Swift County Public Records Search
Swift County public records include court filings, property documents, criminal history data, and vital records held by county offices in Benson and by state agencies. This guide covers the main record types for Swift County and explains how to search or request each one through the proper channels under Minnesota law.
Swift County Overview
Swift County Court Records
Court records in Swift County are filed with the 8th Judicial District Court. The Court Administrator's office is at 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215. You can reach them at 320-843-2744. The office handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims cases. Staff can confirm what is on file for a specific case and explain copy fees before you make a request.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the primary free option for searching Swift County court cases. You can look up case information by name, case number, or citation number and see case types, filing dates, and hearing schedules without setting up an account. MCRO shows you what was filed and when, but does not provide every document in the case file. For full documents, visit the courthouse in Benson or send a written request by mail. Certified copies carry a per-page fee. In-person requests are often handled the same day when staff capacity allows.
Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most case data in Swift County is public unless a judge has ordered it sealed. Any denial of a records request must be explained in writing by the agency.
Note: Juvenile records and certain family court files in Swift County are not public. A court order or specific legal standing is required to access these records.
Swift County Property Records
Property records in Swift County are split between two offices at 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215. The County Assessor, at 320-843-3495, handles property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder, at 320-843-3377, maintains recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps.
The Recorder indexes documents by party name and parcel number. These records span many years and are used for title work, legal filings, and ownership research. Copies of recorded instruments carry a per-page fee. The Swift County official website provides access to county GIS and property search tools. You can search by address or parcel number to find ownership details, assessed values, and legal descriptions. For certified copies of recorded documents, contact the Recorder's office directly.
Tax records and special assessment data are also public. Recorder staff can help with chain-of-title research for a specific parcel if you are doing legal or title work. Most property records in Swift County are public under Minnesota law and require no formal approval to view.
Criminal History in Swift County
The primary source for criminal history in Minnesota is the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and pulls conviction records from across the state, including cases from Swift County. This is more complete than any local county source because it draws from a statewide database.
For local arrest records and incident reports in Swift County, contact the Sheriff's Office at 320-843-3135. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, law enforcement agencies 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. Some details can be withheld if they relate to an active case.
The free Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, lets you search by name or address for registered offenders in Swift County. For people currently in state custody, the Department of Corrections inmate search is also free and available online.
Vital Records in Swift County
Birth and death certificates for events that took place in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These are not held at the county level. All requests go to MDH by mail, online, or in person at the St. Paul office. Fees apply and vary by record type and processing speed.
Marriage licenses in Swift County are issued by the Court Administrator's office at 301 14th Street N in Benson. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the court for filing. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the Court Administrator or from MDH for older documents. Divorce decrees are also filed with the Swift County Court Administrator. You can look up a divorce case through MCRO and then request a certified copy from the court office in Benson.
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 restriction periods.
How to Access Swift County Public Records
Most Swift County public records are available through three main paths: online state and county portals, in-person visits to the courthouse in Benson, or written requests by mail. MCRO handles court case searches free of charge. Property records are available through the county GIS and search tools. Criminal history requires a $8 BCA search. Vital records must be requested from MDH in St. Paul.
For records that are not available online, the Swift County Courthouse at 301 14th Street N in Benson is open during regular business hours. Bring the full name of the subject, relevant dates, and a valid photo ID for any requests that need identity verification. Mail requests should include those details along with a return address and payment for applicable fees. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act gives everyone the right to ask any government agency what records it holds and to receive a timely response. If a request is denied, the agency must explain why in writing.
If you need free legal help navigating a records request, LawHelpMN offers resources and referrals for low-income Minnesotans. Copy fees vary by office and record type, so confirm costs with the relevant office before submitting your request.
| Office | Swift County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215 |
| Phone | 320-843-2744 |
| Sheriff | 320-843-3135 |
| Assessor | 320-843-3495 |
| Recorder | 320-843-3377 |
| Judicial District | 8th District |
The Swift County website at swiftcounty.com links to county departments, GIS tools, and contact information for each office. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which office holds the documents you need.
Below is a screenshot of the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, the primary free tool for searching court cases in Swift County.
MCRO is maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and covers case data for courts across the state, including the 8th District court in Swift County.
The screenshot below shows the Minnesota BCA criminal history search, which is the main tool for accessing statewide conviction records.
A BCA search costs $8 and returns results from across Minnesota, making it the most thorough option for criminal history on individuals who may have records in more than one county.
Cities in Swift County
Swift County is a rural county in west-central Minnesota. The county seat is Benson, the largest community in the county. Other towns include Appleton and Kerkhoven. None of these cities meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated public records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Swift County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.