Recorded documents in Minnesota — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records — are filed with the County Recorder in each county.
What this page covers: Minnesota recorded document searches — deeds, mortgages, assignments, liens, plats, and other instruments filed in the public land records. What it does not cover: Property valuations or tax data (those are on the Property Records page).
Where to start: Go to the County Recorder in the county where the property is located. Many county county recorders offer online document search by grantor/grantee name, book/page, or instrument number.
Common mistake: Recorded documents show what was filed — they do not confirm current ownership or lien status without a full title search. A deed in the index does not mean it is the most recent transfer.
Minnesota Recorded Documents — Key Facts (2026)
What Changed in 2026 — Minnesota Recorded Documents
The 5-Type Minnesota Recorded Documents Map
Five Things People Get Wrong About Minnesota Recorded Documents
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.sos.state.mn.us — Official Minnesota Recorded Documents — State portal for Minnesota recorded documents
- NASS UCC Filings overview — National Association of Secretaries of State
- National Archives — Military Records (DD-214) — National Personnel Records Center
- IRS Federal Tax Liens — Federal lien procedures
- HUD Recording Basics — Federal property recording basics
- USA.gov — Government Records — Federal record retrieval portal
- data.gov — Assessor datasets — Federal-cataloged county data
Related Recorded Documents Resources
- Minnesota Court Records →
- Minnesota Criminal Records →
- Minnesota Property Records →
- Minnesota Vital Records →
- Minnesota Voter Records →
- Minnesota Wants & Warrants →
- Minnesota Licenses →
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Recorded Documents Databases
26 official Minnesota recorded documents sources.
Recorded Documents
Minnesota Counties
87 Minnesota counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who records deeds and mortgages in Minnesota?▼
In Minnesota, deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real-property documents are recorded at the county level by the county Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder). The Official Minnesota Recorded Documents at www.sos.state.mn.us handles statewide filings such as UCC-1 financing statements and corporate documents.
Where do I file a UCC-1 financing statement in Minnesota?▼
UCC-1 financing statements covering personal property and business collateral are filed centrally with the Official Minnesota Recorded Documents at www.sos.state.mn.us. Fixture filings on real estate are an exception — those go to the county where the property is located.
Are Minnesota recorded documents available online?▼
Most Minnesota countys publish a free online index of recorded documents (by name, document type, or date). Image access (the actual deed image) is often available either free or for a small per-page fee. Statewide UCC and corporate filings are searchable through the Official Minnesota Recorded Documents at www.sos.state.mn.us.
How do I obtain a certified copy of a Minnesota recorded deed?▼
Certified copies of deeds, mortgages, and other recorded documents are issued by the county Recorder where the document was originally recorded. Fees and ID requirements vary; see your specific county page below. The Official Minnesota Recorded Documents (www.sos.state.mn.us) handles certified copies of statewide filings such as UCCs and articles of incorporation.
What's the difference between a deed and a title in Minnesota?▼
A deed is the recorded instrument that conveys ownership; the title is the legal concept of ownership itself. Deeds in Minnesota are recorded with the county Recorder; title insurance and title searches are private-sector services that examine the chain of recorded deeds. The Official Minnesota Recorded Documents at www.sos.state.mn.us publishes the statewide rules.