Dakota County Small Claims Court: How to File in the 1st Judicial District

Dakota County is part of the 1st Judicial District, covering the southern Twin Cities suburbs — Eagan, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount and Hastings. If the defendant resides or maintains a principal place of business in Dakota County when you file, you'll file your Conciliation Court case here.

Filing Fee and How to File

The filing fee is the $65 statewide base plus Dakota County's law library surcharge, totaling approximately $70–$80. Pay this when you submit Form CCT102 (Plaintiff's Statement of Claim and Summons).

You can file through Minnesota's Guide & File portal online, through eFile & eServe, or in person at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings. Guide & File walks you through an interview that fills in the claim form — no legal background required.

Eligible natural persons can apply for fee waivers through Form CCT104. Automatic eligibility includes public assistance, representation by a civil legal services or volunteer attorney program based on indigency, or household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Service Rules

Minnesota's service rules are statewide and apply the same way in Dakota County:

• Claims of $2,500 or less: the court clerk mails the summons by first-class mail at no extra cost
• Claims over $2,500: you handle service yourself — certified mail with restricted delivery and return receipt requested or a process server — and file Form CCT103 within 60 calendar days

Dakota County has a mix of suburban and semi-rural areas, so plan extra time if you need to locate a defendant's address or arrange personal service outside the denser suburbs.

Hearings

Conciliation Court hearings in Dakota County are integrated into the general civil calendar. They're informal: no court reporter, no strict evidence rules. The judge hears both sides, may ask questions, and typically mails the decision rather than ruling from the bench.

Bring three organized copies of everything — contracts, invoices, photographs, receipts, text messages. One set for the judge, one for the opposing party, one for your own reference.

Local Legal Resources

Dakota County residents in the 1st Judicial District have access to:

• Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), which serves Dakota County and provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents
• Dakota County Law Library at the Judicial Center, with legal research tools and form packets
• Community Mediation Minnesota centers that can facilitate pre-filing dispute resolution if both parties are willing

For a complete walkthrough of every step — demand letter, filing, service, evidence prep and the hearing — the Minnesota Small Claims Filing Guide covers the full process with checklists and trackers.

See more Minnesota guides →