Faribault County Deed Records

Faribault County deed records are filed and maintained by the County Recorder at the courthouse in Blue Earth, Minnesota. The county uses a document number system, with recent recordings in the 400,000 or higher range. Both abstract and Torrens property exists in the county, and the Recorder handles deeds, mortgages, contracts for deed, and other real estate instruments. Contact the Recorder's office at 415 North Main in Blue Earth to search records, get copies, or ask about recording procedures.

Faribault County Recorder Office

The Faribault County Recorder is at 415 North Main, P.O. Box 130, Blue Earth, MN 56013. Phone is 507-526-6252. The county website is at co.faribault.mn.us. Staff are available during regular business hours to help with deed record searches, copy requests, and recording submissions. Both in-person and mail submissions are accepted.

The screenshot below shows the Faribault County homepage, which links to the Recorder's office and other county departments that handle property records and tax information.

From the county site, you can navigate to the Recorder's contact page and find information about recording services in Faribault County.

Faribault County records date back to the county's organization. Documents are indexed by document number, which makes tracking a specific recording straightforward once you know the number. For older records, office staff can assist with searches that require going back through historical indexes. The county uses both abstract and Torrens systems, so confirm which applies to your parcel before starting your research.

How to Record Deed Records in Faribault County

Recording a deed in Faribault County starts with making sure the document is in good shape. Under Minn. Stat. 507.093, documents must be on 8.5 by 14 inch white paper, printed in black ink with at least 8-point type, and must have a 3-inch blank space at the top of the first page for recording stamps. Documents that don't meet these standards may be returned. Non-conforming documents may also be subject to an additional fee.

Before the Recorder can accept a deed, the county auditor must certify that all property taxes on the parcel are current. This requirement is in Minn. Stat. 272.12. The auditor's stamp goes on the document first. No deed enters the public record without this step. For Faribault County farmland and rural parcels, confirming tax status before closing is a standard part of the process.

Under Minn. Stat. 507.34, an unrecorded deed is void against any subsequent buyer or lender who records first without notice. Recording is what protects the new owner's interest. In a county like Faribault, where agricultural land transactions are common, prompt recording keeps the land records clear and protects both buyers and sellers from competing claims.

Both spouses must sign when homestead property is being transferred. Minn. Stat. 507.02 requires this. A deed with only one spouse's signature on homestead property is not legally complete. Before submitting a deed on residential or other homestead property in Faribault County, verify whether the property is classified as homestead and make sure both spouses have signed.

Types of Deed Records

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds are the most common types of deed records in Faribault County. Under Minn. Stat. 507.07, a warranty deed guarantees clear title and includes the seller's promise to defend the buyer against any future title claims. Warranty deeds are the norm for standard property sales in Blue Earth and throughout Faribault County. Quitclaim deeds transfer only the grantor's existing interest without any guarantee. They're used in family transfers, estate matters, and situations where the parties already have full information about the title.

Contracts for deed appear regularly in Faribault County deed records, particularly for farmland where sellers sometimes carry the financing. Under Minn. Stat. 507.235, contracts for deed must be recorded within four months of being signed. Missing this deadline leaves the buyer's interest unprotected and can create complications if the seller later conveys to someone else or faces creditor claims.

Transfer on death deeds are also filed in the county. Under Minn. Stat. 507.071, a property owner records a deed that passes real estate to a named beneficiary at death, without going through probate. The deed must be recorded before death and stays revocable while the owner lives. This works well for passing farmland to the next generation cleanly and quickly.

Deed Tax and Recording Fees in Faribault County

Faribault County collects deed tax at the time of recording. Under Minn. Stat. 287.21, the rate is 0.33% of the consideration paid above $3,000. Transfers at or below $3,000 pay a flat $1.65. The deed tax is separate from the recording fee and must be paid when the document is submitted. For agricultural land sales in Faribault County, where values are often significant, deed tax can add up to a substantial amount at closing.

The standard recording fee for a deed is $46. The fee covers the Recorder's work of reviewing, stamping, indexing, and imaging the document. Additional pages may increase the fee. Copy fees apply for printed copies of recorded documents. Certified copies carry the county's official seal and cost more than plain copies.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue at revenue.state.mn.us administers the deed tax across all Minnesota counties. Their site has guidance on calculating the tax, possible exemptions, and the required forms. The screenshot below shows the Revenue Department's site, which is your resource for deed tax questions in Faribault County and statewide.

Check the Revenue site to confirm current deed tax rates and find any applicable exemptions before recording a deed in Faribault County.

Abstract and Torrens Property

Faribault County has both abstract and Torrens property. Abstract property relies on a chain of recorded documents to establish title. Torrens property is registered under Minn. Stat. Chapter 508, with a court-issued certificate of title as the definitive proof of ownership. When a Torrens parcel changes hands, the old certificate is canceled and a new one is issued.

If you're searching Faribault County deed records and are not sure whether a parcel is abstract or Torrens, the Recorder's office can tell you. The search process differs between the two systems, and knowing which you're working with saves time. For most farmland and rural parcels in Faribault County, abstract title is the norm, but some parcels may be Torrens.

Cities in Faribault County

Faribault County's largest communities include Blue Earth, Wells, and Winnebago. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All deed records for Faribault County communities are filed with the County Recorder at 415 North Main in Blue Earth.

Nearby Counties

Faribault County is bordered by other south-central and southwest Minnesota counties, each with its own recorder's office and deed record system.