Dakota County Public Records

Thank you for visiting. We aim to help you with your Dakota County Public Records Search. This page gives details on finding many types of records in the county. We will show you where to look and who to ask for help. Use this guide for your search needs.

For those ready to start a Dakota County Public Records Search now, you can visit https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/dakota-county-public-records/. This resource offers a way to begin looking for various public records available within Dakota County right away. It can be a quick starting point if you need immediate access or want to explore available search options before diving into specific county department procedures outlined here. Check the link to see how it may assist your search efforts.

Accessing Dakota County Public Records

Understanding Public Data Access in Minnesota

Minnesota law guides access to public records. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Chapter 13, is key. It states most government data are public. Some data might be private or not public by law. You have the right to view public data for free. You can ask for copies of public data too. The county can charge fees for making copies. These fees are set by law. For 100 or fewer paper copies, the cost is usually 25 cents per page. For other copies, like electronic ones, the charge is the actual cost to find and copy the data. You must ask in writing to see or get copies of data. Dakota County provides a Data Request Form for the public. The county must respond in a reasonable time.

Key County Departments & Contact Points

Many county offices hold public records. Knowing where to go helps. The main Dakota County Administration Center is at 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. General hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For data practice questions, email data.practices@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651-554-6244. Dakota County also has service centers. These include the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul (1 Mendota Road W) and the Western Service Center in Apple Valley (14955 Galaxie Ave). Their hours are usually the same, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. These centers offer many services, including some record access. Check the Service & License Centers page for details on specific locations and services offered, as some license centers have different hours or tasks.

Court Records Search

Online Access: Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

You can search many court records online. Use the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. Find it at https://www.mncourts.gov/Access-Case-Records/MCRO.aspx. MCRO lets you search in many ways. You can search by case number. You can search by a person's name or a business name. You can search by lawyer name or bar number. You can also search for hearing dates or judgment details. MCRO provides access to case details and many public court documents you can view online. It is a useful tool for quick checks on case status or finding basic information about court proceedings held in Dakota County and across Minnesota's district courts. It helps people find court dates easily.

MCRO data is not the official court record. The site has limits. Some case types are not shown online for privacy. These include Orders for Protection (OFP) and Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO). Some juvenile cases may also be hidden. You cannot see pending criminal cases by name search if there is no conviction yet. You must search by case number for those. Always check with the court for official copies. Use the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for official background checks. MCRO is great for general case info. But remember its limits. For official needs, contact the court directly. Public terminals at the courthouse offer more complete electronic access than MCRO online.

In-Person Access

You can view court records in person. Visit a Dakota County courthouse location. The main Dakota County Judicial Center is at 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The phone number is 651-438-8100. Court Administration can be reached at 651-377-7180. There is also the Western Service Center at 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124 (Phone: 952-891-7256). And the Northern Service Center is at 1 West Mendota Rd, Ste 140, West St. Paul, MN 55118 (Phone: 651-554-6200). Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Courthouses have public computers. These offer the best access to electronic records. You can also ask staff at the counter for help with paper files stored locally. Viewing records at the courthouse is free.

Requesting Copies

To get copies of court records, contact Court Administration. You can mail a request or visit in person. The Minnesota Courts website, mncourts.gov, should have a copy request form. If you cannot find the form, write a letter. Your request needs details. Include your full name, address, and phone number. Include the case name or number. Add the names of people in the case. If you know the defendant's date of birth, add that too. List the exact documents you need. Be clear in your description. Plain copies might be free. Certified copies cost $14 per document. Certified copies have a court seal for official use. You must pay any fees before getting copies. You can pick up copies or have them mailed. Ask about options like email or fax for uncertified copies.

Types of Court Records

Dakota County courts handle many case types. You can search for records from these cases.

• Civil Cases: Disputes between people or groups.

• Criminal Cases: Cases brought by the state for crimes.

• Family Court: Divorce, child custody, and related matters.

• Probate: Wills, estates, and guardianship cases.

• Juvenile Cases: Cases involving minors (access often restricted by law).

• Traffic Cases: Tickets and driving offenses.

Property Records Search

Property Taxation and Records Office

The main office for property records is Property Taxation and Records. It is in the Administration Center at 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. They handle deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax data. Their phone number is 651-438-4355. You can email them at records@co.dakota.mn.us. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Their part of the county website is https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HomeProperty/Recording. This office records and keeps property documents for all land in Dakota County. They ensure records are accurate and easy for the public to find. They also manage property tax collection details.

