Minnesota public records
Minnesota Court Records Online, county recorders and the Secretary of State each cover different records. Property research may involve either abstract or Torrens records. Public government-data requests also differ from requests for private data about yourself, including timing and identification requirements.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Minnesota Government Data Practices Act
Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq.
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsMinnesota Judicial Branch | Use Minnesota Court Records Online and court-administration requests. | Online access and certified court copies are separate services. Public remote access has exclusions; the available display is not a certified criminal-history report. |
| Property and land recordsMinnesota Geospatial Information Office | Use county property resources to find the assessor and recorder/registrar of titles. | County document charges vary. Torrens and abstract property records differ; GIS ownership information does not replace the recorded title documents. |
| Business recordsMinnesota Secretary of State | Search business filings by name or file number. | Basic search and ordered records have distinct fees. Business entity, assumed-name and lien searches cover different filing types. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceMinnesota Department of Health | Follow birth/death certificate instructions and county routes for marriage records. | Certificate and local copy fees apply. Tangible-interest rules govern certified vital copies; divorce decrees come from district court. |
| Criminal-history checksMinnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension | Use the public criminal-history search or follow instructions for a personal/full check. | Public search and fingerprint or certified services differ. The public site has a defined conviction-disclosure scope and excludes some information in the full repository. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Minnesota
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Anyone may request public government data, often without identifying themselves. Requests for private data about yourself require identification and follow different rules.
- How to submit
- Identify the Minnesota agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Public-data requests must be handled promptly and within a reasonable time. The separate 10-business-day rule for data subjects is not a general public-data deadline.
- Fees and estimates
- Inspection of public data is free. Copy charges may include authorized actual costs; the rules differ for data subjects and general public requests.
- If access is denied
- Ask for the statutory classification supporting denial. Minnesota's Data Practices Office provides assistance; administrative or judicial remedies depend on the dispute.
Minnesota records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Minnesota public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the city's executed contract and approved payment records for [project] during [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Minnesota public records FAQ
Where can I find Minnesota court records?
Use Minnesota Court Records Online and court-administration requests. Public remote access has exclusions; the available display is not a certified criminal-history report.
Sources: Minnesota Judicial BranchAre Minnesota public records free?
Inspection of public data is free. Copy charges may include authorized actual costs; the rules differ for data subjects and general public requests. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Minnesota official public-records guidance; Minnesota Judicial Branch; Minnesota Department of HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Minnesota?
Follow birth/death certificate instructions and county routes for marriage records. Tangible-interest rules govern certified vital copies; divorce decrees come from district court.
Sources: Minnesota Department of Health; Minnesota Judicial BranchIs a Minnesota court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. The public site has a defined conviction-disclosure scope and excludes some information in the full repository. Use the public criminal-history search or follow instructions for a personal/full check.
Sources: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; Minnesota Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Minnesota official public-records guidance — checked
- Minnesota Judicial Branch — checked
- Minnesota Geospatial Information Office — checked
- Minnesota Secretary of State — checked
- Minnesota Department of Health — checked
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions