Lyon County Public Records Search
Lyon County public records are held by county and state offices in Marshall, Minnesota. Court filings, property documents, criminal history, and vital records are all available through official Minnesota sources. This guide explains which offices handle each record type, how to search online, and what steps to take when you need documents from Lyon County. Most records are public under Minnesota law and can be found without a formal approval process.
Lyon County Overview
Lyon County Court Records
Court records in Lyon County are filed with the 8th Judicial District Court. The Court Administrator's office is at 607 W Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258, and can be reached at 507-537-6730. The office handles civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. Staff can tell you what documents are on file for a particular case, how to request certified copies, and what the current fees are.
The fastest way to search Lyon County court records online is through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or citation without creating an account. The system shows case types, filing dates, hearing schedules, and basic docket history. MCRO does not show the full text of every document in a case, but it lets you confirm whether a case exists and what the outcome was. For full document access, visit the courthouse in Marshall or submit a written request to the court office.
Certified copies of court documents carry a per-page fee set by state law. In-person requests can often be processed the same day. Mail requests take longer and should include as much identifying information about the case as possible. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court records are public unless a judge has ordered them sealed. If a record is withheld, the court must explain why in writing.
Note: Juvenile and certain family court records in Lyon County are confidential and are not available to the general public without a court order or specific legal standing.
Lyon County Property Records
Property records in Lyon County are split between two offices at 607 W Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258. The County Assessor, reachable at 507-537-6731, maintains property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder at 507-537-6722 holds recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps. Both offices are open during regular county business hours.
Recorded documents are indexed by party name and parcel number and may go back many decades. The Lyon County official website provides links to county departments and may include online GIS mapping tools where you can search by address or parcel ID to pull ownership information, assessed values, and parcel boundaries. Certified copies of recorded documents are available from the Recorder for a per-page fee. For chain-of-title research or historical deed work, you can visit the Recorder in person or submit a mail request if you know the relevant party name or parcel details.
Tax records are also public. The Assessor's office can tell you whether taxes are current on a property and provide the assessed value and parcel number. This kind of data is regularly used for real estate purchases, title work, and property disputes. The Assessor is the right first call for general property tax questions in Lyon County.
Criminal History in Lyon County
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains a statewide criminal history database. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and covers conviction records from all Minnesota counties, including Lyon County. Results include felonies, gross misdemeanors, and some misdemeanor convictions. This is the most reliable source for a thorough background check on anyone who may have records from multiple parts of the state.
For local arrest data and incident reports in Lyon County, contact the Sheriff's Office at 507-537-7666. Arrest records are generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement agencies to release the name of the arrested person, the date and location of arrest, and the charges. Not every detail in an incident file is public, so be specific about what you need when you submit a request to the Sheriff.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, is free to search online and includes offenders registered in Lyon County. You can search by name or address. The Department of Corrections inmate lookup is also free and shows people currently held in state correctional facilities statewide.
Vital Records in Lyon 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 request them directly from MDH by mail, online, or in person at the St. Paul state office. Fees vary depending on the record type and how you want it delivered.
Marriage licenses in Lyon County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 607 W Main Street, Marshall. When a ceremony is finished, the officiant returns the license to the court, and it becomes a court record. Copies can be requested from the court office. For older records, MDH may hold them as well. Divorce records are court documents filed with the Court Administrator in Marshall. MCRO lets you search divorce case information online, and the court office can provide certified copies. Call 507-537-6730 to check current fees and processing times before submitting a request.
Note: Minnesota birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible parties may obtain certified copies during those restriction periods.
How to Access Lyon County Public Records
Most Lyon County public records can be found online, in person at the county offices in Marshall, or through a written request. Court records go through MCRO. Property records are with the Assessor and Recorder. Criminal history is through the BCA. Vital records come from MDH. For records not available online, the offices at 607 W Main Street in Marshall are the place to start.
Staff at county offices can help identify which department holds the document you need and what to include in your request. A written request should name the subject of the record, give an approximate date range, and specify the type of document you want. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, government agencies must respond to data requests within a set timeframe and must explain any denial in writing. If you need help getting through a complicated request, LawHelpMN offers free legal guidance and referrals for income-eligible Minnesotans.
Fees vary by record type and are not uniform across all county offices. Court copies, recorder documents, and vital records each follow separate fee schedules. Calling ahead to confirm the current fee before you submit a request saves time and avoids delays.
| Office | Lyon County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 607 W Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258 |
| Phone | 507-537-6730 |
| Sheriff | 507-537-7666 |
| Assessor | 507-537-6731 |
| Recorder | 507-537-6722 |
| Judicial District | 8th District |
Below is a screenshot from the Lyon County records portal, which provides access to county department contacts and services for residents and records requesters.
The Lyon County website at lyoncountymn.gov links to all county departments and is a good first stop if you are not sure which office holds the records you need.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, which covers all court cases filed in Lyon County as part of the statewide 8th District court system.
MCRO is free, requires no login, and is typically the fastest way to check on a Lyon County court case without driving to Marshall.
Cities in Lyon County
Lyon County includes several communities in southwestern Minnesota. Marshall is the county seat and largest city in the county, but it does not meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Other communities include Tracy, Hendricks, and Minneota. None have dedicated public records pages here.
Nearby Counties
Lyon County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own courts and records offices.