Online Access

Dakota County offers online ways to find property info. The free Property Information Search lets you find tax details. Find it here: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HomeProperty/PropertyRecords/Pages/default.aspx. You can search by house number, street address, or parcel ID. It shows tax amounts, property value, and basic facts. For deeper searches, the county has RecordEASE. This is a paid service. It gives access to actual document images. You can see deeds, mortgages, and liens. You need to set up an account and pay a monthly fee. RecordEASE allows searches by owner name, legal description, or document type. It is useful for title companies or people needing full document copies often. Contact the office for RecordEASE sign up details.

Record Types

The Property Taxation and Records office keeps many record types.

• Deeds: Show property ownership transfer.

• Mortgages: Loans secured by property.

• Liens: Claims against property for debt.

• Plats & Surveys: Maps showing land divisions and boundaries.

• Property Tax Information: Records of taxes assessed and paid.

• Assessment Data: Information on property value for tax needs. (Contact Assessing Services at 651-438-4200 for specific assessment questions).

Fees

There are fees for getting copies of property records. Plain copies usually cost $1 per page. Ask the office how many pages a document has to know the cost. If you need a certified copy for official use, the fee is $10 per document. Fees for copies of plats or registered land surveys can be different. Check the county's fee schedule or call the office at 651-438-4355 for exact costs. Payment is needed before you get copies.

Vital Records Search (Birth, Death, Marriage)

Access Points

You can get vital records in Dakota County. Go to certain Service Centers. The main locations are:

• Administration Center in Hastings (1590 Highway 55). Call 651-438-4312.

• Northern Service Center in West St. Paul (1 Mendota Road W). Call 651-554-6531.

• Western Service Center in Apple Valley (14955 Galaxie Ave). Call 952-891-7144. Some License Centers also offer birth and death certificates. Check the Service & License Centers page to see which centers offer vital records. Hours are mostly Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, but license centers can vary. You can also email questions to dakotacountyvitals@co.dakota.mn.us. Marriage licenses must be applied for and certificates picked up at specific service centers like Administration, Northern, or Western.

Record Types & Eligibility

Dakota County issues several vital records.

• Birth Certificates: Proof of birth. Only certain people can get a birth record. This includes the person named on the record (if an adult), parents named on the record, and legal guardians. You need ID and may need proof of relationship. State law limits who can get these records to protect privacy.

• Death Certificates: Proof of death. Access is also limited by law. Spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, or legal reps can usually get copies. You need ID and proof of relationship. These are often needed for legal or estate matters.

• Marriage Licenses & Certificates: You apply for a license before getting married. After the wedding, you can get certified copies of the marriage certificate. These are proof of marriage. You can get copies from the same service centers where you apply for the license.

Criminal Records & Law Enforcement Data

Dakota County Sheriff's Office

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office keeps records on arrests and incidents. Their main office is at the Law Enforcement Center, 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The main phone is 651-438-4700. Office hours for records are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. To ask for records, use email. For general Sheriff's records, email DCSORecords@co.dakota.mn.us. For records about the jail, email dcjailadmin@co.dakota.mn.us. Not all law enforcement data is public. Some parts of reports may be private or confidential under the Data Practices Act. You can request public parts of incident reports or arrest information.

Dakota County Attorney's Office

The Dakota County Attorney's Office handles criminal prosecution. They have records on cases they file. Their office is in the Judicial Center at 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. Call them at 651-438-4438. Their email is attorney@co.dakota.mn.us. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. They might have an online search for criminal complaints filed. You can ask their office about accessing data related to specific criminal cases they have handled. Like other data, access depends on whether the information is public under state law.

State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

For official criminal history checks, use the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). They run the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search (CHS). Access it online at https://chs.state.mn.us/. Their phone is 651-793-2400. The BCA system links records using fingerprints. This makes it more accurate for background checks. MCRO and county records are useful, but the BCA is the official source for statewide criminal history information. Employers often use the BCA search for hiring checks.

Other Record Types

Business Records

Records for businesses operating in Minnesota are usually held by the state. Contact the Minnesota Secretary of State for business filings. This includes things like incorporation papers or assumed names. Their website has search tools for business information.

Historical Records

The Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS) keeps old records. Their website is https://www.dakotahistory.org/search-records. They have census records from past years. They also have church records, cemetery lists, and old obituaries. Some data can be searched online. For help with family history research, email dakotahistory@co.dakota.mn.us or call 651-552-7548. DCHS may ask for a donation for research services. They are based at the Lawshe Museum in South St. Paul. They also manage other historic sites in the county.