Clearwater County Divorce Decrees
Divorce decree records in Clearwater County are stored at the courthouse in Bagley. The court is part of the 9th Judicial District, which covers many counties in northern Minnesota. Stacy Converse serves as Court Administrator. Clearwater County is a small, rural county with Bagley as the county seat. All dissolution and family law cases go through the District Court here. You can search for divorce case information online at no cost or visit the courthouse for copies. The court follows the same state fee schedule as all other Minnesota counties.
Clearwater County Overview
Clearwater County District Court
The Clearwater County Courthouse is at 213 Main Avenue N in Bagley. All divorce decree records are on file here. The clerk's office handles new filings, copy requests, and case lookups during business hours.
Call (218) 694-6140 to reach the court. Clearwater County is one of the smaller courts in the 9th Judicial District. The smaller caseload means staff can often help you more quickly than larger courts. If you know the case number or party names, they can pull up your file fast. For people who live far from Bagley, mail requests are a good option.
| Court | Clearwater County District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 213 Main Avenue N Bagley, MN 56621 |
| Phone | (218) 694-6140 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Clearwater County |
| Administrator | Stacy Converse |
Search Clearwater County Divorce Records
Use MCRO at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us to search for free. The tool covers Clearwater County cases filed after July 1, 2015. Search by party name or case number. You see case status and docket entries right away.
For the actual divorce decree document, you need to get a copy from the court. Visit the courthouse in Bagley or mail a request. The copy request page on the state court website explains the mail process. Include as much case detail as you can. The court will let you know the cost.
Note: Clearwater County is small, so older records may need a bit more time to locate if they are in storage.
Clearwater County Divorce Decree Fees
Fees match the state schedule. Uncertified copies are free. Certified copies cost $14. Exemplified copies cost $14. Both together are $28 per document.
A new divorce filing costs about $400 for the petitioner. Other costs might come up for service of process and parenting education. Fee waivers are available for those who cannot pay. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.06, Minnesota uses no-fault divorce, so the filing costs are the same no matter the reason for the split.
Clearwater County Divorce Process
At least one spouse must live in Minnesota for 180 days. That is the rule under Minn. Stat. § 518.09. You file in the county where either spouse lives. If that is Clearwater County, go to the courthouse in Bagley.
Start with a Petition for Dissolution and Summons. Pay the fee and serve the other spouse. If both agree on terms, the case can be resolved without a trial. Contested cases may need hearings. Property is divided under Minn. Stat. § 518.58. Custody follows Minn. Stat. § 518.17.
When everything is resolved, the judge signs the Judgment and Decree. This ends the marriage. The court keeps the original in Clearwater County. You can get copies for your records.
Decree Record Contents
A Clearwater County divorce decree lists both spouse names, marriage date, and divorce date. It covers property division, debt allocation, custody, child support, and spousal maintenance. This is the main document people need as proof of their divorce.
The full case file has more documents: the petition, financial affidavits, motions, and orders. Most are public. Some financial source documents may be restricted. Under Minn. Stat. § 518.552, the court can order spousal maintenance in certain cases, and those terms will be in the decree.
Clearwater County Court Screenshot
The Clearwater County page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website provides court details at mncourts.gov.
This page shows the Bagley courthouse address, phone number, and links to forms and court resources.
Legal Help in Clearwater County
The 9th Judicial District provides self-help resources for Clearwater County residents. Check the district page for court forms and referral info. Legal aid groups serving northern Minnesota may offer free help with divorce cases for people who meet income rules.
Staff at the courthouse in Bagley can help with process questions and forms. They cannot provide legal advice. If you need a lawyer, the Minnesota State Bar Association has a referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys in the area.
Nearby Counties
Check which county you live in before filing your case. These counties border Clearwater County.