Carver County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Carver County?
Public records in Carver County are defined according to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, specifically under Minnesota Statutes § 13.02, which classifies government data as either public, private, confidential, protected nonpublic, or nonpublic. Public records are those documents, files, and other information created, received, maintained, or disseminated by government entities that are accessible to the general public.
Carver County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court records - civil, criminal, family, and probate cases processed through the Carver County District Court
- Property records - deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property tax assessments
- Vital records - birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business records - licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax records - property tax statements, assessment records, and tax forfeiture listings
- Voting and election records - voter registration information and election results
- Meeting minutes and agendas - county board, planning commission, and other public bodies
- Budget and financial documents - annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
- Law enforcement records - incident reports, arrest logs (with certain restrictions)
- Land use and zoning records - permits, variances, and comprehensive plans
The Carver County Property Records Department maintains property, vital, and tax records, while court records are maintained by the Carver County Court Administrator. Business licenses and permits are typically handled by the specific department overseeing the regulated activity.
Is Carver County an Open Records County?
Carver County adheres to Minnesota's open records laws as established in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 1, "all government data collected, created, received, maintained or disseminated by a government entity shall be public unless classified by statute, or temporary classification pursuant to section 13.06, or federal law, as nonpublic or protected nonpublic, or with respect to data on individuals, as private or confidential."
This statute establishes the presumption that government records are public and accessible unless specifically exempted by law. The Act further states in subdivision 3 that "upon request to a responsible authority or designee, a person shall be permitted to inspect and copy public government data at reasonable times and places, and, upon request, shall be informed of the data's meaning."
Carver County has implemented policies to comply with these state requirements. The county maintains a Data Practices Policy that outlines procedures for requesting public information and designates responsible authorities for each department. Additionally, Carver County complies with Minnesota's Open Meeting Law (Minnesota Statutes § 13D.01), which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public with limited exceptions.
How to Find Public Records in Carver County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from Carver County may utilize several methods to access information. The county currently provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Property records can be searched through the Carver County Property Information Search. Court records are accessible through the Minnesota Court Records Online system.
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records:
Carver County Government Center
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1500
Carver County Government
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Written Requests: Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, requests should include:
- Specific description of the records sought
- Whether inspection or copies are requested
- Contact information for follow-up
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Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online forms available on the county website.
For court records, individuals may contact:
Carver County District Court
604 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1420
Carver County District Court
For property, tax, and vital records:
Carver County Property Records Department
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1910
Carver County Property Records
For election records:
Carver County Elections Office
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1910
Carver County Elections
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Carver County?
Carver County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which permits government entities to charge "the actual costs of searching for and retrieving government data, including the cost of employee time, and for making copies." Current fee structures include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Certified copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
- Electronic copies: Actual cost of time to create and send electronic files
- Staff research time: Hourly rate based on employee salary for requests requiring extensive search time (typically applies after first 30 minutes)
Specific record types have statutorily defined fees:
- Birth certificates: $26 for first copy, $19 for additional copies ordered at same time
- Death certificates: $13 for first copy, $6 for additional copies ordered at same time
- Marriage certificates: $9 for first copy, $2 for additional copies ordered at same time
- Marriage license application: $115 (or $40 with premarital education)
- Certified copy of property records: $10 for first page, $1 for each additional page
Payment methods accepted include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is determined to be in the public interest or for individuals demonstrating financial hardship, at the discretion of the responsible authority.
Does Carver County Have Free Public Records?
Carver County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, which states that "a responsible authority or designee shall provide copies of public data upon request." While copying fees may apply, the inspection of records is available without charge during normal business hours.
The following free public record resources are currently available:
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In-person inspection at county offices during regular business hours (no charge for viewing)
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Online resources without subscription fees:
- Carver County Board meeting agendas and minutes
- County budget documents
- Election results and voter information
- Basic property information through the Property Information Search
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Public access terminals at county facilities:
- Computer terminals at the Carver County Government Center provide free access to certain public records databases
- Public computers at Carver County Libraries offer access to many online county resources
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Public meeting attendance:
- County Board meetings and other public hearings are open to the public per Minnesota's Open Meeting Law (Minnesota Statutes § 13D.01)
Who Can Request Public Records in Carver County?
Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, "upon request to a responsible authority or designee, a person shall be permitted to inspect and copy public government data." This provision establishes that any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Carver County.
Key eligibility considerations include:
- No residency requirement - Requestors need not be residents of Carver County or Minnesota
- No purpose statement required - Individuals are not obligated to state the reason for their request for most public records
- Identification requirements - While basic contact information may be requested for processing purposes, formal identification is generally not required except for certain restricted records
- Anonymous requests - Many public records can be requested without providing personal identifying information
Special considerations apply to certain record types:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) - Access is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, or those with a tangible interest as defined in Minnesota Statutes § 144.225
- Court records - While most are public, certain case types may be confidential or require party status to access
- Law enforcement records - Active investigation records have restricted access under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82
- Property records - While generally public, certain information may be protected for individuals with safety concerns (such as law enforcement officers, judges, etc.) under Minnesota Statutes § 13.045
Government entities, businesses, and organizations may also request public records through authorized representatives.
What Records Are Confidential in Carver County?
Carver County maintains certain records that are classified as confidential or private under Minnesota law and are therefore not accessible to the general public. Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, specifically Minnesota Statutes § 13.02, subdivisions 3 and 12, the following record types are exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile court records - Protected under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171
- Child protection and welfare records - Classified as confidential under Minnesota Statutes § 13.46
- Active criminal investigation data - Restricted per Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 7
- Medical records - Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
- Personnel data on government employees - Private under Minnesota Statutes § 13.43 (with exceptions for specific public information)
- Social Security numbers and financial account information - Protected under Minnesota Statutes § 13.355
- Income tax returns and tax information - Confidential under Minnesota Statutes § 270B.02
- Sealed court records - Including expunged criminal records and sealed civil matters
- Adoption records - Confidential under Minnesota Statutes § 259.61
- Certain property owner information - Protected for specific individuals (judges, law enforcement) under Minnesota Statutes § 13.045
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information - Protected under Minnesota Statutes § 13.37
- Security information - Including emergency response plans and infrastructure details under Minnesota Statutes § 13.37
- Attorney-client privileged communications - Protected under Minnesota Statutes § 13.393
Minnesota law requires government entities to apply a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public's right to know against individual privacy interests or security concerns. The responsible authority must determine whether the benefit to the public outweighs potential harm to data subjects or public interests.
Carver County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Carver County Property Records Department
600 East 4th Street
Chaska, MN 55318
(952) 361-1910
Carver County Property Records
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed on all county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
- Issuance of birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Marriage license applications
- Passport application processing
- Notary services
- Property tax information
- Military discharge recording
Additional Contact Information:
Fax: (952) 361-1919
Email: propertyrecords@co.carver.mn.us
The Property Records Department serves as the official repository for real estate documents and vital records in Carver County. Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or electronically through approved vendors. The department maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1855.
Lookup Public Records in Carver County
Case Search - Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)