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
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.
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.