Minnesota Guardianship Forms — the Complete Court Packet

Filing for guardianship in Minnesota involves a stack of forms that each serve a specific procedural function. Missing one can delay your hearing by weeks. Here is the complete inventory of what you need, when you need it, and where each form fits in the process.

The Core Filing Packet

These forms go to the probate division of the district court in the county where the proposed person subject to guardianship resides.

GAC505 — Petition for Appointment of a Guardian. This is the primary petition. It identifies the proposed ward, explains why guardianship is necessary, and describes what less restrictive alternatives have been tried. Under Minn. Stat. § 524.5-310, the court must find by clear and convincing evidence that alternatives like supported decision-making, health care directives, and powers of attorney were insufficient before granting a guardianship.

GAC115 — Physician's Statement. A licensed physician must complete this form documenting the specific cognitive, developmental, or physical limitations that prevent the proposed ward from meeting their own needs. The statement should be current. Schedule this appointment early, because physician availability and turnaround times can eat into your filing timeline.

GAC102 — Affidavit Regarding Background Checks. This form addresses the proposed guardian or conservator's background-check requirements in the adult guardianship packet; it is separate from the criminal-history consent and fingerprint materials.

Background Check Forms

Minnesota requires two separate background checks for any proposed guardian who is not exempt under the parent exception.

GAC121 — Criminal History Check Consent Form. This goes to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) with a classifiable fingerprint card and a $32 processing fee. Results take several weeks, so submit this as early as possible.

DHS-8450 — Guardian-Conservator Maltreatment and Licensing Agency Checks. This goes to the Department of Human Services with a typed (not handwritten) consent form and a $50 non-refundable fee. It searches substantiated maltreatment records and professional licensing databases.

The Parent Exception: Under Minn. Stat. § 524.5-118, subd. 1(f)(2), both background checks are waived if the proposed guardian is a parent who has raised a proposed ward with a developmental disability in the family home until the time the petition is filed. This saves $82 and several weeks of processing time. However, the court-appointed attorney for the respondent can still request that the court order background studies if they believe it is in the ward's best interest.

Fee-Related Forms

FEE401 — Affidavit to Request Fee Waiver (Guardianship/Conservatorship). If the proposed ward is low-income or receives public assistance such as SSI or Medical Assistance, this form requests a waiver of the $310 base filing fee, county law library fees, certified copy fees ($14 per letter), and background check fees. The court evaluates the waiver based on the proposed ward's assets and income, not the parents'.

Post-Appointment Forms

Once the court grants the guardianship, these forms govern your ongoing obligations:

GAC518 — Acceptance of Appointment. The guardian signs this to formally accept the role and its fiduciary responsibilities. The court then issues Letters of Guardianship, which are the documents you present to banks, doctors, schools, and agencies as proof of your authority.

GAC600 — Personal Well-Being Report. Due annually within 30 days of the appointment anniversary, filed electronically through MyMNGuardian (MMG). This report covers the ward's health care, residential placement, and overall condition. Paper filings are no longer accepted unless the court grants a specific waiver using Form GAC207.

GAC203 — Annual Notice of Right to Petition for Termination or Modification. Every year, you must serve this notice and the Minnesota Bill of Rights (Form GAC100) on the ward and all interested persons of record, then file an Affidavit of Service proving you completed service.

GAC207 — Request to Waive Use of MyMNGuardian (MMG) Application. If you lack internet access or have other circumstances that prevent electronic filing through MMG, this form requests permission to submit paper reports instead.

Where to Get the Forms

All guardianship forms are available at no cost from the Minnesota Judicial Branch website under the Guardianship/Conservatorship forms section. County court self-help centers can also provide printed packets and assistance filling them out — Hennepin County's Probate Court scheduling line is (612) 348-6000.

The forms must be filed in the exact county where the proposed ward resides. Filing fees vary by county because local law library surcharges are added to the $310 state base fee. In Hennepin County, the total is $322. Check with your specific county's court administration for the exact amount.

For a guided walkthrough of every form in context — what to write in each section, common mistakes that delay hearings, and the complete filing sequence from petition through annual reporting — the Minnesota Guardianship & Alternatives Guide covers the full court process alongside the voluntary alternatives that might eliminate the need for court intervention entirely.

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