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Dakota County, Minnesota public records

In Dakota County, deeds are recorded by the Dakota County Property Taxation & Records; property values come from the Dakota County Assessing Services; court files are kept by the Dakota County District Court.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Birth certificates
  7. Death certificates
  8. Probate records and wills
  9. Voter records
  10. Historical records
  11. Other records at the county
  12. Good to know about Dakota County records
  13. Office addresses, phones and hours
  14. Records that are not online: public records requests
  15. Questions people ask
  16. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  17. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsDakota County Property Taxation & Records4Search deeds2Fee charged$1 per page3
Property values and ownersDakota County Assessing Services5Property search2—
Property tax billsDakota County Property Taxation & Records6Tax bill search6—
Court casesDakota County District Court – Court Administration7Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District), Judicial Center, Hastings8Certified copies generally $14 per document (statewide)9
Marriage recordsDakota County Service & License Centers11—Certified copy fee: $9 per certified copy; only licenses issued in Dakota County10
Divorce recordsDakota County District Court – Court Administration7——
Birth certificatesDakota County Service & License Centers11—$26 first certified copy; $19 each additional copy of the same record at the same time12
Death certificatesDakota County Service & License Centers11—$13 first certified copy; $6 each additional13
Probate and willsDakota County District Court – Court Administration7——
Business names (DBA)Statewide: Assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State, not the county14——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Dakota County are recorded by the Dakota County Property Taxation & Records.4

Online search
lmrs.co.dakota.mn.us/Web2Fee charged
Cost
Paid: occasional user $5 per session, search $1, view document $2; subscriber $30 per month, search $0.50, document $1.50 (Torrens certificate $3 / $2.50)2
Free property info
Free Property Information Search (parcel details, tax statements, valuation notices): gis.co.dakota.mn.us/PropertyInformation2
Copy fee
$1 per page3
Certified copy fee
$10 per certified copy3
Recording fee
Abstract document or Torrens memorial $46 (state-mandated, Minn. Stat. 357.18); plats $56; well disclosure certificate $5015
How to order
Buy uncertified copies in person at the Administration Center (Hastings), Northern Service Center (West St. Paul) or Western Service Center (Apple Valley); by mail send a written request with payment to Attn: Research; 24-hour turnaround3
Scam warning
Mailers charging over $90 for deeds; the county provides a copy of your deed for free3
Fraud alerts
Free Property Watch alerts: lmrs.co.dakota.mn.us/pw16
Land systems
Abstract and Torrens; most Dakota County property is Abstract4

How deeds work in Minnesota

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Dakota County Assessing Services sets property values5; the Dakota County Property Taxation & Records (taxation; Auditor/Treasurer functions) bills and collects the tax6.

Property search
Property Information Search gis.co.dakota.mn.us/PropertyInformation2
Tax bill search
Property Information Search (tax amounts) gis.co.dakota.mn.us/PropertyInformation; pay online via Paymentus ipn.paymentus.com/rotp/dkct6
Payment fees
Online card 2.29%; Visa debit $2.95; e-check $0.35; in-person card 2.49%6
Due dates
Real property: May 15 and Oct. 156
Parcel map (GIS)
GIS Data and Online Property Maps pages17
Appealing a value
Informal review with Assessing Services; Special County Board of Appeal and Equalization (met June 8, 2026); then Minnesota Tax Court petition by April 30 of the year taxes are payable5

How property tax works in Minnesota

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Dakota County District Court (First Judicial District), Judicial Center, HastingsFelony, misdemeanor, civil, family/divorce, probate and guardianshipDakota County District Court – Court Administration (Minnesota Judicial Branch, First Judicial District)publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)8
Fees
Certified copies generally $14 per document (statewide)9

Criminal records and background checks

Which court
District Court records via MCRO8
Jail
County Jail Inmate Search and Warrant Search18

How Minnesota courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Dakota County Service & License Centers (vital records).11

Marriage license fee
$125; $50 with 12 hours of premarital education19
Validity
Valid six months19
Apply
Complete online application lmrs.co.dakota.mn.us/… then sign at a service center19
Certified copy fee
$9 per certified copy; only licenses issued in Dakota County10
Statewide index
Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) moms.mn.gov20

Minnesota marriage records, statewide

Birth certificates

Kept by the Dakota County Service & License Centers (vital records).11

Fee
$26 first certified copy; $19 each additional copy of the same record at the same time12
What it covers
Any Minnesota birth from Jan. 1, 1935; earlier Dakota County births at the Administration Center12
Eligibility
Must be an authorized requestor as defined by MDH; mail applications notarized12
Card fee
2.49% convenience fee for cards12

Ordering a Minnesota birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the Dakota County Service & License Centers (vital records).11

Fee
$13 first certified copy; $6 each additional13
What it covers
Any Minnesota death 1997 to present; earlier records for those who lived or died in Dakota County13

Ordering a Minnesota death certificate

Probate records and wills

Kept by: Court Administration, Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings21

Online
MCRO: probate, guardianship and trust documents filed on or after July 1, 20158

