Sherburne County Public Records
Sherburne County public records include court filings, property documents, criminal history data, and vital records maintained by county offices and state agencies in the northwest Twin Cities metro corridor. This guide covers where to find those records, how to request them, and what each office provides.
Sherburne County Overview
Sherburne County Court Records
Court records in Sherburne County are managed by the 10th Judicial District Court Administrator. The office is located at 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330, and can be reached by phone at 763-765-4600. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate case files. Staff can tell you what documents are on file for a given case and what copy fees apply before you place a request.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the best place to start when looking up Sherburne County court records. This free statewide tool lets you search by name, case number, or citation. You can view case types, filing dates, hearing schedules, and basic docket information without creating an account. MCRO does not include every document from a case file, but it gives you enough to know what was filed and when. For sealed records or documents that are not in the online system, a written request or in-person visit to the court is required.
Sherburne County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Minnesota, which means a high volume of case filings. Processing time for in-person requests is generally same-day when staff allow, but mail requests can take longer. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court case data is public unless a judge has ordered it sealed. If you are unsure whether a record is restricted, call the court office before making a trip.
Note: Juvenile and certain family court records in Sherburne County are not open to the public. Access requires a court order or specific legal standing.
Sherburne County Property Records
Property records in Sherburne County are split between the Assessor and the Recorder. The County Assessor, at 763-765-4900, handles property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder, at 763-765-4420, maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. Both offices are at 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330.
Recorded documents are indexed by party name and parcel number. Sherburne County offers online property search tools through the Sherburne County official website. You can look up parcel ownership, assessed values, and boundaries without visiting in person. For certified copies of recorded documents, you need to contact the Recorder's office. Fees depend on the number of pages. Most recorded property documents are public under state law, and no prior approval is needed to view basic ownership records.
Tax records and assessment data are also public. If you want to trace the ownership history of a parcel or check for recorded liens, the Recorder can pull chain-of-title documents. Given the county's growth, there are many recent deeds and subdivision plats on file, and online tools make it easier to narrow down a search before visiting in person.
Criminal History in Sherburne County
Minnesota's statewide criminal history database is run by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and covers conviction records from across the state, including Sherburne County. This is the most thorough source for background checks on individuals in Minnesota.
For local arrest records and incident reports, contact the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office at 763-765-3500. The Sheriff's main office is at 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330. Arrest data is generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement to make certain information available on request. This includes the name and address of the arrested person, the time and place of arrest, and the charges. Some incident details are not public, so be specific when submitting a request to help move it along faster.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, kept under Minnesota Statute 243.166, shows registered offenders by name or address. You can search it online at no cost to find offenders in Sherburne County. For individuals held in state correctional facilities, the Department of Corrections inmate search is also free.
Vital Records in Sherburne County
Birth and death certificates for events in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These are not held at the county level. You must contact MDH directly to request them, either online, by mail, or in person at the St. Paul office. Fees apply and vary by record type.
Marriage licenses in Sherburne County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 13880 Business Center Drive NW in Elk River. Once a marriage ceremony is complete, the officiant returns the signed license to the court. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the court office or from MDH for older records. Divorce decrees are filed with the Court Administrator as part of the case record and can be searched through MCRO. Copies are available from the Sherburne County court office directly.
Note: Birth records in Minnesota are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible parties can request certified copies during those periods.
How to Access Sherburne County Public Records
Most Sherburne County public records are available online through state and county portals, in person at county offices, or through a written data request. MCRO handles most court record searches at no cost. Property records are searchable through the county site. Criminal history goes through the BCA. Vital records come from MDH. For records not available online, county offices are at 13880 Business Center Drive NW in Elk River.
Written requests should include the full name of the subject, the approximate date range of the record, and the type of document you need. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, every government agency must disclose what data it holds, respond within a set timeframe, and give a written explanation if access is denied. If you need help navigating a records request, LawHelpMN offers free legal resources and referrals for low-income Minnesotans.
Fees vary by record type and office. Court copies, recorder documents, and vital records each follow their own fee schedules set by state law or the individual office. There is no flat fee covering all public records in Sherburne County.
| Office | Sherburne County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330 |
| Phone | 763-765-4600 |
| Sheriff | 763-765-3500 |
| Assessor | 763-765-4900 |
| Recorder | 763-765-4420 |
| Judicial District | 10th District |
The Sherburne County website at co.sherburne.mn.us links to county departments, property search tools, and contact information for each office.
Below is a screenshot of the Sherburne County official website, which provides access to department contacts, property tools, and public records resources.
The county site includes direct links to the Court Administrator, Recorder, Assessor, and Sheriff, making it easy to reach the right office for your records request.
The Sherburne County portal is another resource for property and county service information.
This portal supplements the main county site with additional resources for residents looking to access records or contact county offices directly.
Cities in Sherburne County
Sherburne County includes several growing communities in the northwest metro area. Elk River is the county seat and largest city. Other communities include Big Lake, Becker, Zimmerman, and Princeton. None of these cities currently meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Sherburne County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.