Mower County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Mower County?

Public records in Mower County are government-generated or government-maintained documents that members of the public are entitled to inspect and copy under Minnesota law. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, government data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is presumed to be public unless classified otherwise by statute, federal law, or temporary classification. The following categories of records are currently available through various Mower County offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family case files maintained by the Mower County District Court
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments held by the Mower County Recorder's Office
Vital records — birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates maintained by the Mower County Vital Records Office and the Minnesota Department of Health
Business records — licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious name) filings held by the Mower County Administrator and Secretary of State
Tax records — property tax statements and assessment records maintained by the Mower County Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer
Voting and election records — voter registration data and election results maintained by the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer
Meeting minutes and agendas — county board proceedings and committee records maintained by the Mower County Administrator's Office
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports available through the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, to the extent permitted by law, maintained by the Mower County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — permits, variances, and planning documents held by the Mower County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Mower County an Open Records County?

Mower County fully complies with Minnesota's statewide open records framework, which governs all government entities within the state. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.01, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) establishes that all government data is public unless a specific statutory exception applies. The Act further provides that government entities must respond to data requests in a prompt and appropriate manner, and that the public's right of access shall be construed broadly in favor of disclosure. Mower County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; instead, all county offices operate under the MGDPA as the controlling authority. Minnesota's open meeting law, codified at Minn. Stat. § 13D.01, additionally requires that meetings of the Mower County Board of Commissioners and other public bodies be open to the public, with agendas and minutes made available as public data.

How to Find Public Records in Mower County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Mower County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the current process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record. Court records are held by the Mower County District Court; property and vital records are held by the Recorder's Office; tax and election records are held by the Auditor-Treasurer.
Search online portals. Many records are accessible without a formal request. Members of the public may conduct a Minnesota court case search through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) for civil, criminal, probate, and family matters. The Minnesota State Law Library also provides guidance on locating trial court documents statewide.
Submit a written or in-person data request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written request to the appropriate office. Requests should identify the data sought with reasonable specificity. No particular form is required under the MGDPA, though some offices provide optional request forms at their public counters.
Visit the office in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person during regular business hours. Courthouse public access terminals, described on the Minnesota Judicial Branch access page, provide on-site access to electronic district court case records.
Request copies. If copies are needed, the requesting party may ask the custodial office to reproduce the records, subject to applicable fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Mower County?

Current fees for public records in Mower County vary by record type and the office providing the copies. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, subd. 3, government entities may charge a fee not to exceed the actual cost of searching for and retrieving the data, as well as the cost of making copies. Standard fees currently in effect include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white reproductions, though individual offices may set rates reflecting actual costs
Certified copies of vital records: Fees set by the Minnesota Department of Health; birth and death certificates are currently $13.00 per certified copy through the state office; local offices may vary
Certified copies of recorded documents: The Mower County Recorder charges per-page fees for certified copies of deeds and other recorded instruments
Court record copies: Fees for district court documents are established by the Minnesota Judicial Branch and are payable at the clerk's counter
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may differ from paper copy fees and are assessed based on actual reproduction costs

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly available under the MGDPA, though government entities and certain nonprofit organizations may qualify for reduced fees in specific circumstances.

Does Mower County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under the MGDPA, which requires government entities to permit in-person review of public data at no charge. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection: Any member of the public may inspect public records at the custodial office during regular business hours without paying a fee, provided no copies are requested
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): Members of the public may search and view district court case records at no cost through the MCRO portal
Courthouse public access terminals: On-site terminals at the Mower County Justice Center provide free electronic access to court case records
County Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer portals: Property assessment and tax data are available through the county's online GIS and property search tools at no charge
Minnesota State Law Library: Research guidance on locating court records statewide is provided free of charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Mower County?

Any person may request access to public government data in Mower County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Under the MGDPA, the right to inspect and copy public data extends to all individuals, and government entities are not permitted to require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request when seeking public data. The following points clarify current eligibility:

Residency: Residency in Mower County or the State of Minnesota is not required to request public records
Identification: Requestors are generally not required to provide identification when seeking public data; identification may be required only when accessing private data about oneself
Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for requests involving public data
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking private data about themselves must verify their identity before access is granted; the government entity must then provide the data
Requesting records about others: Access to private or confidential data about third parties is restricted and requires a legal basis, such as a court order or statutory authorization
Restrictions by record type: Certain categories, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, carry additional access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity

Mower County legal referral resources are available through the Minnesota State Law Library for individuals who require assistance navigating the records request process.

What Records Are Confidential in Mower County?

Not all government data maintained by Mower County offices is available to the general public. The MGDPA classifies government data as public, private, or confidential, and Minn. Stat. § 13.02 defines each classification. The following categories of records are currently exempt from public disclosure or subject to restricted access:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public
Juvenile records: Delinquency and child protection records are classified as private or confidential under Minnesota law
Ongoing investigation records: Active law enforcement investigative data is classified as protected nonpublic or confidential during the pendency of an investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are classified as private data
Medical and health records: Protected under both the MGDPA and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records: Data collected by child protection agencies is classified as private or confidential
Personnel records: Employee data held by government entities is classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain position-related information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Data submitted to government entities under a claim of trade secret protection may be withheld
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Data relating to security systems and vulnerability assessments is classified as protected nonpublic

When a government entity withholds data, it is required under the MGDPA to inform the requestor of the specific statutory basis for the classification and to identify the data that is being withheld.

Mower County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Mower County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian of property records, recorded instruments, and vital records at the county level. Members of the public may visit the office in person or submit requests by mail or telephone during regular business hours.

Mower County Recorder's Office 201 First Street NE, Austin, MN 55912 (507) 437-9535 Mower County Recorder

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on observed state and federal holidays)

Mower County Auditor-Treasurer's Office 201 First Street NE, Austin, MN 55912 (507) 437-9456 Mower County Auditor-Treasurer

Mower County Sheriff's Office 201 First Street NE, Austin, MN 55912 (507) 437-9400 Mower County Sheriff

Mower County District Court – Mower County Justice Center 201 First Street NE, Austin, MN 55912 (507) 437-9465 Mower County District Court

Court Administration public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.