Minnesota Property Records

What are Minnesota Property Records?

Minnesota property records contain information about real estate with a monetary value. The most common type of property record is the deed, which identifies who owns the property and any associated liens or mortgages. Other forms of property records may include title searches, surveys, judgments, and tax assessments. Property records contain essential details such as the legal description of the property, ownership history, street address, and other important information related to the land itself.

In Minnesota, all public real estate documents can be viewed at no charge through county recorder offices. However, some counties may require fees for certified copies of documents or additional information requests. The Minnesota Secretary of State's Office maintains websites with links to each county's property records. In addition, the Minnesota Department of Revenue also has a website that provides access to real estate tax information in all 87 counties.

Property records can be used for many reasons, including researching property ownership history, locating unclaimed property or estates, determining property values for taxation purposes, and verifying title histories.

Are Minnesota Property Records Public?

Yes, Minnesota property records are made available to the public per the Minnesota Data Practices Act. The public is welcome to view or copy any real estate documents, provided they are not exempt from public disclosure.

Property records are available for public viewing through government agencies or third-party aggregate websites. Accessing property records through third-party sites is typically straightforward, and the records are not geographically limited. However, because the sites are not government-affiliated and run independently, the information contained in the records may vary. Searching parties should include the following information to obtain complete property records:

• The property’s exact location.
• The property owner’s details.

What Information is Included in Minnesota Property Records

Property records encompass several documents that record the legal ownership of the real estate. They include titles, deeds, surveys, mortgages, building plans, and more.

• Titles: A title is a document that shows who legally owns a property and lists any liens (claims) against it. It is issued by the local government or other appropriate authorities after all taxes have been paid and all relevant laws are obeyed.
• Deeds: A deed is a written agreement between two or more parties for transferring rights in a piece of property from one to another. It typically includes information about the seller, buyer, price, and description of the transferred property. Both parties must sign the deed before it can take effect.
• Surveys: A survey is a detailed map and report of a property prepared by an engineer or surveyor. It outlines the boundaries, features, structures, and any other relevant information about the land. It also establishes legal rights to the property.
• Mortgages: A mortgage is a legally binding document between two parties for transferring ownership in exchange for regular payments over time. The borrower agrees to pay back the lender with interest at specific intervals until it has been fully repaid.
• Building Plans: Building plans are documents that outline how new construction should be done on any given piece of property. They usually include floor plans, elevations, sections, and details of all building materials used.
• Leases: A lease is a legal agreement between two parties for transferring rights to use a piece of property, usually in exchange for payments over time. The tenant agrees to pay rent and abide by any other terms included in the lease until it has expired.
• Zoning Records: Zoning records outline specific laws related to land usage on certain pieces of property. This includes restrictions on construction, noise levels, types of businesses allowed, and more.
• Assessments: An assessment is an evaluation used to determine the value of a piece of property or its potential uses. It typically includes market research, analysis, and data from local authorities regarding taxes and other legal requirements related to the property.

Where to Search Minnesota Property Records

Minnesota property record archives are open to the public for review. However, the Property boundary Base-Maps and ownership records are maintained at the county level, and three offices usually do this. The offices that handle ownership records are stated below:

• Recorder
• Assessor
• Land surveyor

Hence users can search for Minnesota property records in these offices to get complete details of any existing property in Minnesota. Other areas where searches about the Minnesota property record can be done are:

• The University of Minnesota's Borchert Map Library.
• Minnesota Historical Society.

How to Do a Property Records Search in Minnesota

To perform a Minnesota property records search, the inquirer must know the property's actual location and the property owner's full name and personal information.

With the information, the requestor may proceed to the Recorder of Deeds Office in the county where the property is situated.

For instance, record seekers in Lyon county may query the Lyon County Torrens Examiner at the following address:

Lyon County Torrens Examiner
533 West Main St.
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: (507) 537-0515

How to Find the Owner of a Minnesota Property Using Public Records

Since Minnesota property records are kept in the public domain, the owner of a property can be found through public records maintained by record custodians in various judicial districts. One of the following searches may be conducted to verify a property owner.

• Property Address Search – It is vital to know the property's address since it will be required to enter it into the search form.
• Property ID number (PID) Search – The property ID number can be found on the tax or assessment statement.
• Addition name Search – This is a name from the legal description of the property.
• Property interactive map

What are Minnesota Property Records Used For?

Property records are used to track the ownership and location of real estate. They provide a comprehensive record of any changes in ownership or use of land and can be used for a variety of functions:

1. To determine who owns a particular property: Property records can be consulted to identify the current owner of any given land or building. This is important for sale transactions, tax assessments, and legal issues such as boundary disputes.
2. To verify past ownership: When researching the history of a property's ownership, it may be essential to consult the local county register office's property records. In some cases, this may involve tracing back multiple transfers over time to ascertain who the original property owner was or when specific alterations were made to the land.
3. To review zoning and building regulations: Property records are also used to check what type of zoning rules and regulations may apply to any given piece of real estate. This is especially important for anyone planning on buying or developing a property, as it could influence their decision-making process.
4. To calculate taxes: Local governments can use property records to assess taxes on land and buildings within their jurisdiction. Owners may also consult these documents to calculate how much they must pay in taxes each year or if they have been overcharged by mistake.
5. To perform title searches: When buying or selling a property, it is essential to check the title deed to ensure there are no hidden liens or encumbrances attached to the land. Property records can be used for this purpose, as they contain detailed information about previous owners and their transactions.
6. To settle boundary disputes: In some cases, two parties may disagree over where a specific boundary lies between properties. By researching the original property records, both sides can agree on who owns what and avoid costly legal proceedings.

How to Find Minnesota Property Tax Records

Minnesota property tax records are maintained by the Office of the Tax assessor in the juridical district where the property is located.

What to Do When You Can't Find Property Records in Minnesota

When a user cannot find a property record in Minnesota, they may:

• Search through the Office of the county tax assessor.
• Use third-party aggregate sites or private databases.
• Check with the local county recorder or clerk's Office to ensure that the property is being sought in the right judicial district.