Emaleigh Rippentrop
County Recorder
Phone: 507-825-1135
Fax: 507-825-6767
Email: emaleigh.rippentrop@pcmn.us
*Document requests and inquiries can also be emailed to recorder.office@pcmn.us
Mailing Address:
Pipestone County Recorder
416 S Hiawatha Ave
Pipestone, MN 56164
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm
*Pipestone County has implemented a 4% handling fee (minimum fee $1.00/transaction) This fee will be waived for those using cash forms of payment.
The Pipestone County Recorder is the custodian of all property & vital statistic records pertaining to the following areas:
- Real Estate (Abstract and Torrens)
- Subdivision Plats
- Tax Liens
- Vital Statistics (Birth, Death, & Marriage Records)
- Marriage Applications and Licenses
- Notary Public Commissions
- Ordinations
- Military Discharges
iDoc Market is a site created by Tyler Technologies to enable counties to offer online services for recorded documents. You can access and print images for recorded documents with a subscription (both short-term day passes and longer term subscriptions are offered).
MOMS (Minnesota Official Marriage System) was created, designed and managed by Minnesota counties. Marriage Records are public information pursuant to Minnesota Statues Chapters 13 & 517.
Real Estate - ABSTRACT TITLE
Abstract title property is the most common form of title found in the United States. An abstract of title is a condensed history of all deeds, mortgages and other documents relating to a particular piece of land, which affect the title.
All deeds, mortgages, satisfactions and other various documents are filed in the Recorder's Office. When property is sold or mortgaged the lending institution or new owner wants to be sure the title is clear. If the title isn't clear the lending institution may not be able to foreclose, if need be. It is important to search the records to see how title is held and for any liens when completing any real estate transaction. An attorney or title insurance firm is hired to review the abstract. This is done by following the various lines of ownership from person to person and deed to deed over the years, matching mortgages with releases, etc.
Note: Please consult a legal advisor for assistance on types of forms, how to complete forms or for legal advice, our staff can't offer assistance in these areas.
The Recorder's Office operates under the Race Notice Law. This means the person who files first (documents are filed by the hour and minute), wins the race with any legal documents and establishes interest first. Before a document can be recorded, it must meet certain requirements per MN Statutes.
Without the work of the County Recorder in recording, safekeeping and organizing all your real estate documents in a logical manner, it would be nearly impossible to purchase land and be assured of a clear title or to lend money with land as a security.
Real Estate - Torrens Title
Torrens is a system for registration of land under which, upon the landowner's application, the court may after appropriate proceedings, direct the issuance of a certificate of title to the property. Any liens or encumbrances that have been recorded are referenced on the certificate. When ownership of the property changes, the old certificate of title will be cancelled and a new certificate will be issued in the name of the new owner. The Certificate of Title is kept in the office of the Registrar of Titles. With the "abstract system" an abstract is evidence of title. In the "Torrens System" the certificate of title is the title.
In Minnesota, the County Recorder is also the Registrar of Titles under the Torrens System. The Registrar is an arm of the district court and under the court's control. The Registrar must examine documents presented to determine if the document will cloud title, similar to when an attorney examines an abstract for abstract property. Also, determine if legal requirements of transfer are met and issue a Certificate of Title.
Chapter 508 of Minnesota Statutes provided that certain instruments may not be accepted for filing by the Registrar unless certified by the Examiner (or Deputy Examiner) or pursuant to a Court Order.
When property is held in trust, estate, or is part of a court proceeding, the Examiner of Titles issues a Directive to the Registrar of Titles regarding how to proceed. Please refer to the Examiner's Document List for a complete list of documents needing approval and certification by the Examiner of Titles prior to recording.
UCC - Uniform commercial code
The County Recorder is responsible for the filing of "Financing Statements" covered under the Minnesota Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). A financing statement is filed on any personal property when used as security. By making the record public, a borrower makes public that a lien exists and allows a purchaser to be protected from buying mortgaged property. This area is regulated by the Secretary of State and a Statewide network allows a search for liens.
Effective December 1, 2014, the office of MN Secretary of State will terminate all UCC Satellite agreements with MN counties. Beginning December 1, 2014, all UCC filing activity must be conducted through the MN Secretary of State's Office UCC division. Click here for UCC Online Filing Guide. The UCC division may be contacted at www.sos.state.mn.us; by email at ucc.dept@state.mn.us; by phone at 877-551-6767; by fax at 651-215-1009
mARRIAGE lICENSES
Vital Statistics - Marriage Licenses
- A marriage license must be applied for in person by both of the applicants. If it is not possible for both to appear in person, a verification statement provided by the County Recorder’s Office will need to be signed by the missing applicant. The missing applicant’s signature must be notarized on the verification statement and it must be returned to the County Recorder’s Office before the marriage license is issued.
- To obtain a marriage license you must be 18 years of age. A person of the full age of 16 years may, with the consent of the person’s legal custodial parents, guardian, or the court as provided in MN State Statute 517.07, receive a license to marry, upon approval of the district court judge where the minor resides.
- You must be married in Minnesota within 6 months from the date the marriage license is issued.
- An applicant who has a felony conviction may use a different name after marriage only as authorized under MN State Statute 259.13.
Educator’s Statement:
- The marriage license fee for parties who have completed at least 12 hours of premarital education is $40.00. In order to qualify for the reduced fee, the parties must submit a signed, notarized statement on the person’s letterhead who provided the premarital education confirming that it was received.
- The premarital education must be provided by a licensed or ordained minister or the minister’s designee. A person authorized to solemnize marriages under section 517.18 or a person authorized to solemnize marriages under MN State Statute 517.18, or a person licensed to practice marriage and family therapy under MN State Statute 148B.33. (* See format below)
Fees:
- $115.00 without premarital education
- $40.00 with proper educator’s statement at the time of marriage license application.
- Payment for a Marriage License can be cash, check, or credit card and is payable at the time of application.
This includes birth, death and marriage records. The Pipestone County Recorder's Office is able to process requests for Certified copies of Births for the entire State of Minnesota for any birth occurring from 1935 to the present and for Deaths for the entire State of Minnesota for any death occurring from 1997 to the present in the State of Minnesota. For births before 1935 and deaths prior to 1997 you will need to contact the county of birth/death. To obtain copies of birth or death records you must prove "tangible interest". Pipestone County Vital Records start in approximately 1870. If you need a certificate for someone born in another state, see the National Center for Health Statistics website for contact information.
