Find Public Records in Stevens County
Stevens County public records cover court cases, property documents, criminal history data, and vital records held by offices in Morris and by state agencies. Minnesota law gives the public broad access to most government records, and this guide walks through the key sources for Stevens County and how to request or search each type.
Stevens County Overview
Stevens County Court Records
Court records in Stevens County are filed with the 8th Judicial District Court. The Court Administrator's office is at 400 Colorado Avenue, Morris, MN 56267. You can reach them at 320-208-6600. The office handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases. Staff can tell you what is on file for a given case and explain copy fees before you place a request.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the main free tool for searching Stevens County court cases. You can search by name, case number, or citation number and view case types, filing dates, and scheduled hearings without an account. MCRO shows the case structure and what was filed, but it does not display every document. For full documents, you can visit the courthouse in Morris or submit a written mail request. Certified copies carry a per-page fee. In-person requests are generally handled the same day when staff allows.
Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most case data in Stevens County is public unless restricted by court order. The agency must respond within a set timeframe and explain any denial in writing.
Note: Juvenile records and certain family court files in Stevens County are not public. Access requires a court order or specific legal standing.
Stevens County Property Records
Property records in Stevens County are split between two offices at 400 Colorado Avenue, Morris, MN 56267. The County Assessor, at 320-208-6680, handles property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder, at 320-208-6625, maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps.
The Recorder indexes documents by party name and parcel number. These records span many years and are useful for title research, ownership verification, and legal filings. Copies of recorded instruments carry a per-page fee. The Stevens County official website links to county GIS and property search tools where you can look up parcels by address or owner name. Assessed values, legal descriptions, and parcel boundaries are available through these online tools. For certified copies, contact the Recorder's office directly.
Tax records and assessment data are also public. Recorder staff can assist with chain-of-title searches if you are researching the history of a specific parcel. Most property records in Stevens County are public with no approval process required.
Criminal History in Stevens County
The main source for criminal history in Minnesota is the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and returns conviction records from across the state, including cases from Stevens County. This statewide database is more complete than any individual county source for background check purposes.
For local arrest records and incident reports in Stevens County, contact the Sheriff's Office at 320-589-2141. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, law enforcement must make certain arrest data available to the public. This includes the name and address of the person arrested, the time and location of the arrest, and the charges filed. Some details may be withheld if releasing them would interfere with an open investigation.
The Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, is a free online tool to search for registered offenders living in Stevens County. The Department of Corrections inmate search is also free and lets you look up people currently in state custody.
Vital Records in Stevens County
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These are held at the state level. Requests go directly to MDH by mail, online, or in person at their St. Paul office. Fees depend on the record type and how fast you need it.
Marriage licenses in Stevens County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 400 Colorado Avenue in Morris. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the license to the court for filing. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the Court Administrator or from MDH for older records. Divorce decrees are filed with the Stevens County Court Administrator. You can check for a case through MCRO and request a certified copy from the court office in Morris.
Note: Birth records in Minnesota are restricted for 100 years and death records for 50 years. Only eligible parties may request certified copies during those periods.
How to Access Stevens County Public Records
Most Stevens County public records are available through three main channels: state and county online portals, in-person visits to the courthouse in Morris, or written requests by mail. MCRO handles court searches for free online. Property records are searchable through the county GIS tools. Criminal history requires a $8 BCA request. Vital records go through MDH in St. Paul.
For records not available online, the Stevens County Courthouse at 400 Colorado Avenue in Morris is open during regular business hours. Bring the full name of the subject, relevant dates, and a valid photo ID for requests that need identity verification. Written requests by mail should include these details plus a return address and payment for applicable fees. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act gives everyone the right to ask any government agency what data it holds and to receive a timely response. Denials must be explained in writing.
If you need free help with a records issue, LawHelpMN provides legal resources and referrals for low-income Minnesotans statewide. Fees for records vary by office and record type, so confirm the cost with each office before you submit a request.
| Office | Stevens County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 Colorado Avenue, Morris, MN 56267 |
| Phone | 320-208-6600 |
| Sheriff | 320-589-2141 |
| Assessor | 320-208-6680 |
| Recorder | 320-208-6625 |
| Judicial District | 8th District |
The Stevens County website at co.stevens.mn.us links to county departments, GIS tools, and contact information for each records office. It is a useful starting point if you are not sure which office handles the records you need.
Below is a screenshot from the Stevens County official website, which provides links to county departments and public records contacts.
The county site includes direct links to the Assessor, Recorder, Court Administrator, and Sheriff's office and is kept up to date with current contact information.
Cities in Stevens County
Stevens County is a rural county in west-central Minnesota. The county seat is Morris, the largest community in the county. Other towns include Hancock and Donnelly. None of these cities meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated public records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Stevens County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.