The district area became part of Prussia after the First Partition of Poland in 1772. The district of Czarnikau was formed on July 1, 1816. On January 1, 1818, the new district of Chodziesen (later renamed Kolmar in Posen) was formed from the eastern part of the Czarnikau district. On October 1, 1887, the new Filehne district was formed from the western part of the Czarnikau district.
"Standesamt" is the German name of the local civil registration offices which were established in October 1874 soon after the German Empire was formed. Births, marriages and deaths were recorded. Previously, only the church records were used for Christians.