On March 17, 2021 the Judicial Branch will release to the general public the $1.58 million Minnesota Court Records Online project, or “MCRO”—pronounced “Minn-crow.” This online application will replace the court’s Minnesota Public Access Remote online interface. MPA Remote is being phased out, though it will continue operating alongside the new application for a time as files are converted.
With the March 17 release, general court users will be able to go online, plug in a case file number and retrieve public court records from their homes, offices or smart phones.
During Phase One of the MCRO rollout, users will need to type or paste exact case file numbers as the initial search tool won’t allow queries by party, attorney or business name in the same manner the MPA Remote allows queries. Initially users will have to look up the case file number on MPA Remote and then enter that court file number into MCRO to view filings.
In Phase Two of the MCRO public launch, scheduled for some time later this year, new functionality will be added so that cases can be accessed through name searches. Phase Three, which will include more advanced searches and a utility that will process document purchases, is expected to be piloted in February 2022. The final, full statewide implementation is expected around April of 2022.