Find Public Records in Winona County
Winona County public records include court filings, property documents, criminal history, and vital records held by county and state agencies in and around the city of Winona. Minnesota's open records laws give the public broad access to most of these documents, and this guide covers the key offices and tools you need to find what you are looking for.
Winona County Overview
Winona County Court Records
Court records in Winona County are filed with the 3rd Judicial District Court. The Court Administrator's office is at 171 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987. You can call them at 507-457-6380. The office handles civil, criminal, family, and probate case records. Staff can help you confirm what documents exist for a given case and explain the copy fees involved.
The Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal is the quickest free option for searching Winona County court records from home. MCRO lets you search by name, case number, or citation number. You can see case types, scheduled hearings, and basic docket activity without any login. The portal does not give you the full content of every document in a file, but it shows what was filed and where the case stands. For certified copies or documents not visible online, contact the Winona County court office directly.
Certified copies of court records carry a per-page fee. In-person requests at the Winona courthouse are typically processed the same day when staffing allows. Mail requests take longer. Under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, most court case data is public unless sealed or restricted by judicial order.
Note: Juvenile records and some family court documents in Winona County are confidential under state law. Accessing those records requires a court order or documented legal standing.
Winona County Property Records
Property records in Winona County come from two separate offices. The County Assessor, reachable at 507-457-6300, handles property valuations and tax assessment data. The County Recorder, at 507-457-6340, keeps official documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps. The Recorder's office is at 202 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987.
Recorded property documents are indexed by party name and parcel number. Many records stretch back well over a century. The Winona County website provides access to department contacts and some parcel data tools. For certified copies of deeds or other recorded instruments, contact the Recorder's office. Fees depend on page count and document type. Most property records are public under Minnesota law, so no special permission is needed to view them.
Tax records and assessment data are also available. If you need to trace the ownership history of a parcel, the Recorder can provide chain-of-title documents going back to early land records. This type of research is often needed for real estate closings, estate cases, and property disputes. Staff in Winona are generally helpful in pointing you to the right index or database for the search you need.
Criminal History in Winona County
Minnesota's statewide criminal history database is run by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A BCA criminal history search costs $8 and returns conviction records from all Minnesota counties, including Winona. This is the most complete source for background check purposes and covers cases regardless of where they were filed in the state.
For local arrest records and incident reports from Winona County, contact the Winona County Sheriff's Office at 507-457-6492. The Sheriff's office is linked to the county government at 171 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987. Arrest data is generally public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which requires law enforcement to make certain data available on request. This includes the name and address of the arrested person, the date and place of arrest, and the charges. Not all incident detail is releasable, so it helps to be precise about what you need.
The state's Predatory Offender Registry, maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166, allows free searches by name or address to find registered offenders in Winona County. For people in state custody, the Department of Corrections inmate search is also free and covers all DOC facilities statewide.
Vital Records in Winona County
Birth and death certificates for events that took place in Minnesota are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records office. These records are not maintained at the Winona County level. You must request them directly from MDH, either online, by mail, or in person in St. Paul. Fees vary depending on the record type and how you submit the request.
Marriage licenses in Winona County are issued through the Court Administrator's office at 171 W 3rd Street in Winona. Once the ceremony takes place, the officiant returns the completed license to the court, where it is permanently recorded. Copies of marriage records can be requested from the court. For older marriages, MDH may have records going back further. Divorce decrees are court records and are filed with the Court Administrator. You can find divorce case information through MCRO and request certified copies directly from the Winona County 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 subject or an immediate family member, may request certified copies during the restricted period.
How to Access Winona County Public Records
Most Winona County public records can be reached in three ways: online through state and county portals, in person at the right county office, or through a written request. MCRO handles most court record searches for free. Property records are available through the county's tools and the Recorder's office. Criminal history goes through the BCA. Vital records come from MDH.
For records that are not online, visit the county offices on 3rd Street in Winona during regular business hours. Staff can help you identify which office has the records you need and tell you what to bring. Written requests should include the full name of the subject, an approximate date range, and the specific record type. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, every government agency must tell you what data it holds and respond within a defined timeframe. If a request is denied, the agency must explain why in writing. If you need legal help with a records request or a denial, LawHelpMN offers free guidance and referrals for low-income Minnesotans.
Fees differ by record type and office. There is no single cost for all public records in Winona County. Court copies, recorded documents, and vital records each have their own fee structure set by state law or individual offices. Call ahead to get a cost estimate before visiting in person.
| Office | Winona County Court Administrator |
|---|---|
| Address | 171 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987 |
| Phone | 507-457-6380 |
| Sheriff | 507-457-6492 |
| Assessor | 507-457-6300 |
| Recorder | 507-457-6340 (202 W 3rd Street) |
| Judicial District | 3rd District |
The Winona County website at co.winona.mn.us lists all county departments with contact information. It is the best first stop if you are not sure which office holds the records you need.
Below is a screenshot from the Winona County official website, showing department listings and resources for public records access.
The county site is updated regularly and provides direct access to department pages for the Assessor, Recorder, Court Administrator, and Sheriff, so you can find the right contact quickly.
Cities in Winona County
Winona County is in the bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. Winona is the county seat and by far the largest city in the county. Other communities include Lewiston, St. Charles, and Rushford. None of the cities in Winona County meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated city records page on this site.
Nearby Counties
Winona County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and records offices.