Recording Property Documents

Dakota County maintains the property records (mortgages, liens, deeds, etc.) for all parcels located within the county. Go to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for Minnesota Uniform Conveyance Forms regarding property records. 

Dakota County does not provide assistance in the completion of legal forms, nor does the county assume any liability for persons who attempt to complete legal documentation on their own.

Property Records office closed until further notice

For the health and safety of the public and our staff during COVID-19, our office remains closed to the general public.

Although buildings will be closed to the public, staff are onsite recording documents submitted via mail or electronically.

You may access to the Dakota County RecordEASE web real estate search system in order to research recorded documents remotely.  Please email at records@co.dakota.mn.us to request access.

On-site appointments available starting May 18

Starting May 18, residents can reserve a 45-minute on-site appointment in the Property Records Research Area for archival document copies and research ONLY.  

Information available via RecordEASE Web will continue as a remote service. Appointments will be at the top of each hour from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call the Research Area at 651-438-8476. 

Only one person allowed per appointment and a maximum of one appointment per person per day.

Precautions for county staff and visitors

1. County buildings will remain locked. When you arrive for your appointment, please call 651-438-8476.  A staff person will accompany you into the building and escort you back out when the appointment is completed.
2. Dakota County requires both staff AND visitors to wear a mask during appointments at the Dakota County facilities.  If you do not have a mask, please let us know in advance, and we will provide you with one.
3. If you have had a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a new or increased cough in the last seven days OR if you have had close contact with someone who was diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days, do not visit a county facility for an appointment.  If you display these symptoms during your appointment, you will be required to leave the facility.

Abstract vs. Torrens

Minnesota has two land record systems — Abstract and Torrens. When an Abstract property is sold, a title company must do a thorough title search to look for any documents referring to the property.

Torrens properties have a Certificate of Title that gives conclusive proof of ownership — with some exceptions. It consolidates records into a single document.

Most property in Dakota County is Abstract property, but owners may convert property from Abstract to Torrens through land registration. 

Dakota County Property Taxation & Records
Attn: Document Recording
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033

Please include a cover letter describing the contents, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and either a toll-free telephone number or a telephone number we can call collect if there are problems.

Military discharge papers available (DD214)

If the military release is yours and it was recorded in Dakota County after your discharge, you may obtain a copy.  Federal regulations and data privacy rules require that military separations be available only to the veteran or those with a tangible interest (spouse, family member, etc). The documents are free to residents with tangible interest.

Well Disclosure Certificates

All transfer deeds — including Contracts for Deed — require:

A completed well disclosure certificate  and a $50 fee, OR

One of the following statements that apply must appear on the deed:

1. “The Seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property." OR
2. “I am familiar with the property described in this instrument and I certify that the status and the number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed well disclosure certificate."

Getting original documents back

All original documents will be mailed back to the submitter of the document in 1–2 weeks.

Removing liens

For almost every type of document that places a lien on real estate, a related recordable document (such as a satisfaction) reverses the original action. These are called releases, satisfactions, terminations or cancellations. The lien and the satisfaction remain as a permanent record on the property. Find blanks lien release forms on the State of Minnesota Commerce Department website.

Find out more about your property

Go to Dakota County's Property Information Search to find property details, tax statements, valuation notices and property sketches. After entering the site, click OK and enter your parcel ID number or your house number from your address. Click on the map layer icon in the upper right corner to check if your property is Abstract or Torrens.