Stevens County Recorder: Deeds & Records

The Recorder provides several ways to research land records, depending on whether you need a one-time document or frequent professional access.

The most important difference is that in-office viewing is free, while remote access through Tapestry and Laredo involves fees.

Step-by-Step: Search a Recorded Deed Online

1. Open the official viewing page.

   Use the Stevens County Recorder’s website to reach the current Tapestry or Laredo search service.

2. Choose your access method.

   Select Tapestry for an occasional paid search. Use Laredo if you already have an authorized subscription.

3. Search using known details.

   Start with the current owner, former owner or another party named in the recorded document.

4. Narrow the matching results.

   Review the available document types, recording dates and land-description fields.

5. Confirm the correct instrument.

   Compare the parties, recording information and legal description with your property information.

6. Save the recording details.

   Keep the document number, recording date and other available references for a later copy request.

How Far Back Are the Online Records Indexed?

Stevens County states that Abstract documents are indexed with legal descriptions from 1922 onward.

Its Laredo subscription materials identify fully indexed Abstract real estate documents beginning January 1, 1922, with property identification number indexing beginning January 1, 2023.

However, not every document is necessarily available through the same remote search method.

One of the most important details in Minnesota deed research is whether the property is Abstract or Torrens.

These are two different systems for maintaining land-title records.

Does Stevens County Have Torrens Property?

Yes. Stevens County publishes a specific list of Torrens properties.

The list includes selected properties in Morris, Hancock and rural areas of the county.

The Stevens County Recorder’s Office is located in the county government building at 400 Colorado Avenue, Suite 305, Morris, Minnesota.

Google Map: Stevens County Recorder in Morris, MN

Use the map below for directions to the county building at 400 Colorado Avenue.

Stevens County accepts completed real estate documents on paper and through authorized electronic recording providers.

The document must meet Minnesota recording requirements and include any necessary taxes, certificates and supporting information.

Recording Checklist

• Correct deed type for the intended transaction
• Accurate and complete legal description
• Grantor and grantee names
• Required signatures and acknowledgment
• Name and address of the person who drafted the document, when required
• Appropriate return-address information
• Abstract or Torrens property status
• eCRV information when required
• Well disclosure information or certificate when applicable
• State deed tax or mortgage registry tax when applicable
• Applicable recording fees and any delinquent tax requirements

Step-by-Step: Submit a New Deed

1. Prepare the document.

   Use an appropriate Minnesota conveyancing form and have it completed correctly.

   A title company or attorney can assist when ownership rights are changing.

2. Check Abstract or Torrens status.

   Confirm the correct land records system before the document is submitted.

3. Check the eCRV requirement.

   For transfers involving consideration greater than $3,000, an electronic Certificate of Real Estate Value is generally required.

4. Address wells and taxes.

   Determine whether the transfer requires a well disclosure certificate, state deed tax or other tax documentation.

5. Confirm delinquent property taxes.

   Stevens County states that delinquent property taxes must be paid before recording documents that transfer the property.

6. Prepare the payment.

   The county accepts cash or check for paper recording fees. Credit cards are not accepted for those fees.

7. Submit the recording package.

   Deliver the documents to Suite 305, mail the completed package or use an approved eRecording provider.

Stevens County publishes a standard $46 recording fee for typical Abstract and Torrens real estate documents.

Other charges depend on the instrument, the number of referenced documents and whether additional certificates or taxes are required.

The published research minimum is $15. Special recording situations may involve other charges.

Which Payment Methods Does the County Accept?

Stevens County states that recording fees cannot be paid with a credit card.

Cash or check is accepted for paper recording fees. The county allows recording fees, state deed tax, mortgage registry tax and well-certificate fees to be combined into one check.

The $46 standard recording fee is separate from Minnesota’s state deed tax and mortgage registry tax.

Stevens County publishes the following calculation rates for ordinary taxable transactions.

Example: $250,000 Property Sale

Example: $200,000 Mortgage

These examples assume ordinary taxable transactions. The amount due may change because of exemptions, special rules, mortgage modifications or the transaction’s actual taxable consideration.

When Is an eCRV Required?

Minnesota generally requires an Electronic Certificate of Real Estate Value (eCRV) when real property is sold or transferred for consideration greater than $3,000.

The eCRV documents the sale and helps state and county officials review transaction details for property-tax assessment purposes.

Minnesota has well-disclosure requirements for certain property transfers.

The required information depends on whether wells are located on the property and whether the transaction qualifies for an applicable exception.

What Is a Well Disclosure Certificate?

A Well Disclosure Certificate provides information about wells on property being transferred.

Stevens County lists a $54 well-certificate fee when the certificate is required.

If a document has been recorded in Stevens County, you can request a copy through the Recorder’s Office.

The office also provides Torrens Certificates of Title and services involving Abstract property records.

What Information Should You Provide?

• Property owner’s name
• Previous owner, if known
• Property address
• Legal description or parcel information
• Recording date or approximate year
• Document number or book/page, if known
• Document type, such as deed, mortgage or release
• Whether certification is required

Stevens County accepts paper documents by mail or at the Recorder’s counter.

It also accepts qualifying electronic recordings through authorized submission providers.

County-Listed eRecording Providers

eRecording is often useful for title companies, attorneys, lenders and other frequent document submitters.

Provider enrollment requirements, eligible document types and service charges can differ.

Mail Documents to the Recorder

The Recorder is responsible for legal land records. Other Stevens County departments maintain property assessment information, tax accounts and parcel maps.

If you only know a street address, it may be easier to begin with GIS or the Assessor before searching deeds.

How to Start a Property Search by Address

1. Open the county GIS resource.

   Use the official Interactive Mapping page to access the parcel map.

2. Find the property.

   Use the available map tools to locate the parcel and review its identifying information.

3. Check the owner and legal description.

   Use the assessment or parcel information as a starting point.

4. Return to the Recorder.

   Search the recorded land documents for the owner’s name and relevant legal description.

The Stevens County Recorder provides several services beyond recording real estate documents.

These services have different eligibility rules and may require identification or supporting documents.

County land records use different online search tools and fee structures. These additional guides explain common recording systems and how they differ across jurisdictions.

Recording fees and legal requirements in these other jurisdictions do not apply to Stevens County, Minnesota.

This article is an independent educational guide. It is not an official website of Stevens County, the Stevens County Recorder, the State of Minnesota or another government agency.

Recording requirements, fees, office hours, public access systems and tax rules may change. Verify important details with the responsible official agency before submitting documents or payments.

This guide is not legal advice, title insurance, a certified title examination or a guarantee that property ownership is clear or undisputed.

Public property records must not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or any other purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

This website is not a Consumer Reporting Agency.

These official government resources provide the land-record search options, office information, fee schedules and Minnesota recording requirements described in this guide.

Last reviewed: October 28, 2026. Verify current fees and recording requirements with the official Recorder before filing.