Fillmore County Public Records
Fillmore County public records include official documents held by county offices, state agencies, and courts in the 3rd Judicial District. Whether you need court case files, property records, criminal history, or vital records from this southeast Minnesota county, most are available through free online portals or by reaching out to the right office in Preston. This guide covers the primary sources, what each holds, and how to get what you need.
Fillmore County Overview
Fillmore County Court Records
Court records in Fillmore County are maintained by the 3rd Judicial District Court Administrator's office. The office is located at 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965, and you can reach them by phone at 507-765-3356. This office handles civil cases, criminal matters, family court, and probate. Staff can tell you what is on file for a specific case and how to get copies.
The best way to search Fillmore County court records online is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. It is free to use and does not require an account. You can search by person name, case number, or citation number. MCRO returns case types, filing dates, hearing schedules, and basic docket information. It does not show every document in a file, but it gives you a clear picture of what cases exist and what has been filed. For complete case documents, you need to visit the court office in person or submit a written request.
Certified copies of court documents carry a per-page fee set by state law. Same-day processing is available in person when staff allows it. Mail requests typically take several business days. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court case data is public unless a judge has issued a sealing order.
Note: Juvenile records and some family court files in Fillmore County are confidential. Access to these requires a court order or demonstrated legal standing.
Fillmore County Property Records
Property records in Fillmore County fall under two separate offices. The County Assessor, reachable at 507-765-3852, manages property tax assessments and valuations. The County Recorder, at 507-765-3815, keeps official recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps. Both offices are in the courthouse at 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965.
Recorded property documents are indexed by party name and parcel identifier. The county's online resources and the Fillmore County official website are good starting points for parcel lookups and mapping tools. For certified copies of deeds or other recorded instruments, contact the Recorder's office directly. Fees depend on page count. Most property records are public, so there is no approval needed to view standard documents.
Assessment data, including taxable values and property class, is also public. If you need to trace ownership history on a parcel, the Recorder can provide chain-of-title research. This is often needed for title work, legal disputes, or due diligence on a property purchase. Tax payment status can be confirmed through the county's property tax office as well.
Criminal History in Fillmore County
The primary source for criminal history in Minnesota is the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and covers statewide conviction records, not just Fillmore County. This is the most complete and reliable source for background checks on individuals in the state.
For local arrest records and incident reports in Fillmore County, contact the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office at 507-765-3874. The Sheriff handles law enforcement across the county and maintains records of arrests, incidents, and reports. Arrest data is generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires agencies to disclose basic arrest information such as the name of the person arrested, the time and place, and the charges. Not every incident detail is public, so being specific in your request helps.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, governed by Minnesota Statute 243.166, is free to search online. You can look up registered offenders by name or address, including those living in Fillmore County. The Department of Corrections inmate search is also free and shows people currently in state custody.
Vital Records in Fillmore County
Birth and death certificates for events in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These records are not held at the county level. You must go directly to MDH to request them, either online, by mail, or in person at the state office in St. Paul. Fees apply and vary by record type.
Marriage licenses in Fillmore County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 101 Fillmore Street in Preston. Once a ceremony is complete, the officiant returns the license to the court. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the court or, for older records, from MDH. Divorce decrees are court records and live with the Court Administrator. You can look up divorce cases on MCRO and order copies from the Fillmore County court office.
Note: Minnesota law restricts birth records for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible parties may get certified copies during those periods.
How to Access Fillmore County Public Records
Most Fillmore County public records are accessible in one of three ways: online through state or county portals, in person at county offices in Preston, or by mailing a written request. The MCRO portal covers court records. The county website handles property searches. The BCA handles criminal history. Vital records go through MDH.
For records not available online, the county offices at 101 Fillmore Street in Preston are open during regular business hours. Staff can point you to the right record type and explain what you need to bring. Written requests should name the subject of the record, the type of record, and the approximate date range. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, any government agency must respond to a records request within a set timeframe and explain in writing if access is denied. LawHelpMN offers free resources and referrals for people who need legal help with records access.
Fees vary by record type. Court copies, recorder documents, and vital records each have separate fee schedules. There is no single price for public records in Fillmore County.
| Office | Fillmore County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 Fillmore Street, Preston, MN 55965 |
| Phone | 507-765-3356 |
| Sheriff | 507-765-3874 |
| Assessor | 507-765-3852 |
| Recorder | 507-765-3815 |
| Judicial District | 3rd District |
Below is a screenshot from the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, which is the main tool for searching Fillmore County court case information without visiting the courthouse.
MCRO is free, requires no login, and returns results for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases filed in Fillmore County courts. It is the fastest starting point for most court record searches.
For criminal history searches, the BCA portal is the statewide resource used to find conviction records across Minnesota, including Fillmore County.
The BCA search returns conviction data from across the state for an $8 fee. It is more complete than a single-county court search and is widely used for background checks.
Cities in Fillmore County
Fillmore County is a rural county in southeast Minnesota. The county seat is Preston, which is the largest community in the county. Other communities include Spring Valley, Chatfield, Harmony, Lanesboro, and Rushford. None of these cities meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Fillmore County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.