McLeod County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in McLeod County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents, property data, court filings, and other official materials may access a broad range of publicly available information through McLeod County's official offices and online portals. McLeodRecords.us aggregates publicly available data that may assist researchers in locating relevant record categories. McLeod County, Minnesota — encompassing 504 square miles and comprising 14 townships and 9 cities — maintains official records through several county departments, each responsible for a distinct category of documentation.
Records that members of the public may find through official channels include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and financial documents
- Land use, zoning, and permit records
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and county board resolutions
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by the county and the State of Minnesota.
Online Access:
- The McLeod County official website provides department-level access to a variety of public documents, including meeting minutes, budgets, and departmental records.
- Real property assessment data is available through the McLeod County property records portal, maintained jointly by the Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer Departments.
- Court case records are searchable statewide through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). No registration is required for basic case searches, though some record types may require courthouse terminal access.
- Historical land records not available in the Land Records Management Recording System are accessible through the McLeod County Recorder's office page.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the McLeod County Government Center to inspect records in person. Requestors should identify the specific record type and the responsible department prior to visiting. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate office. Inspection is permitted during regular business hours without advance appointment for most record categories.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of response. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities must respond to data requests within a reasonable time. Mailing address: McLeod County Government Center, 830 11th Street East, Glencoe, MN 55336.
Phone/Email:
- Main County Phone: (320) 864-1200
- Department-specific contacts are listed on the McLeod County government directory.
What Are Public Records in McLeod County?
Public records in McLeod County are defined under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.01 et seq., as all data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity, regardless of physical form or storage medium. The default classification of government data is public unless a specific statute designates it as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic.
The following record types are maintained by McLeod County and are accessible to the public:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family) | McLeod County District Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Recorder |
| Property assessments | County Assessor |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | County Recorder / MN Dept. of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | County Administrator |
| Property tax records | Auditor-Treasurer |
| Voting and election records | County Auditor |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator |
| Budget and financial documents | Auditor-Treasurer |
| Law enforcement incident reports | McLeod County Sheriff |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning & Zoning |
The McLeod County Recorder's office maintains land records, historical documents, and vital records filed within the county. Property assessment data is searchable through the county's real property public access system.
Is McLeod County an Open Records County?
McLeod County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, § 13.03, Subd. 1, all government data is presumed public unless classified otherwise by statute. The Act states that "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."
McLeod County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the MGDPA governs all data practices uniformly across Minnesota's counties. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) provides guidance on compliance and serves as the state's primary authority on data practices matters. Members of the public who believe a request has been improperly denied may file a complaint with IPAD or seek relief through the district court.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in McLeod County?
The cost to obtain public records in McLeod County is governed by Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 3, which limits fees to the actual cost of searching for and retrieving the data, and the cost of duplication. The following fee structure applies under current law:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies (vital records) | $13.00 per certified copy (MN Dept. of Health rate) |
| Electronic records | Actual cost of duplication |
| Inspection (viewing only) | No charge |
| Search/retrieval fee | Actual staff time cost, if applicable |
- Inspection of public records is provided at no charge.
- Fees for certified vital records (birth, death, marriage) are set by the Minnesota Department of Health and are subject to change.
- Payment methods accepted at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Individual departments may also accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Minnesota law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in specific circumstances.
- Fees vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the record.
Does McLeod County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under the MGDPA. Government entities in Minnesota are required to permit inspection of public data at no cost. The following resources provide free access to McLeod County records:
- The McLeod County property records portal provides free online access to real property assessment data maintained by the Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer Departments.
- The McLeod County official website offers free access to meeting minutes, agendas, budgets, and other county government documents.
- Court case information is available at no charge through Minnesota Court Records Online for basic case searches.
- Courthouse public access terminals, available at the McLeod County District Court, provide free in-person access to electronic district court case records, as described by the Minnesota Judicial Branch access case records page.
Free inspection differs from free copies. While viewing records costs nothing, obtaining paper or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in McLeod County?
Any person may request access to public records in McLeod County. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, there is no residency requirement, and requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request for most categories of public data. Identification is not required to inspect public records, though it may be requested for certain sensitive record types or when accessing data about oneself.
- Non-residents retain the same rights as Minnesota residents to access public government data.
- Businesses and organizations may submit requests on the same basis as individuals.
- Requesting records about oneself: Individuals have the right to access private data maintained about them by a government entity, subject to identity verification requirements.
- Requesting records about others: Access to private or confidential data about third parties is restricted and requires a legal basis, such as a court order or statutory authorization.
Certain record categories — including juvenile records, sealed court files, and law enforcement investigative data — carry additional restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in McLeod County?
Not all government data maintained by McLeod County is accessible to the public. Minnesota Statutes § 13.02 and related provisions classify certain data as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic. The following categories are exempt from public disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records — accessible only by court order
- Juvenile records — protected under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
- Active law enforcement investigative data — classified as protected nonpublic during an ongoing investigation
- Social Security numbers and financial account data — classified as private data on individuals
- Medical and health records — protected under both the MGDPA and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records — sealed by statute in Minnesota
- Child welfare and protective services records — classified as private or confidential
- Personnel records — private with limited exceptions for certain public employee data
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — classified as nonpublic to protect public safety
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act provides a balancing framework under which the public interest in disclosure is weighed against the privacy interests of individuals and the operational needs of government. Requestors who are denied access to specific records may challenge the classification through the Minnesota Department of Administration's IPAD or through district court proceedings.
McLeod County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
McLeod County Recorder
830 11th Street East, Suite 110
Glencoe, MN 55336
(320) 864-1200
McLeod County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
McLeod County Assessor / Auditor-Treasurer
830 11th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
(320) 864-1200
McLeod County Property Records
McLeod County District Court (Eighth Judicial District)
830 11th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
(320) 864-1281
Minnesota Judicial Branch – Access Case Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
McLeod County Sheriff's Office
801 10th Street East
Glencoe, MN 55336
(320) 864-5557
McLeod County, MN
As noted by the McLeod County Recorder's office, "the public now has access to various historical records that are unavailable in the Land Records Management Recording System," reflecting the county's ongoing commitment to expanding digital access to its document archives.