Lake County Court Records
Lake County court records are maintained at the Lake County Courthouse in Two Harbors, part of Minnesota's Sixth Judicial District. The court handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases filed in the county. You can search records online through the free Minnesota Court Records Online system, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a written request by mail. Interim Court Administrator Kathy McFarlane oversees the clerk's office. Most records are public under Minnesota law, and a public access terminal is available at the courthouse during business hours.
Lake County Overview
Lake County District Court
The Lake County District Court is at the Lake County Courthouse, 601 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616. It is part of the Sixth Judicial District, which also covers Carlton, Cook, and St. Louis counties. That district handles more than 59,000 case filings each year across all four counties, with 16 judges chambered throughout the region. Chief Judge Honorable Leslie E. Beiers leads the district bench. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free parking is in the surface lot and on the street outside the building.
One practical note for anyone seeking copies: the 6th District centralized copy center is based at the Lake County Courthouse. This office handles certified copy requests for Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties all in one place. To order copies for any of those four counties, call (218) 595-5001 and select Option 3. You do not need to call each county court separately. This is one of the more useful features of how the 6th District runs its services, and it can save time if you need records from more than one county in the district.
Note for AT&T cell phone users: there are known issues with AT&T calls not reaching 6th District phone numbers, including jury lines. If you have trouble getting through, try a different carrier or a landline.
| Court | Lake County District Court - Sixth Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address |
Lake County Courthouse 601 Third Avenue Two Harbors, MN 55616 |
| Phone | (218) 595-5001 |
| Copies (6th District) | (218) 595-5001, Option 3 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Court Administrator | Kathy McFarlane (Interim) |
| Website | mncourts.gov/find-courts/lake |
Lake County District Court Website
The Lake County District Court page on mncourts.gov lists current contact details, court hours, parking info, and links to case search tools and self-help resources for the Two Harbors courthouse.
This page is a good starting point if you need current phone numbers, hours, or news about records access in Lake County.
How to Search Lake County Court Records
The free Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system is the fastest way to search Lake County cases. Search by name, case number, or citation. The system shows party names, case types, filing dates, full docket histories, and case status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally viewable online. MCRO runs 24 hours a day with no login required.
When searching by case number, Lake County cases use the prefix 38. So if you have a partial case number and want to confirm it is a Lake County case, that two-digit prefix tells you. If you search by name and get results from multiple counties, the case number prefix helps you sort out which filings belong to Lake County versus others in the 6th District.
For in-person searches, a public access terminal is available at the Lake County Courthouse during business hours. You can view records on that terminal at no cost. To request copies, call the 6th District centralized copy center at (218) 595-5001, Option 3. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Uncertified copies are free. Exemplified and certified copies are $28.
For mail requests, send a written request to: Lake County District Court, 601 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616. Include the case number, party names, and the specific documents you need. Include payment for any copies you are requesting. Processing time can vary, so call ahead if you have a deadline.
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data in Minnesota is presumed public unless classified otherwise. Court records follow the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Most civil and criminal records are open to the public. Juvenile records and some family court documents have restricted access and are not viewable through MCRO or in person without a court order.
Remote self-help services are available to Lake County residents. Call (651) 435-6535 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This line can help if you need help with forms or court procedures but cannot travel to Two Harbors. Staff can explain documents but cannot give legal advice.
MCRO - Minnesota Court Records Online
The MCRO portal is the free statewide system for searching Lake County court records online. It covers every case type across all 87 Minnesota counties.
Search Lake County cases by name, case number, or citation. Results show full docket history, case status, and links to viewable documents for cases filed from July 2015 onward.
Criminal Records and the BCA
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains the state criminal history system. It is separate from MCRO and covers statewide arrest and conviction data. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data collected by law enforcement is public in Minnesota. The BCA system is useful when you want to check whether someone has prior arrests or convictions that may not appear in a specific court file.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office handles local law enforcement records, including incident reports. For those records, contact the sheriff's office directly. Combining BCA data with an MCRO search gives the most complete view of a person's public record in Minnesota. Court records and arrest records are different datasets, and each tells part of the story.
Pay Lake County Court Fines Online
The Court Web Payment system lets you pay Lake County traffic fines and other court fees online without visiting the Two Harbors courthouse.
Have your case number or citation number ready. You can also pay traffic fines by phone at (800) 657-3611 through the Minnesota Court Payment Center. Credit card payments by phone carry a $1.50 fee.
Legal Help in Lake County
LawHelpMN is a free online resource with plain-language guides, court forms, and information on civil legal aid across Minnesota. It covers family law, housing, public benefits, and other civil matters. The Minnesota Judicial Branch website offers free self-help forms and step-by-step guides for most case types. Both are good starting points if you are handling a matter on your own.
Remote self-help center services are available to Lake County residents by phone at (651) 435-6535, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can explain court forms and court procedures. They do not give legal advice. For an attorney referral, the Minnesota State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. If you qualify based on income, legal aid organizations in the Lake Superior region may help at little or no cost.
Cities in Lake County
Two Harbors is the county seat of Lake County and the location of the district court. No cities in Lake County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All court filings for the county are processed at the Lake County Courthouse in Two Harbors.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Lake County. Each has its own district court. If you are unsure which county your case is in, check where you live or where the event took place.