Sherburne County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Sherburne County?

Public records in Sherburne County are official documents and information created, maintained, or received by government agencies that are accessible to the public according to Minnesota law. Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), specifically Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, government data is presumed public unless specifically classified otherwise by state or federal law.

Sherburne County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that citizens may access, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases maintained by the Sherburne County District Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property tax information
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and registrations
Tax Records: Property tax statements, payment records, and assessment information
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Board of Commissioners and other county boards
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest records, incident reports, and jail inmate information
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning maps, and land use applications

The Sherburne County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while vital records are available through the county's Public Records division. Court records are maintained by the Sherburne County District Court, and property tax information is available through the County Assessor's Office.

Is Sherburne County an Open Records County?

Yes, Sherburne County is an open records county that adheres to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 1, "All government data collected, created, received, maintained or disseminated by a government entity shall be public unless classified by statute, or temporary classification pursuant to section 13.06, or federal law, as nonpublic or protected nonpublic, or with respect to data on individuals, as private or confidential."

This statute establishes the presumption that government data is public and accessible to citizens unless specifically classified otherwise. The MGDPA further states in § 13.03, subdivision 3 that "Upon request to a responsible authority or designee, a person shall be permitted to inspect and copy public government data at reasonable times and places, and, upon request, shall be informed of the data's meaning."

Sherburne County complies with these state requirements and has established procedures for responding to data requests in accordance with the law. The county maintains transparency through its public records portal and provides access to various records through both in-person and online channels.

Additionally, Sherburne County adheres to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13D), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions.

How to Find Public Records in Sherburne County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Sherburne County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

For Court Records:

Visit the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal to search for case information
Request records in person at the Sherburne County District Court
Submit a written request for certified copies of court documents

For Property Records:

Access the county's Beacon Property Information System for property data, tax information, and GIS mapping
Visit the Recorder's Office in person to view original documents
Request copies of property records by mail with appropriate fees

For Vital Records:

Submit requests for birth and death certificates through the Public Records division
Apply for marriage licenses in person at the county office
Complete the appropriate application forms and provide required identification

For County Board and Administrative Records:

Review meeting minutes and agendas on the county website
Submit a data request form to the specific department maintaining the records
Inspect records during normal business hours at the relevant county office

For general public records requests, individuals may:

Complete the county's data request form specifying the records sought
Submit the request to the appropriate department or the county's Data Practices Compliance Official
Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities must respond to requests for public data in a prompt and appropriate manner. The county currently provides electronic access to many records through its online portals, reducing the need for in-person visits.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Sherburne County?

Sherburne County charges fees for public records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which permits government entities to recover actual costs for providing copies of public data. The current fee structure includes:

Court Records:

Case searches: $8.00 per name
Copies of court documents: $10.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Certified copies: Additional $14.00 certification fee per document

Vital Records:

Birth certificates: $26.00 for the first copy, $19.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Death certificates: $13.00 for the first copy, $6.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
Marriage licenses: $115.00 ($40.00 with premarital education)
Marriage certificates: $9.00

Property Records:

Recorded documents: $10.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Property tax statements: $5.00 per parcel

General Public Records:

Standard black and white copies: $0.25 per page
Color copies: $0.50 per page
Electronic copies: Actual cost of staff time and materials
Commercial use requests may incur additional fees for staff time

Payment methods currently accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for in-person transactions. Online payments can be made via credit/debit card through the county's payment portal.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is determined to be in the public interest or for individuals demonstrating financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the responsible authority.

Does Sherburne County Have Free Public Records?

Yes, Sherburne County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which states that individuals have the right to inspect public government data at reasonable times and places without charge.

The following records are available for free inspection:

Public meeting minutes and agendas
County ordinances and resolutions
Budget documents and financial reports
Property information through the Beacon Property Information System
Court case information through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
Inmate information through the Sherburne County Inmate Locator

Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours at the appropriate county office without paying a fee. However, if copies are requested, standard copying fees will apply as outlined in the county's fee schedule.

Additionally, the county provides free online access to various records through its website, including:

Property tax information
GIS mapping data
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Election results
Budget information

The Sherburne County District Court also allows free public viewing of non-confidential court records at public access terminals located in the courthouse.

Who Can Request Public Records in Sherburne County?

Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, "Upon request to a responsible authority or designee, a person shall be permitted to inspect and copy public government data at reasonable times and places." This provision establishes that any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records in Sherburne County.

Key eligibility considerations include:

Residency Requirements: There is no residency requirement for requesting public records in Sherburne County. Non-residents have the same access rights as Minnesota residents.
Identification: While basic identification may be required for certain records (particularly vital records or court documents), requestors generally do not need to provide identification to inspect public records. However, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 144.225, requests for birth and death certificates require proper identification and may have relationship requirements.
Purpose Statement: For most public records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. The MGDPA does not permit government entities to deny access to public data based on the intended use of the information.
Special Categories: Certain records have additional requirements:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates) require the requestor to have a tangible interest as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 144.225
- Adoption records have specific access restrictions under Minnesota Statutes § 259.89
- Private data about individuals is accessible only to the subject of the data or their authorized representative
Commercial Use: While commercial requestors have the same access rights as others, the county may charge different fees for commercial requests that require extensive processing.

When requesting records about oneself, individuals may need to provide identification to verify their identity. For requests concerning another individual's private data, written authorization from that individual or legal documentation establishing the right to access is typically required.

What Records Are Confidential in Sherburne County?

Certain records in Sherburne County are classified as confidential or private under Minnesota law and are not accessible to the general public. Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, specifically Minnesota Statutes § 13.02, subdivisions 3 and 12, these protected records include:

Private Personal Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and personal contact information as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 13.355
Medical Records: Health records protected under HIPAA and Minnesota Statutes § 144.291-144.298
Juvenile Court Records: Most juvenile proceedings and records as specified in Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
Child Protection Records: Reports and records of child abuse or neglect investigations under Minnesota Statutes § 626.556
Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and original birth certificates as outlined in Minnesota Statutes § 259.89
Active Criminal Investigations: Law enforcement data that would impede an active investigation per Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 7
Personnel Data: Private personnel data as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 13.43, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and strategy discussions between the county and its attorneys
Certain Security Information: Data that would jeopardize security systems or procedures as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 13.37
Trade Secret Information: Proprietary business information submitted to the county as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 13.37
Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order
Certain Victim Data: Information about victims of crimes that would reveal their identity in certain circumstances

The classification of records may also be subject to the balancing test established in Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 6, which requires government entities to consider whether the benefit to the public from access to the data outweighs any harm to the public or to the subject of the data.

Individuals seeking access to confidential or private records must demonstrate legal authority to access such information, such as a court order, written consent from the subject of the data, or statutory authorization.

Sherburne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Sherburne County Recorder's Office
13880 Business Center Drive NW, Suite 100
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 765-4725
Sherburne County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining and providing access to real estate records for properties located in Sherburne County. Services provided include:

Recording deeds, mortgages, and other real estate documents
Maintaining property records
Issuing marriage licenses
Processing passport applications (by appointment only)
Providing certified copies of recorded documents
Maintaining military discharge records (DD214)

For recording questions or document preparation assistance, the public may contact the office directly during business hours. The Recorder's Office accepts document recording by mail or in person. Electronic recording is also available through approved third-party submitters.