Court records of St. Louis County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. StLouisMNCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be viewed through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system, by contacting the district court clerk's office, or by using public computer terminals directly in the courthouse in Duluth.
St. Louis Court System & Jurisdictions
St. Louis County is part of the Sixth Judicial District of the state of Minnesota. The main court is the District Court, where the majority of cases are heard, from criminal charges to civil lawsuits.
Cases heard by the District Court include:
- Criminal cases — felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations
- Civil cases — contract disputes, damage claims, small claims (Conciliation Court, up to $15,000)
- Family law — divorces, child custody, alimony, protection orders
- Probate cases — will approvals, guardian appointments, estate management
- Juvenile cases — offenses, child protection
There is no separate Magistrate Court in Minnesota. Traffic violations and minor offenses are also handled by the District Court. The court operates in several locations throughout the county; the main one is in Duluth. For information on court dates and services, visit the Courts/Law page on the county's website.
St. Louis County District Court — Duluth
St. Louis Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the MCRO system. After selecting St. Louis County and entering the party's name or case number, the system will show scheduled hearings with dates and times.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Go to the MCRO page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.
- Select "St. Louis County" from the list of counties.
- Enter the party's last name or case number.
- Review the results — the case card displays scheduled hearings.
There is also a public computer for accessing court records in the Duluth courthouse. If you need assistance, contact the clerk's office staff or the court's Self-Help Center. Note: MCRO shows limited information — case data, hearings, and monetary judgments. The full text of documents is usually not available through this system.
How to Get a Copy of a St. Louis Court Document
Copies of court documents can be obtained in three ways.
Online
Through MCRO, basic case information is available, but downloading full documents is usually not possible. To obtain copies, submit a request to the court clerk's office.
In Person
Visit the Court Administration office in Duluth. A public computer allows you to view cases; for document copying, contact the clerk. Certified copies are issued on-site after payment.
By Mail
Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document needed to the address:
Certified vs. uncertified copies. A certified copy has the court's official seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is required for most legal procedures. A regular (uncertified) copy is suitable for review. Certified copies of divorce decrees, for example, are issued only by the court in the county where the decision was made.
For documents related to criminal history, contact the public offender records page on the sheriff's website or the Minnesota State Law Library.
St. Louis Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees are determined by the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Below are typical fees applicable to county courts in the state.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Search in court records (per request) | $10.00 |
| Copy of document (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certification of document | $14.00 |
| Copy of court judgment | $14.00 (certified) |
| Access via MCRO (online) | Free (basic search) |
Payment is usually accepted in the form of a check, money order, or, in some cases, credit/debit card. Confirm acceptable payment methods directly with the court clerk's office, as they may vary by location. For mail requests, include payment in the form of a check made out to "St. Louis County Court."
Some records have restricted access — juvenile cases, certain family cases, and sealed cases are not released without a judge's order. Before making a request, check with the clerk to see if the desired document is publicly accessible.