Find Deed Records in Ramsey County

Ramsey County deed records cover every property transfer, mortgage, and land document recorded in Saint Paul and the surrounding communities. The County Recorder maintains these records at the Ramsey County Courthouse and provides online access through RecordEASE. This page explains how to search Ramsey County property records, what fees apply, and how the county's dual abstract and Torrens system works.

Ramsey County Recorder Office

The Ramsey County Recorder is located at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse, Room 72, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102. The Property Resource Center operates out of the Plato Building and is open from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM on weekdays. You can reach the recorder by phone at (651) 266-2050 or by email at RecordingAcctSupport@ramseycounty.us.

The recorder's full service information is available at ramseycounty.us. Staff record and index all real estate documents filed in the county, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, and Torrens-related filings.

The screenshot below shows the Ramsey County Recorder's office page, where you can find current contact information, online search access, and recording guidelines.

The Ramsey County Recorder handles both abstract and Torrens land systems, which means the office manages two distinct sets of records depending on how each parcel of land is registered.

Online Deed Record Search

Ramsey County uses RecordEASE for online land record access. Abstract records are available with images going back to 1967, and Torrens records reach back to 1913. The system includes grantor and grantee indexes and provides TIFF images of recorded documents. Subscriptions are available for title companies, law firms, and other frequent users.

For property tax and value information, the county provides a separate lookup at ramseycounty.us. This tool is useful for checking assessed values, tax history, and ownership information without needing a RecordEASE subscription.

Ramsey County has a dedicated Examiner of Titles office that handles all Torrens system matters. Information about that office is available at ramseycountymn.gov. The Examiner of Titles reviews and approves all petitions to register land under the Torrens system and handles related proceedings.

Note: RecordEASE access requires a paid subscription. Contact the recorder's office for current pricing and setup information.

Deed Tax and Recording Fees

Ramsey County charges a deed tax rate of 0.34%, which is slightly higher than the standard 0.33% rate used in most Minnesota counties. Along with Hennepin County, Ramsey is one of only two counties in Minnesota that charge the higher rate. This is set by Minnesota Statute 287.21.

On a $250,000 property sale, the deed tax in Ramsey County comes to $850. The tax is based on the net consideration, meaning the sale price minus any assumed mortgage. Payment is due before the deed can be recorded.

Standard recording fees apply in Ramsey County. The base recording fee is $46.00 per document. Plats cost $56.00. Well Disclosure Certificates are $54.00. Certified copies are $10.00. These fees are set at the state level and apply uniformly across Minnesota counties.

Before any deed can be recorded, the county auditor must certify that property taxes are paid and current. This requirement comes from Minnesota Statute 272.12 and protects buyers from inheriting unpaid tax obligations.

Document Recording Requirements

All deeds filed in Ramsey County must meet the formatting standards in Minnesota Statute 507.093. This law covers paper size, minimum margins, font size, and the placement of the preparer's name and return address. Documents that don't comply may be returned or recorded with a non-standard fee.

For homestead properties, the deed must include signatures from both spouses under Minnesota Statute 507.02. This rule protects a spouse's interest in a family home when the property is being sold or transferred.

Ramsey County accepts documents for recording in person at the courthouse. E-recording may be available for certain document types through approved vendors. Contact the recorder's office to confirm current e-recording options.

Types of Deed Records

Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds make up the largest share of recorded documents in Ramsey County. Warranty deeds include seller guarantees about the title. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest exists without guarantees. Both are governed by Minnesota Statute 507.07.

Transfer on Death Deeds allow property to pass directly to a named beneficiary at death, skipping probate entirely. These must be recorded while the owner is alive to be effective. The governing statute is Minnesota Statute 507.071.

Contracts for deed are also recorded in Ramsey County, particularly for seller-financed transactions. Under Minnesota Statute 507.235, contracts for deed must be recorded within four months of signing. Failure to record can affect the buyer's legal rights in case of a dispute.

Torrens Land System in Ramsey County

A significant portion of Ramsey County land is registered under the Torrens system, governed by Minnesota Statute Chapter 508. Torrens land has a state-guaranteed Certificate of Title rather than a traditional deed chain. Transfers of Torrens property result in a new Certificate of Title being issued, not just a recorded deed.

The Examiner of Titles reviews all Torrens transactions and approves changes to Certificates of Title. This process provides a high degree of title security but involves additional steps compared to abstract property transfers. Title searches on Torrens property are generally simpler since the Certificate reflects current ownership directly.

Under Minnesota Statute 507.34, unrecorded abstract deeds are void against later purchasers who record first without notice. This rule reinforces the importance of prompt recording for any property transfer in Ramsey County.

Cities in Ramsey County

St. Paul is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Ramsey County. St. Paul is also the state capital of Minnesota. Other communities in the county include Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview, Little Canada, and Falcon Heights, none of which meet the 100,000 population threshold for a dedicated city page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ramsey County. Property records for land in neighboring areas are held by their respective recorders.