Wabasha County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Wabasha County in 2026

WabashaRecords.us provides publicly available data and information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Wabasha County, Minnesota. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other government-held information may access these materials through official county offices, state-administered online portals, and public access terminals located at the courthouse. The categories of records that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, family, and probate)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Tax and financial records
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools administered by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and Wabasha County government.

Online Access:

The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal allows members of the public to search district court case records statewide, including those filed in Wabasha County. Plain copies of recent records, including divorce filings, are accessible through this system. No registration is required for basic case searches, though some document-level access may require a fee.
Property records, tax information, and recorded documents are accessible through the Wabasha County Assessor and Recorder offices via the county's official website.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Wabasha County Courthouse, located at 625 Jefferson Avenue, Wabasha, MN 55981. The Wabasha County District Court maintains original jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Courthouse public access terminals provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records. Requestors should present a valid photo identification and specify the records sought.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the relevant county office by mail. Requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's contact information. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Wabasha County Courthouse main line: (651) 565-3671
The county recorder and clerk offices may be reached through the main courthouse number during regular business hours.

What Are Public Records in Wabasha County?

Public records in Wabasha County are government-held documents and data that are accessible to members of the public under Minnesota law. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.01, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) establishes that government data are public unless classified otherwise by statute, federal law, or temporary classification. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Wabasha County District Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Minnesota Department of Health / County
Divorce records	District Court / MCRO
Business licenses and permits	County Administrator
Property tax and assessment records	County Assessor / Auditor-Treasurer
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Administrator
Budget and financial documents	County Auditor-Treasurer
Law enforcement records	Wabasha County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	County Planning and Zoning

The Minnesota State Law Library's guidance on divorce decrees notes that plain copies of recent divorce records may be found using the Minnesota Court Records Online system, while certified copies must be obtained directly from the district court where the case was filed.

Is Wabasha County an Open Records County?

Wabasha County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, governs public access to government data held by all state and local government entities, including Wabasha County. Under this statute, all government data are presumed public unless a specific legal classification applies.

As stated in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act: "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."

The Act further requires that government entities designate a Responsible Authority to manage data requests and ensure compliance. Wabasha County, as a political subdivision of the state, is bound by these provisions. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division provides guidance to government entities and members of the public on the application of the MGDPA.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Wabasha County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, government entities may charge for the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying records, but fees must not exceed the actual cost incurred.

Standard Fee Schedule (subject to change by the maintaining office):

Service	Typical Fee
Paper copies (black and white)	$0.25 per page
Certified copies of court records	$14.00 per document
Certified copies of vital records	$13.00 per copy (MDH rate)
Electronic record copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Document recording (Recorder's Office)	Varies by document type
Inspection of records	No charge

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the responsible authority.
Court filing fees and copy fees for judicial records are governed separately under Minnesota Rules of Court.

Does Wabasha County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Wabasha County. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, members of the public have the right to inspect public government data at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and obtaining copies is significant: viewing records in person at a government office is free, while obtaining physical or certified copies incurs fees as described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain public records:

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): The MCRO case search portal provides free basic case information for district court records statewide, including Wabasha County filings.
Courthouse Public Access Terminals: As noted by the Minnesota Judicial Branch, "courthouse public access terminals provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records." These terminals are available at the Wabasha County Courthouse at no charge.
County Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer: Property assessment and tax records may be inspected at no cost during regular business hours.
County Recorder: Recorded land documents may be inspected in person without charge.

Who Can Request Public Records in Wabasha County?

Any person may request access to public records in Wabasha County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act does not require requestors to be Minnesota residents, to provide identification for inspection of public data, or to state the reason for their request when seeking public data.

Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:

Identification: Requestors are not required to identify themselves when seeking public data. However, identification may be required when requesting private data about oneself.
Purpose: Government entities may not require requestors to explain why they are seeking public data.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Wabasha County and Minnesota retain full rights to access public government data under state law.
Personal records: Individuals seeking data about themselves (private data) must provide sufficient verification of identity before access is granted.
Third-party records: Access to private or confidential data about other individuals is restricted and requires legal authorization, such as a court order or written consent from the subject.
Minors: Parents or guardians may request data on behalf of minor children in certain circumstances defined by statute.

Members of the public seeking access to case records through the Minnesota Judicial Branch may do so through online portals or in person at the courthouse without demonstrating a specific legal interest.

What Records Are Confidential in Wabasha County?

Certain categories of government data are classified as nonpublic, private, or confidential under Minnesota law and are not subject to public disclosure. Minnesota Statutes § 13.02 defines these classifications and establishes the framework for restricting access to sensitive information.

The following record types are exempt from public disclosure in Wabasha County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are protected under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171.
Ongoing criminal investigation data: Active law enforcement investigative data are classified as protected nonpublic or confidential.
Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is classified as private data.
Medical and health records: Protected under both the MGDPA and federal HIPAA regulations.
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records: Classified as private or confidential under Minnesota Statutes § 13.46.
Personnel records: Employee data held by government entities are classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain position-related information.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt from disclosure when submitted to government entities under confidentiality agreements.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Classified to protect public safety.

Government entities in Wabasha County are required to apply a balancing analysis when a record contains both public and nonpublic data, disclosing only the portions that are classified as public.

Wabasha County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Wabasha County Recorder's Office
625 Jefferson Avenue
Wabasha, MN 55981
Phone: (651) 565-3671
Wabasha County official website

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Wabasha County District Court
625 Jefferson Avenue
Wabasha, MN 55981
Phone: (651) 565-2461
Wabasha County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wabasha County Assessor / Auditor-Treasurer
625 Jefferson Avenue
Wabasha, MN 55981
Phone: (651) 565-3671
Wabasha County official website