Finding a will or probate case in Minnesota

Voter records

Kept by the Dakota County Elections.22

Contact
Dakota County Elections 651-438-430522

Historical records

Death books
Death record books 1870 through 1945 viewable digitally at the Administration Center13
Births
Pre-1935 Dakota County birth records at the Administration Center12
Society
Dakota County Historical Society, 130 3rd Ave. N., South St. Paul21

Other records at the county

Military discharges (DD-214)

What the office says
Free copy of DD214 recorded in Dakota County4

Good to know about Dakota County records

  • Recording, taxation and records are one department (Property Taxation & Records); documents are recorded only in Hastings4
  • County Board waived the recording fee for discharging discriminatory covenants23
  • Most Dakota County land is Abstract (not Torrens) property4
  • County runs its own paid document system, RecordEASE, plus a free Property Information Search2
  • Death record books 1870-1945 can be viewed digitally at the Administration Center13

Office addresses, phones and hours

Dakota County Property Taxation & Records

Address
Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 (documents accepted for recording only here)4
Mail
Dakota County Property Taxation & Records, Attn: Document Recording, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 550334
Phone
651-438-4597 (records); 651-438-4576 (department)16
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County Assessing Services

Address
Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503321
Mail
1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503321
Phone
651-438-4200; fax 651-438-44695
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.5

Dakota County Property Taxation & Records (taxation; Auditor/Treasurer functions)

Address
Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033; in-person payment at county buildings 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.6
Mail
Dakota County Property Taxation & Records, Attn: Taxation, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033-23436
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County District Court – Court Administration (Minnesota Judicial Branch, First Judicial District)

Address
Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503321
Mail
Dakota County District Court, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503324
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County District Court – Court Administration (probate is a district court matter in Minnesota)

Address
Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503321
Mail
Dakota County District Court, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 5503324
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County Service & License Centers (vital records)

Address
Northern Service Center (Public Health), Burnsville, Lakeville and Robert Trail License Centers; department office 1590 Highway 55, Hastings11
Mail
Administration Center, Attn: Vitals, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 (mail applications must be notarized)12

Dakota County Sheriff's Office

Address
Law Enforcement Center, 1580 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033-234321
Phone
651-438-4700; fax 651-438-470918
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County Elections

Address
1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033-237221
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County Surveyor's Office / GIS

Address
14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124-8579 (Surveyor's Office)21
Hours
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.21

Dakota County Historical Society (listed in the county departments directory)

Address
130 3rd Ave. N., South St. Paul, MN 5507521
Hours
Wed and Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thu 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m.21

Records that are not online: public records requests

Request page
services.co.dakota.mn.us/… (Minnesota Government Data Practices Act)25
Where to send it
[email protected]25

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Dakota County?

The Dakota County Property Taxation & Records keeps deed records. To order copies: Buy uncertified copies in person at the Administration Center (Hastings), Northern Service Center (West St. Paul) or Western Service Center (Apple Valley); by mail send a written request with payment to Attn: Research; 24-hour turnaround. Plain copies: $1 per page. Certified copies: $10 per certified copy.43

Can I search Dakota County land records online for free?

No, the official online search charges a fee. Paid: occasional user $5 per session, search $1, view document $2; subscriber $30 per month, search $0.50, document $1.50 (Torrens certificate $3 / $2.50). The official search: lmrs.co.dakota.mn.us/Web2

How much is a birth certificate in Dakota County?

$26 first certified copy; $19 each additional copy of the same record at the same time.12

How much does a marriage license cost in Dakota County?

$125; $50 with 12 hours of premarital education.19

How do I look up who owns a property in Dakota County?

Use the property search of the Dakota County Assessing Services: gis.co.dakota.mn.us/PropertyInformation2

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Dakota County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Minnesota with a full guide: Anoka County, Carver County, Hennepin County, Olmsted County, Ramsey County, Washington County, Wright County. Every county in the state: Minnesota county list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from; all 26 sources were checked on November 4, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureau
  2. Online Property RecordsDakota County
  3. Purchasing Recorded DocumentsDakota County
  4. Recording Property DocumentsDakota County
  5. Inquire About or Appeal an AssessmentDakota County
  6. Pay Property TaxesDakota County
  7. Minnesota Judicial Branch
  8. Minnesota Court Records OnlineMinnesota Judicial Branch
  9. Court copy requestsMinnesota Judicial Branch
  10. Marriage CertificatesDakota County
  11. Birth CertificatesDakota County
  12. Certified Birth CertificatesDakota County
  13. Certified Death CertificatesDakota County
  14. Minn. Stat. 333.01 Commercial assumed namesMinnesota Revisor of Statutes
  15. Filing FeesDakota County
  16. Property WatchDakota County
  17. Home & PropertyDakota County
  18. County SheriffDakota County
  19. Marriage LicensesDakota County
  20. Marriage Licenses and CertificatesDakota County
  21. DepartmentsDakota County
  22. Voting & ElectionsDakota County
  23. Discharging Discriminatory CovenantsDakota County
  24. Minnesota Judicial Branch
  25. Data PracticesDakota County
  26. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureau