Kandiyohi County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Kandiyohi County?

Public records in Kandiyohi County are defined under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq., as all data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity in the course of its official duties. Under current law, government data is presumed public unless a specific statute classifies it as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained and accessible through various Kandiyohi County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Kandiyohi County District Court, which holds original jurisdiction over all such matters in the county.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Kandiyohi County Recorder's Office; property assessments are maintained by the County Assessor.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Kandiyohi County Vital Records Office and the Minnesota Department of Health.
Business records — Licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious business name) filings are maintained by the County Recorder and the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax statements and assessment records are maintained by the Kandiyohi County Auditor-Treasurer.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Kandiyohi County Auditor-Treasurer, which serves as the county's election authority.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and resolutions are maintained by the County Administrator's Office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, financial audits, and expenditure reports are public documents available through the County Administrator and Auditor-Treasurer.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, to the extent permitted under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, are maintained by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning permits, variances, and land use applications are maintained by the Kandiyohi County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Kandiyohi County an Open Records County?

Kandiyohi County fully complies with Minnesota's open records framework. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, all government entities in Minnesota — including county offices — are required to make public data available to any person upon request. The statute provides that government data is public unless otherwise classified, and that responsible authorities must respond to data requests in a prompt and appropriate manner.

Two key provisions govern access at the county level:

Presumption of openness — All government data is presumed public unless a specific statutory classification applies. The burden rests on the government entity to identify the legal basis for any restriction.
Timely response requirement — Responsible authorities must respond to data requests within a reasonable time, and must provide data in the format requested if technically feasible.

Kandiyohi County operates in compliance with Minnesota's sunshine laws, which require open meetings of governmental bodies under the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.01. County Board meetings are open to the public, and meeting materials are made available in advance. The county does not currently maintain a separate public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Kandiyohi County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Kandiyohi County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for submitting and fulfilling records requests:

Identify the responsible authority — Determine which county office maintains the records sought. Property records are held by the Recorder; court records by the District Court; tax records by the Auditor-Treasurer; and law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written or in-person request — Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office during public counter hours, by mail, or by telephone. Written requests are recommended for complex or voluminous records.
Search court records online — Members of the public may conduct a Kandiyohi County case search through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), which provides electronic access to district court case information statewide.
Use courthouse public access terminals — For the most complete access to electronic district court records, members of the public may use courthouse public access terminals located at the Kandiyohi County Courthouse in Willmar.
Search property records — Property and land records may be searched through the Kandiyohi County Recorder's Office in person or via the county's online property search portal.
Request vital records — Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records may be requested from the Kandiyohi County Vital Records Office or the Minnesota Department of Health by submitting a completed application form with required identification and applicable fees.
Review meeting records — County Board agendas, minutes, and resolutions are posted on the Kandiyohi County official website and are available for inspection at the County Administrator's Office.

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

Standard fees for public records in Kandiyohi County are governed by Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. 3, which authorizes government entities to charge for the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying data. Current fees vary by record type and requesting office:

Paper copies — Standard copy fees are typically $0.25 per page for black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set rates based on actual costs.
Certified copies of vital records — Certified birth, death, and marriage certificates are subject to statutory fees set by the Minnesota Department of Health; current fees are $13.00 per certified copy for birth records and $13.00 for death records.
Recorded document copies — The Kandiyohi County Recorder charges fees for certified copies of recorded instruments, currently set at $1.00 per page plus a certification fee.
Court record copies — Fees for copies of court documents are established by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and vary by document type.
Electronic records — Where data is provided in electronic format, charges reflect the actual cost of reproduction.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Minnesota law, though certain nonprofit organizations and government agencies may qualify for reduced or waived fees in specific circumstances.

Does Kandiyohi County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, which provides that any person has the right to inspect public government data at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect public records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge.
Online court records — Basic case information for Kandiyohi County district court proceedings is available at no cost through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Minnesota State Law Library resources — The Minnesota State Law Library provides guidance on locating court records, including district court files, at no cost to the public.
County website — Meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other administrative documents are posted on the Kandiyohi County website and are accessible at no charge.
Courthouse public access terminals — Electronic district court case records may be reviewed at no cost using public terminals located at the Kandiyohi County Courthouse.

Who Can Request Public Records in Kandiyohi County?

Any person may request access to public government data in Kandiyohi County. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. 3, the right to inspect and obtain copies of public data is not limited to Minnesota residents, and requestors are not required to state a purpose or provide justification for their request.

Specific eligibility provisions under current law include:

Residency — Residency in Kandiyohi County or the State of Minnesota is not required to request public records.
Identification — Requestors are generally not required to provide identification to access public data. However, identification may be required when requesting private data about oneself, such as personal government records.
Purpose — Government entities may not require requestors to explain why they are seeking public data.
Requesting records about oneself — Individuals have the right under Minn. Stat. § 13.04 to access private data maintained about themselves by a government entity, subject to identity verification requirements.
Requesting records about others — Access to private or confidential data about other individuals is restricted and requires a legal basis, such as a court order or statutory authorization.
Minors — Parents and guardians may request data on behalf of minor children in certain circumstances.
Attorneys and legal representatives — Attorneys acting on behalf of clients may access records to which their clients are entitled.

What Records Are Confidential in Kandiyohi County?

Not all government data maintained by Kandiyohi County is available to the general public. Minnesota law establishes specific classifications for data that is private, confidential, or protected nonpublic. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.02 and related provisions, the following categories of records are currently exempt from public disclosure:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are classified as private or confidential under Minnesota law.
Ongoing investigation records — Active criminal investigative data is classified as protected nonpublic or confidential under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, subd. 7.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are classified as private data.
Medical and health records — Health data is classified as private under both Minnesota law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
Child welfare and protective services records — Data collected by child protection agencies is classified as private or confidential.
Personnel records — Employee personnel data is classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain public employee information such as name, position, and salary.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Data submitted to government entities that constitutes a trade secret may be protected from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Data relating to security systems, emergency response plans, and critical infrastructure is classified as nonpublic or confidential.

When a government entity withholds data, it is required to inform the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the classification. Minnesota law does not currently provide a formal balancing test for most exemptions; rather, the classification is determined by statute.

Kandiyohi County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Kandiyohi County Recorder's Office is the primary repository for property records, recorded instruments, vital records, and related documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person during regular business hours or submit requests by mail or telephone.

Kandiyohi County Recorder's Office 505 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 231-6202 Kandiyohi County Recorder

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on observed state and federal holidays).

Kandiyohi County Auditor-Treasurer 505 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 231-6203 Kandiyohi County Auditor-Treasurer

Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office 2201 23rd St NE, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 214-6700 Kandiyohi County Sheriff

Kandiyohi County District Court 505 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 (320) 231-6202 Kandiyohi County District Court

Public counter hours for the District Court: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Persons seeking legal referrals and assistance resources for Kandiyohi County may consult the Minnesota State Law Library's directory of local legal services.