Paying Fines

Paying by Mail

Please do not send cash. Make your check or money order payable to "Minnesota Court Payment Center.” Mail your payment to:
Minnesota Court Payment Center
P.O. Box 898
Willmar, MN 56201

Please include your file number or citation number on your check. Your payment must be received prior to your scheduled court appearance, which is indicated on the front side of your ticket.

Credit Card Payments

Credit card payments can now be made by phone or web.
To pay by credit card:
(Master Card and Visa only)
 Website
Toll FreePhone: 800-657-3611 (toll free)
MetroPhone: 651-281-3219 (metro)

Paying in Person

Payments can be made at the counter located in the Courts Facility Building. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

When you Need to Appear in Person

  • You wish to plead not guilty
  • You wish to plead guilty with an explanation
  • You have endangered life or property (box will be checked on the front of the ticket)
  • The offense you have been charged with requires a mandatory court appearance
  • You wish to request a payment plan

Paying No Proof of Insurance Violations

If you have received a citation for No Proof of Insurance and the vehicle you were driving was insured on the date and time of offense, you must provide one of the following that shows there was valid coverage on the date of the offense:

  • A copy of the insurance coverage card for that vehicle
  • A letter from the insurance agent
  • Or a copy of the insurance policy

The information received must include the name of the insured and the vehicle type. The information can be faxed to the Court Payment Center at 320-231-6507. Include a copy of the ticket with your proof of insurance.

If you are charged with another payable violation, you may mail your payment for violation along with your proof of insurance to the Minnesota Court Payment Center.

Minnesota Court Payment Center
P.O. Box 898
Willmar, MN 56201

You may also show one of the proper items identified above to Benton County Courts Facility by the due date / court date on your ticket or citation.

Fail to Appear Notice

Failure to pay by or appear on the court date indicated on your ticket will be considered a plea of guilty and waiver of trial for petty misdemeanor offenses, and may result in one or more of the following actions being taken against you:

  • Certification of charges to your driving record
  • Drivers License suspension
  • Issuance of a bench warrant for your arrest
  • Referral of your debt to a collection agency

If referred, the collection agency will assess additional fees. The collection agency is authorized to take the following actions to collect your debt: levy your bank account, seize your property, file a judgment or lien which will affect your credit rating, revoke or deny personal or business license, offset vendor payments owed to you by a state agency, levy wages, seize tax refunds or refer your debt.

Change of Address

It is your responsibility to notify the court of a change of address.