***Effective May 18th, 2020, The Recorder's Office will be open by appointment. An appointment can be made by contacting the Recorder’s office at 218-299-5031.
Vital Records include birth, death and marriage records. The Clay County Recorder's Office has records from the 1870s to present. Anyone can purchase plain copies of birth, death or marriage records, but must prove "tangible interest" to obtain certified copies of birth or death records.
Marriage and death records are open to the public for viewing during regular business hours.
Birth indexes for the entire state of Minnesota (1933 - present) can be viewed on a public computer in the Clay County Recorder's Office. To obtain information about birth records prior to 1933 for Clay County births, contact the Clay County Recorder by:
Research Fees
View the vital records fee schedule for research fees.
Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County
The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County has microfilm of the marriage and death indexes that can be viewed during their business hours.