Clay County Divorce Records
Clay County divorce records are managed by the District Court in Moorhead. The court is part of the 7th Judicial District and handles all family law filings for the county, including dissolution of marriage cases. You can search for divorce records online or visit the courthouse to get copies. The Court Administrator's office keeps these files and can help with records requests. People look up these records for legal matters, background checks, and personal reasons. Online tools make it easy to confirm if a case exists before you make the trip to the courthouse or send in a written request.
Clay County Overview
Clay County District Court Records
The Clay County District Court is the main office for all divorce records in the county. It sits at 807 11th Street North in Moorhead. This court is part of the 7th Judicial District, which covers parts of west-central Minnesota along the North Dakota border. If you or your spouse lived in Clay County when the case was filed, this is where the record is kept. The Court Administrator runs the records office and can search by name or case number.
Call the court at (218) 299-5060 during regular business hours. Staff can check on a case for you over the phone. Walk-in visits work too. Bring the names of both parties and the year of the divorce if you know it. Having the case number speeds things up a lot.
Clay County sits on the western edge of the state. Moorhead is right across the river from Fargo, North Dakota. Because of this border location, some people are not sure which state has their records. If the divorce was filed in Minnesota, it will be at this court. North Dakota cases are handled in Cass County, North Dakota.
| Court | Clay County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
807 11th Street North Moorhead, MN 56560 |
| Phone | (218) 299-5060 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Judicial District | 7th Judicial District |
Search Clay County Divorce Cases
You can search for Clay County divorce records in two ways. The first is the free online system. The second is a visit to the courthouse. Each method has its own benefits depending on what you need.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system lets you search Clay County divorce cases from any computer. It is free to use. The system covers public records filed on or after July 1, 2015. You can search by the name of either spouse or by case number. Results show party names, filing dates, and case status. Some family court documents have restricted access online, so you may not see every detail. But it gives you a good starting point to confirm a case exists and find the case number you need for a full records request.
The court locator page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site lists all the contact details for the Clay County courthouse. Use it to plan a visit or find the right phone number to call.
That page shows the courthouse address, hours, and phone number for the Clay County court office. You can call ahead to ask about a specific case before making the drive to Moorhead.
Get Clay County Divorce Copies
Copies of Clay County divorce records cost $14 each for certified versions. That is the statewide rate. A certified copy carries the court seal and serves as legal proof of the divorce. You can get copies in person at the courthouse or by mail.
To get copies in person, go to the Court Administrator's office at 807 11th Street North in Moorhead. Bring the names of both parties and the case number if you have it. The approximate year of the divorce helps too. Staff will pull the file and print what you need while you wait. Payment is due at the time of the request. They take checks and money orders made out to the District Court Administrator.
For mail requests, use the statewide copy request form from the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Fill it out with both party names and the case number. Include your payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send it to the courthouse. Processing takes a few business days once they get your letter.
The MCRO search screen shown above lets you filter by county and case type. Use it to find the case number before you send your mail request.
Note: Certified copies from the Clay County District Court cost $14 each, and you should confirm the fee before sending payment by mail.
Filing for Divorce in Clay County
To file for divorce in Clay County, one spouse must have lived in Minnesota for at least 180 days. That is the rule under Minn. Stat. 518.07. You file the case at the District Court in Moorhead. The filing fee for the person who starts the case is about $400. The other spouse pays around $300 to $350 to file an answer.
Minnesota is a no-fault state. Under Minn. Stat. 518.06, you just have to state that the marriage has broken down with no chance of repair. You do not need to prove cheating or abuse to get a divorce. One spouse files the Petition for Dissolution and a Summons, then serves the other party. If both sides agree on all terms, the process can move fast. Contested cases may need mediation or a trial.
Property division follows Minn. Stat. 518.58. The court divides marital property in a way it considers fair. Spousal maintenance may be awarded under Minn. Stat. 518.552 based on factors like length of the marriage and each spouse's income. All of these filings become part of the Clay County divorce record.
What Clay County Divorce Records Show
A Clay County divorce record contains the key documents from the case. The most important one is the Judgment and Decree of Dissolution. This is the court order that ends the marriage. It lays out property division, custody, support terms, and any other orders the judge made.
The full file also includes the original petition, the summons, financial disclosures, and any motions filed during the case. Most of these records are public. Anyone can request copies. Some financial source documents and information about minor children may be restricted. The Minnesota State Law Library can help with questions about older Clay County records or explain what types of documents are available.
Note: Most Clay County divorce records are public, but some sensitive filings may be sealed or restricted by court order.
Legal Help in Clay County
If you need help with a divorce in Clay County, several resources are available. Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota provides free legal aid to low-income residents. They handle family law matters like divorce, custody, and child support. Their office serves the Moorhead area and the rest of northwest Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call them to find a family law attorney who practices in Clay County. Free divorce forms are posted at mncourts.gov. The self-help center has guides and all the paperwork for filing on your own. If you cannot afford filing fees, you can ask for a fee waiver by filing an In Forma Pauperis petition with the Clay County court.
Cities in Clay County
Clay County includes Moorhead, Dilworth, Barnesville, Hawley, and other small cities. All divorce filings in the county go through the District Court in Moorhead. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so all cases are handled at the county level through the courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Clay County. File your case in the county where you or your spouse lives. If you are not sure which county is right, check the address against county lines.