Fillmore County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Fillmore County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Fillmore County, Minnesota, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. FillmoreRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Fillmore County. The records accessible through official channels may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and election-related materials, though availability and completeness vary by record type and the custodial office.
Records in Fillmore County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal allows members of the public to search district court case records statewide, including those originating in Fillmore County. No registration is required for basic case searches, though certain sealed or restricted records are not accessible through this platform.
- Property records, tax assessment data, and land records may be searched through the Fillmore County Assessor and Recorder portals available on the county's official website.
- Voter registration and election office information is maintained through the Minnesota Secretary of State's county election office directory.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Fillmore County Courthouse in Preston, Minnesota, to inspect records at public access terminals or submit requests directly to the relevant office. The Fillmore County District Court maintains original jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, and probate matters and holds corresponding case files. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to specify the record type and relevant case or document identifiers.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and any known identifiers such as case numbers or parcel identification numbers. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Fillmore County Courthouse main line: (507) 765-3356
- Fillmore County Recorder's Office: (507) 765-3811
What Are Public Records in Fillmore County?
Public records in Fillmore County are government-created or government-maintained documents that are accessible to the public under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 1, all government data is presumed public unless classified as private, confidential, or protected by a specific statutory exemption. The following record categories are maintained by county and state agencies:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family case files maintained by the Fillmore County District Court, including pleadings, orders, and findings
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments held by the County Recorder and Assessor
- Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Minnesota Department of Health and the County Recorder
- Business records — licenses, permits, and assumed name filings held by the County Recorder and state agencies
- Tax records — property tax statements and assessment records maintained by the County Auditor-Treasurer
- Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results managed through the county election office, accessible via the Minnesota Secretary of State
- Meeting minutes and agendas — county board and commission records available through the County Administrator's office
- Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records — permits, variances, and planning documents held by the County Planning and Zoning Department
The Minnesota State Law Library provides guidance on locating court records and trial court documents, including district court files that contain pleadings, orders, and findings filed by parties to a case.
Is Fillmore County an Open Records County?
Fillmore County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq., all government data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is public unless otherwise classified by statute or federal law. As the Minnesota Department of Administration states, "All government data is public unless there is a specific law that classifies the data as not public."
Fillmore County, as a political subdivision of the state, is bound by the MGDPA and must make public data available to any person upon request. The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance, as the state statute governs all data practices uniformly across Minnesota jurisdictions. Sunshine law compliance is overseen at the state level, and the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) provides guidance and adjudicates disputes related to data access.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Fillmore County?
The cost to obtain public records in Fillmore County depends on the type of record requested and the office responsible for its custody. Under the MGDPA, government entities may charge for the actual cost of searching for and retrieving data, as well as for copies.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black & white) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified document copies | $10.00–$14.00 per document |
| Birth certificate (MDH) | $26.00 per certified copy |
| Death certificate (MDH) | $13.00 per certified copy |
| Marriage certificate | $9.00 per certified copy |
| Electronic record copies | Actual cost of reproduction |
| Property record searches | Varies by complexity |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge.
- Copy fees: Charges apply per page for paper reproductions.
- Certification fees: Certified copies carry additional fees set by the custodial office.
- Search fees: Fees for staff time may apply when a request requires extensive retrieval effort.
- Fee waivers: Waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Accepted payment methods at the Fillmore County Courthouse include cash, check, and money order. Individual offices may also accept credit or debit cards.
Does Fillmore County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Fillmore County. Under the MGDPA, government entities must allow members of the public to inspect public data at no cost. The charge for copies is separate from the right to inspect.
Free access to records is available through the following channels:
- Public access terminals at the Fillmore County Courthouse allow members of the public to search and view electronic district court case records without charge. As the Minnesota Judicial Branch notes, "Courthouse public access terminals provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records." These terminals are available during regular courthouse business hours.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) provides free online access to district court case information, including case status, party names, and hearing dates, through the MCRO case search portal.
- County Assessor and Auditor records may be inspected in person at no cost during regular office hours.
- Election and voter registration records are available for public inspection through the county election office at no charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Fillmore County?
Any person may request access to public records in Fillmore County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The MGDPA does not require requestors to be Minnesota residents, to provide identification for access to public data, or to explain the reason for their request. As a matter of state policy, the right to access public government data is extended broadly to all individuals.
Specific considerations include:
- Identification: Not required for inspection of public data, though certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes when processing certified copy requests.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose when seeking access to public data under Minn. Stat. § 13.03.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Fillmore County and Minnesota retain full rights to access public data.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting data about themselves (data subjects) have additional rights under the MGDPA, including the right to access private data about themselves that would not be available to the general public.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and law enforcement investigative data, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
What Records Are Confidential in Fillmore County?
Not all government records in Fillmore County are available for public inspection. The MGDPA and related Minnesota statutes classify certain categories of data as private, confidential, or protected. The following record types are exempt from public disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
- Juvenile records — case files involving minors are protected under Minnesota juvenile court statutes
- Ongoing law enforcement investigation data — active investigative files are classified as confidential under Minn. Stat. § 13.82
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected
- Medical and health records — protected under both the MGDPA and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records — classified as private data under Minnesota child protection statutes
- Personnel records — employee data is classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain public officials
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — protected from disclosure when submitted to government agencies
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety
When a government entity denies a data request, it must cite the specific statutory basis for the classification. Requestors who believe a denial is improper may seek review through the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division or pursue legal remedies in district court.
Fillmore County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Fillmore County Recorder's Office
101 Fillmore Street, Suite 2070
Preston, MN 55965
(507) 765-3811
Fillmore County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Fillmore County District Court
101 Fillmore Street
Preston, MN 55965
(507) 765-3356
Fillmore County District Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fillmore County Auditor-Treasurer
101 Fillmore Street, Suite 2080
Preston, MN 55965
(507) 765-3811
Fillmore County Auditor-Treasurer
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fillmore County Assessor
101 Fillmore Street
Preston, MN 55965
(507) 765-3811
Fillmore County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM