Murray County Public Records
Murray County public records include court case files, property documents, criminal history data, and vital records held by county offices and state agencies. Under Minnesota law, most government records are open to the public, and many can be searched online at no cost. This page covers the offices that maintain records in Murray County, how to contact them, and the best tools available for public access.
Murray County Overview
Murray County Court Records
Court records for Murray County are filed with the 5th Judicial District Court. The Court Administrator's office is at 2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN 56172. Call them at 507-836-6148. The office keeps records for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Staff can tell you what documents are available for a specific case and what copy fees apply.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the fastest free way to search Murray County court cases. Look up cases by name, case number, or citation without creating an account. MCRO shows case types, filing dates, and docket events. It does not show you every page of every document in the file, but you can see what was filed and when. For full documents or certified copies, contact the Court Administrator in Slayton.
Mail requests take more time than in-person visits. When writing in, include the full name of the person involved, the type of record you need, and the approximate year or date range. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court case data is public unless a judge has sealed it. Copy fees are set by state law and vary based on how many pages are involved.
Note: Juvenile records and some family court files in Murray County are not available to the general public. A court order or proper legal standing is required to access those records.
Murray County Property Records
Property records in Murray County are divided between two offices. The County Assessor, at 507-836-6144, handles property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder, at 507-836-6146, maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. Both offices are located at 2848 Broadway Avenue in Slayton.
Documents held by the Recorder are indexed by party name and parcel number. The Murray County official website has links to online property tools and GIS resources. You can look up parcel data, ownership information, and assessed values without going to the office in person. For certified copies of recorded documents, call the Recorder's office to find out the current fees. Most property records are public and available without a special approval process.
If you need to trace the ownership history of a property, the Recorder can pull chain-of-title documents. This is helpful for legal research, title work, and estate matters. The Assessor can explain how a property's value was determined and walk you through an appeal if you think the valuation is off.
Tax records and assessment data are also available from county offices. Special assessments and any liens tied to a property may show up in the Recorder's index as well. It can help to search by both the parcel number and the owner's name to make sure you find everything on file.
Criminal History in Murray County
Minnesota keeps a statewide criminal history database through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and returns conviction records from across the state, not just Murray County. It is the most complete source for background checks on individuals in Minnesota.
For local arrest data and incident reports in Murray County, contact the Sheriff's Office at 507-836-6168. The Sheriff is located at 2848 Broadway Avenue in Slayton. Arrest records are generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement agencies to share certain data on request. This includes the name and address of the person arrested, the time and location of the arrest, and the charges. Not every part of a report is open to the public, so be specific when you ask.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, lets you search by name or address to find registered offenders in Murray County. This search is free. The Department of Corrections inmate search is also free and shows who is currently in state correctional facilities.
Vital Records in Murray County
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These are not held locally at the Murray County level. Requests go to MDH directly, either online, by mail, or in person in St. Paul. Fees apply and vary by record type.
Marriage licenses in Murray County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 2848 Broadway Avenue in Slayton. After a ceremony is performed, the officiant files the completed license back with the court. Copies of marriage records can be requested from that office. For older records, MDH may hold them as well. Divorce decrees are court records filed with the Court Administrator. You can search divorce case data through MCRO and ask for copies from the Slayton court office.
Note: Minnesota restricts birth records for 100 years and death records for 50 years from the date of the event. Only eligible parties, such as the individual, parents, or legal representatives, can get certified copies during those windows.
How to Access Murray County Public Records
Most Murray County public records are reachable in three ways: online through state and county tools, in person at the county offices in Slayton, or through a written request. MCRO handles court searches for free. Property records are available through the county GIS portal. Criminal history requires a $8 BCA search. For records not online, the offices at 2848 Broadway Avenue in Slayton are where to go or write.
Written requests should include the subject's full name, the type of record, and the date range. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, any government agency must respond within a set time and give a written explanation if it denies a request. For free legal help with a records request, LawHelpMN has resources and referrals for low-income residents across Minnesota.
Fees vary by record type. Court copies, Recorder documents, and vital records each follow different fee schedules. Call ahead to confirm current costs before sending payment or making a trip to the courthouse.
| Office | Murray County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN 56172 |
| Phone | 507-836-6148 |
| Sheriff | 507-836-6168 |
| Assessor | 507-836-6144 |
| Recorder | 507-836-6146 |
| Judicial District | 5th District |
The Murray County website at murraycountymn.gov lists county departments, contact information, and links to online resources. Start there if you are not sure which office holds the records you need.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, where you can search Murray County court cases by name or case number at no cost.
MCRO is free to use and does not require an account. It is the quickest way to find out whether a case was filed in Murray County and what the current status is.
For criminal background checks, the BCA's statewide portal is the most reliable source. The screenshot below shows the BCA criminal history search tool.
A BCA search costs $8 and returns conviction data from across Minnesota. It covers far more than local records and is the standard tool for statewide background checks.
Cities in Murray County
Murray County is a rural county in southwestern Minnesota. Slayton is the county seat and largest community in the county, but it does not meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page. Other communities in the county include Currie, Fulda, and Avoca. None of the cities within Murray County have dedicated public records pages on this site.
Nearby Counties
Murray County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own courts and records offices.