St. Louis County Court Docket

St. Louis County court docket records are publicly accessible online through the Minnesota Court Records Online portal and at three separate courthouses across the county in Duluth, Hibbing, and Virginia. St. Louis is the largest county in Minnesota by land area, and it is the only county in the state with judges chambered at three different courthouse locations. You can search court docket records for free through MCRO or visit any of the three St. Louis County courthouses to review records in person and request copies.

St. Louis County Court Locations

St. Louis County is unique in Minnesota because it operates three separate courthouse locations, each with its own judges and staff. This setup reflects the county's size, which spans from the shores of Lake Superior in the east to the Iron Range communities in the west. All three courthouses are part of the Sixth Judicial District and handle cases assigned to their geographic region of the county. St. Louis County's Sheriff's Records Division in Duluth can be reached at (218) 336-4360.

The public court calendar for St. Louis County is posted daily at 7:00 AM and updated hourly. This is helpful for checking what cases are on the docket for a particular day at any of the three courthouse locations.

Searching St. Louis County Court Docket Records

MCRO at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us is the primary tool for searching St. Louis County court docket records online. It covers all three courthouse locations. Access is free and no account is required. Search by name, case number, citation number, or attorney. Filter results to St. Louis County to narrow down to cases filed in this county only. Each case result displays the register of actions, which is the complete date-ordered history of the case.

The four MCRO tools each have a specific use. Case Search is the standard lookup tool for finding cases by name or case number. Document Search retrieves public documents for cases filed after July 1, 2015. Hearing Search shows scheduled court dates across all St. Louis County courthouse locations. Judgment Search finds civil money judgments by debtor name, which is often used before real estate transactions or debt collection actions involving parties in the county.

For records not available through MCRO, contact the courthouse closest to where the case was filed. Older records and restricted case types require in-person access. In-person MNPAC terminals are available at all three courthouse locations during regular business hours.

Note: MCRO is for public records lookup only. For criminal background checks, use the BCA at chs.state.mn.us, not MCRO.

What St. Louis County Court Dockets Contain

Each St. Louis County court docket record includes the case number, the names of all parties, the assigned courthouse location, the case type, and the register of actions. The register of actions is the complete, date-ordered history of everything that happened in the case. For criminal cases, this includes charging documents, arraignment records, bail or detention conditions, pretrial motions, the verdict or plea, and sentencing. For civil cases, it shows the complaint, service of process, responses, discovery orders, and the judgment.

St. Louis County processes a wide variety of case types, reflecting its size and population. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury, property matters, debt collection, and landlord-tenant disputes. Criminal cases range from minor traffic violations and misdemeanors to serious felony charges. Family court covers divorce, child custody, child support, and protection matters. Probate handles wills, intestate estates, guardianships, and conservatorships. The Duluth courthouse also handles some cases that affect the broader northeastern Minnesota region.

Some records are not available to the public. Juvenile cases, civil commitment matters, and protection orders are restricted from public remote access. Party addresses are redacted in online searches to protect personal privacy.

Fees for St. Louis County Court Record Copies

Uncertified copies of St. Louis County court records are free since July 1, 2023. Certified copies cost $14.00 under Minn. Stat. § 357.31. Exemplified and certified copies cost $28.00. For large report copies, the fee is $5.00 for the first 50 pages and $25.00 for each additional block of 50 pages. Fax transmission is $25.00 per 50 pages.

To request copies, visit the courthouse that handles the specific case or send a written request by mail. For Duluth cases, write to the court at 100 N. Fifth Avenue W., Duluth, MN 55802. For Hibbing cases, write to 1810 E. 12th Avenue, Hibbing, MN 55746. For Virginia cases, write to 300 South Fifth Avenue, Virginia, MN 55792. Include the case number, party names, and a description of what you need. Always call first to confirm the fee.

Sixth Judicial District and Legal Framework

St. Louis County is part of the Sixth Judicial District, which includes Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. The Sixth District covers northeastern Minnesota from the Iron Range to the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Sixth Judicial District page on mncourts.gov lists the district structure and resources available across all four counties.

Access to St. Louis County court records follows the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.90, the judiciary is exempt from the Government Data Practices Act. Most filed records are public, but sealed records, expunged cases under Minn. Stat. § 609A, and statutory confidential case types are not available through public searches. Public data in court service records includes name, date of birth, offense information, and supervision conditions as defined in Minn. Stat. § 13.84.

Nearby Counties

St. Louis County borders several other northeastern Minnesota district court counties. Links to neighboring county court docket pages are below.