as personal representative, or a house must be sold under time pressure. The probate registrar cannot resolve conflicts related to administration (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 415(a)(4)), so a real dispute moves the matter to a judge and a formal proceeding. Sunset connects the family to a vetted local probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and organizes what is found, so the family has the asset picture Minnesota asks for before the application or petition is filed in Rochester.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the estate information into the Minnesota PRO forms an Olmsted County filing needs, ready for eFile and eServe, mailing or a counter visit at the Olmsted County Courthouse.
Find a local probate attorney. When estate settlement needs legal judgment, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted probate attorney familiar with Minnesota district court practice and the Third Judicial District.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate settlement, locate accounts, prepare the packet and decide whether attorney help is needed without paying Sunset a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Olmsted County?
File with the Court Administrator's office at the Olmsted County Courthouse, 151 Fourth Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904. Attorneys use eFile and eServe. A self-represented personal representative may choose eFile and eServe or may file on paper at the courthouse or by mail.
What are the court hours in Olmsted County?
The court is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on court holidays. The Wednesday opening is one hour later than the rest of the week. Public parking is available in front of the building on 90-minute meters and in the Holiday Inn ramp connected by skyway.
How much does the first paper in an estate cost in Olmsted County?
The first paper costs $325 as published for August 2026, made up of the $310 filing fee set by statute and Olmsted County's $15 law library fee (Minn. Stat. § 357.021, subd. 2(1); Minn. Stat. §§ 134A.09, 134A.10). The amount is the same for an informal application and a formal petition, and it is charged once, on the first paper. A filer who cannot afford fees may ask the court to reduce or waive them.
What is the phone number for Olmsted County District Court?
Call (507) 722-7264. That is the main court number and the number listed for the Court Administrator's office. Olmsted County does not publish a separate probate phone line. The court also lists fax (507) 285-8996 and uses an email contact form rather than a direct public mailbox.
Can I e-file a probate case in Olmsted County?
Yes. Attorneys, government agencies and guardians ad litem must file through eFile and eServe, and a self-represented personal representative may choose to use the same system (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01). A self-represented filer who does not choose electronic filing may file on paper. Once a self-represented filer e-files in a case, later filings in that case must also be electronic.
What happens to the original will in Olmsted County?
A copy of the will may be e-filed, but the original paper will must be deposited with the court (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 14.01(b)(2), 403(e)). If you are filing by mail or electronically, plan separately for getting the original paper document to the Rochester courthouse.
Does Olmsted County have its own probate forms?
No. Olmsted County publishes no local probate forms and no local probate cover sheet. Use the statewide Minnesota PRO forms. Informal probate with a will starts with PRO802 and PRO801 instructions; informal probate without a will starts with PRO702 and PRO701 instructions; formal petitions use PRO1202 or PRO1102, depending on whether there is a will.
Will my Olmsted County probate hearing be remote or in person?
Minnesota's statewide Remote and In-person Hearings Policy sets the default appearance type for probate at remote, and remote hearings run on Zoom or by telephone (Minnesota Judicial Council Policy 525, effective February 3, 2025). That is a default, not a guarantee. Your hearing notice controls, and form OTH1002 is used to ask the judge for a different appearance type.
How do I look up an Olmsted County probate case?
Use Minnesota Court Records Online. It searches by party name, business name, attorney or case number and shows the register of actions. Public probate documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 can be downloaded at no charge, while older filings are limited and confidential or sealed material is not shown. The public terminal in the Rochester courthouse provides the most complete access.
Do I have to travel to Rochester to settle an Olmsted County estate?
Often, not for every step. A nonresident may serve as personal representative (Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 407(b)), self-represented filers may e-file or mail papers, and probate hearings have a statewide remote default. The original will still has to reach the court as a paper document. If you do come in person, remember that Wednesday hours start at 9 a.m.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.