The County Recorder records, protects, secures, and preserves documentation of land title - one of the most valuable assets a citizen may possess.
The County Recorder also maintains records on documentation of Vitals (birth death and marriage records), and Military Service discharge records.
The Recorder also makes and updates Abstracts of Title for all the parcels of land in Houston County. An Abstract of Title is a history of any given parcel of land. The land records in this office date back to 1855.
Abstract Search Order, Policies and Fees
Minnesota Statute 507.093 Document Standards Law is unchanged. The Standards were effective August 1, 1997 for documents executed after July 31, 1997.
Minnesota Statute 357.18 County Recorder Fees. The fees to be charged by the County Recorder shall be and not exceed the following:
(2) For documents containing multiple assignments, partial releases or satisfactions a fee of $46; if the document cites more than four recorded instruments, an additional fee of $10 for each additional instrument cited over the first four citation.
Conforming Copy
(10) for a non-certified copy of any document submitted for recording, if the original document is accompanied by a copy or duplicate original, $2. Upon receipt of the copy or duplicate original and payment of the fee, a county recorder shall return it marked “copy” or “duplicate,” showing the recorded date and , if available, the document number assigned to the original.
Torrens
Torrens Title is an adjudicated title to real estate (all matters pertaining to the title are under the supervision of the District Court).
A Decree of Registration from the District Court sets forth the fee owner of Torrens Property and if there are any encumbrances against the property.
Torrens property has a Certificate of Title that is kept on file in the Recorder’s Office.
Under the Torrens system, the county recorder is referred to as the Registrar of Titles. The Registrar is an arm of the District Court.
In the Torrens department, instruments are examined for accuracy in accordance with statutory requirements before they are accepted for filing. If an individual, corp., etc. does not have a recorded interest in the Torrens property, they cannot grant that interest. Certificates of Title are issued to guarantee ownership of real estate.
Birth Certificate Certified Application Form
Birth Certificate Non-Certified Application Form
The Houston County Birth Records start in 1870. If you would like a certified copy, you must be able to prove a tangible interest by filling out the Minnesota Birth Certificate Tangible Interest Form. One application per request. If you are not appearing at our office in person, you will need to fill out this form and sign it in front of a notary public. The certified copy will not be issued until the Birth Certificate Tangible Interest Form and the money are received in this office.
Minnesota has a statewide Birth record system that starts in 1935. This means that if you are looking for a birth certificate ranging from 1935 through current day and the birth occurred in the State of Minnesota, you can go to any Vital Records office in the State of Minnesota and purchase the record as long as you can properly fill out the Birth Certificate Tangible Interest form and pay the fee. If the birth did not occur in the State of Minnesota, even if the mother resided in Minnesota, the record will be in the State that the birth occurred. If you are looking for a birth record that occurred before 1935 you will need to contact the Minnesota County that the birth occurred in.
Death Certificate Application Form
Death Certificate Non-Certified Application Form
The Houston County Death Records start in 1870. If you would like a certified copy, you must be able to prove a tangible interest by filling out the Minnesota Death Certificate Tangible Interest Form. One application per request. If you are not appearing at our office in person, you will need to fill out this form and sign it in front of a notary public. The certified copy will not be issued until the Death Certificate Tangible Interest Form and the money are received in this office.
Minnesota has a statewide Death record system that starts in 1997. This means that if you are looking for a death certificate ranging from 1997 through current day and the death occurred in the State of Minnesota, you can go to any Vital Records office in the State of Minnesota and purchase the record as long as you can properly fill out the Death Certificate Tangible Interest form and pay the fee. If the death did not occur in the State of Minnesota, even if the decedent resided in Minnesota, the record will be in the State that the death occurred. If you are looking for a death record that occurred before 1997 you will need to contact the Minnesota County that the death occurred in.
The Houston County Marriage records start in 1854. You can research the marriage records yourself or staff from this office will do research. See Fee Schedule above for hourly rate for Genealogy research.
There is a Statewide Minnesota Official Marriage System website that you can search for marriages and it will tell you what county you need to contact for the particular marriage that you are searching for. The website is http://www.moms.mn.gov.
The Houston County marriage license application is found on-line at the following address: https://moms.mn.gov/application/welcome (https://moms.mn.gov/application/welcome) . Once you have completed and submitted this application, call our office at 507-725-5813, to schedule your appointment. You will come in to complete the application process. Both applicants must appear in person (at the same time) pay the fee, provide ID and sign the application.
Houston County Marriage License Application Policy
You can apply at any County in the State of Minnesota as long as you are getting married in the State of Minnesota.
Reduced Marriage Fee Educators Statement
The Reduced Marriage Fee Educators Statement is use when you have had at least 12 hour of pre-marital education classes. See Minnesota Statute 517.08 Subd 1; 517.18 and 148B.33. These are primarily for the clergy. Please contact the Houston County Recorder’s Office if you have any questions.
On July 1, 2010 the marriage laws had several changes take effect. The change that seemed to be causing the biggest problem has to do with the Educator’s Statement that comes from the clergy so that couples can receive a “REDUCED MARRIAGE FEE” license. The Reduced Marriage Fee Educators Statement “may” be used by clergy when this situation arises. This form MUST be copied on to church letterhead, the names of the applicants must be their full complete names (including middle name, not initials) and it may either be marked with the CHURCH’S SEAL, or it may be signed by the clergy IN FRONT OF A NOTARY. The notary must then fill in the notary section at the bottom of the letter, sign and affix their notary seal. The original must then be presented to this office at the time that the couple applies for their marriage license. If any part of the above paragraph is not done properly, the couple has two choices. One is to return the form to the clergy for corrections; the second is to pay the full fee.
Ordinations
Certificate of Filing Ordinations
In order for anyone to perform a marriage in the State of Minnesota, the ordination credentials must be recorded in a County in the State of Minnesota. To file your ordination credentials in Houston County you must fill out the Certificate of Filing page and accompany that with your ordination credentials. Please check the fee schedule for the filing fee.
You can get your Passport photos taken right here at the Recorder's office!
Please see Fee Schedule for associated costs.
Passport Applications are done at the Treasurer's Office.
Houston County Recorder’s Office has been eRecording for more than a year.
We are eRecording with 4 Trusted Submitters.
Simplifile (800) 460-5657
ePN (888) 325-3365
Indecom (877) 272-5250
CSC (866) 652-0111
Please contact them if you are interested in eRecording with Houston County.
Mary B. Betz
Houston County Recorder
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Recorder's Office
304 S. Marshall St.
Caledonia, MN 55921
P: 507-725-5813