Frequently Asked Questions

View the Marriage License webpage for information.

Clay County can issue Certified Birth Certificates for people born in Minnesota to an authorized requestor.  Birth records prior to 1932 may require additional processing times.  Identification, such as a government issued photo ID, is required to obtain a certified birth certificate.

Check Vital Records Services at the U.S. Department of State for information on where to call or write for vital records in other states.

To obtain copies of divorce records please contact the Clay County Court Administrator's Office at 218-227-7040.

To determine if a piece of property is abstract or torrens, search the parcel on the Clay County GIS Map and the property type will display

The records in the Clay County Recorder's Office can be viewed in person at:

3510 12th Ave S
Moorhead, MN 56560

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Records are available to search online at www.landrecords.net for a fee.

If you have a document number and need a copy mailed or e-mailed, the Clay County Recorder’s Office will be happy to help you at the time of payment.  

Recording is the 1st priority. If a request is mailed or e-mailed, we will do limited research at no charge as we have time available. There is a charge for copies. Requests are processed in the order they are received. If you need research done quickly, contact an abstractor, attorney, title company or some other type of researcher to help you.

Clay County does not sell any legal real estate forms. 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce provides free public access to forms as a convenience for the public.  Our staff is prohibited from providing legal advice, including which form you need for your situation for how to fill in a form.  If you have questions regarding these forms, we strongly recommend you speak with an attorney.

Minnesota Department of Commerce

The Clay County Recorder’s Office does not provide notary service. To find a notary public you can check with your personal banker.

The Recorder's Office does not have a license to practice law, so you will need to contact your own attorney for legal advise and for help completing forms.

Foreclosures are not filed with the courts in Minnesota like they are in North Dakota. We do not automatically have a list of pending foreclosures.

To view upcoming sales, view the Sheriff’s Office Calendar