Carlton County Court Records
Carlton County court records are kept at the District Court inside the Justice Center on Justice Drive in the city of Carlton. The 6th Judicial District serves Carlton County along with five other northeastern Minnesota counties. You can search case records online for free through the state's Minnesota Court Records Online system, or visit the courthouse in person where a public access computer is available on the second floor. Most civil, criminal, family, and probate records are open to the public under Minnesota law.
Carlton County Overview
Carlton County District Court
The Carlton County District Court is located inside the Justice Center at 1780 Justice Drive in Carlton. It handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in the county. The 6th Judicial District covers Carlton County along with St. Louis, Lake, Cook, Koochiching, and Itasca counties. Interim Court Administrator Kathy McFarlane oversees clerk operations. The main phone line is (218) 673-5065.
The courthouse has a public access computer on the second floor where you can look up case records at no cost. The customer service office is also on the second floor. You enter through the main door of the Justice Center. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you need self-help services and cannot come in person, the statewide self-help line is (651) 435-6535, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
| Court | Carlton County District Court - 6th Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Carlton County Justice Center 1780 Justice Drive, Suite 2700 Carlton, MN 55718 |
| Phone | (218) 673-5065 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Administrator | Kathy McFarlane (Interim) |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/carlton |
Carlton County District Court Website
The Carlton County District Court page on mncourts.gov lists contact information, office hours, and links to case resources for residents and attorneys filing in Carlton County.
This page is the official source for Carlton County court news, court calendar postings, and any changes to clerk office services. Check here first if you have questions about hours or how to file.
How to Search Carlton County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the fastest way to look up Carlton County cases. You can search by name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. MCRO shows party names, case type, filing date, docket history, and current status. As of July 1, 2023, searches and document viewing on MCRO are free. Documents filed before July 1, 2015 may have limited availability in the system.
In person, the courthouse at 1780 Justice Drive has a public access computer on the second floor. It is free to use during regular business hours. You can view all public case records on this terminal. Staff at the customer service office can help if you have questions about a specific case or need to request a certified copy. Free surface lot and on-street parking are available near the Justice Center.
To get copies, certified copies of court documents cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies cost $28. You can pay court fines and fees online through the Court Web Payment portal. For traffic fine payments by phone, call the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (800) 657-3611. Written copy requests sent by mail should go to the Court Administrator at Suite 2700, 1780 Justice Drive, Carlton, MN 55718.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data in Minnesota is public unless a law says otherwise. Most Carlton County court records fall under this standard. Juvenile records and some family court filings are restricted. If you are unsure whether a record is public, ask the court administrator's office before making a formal request.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide system for searching Carlton County court records. It covers all case types across all 87 Minnesota counties.
Search Carlton County cases by name, case number, or citation. The system shows full docket history and case status for all public cases filed in the county.
Criminal History Records
For criminal history records beyond what appears in the court file, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a statewide criminal history database. This covers arrests, charges, and convictions from all Minnesota counties, not just Carlton. You can request a criminal history check through the BCA's online portal. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data collected by law enforcement in Minnesota is public data. Using BCA records together with MCRO gives the most complete picture of someone's public record in the state.
For Carlton County Sheriff records and local law enforcement data, contact the Carlton County Sheriff's Office directly. Jail roster information and local incident reports are separate from the court system. The court file shows charges, hearings, and dispositions but does not include arrest booking data or sheriff department records. Use both sources if you need a full picture of a case.
Pay Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay Carlton County traffic fines and other court fees online without going to the courthouse.
Have your case number or citation ready before you log in. Traffic fines can also be paid by phone through the Minnesota Court Payment Center at (800) 657-3611.
Carlton County Law Library
The Carlton County Law Library is at 301 Walnut, P.O. Box 190, Carlton, MN 55718. The phone is (218) 384-4281. The library has legal reference materials, statutes, and case law resources available to the public. It is a useful stop if you want to research the law that applies to your case or look up court rules before you file.
Legal Help in Carlton County
If you need help with a court matter in Carlton County, several resources are available at no cost. LawHelpMN offers free plain-language guides and court forms for common case types including family law, eviction defense, and consumer debt. The site is free to use and updated regularly. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website also has self-help forms and guides for people who do not have a lawyer.
The statewide self-help center phone line is (651) 435-6535, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can help you understand court procedures and what forms to file, though they cannot give legal advice. For attorney referrals in the Carlton County area, the Minnesota State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service available through the MSBA website.
Cities in Carlton County
Carlton County includes the city of Carlton (county seat) and several smaller communities including Cloquet and Barnum. No cities in Carlton County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All cases filed anywhere in the county go through the Carlton County District Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Carlton County. Each has its own district court and courthouse. If you are not sure which county a case is filed in, check the address where you live or where the incident took place.