Recording & Abstracting FAQ's

Does the Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department sell legal forms?

Olmsted County does NOT sell any legal forms as they relate to real estate. Please contact a stationary/office supply store, attorney or title company for these forms. Forms are also available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce web site.

Does the Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department complete legal forms or real estate documents?

No, the Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department does not provide legal advice or complete real estate documents or any other legal form. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a competent attorney for legal advice and/or services.

Does Olmsted County have a conservation fee?

No, Olmsted County does not have a conservation fee.

Does the Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department provide notary services?

Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department does have a Notary Service within the Vital Records and Licensing area. However, they do NOT notarize real estate documents. Reminder, that any person wishing to have a document notarized must provide appropriate identification for this service, and all signatures must be completed in the presence of the notary. Fees may be charged for notary services.

Does the Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department provide abstracting services?

Yes, Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing Department does provide a full line of abstracting services including Condition of Title (O & E) reports and Registered Property Abstracts.

Are Well Certificates required with all deeds?

If a transferring document requires a Certificate of Real Estate Value, well information is also required. If there are no wells on the property, the transfer document must contain a statement attesting to this fact, such as:

"The seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property."

If there is a well(s) located on the property, a completed Well Disclosure Certificate must accompany the transferring document.

OR

If the seller can make the following statement on the transferring document, a Well Disclosure Certificate is not needed:

"I am familiar with the property described in this instrument and I certify that the status and the number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed Well Disclosure Certificate." The new Well Certificate fee is $40.00 effective July 1, 2006.

Does Olmsted County Property Records & Licensing provide research services?

This department provides limited research services. There is a $50.00 per hour research fee with a minimum of one hour. There is a charge, as well, for copies and faxing services. As recording of documents is our first priority, research requests would be completed as time permits. If you need research done quickly, contact an attorney, title company or independent researcher to assist you. You can come into our office and perform the research yourself. Office personnel will be happy to show you how to get started and explain our systems to you.