Minnesota Public Records Guide
Use this guide to find Minnesota court, vital, and property records, with starting points, useful search inputs, and when to request certified copies from the correct office.
On This Page:
Begin with the office that actually maintains the record type you need.
Find a court case, docket, or filing
District courts maintain official dockets and filings; online search helps locate the case, while certified copies and recent filings are from the clerk.
Check criminal history or active case status
BCA provides statewide conviction data; pending cases and warrants are maintained locally by courts and sheriffs.
Order a birth or death certificate
MDH is the statewide custodian for birth and death records; certified copies require eligibility and ID.
Get a marriage certificate or divorce decree
Minnesota files marriage records at the county level, while divorce decrees are court records of the district court.
Look up deeds, mortgages, or property details
Land documents are recorded with the county; the assessor tracks ownership, valuation, and parcel identifiers.
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Judicial Branch – District Courts | Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case dockets and filings | Case number, party name, attorney name, filing county | Online case records portal, courthouse public terminals, clerk counter | Online access varies by case type; certified copies and full files available from the District Court Clerk. |
| Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) | Statewide public criminal history checks by name and date of birth | Full legal name, DOB, possible prior names | Online name search or mail request; fingerprint-based requests for more complete checks | Name-based public data is limited; pending charges and certain outcomes may require court lookup. |
| County Recorder / Registrar of Titles (by county) | Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, Torrens certificates | Grantor/grantee name, property address, parcel ID, document number | County online indexes (where available), in person, mail | Official land document copies and certifications issued by the county; availability of online images varies. |
| County Assessor / Treasurer (by county) | Parcel ownership, valuation, tax status, property maps | Parcel ID (PID), site address, owner name | County websites, GIS maps, in person | Great for current ownership and taxes; not a substitute for recorded deed copies. |
| Minnesota Department of Health – Office of Vital Records | Birth and death certificates | Full name, date and place of event, parents’ names, government-issued ID | By mail or in person via MDH or county vital records offices; approved third‑party vendors in some areas | Eligibility and ID rules apply for certified copies; noncertified copies have restrictions. |
| County Vital Records / Recorder (by county) | Marriage certificates; local vital records services | Names of both parties, date of marriage, county of issuance, ID for certified copies | In person, mail; limited online ordering where offered | Marriage records are held at the county where the license was issued; divorce decrees are from District Court. |
Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in Minnesota District Courts.
Statewide public criminal history, charging and disposition details, and custody/parole status.
Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, Torrens records, parcel ownership, and taxes.
Birth and death certificates; marriage certificates; divorce decrees and judgments.
Business registrations, assumed names, and statewide UCC liens.
Official Minnesota sources are best when you need certified court documents, deeds, or vital records, or when accuracy and completeness matter for legal or agency use. Background check services can help with broad, name-based lookups across many data points, but they may not include the latest court filings, land records images, or restricted vital records. Use official courts, recorder, or MDH for authoritative copies.
Most District Court case records are public, with exceptions for sealed, juvenile, or otherwise restricted cases. Some details are only available at the courthouse or from the clerk.
Search the Minnesota Judicial Branch case records by party name and county, or contact the District Court Clerk where the case was filed for assistance.
Request it from the District Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. MDH does not issue divorce decrees.
The County Recorder or Registrar of Titles in the county where the property is located maintains recorded land documents and can issue certified copies.
Some counties and MDH accept online or mail orders through approved channels, but certified copies require meeting eligibility and ID requirements. Check the specific office’s instructions before ordering.