This is a private reference site, not a Clay County government office. We cannot confirm whether someone is in custody, release a person from jail, post bond, schedule visits, pull official booking records, or change court information. Use the official office that controls the record or custody status.
Where to Ask First
Clay County custody and record questions often go to different offices. Current adult jail custody begins with the Clay County Correctional Facility. Sheriff records and data-practices requests go through the Clay County Sheriff's Office and its designated data contacts. Criminal case records after charges are filed are handled through Clay County District Court and Minnesota Court Records Online.
Clay County Sheriff's Office
911 11th St. N.
Moorhead, MN 56560
218-299-5151
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Sheriff: Mark Empting
Clay County Correctional Facility
800 9th St. N.
Moorhead, MN 56560
218-299-5163
Door 1 public lobby: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
For public-data requests, Clay County's policy lists Sheriff Mark Empting as responsible authority at mark.empting@claycountymn.gov and phone extension 5155. Kari Tuton is the corrections data-practices designee at kari.tuton@claycountymn.gov and extension 7349. Chris Martin is the sheriff data-practices designee at chris.martin@claycountymn.gov and extension 5160. Public requesters may ask to inspect public data for free, request copies, or do both. The county policy allows requests by email, mail, in person, or online form.
| Clay County data-practices item | Published fee rule |
|---|---|
| Inspection of public data | No charge. |
| Copy costs under $10 | No charge. |
| 100 or fewer black-and-white one-sided letter or legal pages | 25 cents per page. |
| Two-sided black-and-white letter or legal pages | 50 cents per page. |
| Most other copies | Actual cost, including search and retrieval, materials, electronic transmission, mailing, and outside-vendor photograph costs when applicable. |
- For a current adult jail search, start with Clay County jail inmate records and the Clay County Correctional Facility.
- For a booking photo, use the roster first, then review Clay County jail roster mugshots for the public-data request path.
- For charges filed after booking, search court records after a jail arrest and Minnesota Court Records Online.
- For facility location details, use the detention facility pages listed in the footer for Clay County Correctional Facility and West Central Regional Juvenile Center.
- For a sentenced state prisoner, use the Minnesota Department of Corrections public viewer.
- For federal sentenced custody, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
- For immigration detention, use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System.
Clay County District Court handles court records after prosecutors file a criminal case. The courthouse is at 807 N. 11th Street, Moorhead, MN 56560, and the court phone is 218-227-7040. Court Administration hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Use the court or MCRO for case numbers, hearing dates, complaints, dispositions, and public court documents.