Carlton County Court Records

Pursuant to Minnesota Court Rule 3, Carlton County court records refer to any information collected, created, received, kept, or disseminated by a court or court administrator. These records are open and available to individuals, landlords, lawyers, and employers for legal and personal purposes. Court records contain cases, parties, case events, hearings, dispositions, charges, and financial information. To access this information, requesters must submit a request to the Carlton County District Court.

Are Court Records Public in Carlton County?

Yes. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) and Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch controls how court records are collected, created, maintained, used, and released in the state. They authorized the right of the public to access these records with few exemptions. According to Minnesota Court Rule 4, members of the public cannot view or copy the following court records:

• Medical records
• Juvenile court records
• Court services records
• Administrative warrants
• Drivers' licenses and passports
• Judicial work product and drafts
• Voluntary foster care for treatment
• Images containing sexual content or nudity
• Court information that identifies a minor victim
• Response to petition for criminal expungement
• Information from DPS for collection of court debt
• Records pertaining to domestic abuse and harassment
• Will deposited for safekeeping while a testator is still alive
• Release of video recordings for use in administrative hearing
• Request for assistance other than counsel and any resulting order
• Searched results for juvenile protection case records under the child's name
• Pre-adjudication paternity proceedings in cases filed before January 1, 2021
• Motion to enforce or quash a subpoena from the attorney general or county attorney

Carlton County Court Records Search

Individuals can perform Carlton County court records searches using the following methods:

• Online through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal
• By submitting a Copy Request Form by fax, email, or mail
• Online by completing an electronic submission form
• In-person using the public access computer at the courthouse
• In person at the courthouse with the help of the court staff

Carlton County Courts

The Sixth Judicial District oversees the district courts in four counties in Minnesota, including Carlton County. The address of this court is:

Carlton County Justice Center
1780 Justice Drive
Suite # 2700
Carlton, MN 55718
Phone: (218) 673-5065
Fax: (218) 384-9182

Carlton County Criminal and Civil Records

The District Court has original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases filed in Carlton County. Plain copies of these cases are free, but certified copies cost $14 per document. Individuals can electronically submit requests for criminal and civil records online by completing an electronic submission form. The court staff will call the applicants at the number they provide to obtain payment, payable by Visa or Mastercard. Members of the public can also submit a request by mail or email using a Copy Request Form. They must contact the office for the email address. Government agents requesting criminal or case records can email or fax a copy of a Copy Request Form for Agencies to the courthouse. Plain copies of documents in public criminal and civil cases may be viewed through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). A search can be conducted by name, case number, citation number, or attorney.

Carlton County Marriage and Divorce Records

Individuals can purchase certified copies of Carlton County marriage records at the Recorder’s Office Vital Records Department. They can mail a completed Marriage Certificate Request Form and a fee of $9 for each certified copy, payable by case or check to the Department. Customers can also visit the Department to apply for copies of Carlton County marriage certificates from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They must provide the couple’s full name, marriage date, and required fees payable by credit card to obtain certificates. Below is the Department’s mailing and physical address:

Carlton County Recorder’s Office
301 Walnut Avenue
P.O. Box 70
Carlton, MN 55718
Phone: (218) 384-9156
Fax: (218) 384-9157

Record seekers in search of divorce records should submit their requests to the Carlton County District Court. They can submit a Copy Request Form online, by mail, or by email (for noncertified copies). Plain copies of divorce records are free, while certified copies cost $14, which is payable by check or money order. The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) tool is another free way to access divorce records. The search criteria are name, case number, or attorney.

Carlton County Birth and Death Records

Carlton County birth records of children born to married parents are public, but those of children born to unmarried parents are confidential. All death records are part of Carlton County public records. The Carlton County Recorder’s Office Vital Records Department accepts birth and death applications by mail and in person. Applicants must show certificate eligibility when obtaining certified copies of Carlton County vital records. The first copy of the Carlton County birth certificate costs $26, and each additional copy costs $19. The first copy of a death certificate costs $13, and each additional copy costs $6. The acceptable forms of payment are cash, credit card (in-person requests only), or check. Applicants must complete a Birth or Death Certificate Application and either mail it or bring it to the Department. The appropiate fee and a valid ID are required to obtain birth and death records.

Carlton County Property Records

The Carlton County Recorder’s Office Real Estate Department has a public research area where individuals can view and copy property records. Inquirers can also submit a written request to the Department by mail. Requests require a document number and a minimum fee of $3 per document up to three pages, $1 per page after that, and $10 for a certified copy of a property record. Copies of recorded plats cost $10 for a non-certified copy and $15 for a certified copy. Mail requests include a self-addressed stamped return envelope. Property documents recorded after April 25, 1978, can be obtained online through a third-party vendor or in person at the Department during business hours. Record seekers can also obtain property records online or in person from other custodians such as Carlton County Auditor/Treasurer, Assessor, Land Department, and GIS / Mapping Department.

Carlton County Court Records Online

Third-party platforms such as minnesotacourtrecords.us provide user-friendly search tools where customers can view and copy court records. These platforms offer free access to case information during initial searches but charge fees for detailed reports. Users must be careful using court records because some third-party platforms may not always update their databases in real-time.