Clay County Court Records Lookup

Clay County court records are filed and stored at the District Court in Moorhead, Minnesota. The 7th Judicial District handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases in Clay County. You can search these records online through the Minnesota Court Records Online system or come to the courthouse at 807 N. 11th Street to look up cases in person. Court Administrator Renelle Fenno runs the clerk's office and handles all records requests. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with free parking in the lot out front.

Clay County District Court

The Clay County District Court sits at the county courthouse on N. 11th Street in Moorhead. It serves the entire county and handles the full range of case types under Minnesota law. Court Administrator Renelle Fenno manages the clerk's office. Free parking is available in the public surface lot in front of the building, which makes it easy to visit in person.

Moorhead is located on the Minnesota-North Dakota border directly across the Red River from Fargo. Clay County is one of the larger counties in the 7th Judicial District, which also serves Becker, Benton, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd, and Wadena counties. The district administrator is Debra Mueske. eFiling became mandatory for attorneys and government agencies in all Minnesota district courts in July 2016, so most filings since that date are electronic.

Searching Clay County Court Records

Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the best starting point for any Clay County records search. The portal is free. You can search by person name, business name, case number, citation number, or attorney name. The system shows party information, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Documents in the case file are also available for download.

The Clay County Weekly Public Court Calendar is posted online each business day at 7:00 a.m. and updated hourly. It shows all scheduled hearings for the day. If you are going to the courthouse for a specific hearing, the printed calendars posted outside the courtrooms are the most up-to-date source. Both formats are useful depending on whether you need advance planning or same-day info.

MCRO gives free public access to Clay County case information, including civil disputes, criminal charges, and family court filings.

You can also search in person at the Moorhead courthouse. The public access terminal is free and connects to the statewide Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS). Staff can run name and case number searches on your behalf. Uncertified copies cost nothing. Certified copies are $14 each, and exemplified certified copies run $28 per document.

Note: Minn. Stat. § 13.03 requires government agencies to make public data available for inspection at no charge and to provide copies at a reasonable cost based on actual expenses.

Clay County Online Court Tools

The 7th Judicial District page on mncourts.gov includes links to Clay County courthouse info, court calendars, self-help resources, and forms. The screenshot below shows the district court page for Clay County.

The district court page for Clay County includes hearing schedules, case search links, and contact details for the Moorhead courthouse.

The Court Web Payment portal processes online payments for Clay County court fines and fees. Traffic tickets, criminal fines, and other case-related charges can be paid here without coming to the courthouse in person.

The online payment system accepts payments for Clay County court obligations tied to traffic, criminal, and civil cases.

Clay County Court Records and Legal Resources

Clay County District Court records cover the full range of case types. Criminal records include charges filed by the Clay County Attorney for felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors. Family records include divorce, custody, support, and domestic abuse cases. Civil records span contract disputes, property matters, small claims, and civil actions of all sizes. Probate records cover wills, estates, and guardianship. Juvenile records include delinquency and child protection cases.

Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest and booking data from the Clay County Sheriff and Moorhead Police are public records. You can request this data through MCRO or directly from the agency. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension criminal history search is a separate state tool that lets you check a person's Minnesota criminal record statewide, which can complement what you find in Clay County court records.

The Clay County Law Library is at 807 N. 11th Street, Box 280, Moorhead, MN 56560. Call (218) 299-7522 for library access. The library holds Minnesota legal materials and is open to the public. Self-help resources are also available at mncourts.gov and lawhelpmn.org for people who are representing themselves in Clay County cases.

Note: Mail requests for Clay County court records should go to the Court Administrator at 807 N. 11th Street, Moorhead, MN 56560. Include the case number or party names and a check or money order for any applicable fees.

Nearby Counties

These counties border or are close to Clay County in northwestern Minnesota. Check the right county before filing or requesting records.