Recorder

The Door To Your Historic And Current Real Estate & Vital Statistic Records

The Recorder is the custodian of the unregistered (Abstract) real estate records. Unregistered/Abstract property might have an abstract which contains the history of the land. The Registrar of Titles is the custodian of the Registered/Torrens real estate records. Registered/Torrens property would have a Certificate of Title which is the title to the real estate (similar to a car title). The Minnesota Department of Health authorized the Recorder to be the county’s Local Issuance Office for birth and death records. Birth & Death records go back to early 1870’s up to present. The Recorder is also appointed the county’s Marriage Local Registrar as custodian of the marriage records for the county. Marriage records go back to 1867 up to present. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety authorized the Recorder to be the Driver’s License Agent for Todd County to assist customers with the MN driver’s license and MN ID needs. The Recorder/Registrar’s office is committed to recording, protecting and preserving documents they are custodians of.

Because this office issues birth certificates and driver’s license/identification cards, we are restricted from being a US Passport Acceptance Agent.  Find a Passport Acceptance Facility in your area >

Office Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm except for legal holidays. Please contact the office, at 320-732-4428, regarding holiday hours and the deadline for recording of documents.

Recorder/Registrar of Titles duties are defined as:

  • Record documents relating to real property transactions in Abstract & Torrens Divisions
  • Create & maintain county’s tax system (taxpayer name, address & tax legal description)
  • Calculate, Collect & Receipt State Deed Tax, Mortgage Registration Tax
  • Collect & receipt Recording Fee and Well Disclosure Certificate Fee.
  • Collect & distribute Well Disclosure Certificates & Certificate of Real Estate Values.
  • Maintain indexes and issue copies of all recorded documents.
  • Maintain and issue copies of birth, death and marriage certificates.
  • Process Marriage License Applications & issue marriages license
  • Process MN driver’s license and MN ID applications.
  • File and maintain Ordinations
  • File Notary Commissions
  • Guide customers on how to research records

Notary

If you want to become a Notary Public, you must contact the Secretary of State. Online applications are accepted at: https://notary.sos.state.mn.us

Once you have made your application and receive your Notary Public Commission card from the Secretary of State, you will need to file this with the county of your resident. You need to present your Notary Public Commission card, along with a filing of $20.00 and two specimens of your signature. One signature would be the signature of how you name appears on your commission, the second is the signature of how you will be signing the acknowledgments. If those are the same – sign it twice using the same signature. In Todd County this can be done in person or through the mail.  It only takes a few moments and we will return your commission card back to you with the filing information shown on the reverse side.