Search Carlton County Divorce Records
Carlton County divorce records are on file at the District Court in the city of Carlton. This court belongs to the 6th Judicial District and processes all family law cases for the county. You can look up dissolution filings, request copies of divorce decrees, and check the status of cases through the Court Administrator's office. Carlton County sits in northeastern Minnesota, south of Duluth. Many residents in the southern part of the Duluth metro area actually fall within Carlton County lines. The court handles records requests in person and by mail, and the state's online search tool lets you check basic case information from home.
Carlton County Overview
Carlton County District Court Records
The Carlton County District Court is where all divorce records for the county are filed and stored. The courthouse address is 301 Walnut Avenue in Carlton. It falls under the 6th Judicial District, which covers northeastern Minnesota including St. Louis County to the north. If you or your spouse lived in Carlton County when the case was filed, the records are at this courthouse.
Phone the court at (218) 384-4281 for help with records. Staff can tell you if a file exists and what you need to bring for a copy request. Walk-ins are welcome during normal hours. The Court Administrator manages all records and handles requests. If you have the case number, the process is fast. Name searches work too but may take a few extra minutes.
Carlton County is close to Duluth, so some people in that area may have cases filed here rather than in St. Louis County. It all depends on the address where the filing spouse lived.
| Court | Carlton County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
301 Walnut Avenue Carlton, MN 55718 |
| Phone | (218) 384-4281 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 6th Judicial District |
Search Carlton County Divorce Cases
Two main methods let you search for divorce records in Carlton County. Go online or visit the courthouse.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system gives you free access to Carlton County divorce cases. The database holds public records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by party name or case number. Results include party names, case type, filing dates, and status. Family law files may have some restricted documents online, so not every detail will show up. But MCRO is the best free tool to check if a case was filed and to get the case number.
Use the court locator on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website to get directions, hours, and contact info for the Carlton County courthouse.
The court locator shows address and contact details for the Carlton County courthouse.
Check this page for the most current office hours before you visit the courthouse in Carlton.
Carlton County Divorce Record Copies
Each certified copy of a Carlton County divorce record costs $14. That is the statewide rate. A certified copy has the court seal on it, which makes it valid for legal purposes. You can pick up copies in person or order them by mail.
To get copies in person, go to the Court Administrator's office at 301 Walnut Avenue in Carlton during business hours. Tell the clerk the names of both parties. The case number helps speed things up. If you know the approximate year of the divorce, mention that too. The staff will pull the file and make your copies. Pay by check or money order to the District Court Administrator.
Carlton County uses a county-specific form for mail copy requests. Call (218) 384-4281 to ask about the form, or visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch copy request page for options. Include party names, case number if known, your payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail everything to the courthouse. Processing takes a few business days.
Search MCRO first to get the case number before you submit a copy request.
On the MCRO search page, select Carlton County and filter by dissolution case type to find the specific case you need.
Note: Certified copies are $14 each at the Carlton County District Court. Confirm the fee before sending a mail request.
Filing for Divorce in Carlton County
One spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days to file for divorce in Carlton County. Minn. Stat. 518.07 sets that requirement. You file the case at the District Court in Carlton. The petitioner's filing fee is around $400. The responding spouse pays about $300 to $350 to file an answer.
Minnesota is a no-fault divorce state. Minn. Stat. 518.06 says the only ground is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. You do not have to prove that anyone did something wrong. The petitioner files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and a Summons. The other spouse must be served. Uncontested cases where both sides agree can be resolved fairly quickly. Contested cases often need mediation or a court hearing.
Property division follows Minn. Stat. 518.58, which aims for a fair split of marital assets. Spousal maintenance is handled under Minn. Stat. 518.552. When there are children in the case, both parents have to finish a parenting education program as required by Minn. Stat. 518.157. All documents filed during the case become part of the Carlton County divorce record.
What Carlton County Divorce Records Show
Carlton County divorce records include several documents. The Judgment and Decree of Dissolution is the primary one. It is the final court order ending the marriage. The decree lays out property division, custody and parenting time, child support, and spousal maintenance terms.
The case file also has the petition, summons, financial disclosures per Minn. Stat. 518.195, motions, stipulations, and other orders. Most of these are public records that anyone can request. Some documents with sensitive financial data or details about minor children may be restricted. The Minnesota State Law Library can assist with questions about older Carlton County records or help you understand what a case file typically contains.
Note: Carlton County divorce records are public unless specific documents have been sealed by a judge.
Legal Help in Carlton County
Legal aid is available for Carlton County residents who qualify. Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota covers this area and provides free help with divorce, custody, and support cases for people with low income.
The Minnesota State Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. The Minnesota Judicial Branch self-help center has free forms and instructions for filing a divorce without a lawyer. If you cannot pay the filing fee, submit an In Forma Pauperis petition to the Carlton County court for a fee waiver. Residents near Duluth may also find family law attorneys and legal resources in that city.
Cities in Carlton County
Carlton County includes the communities of Carlton, Cloquet, Moose Lake, and other small towns. All divorce cases in the county go through the District Court in Carlton. No cities in Carlton County have populations over 100,000, so filings are all handled at the county courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Carlton County. File in the county where you or your spouse resides.