Goodhue County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Goodhue County?

Public records in Goodhue County are defined under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minnesota Statutes § 13.01 et seq., which establishes that all government data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is presumed public unless classified otherwise by statute, federal law, or temporary classification. Additionally, § 138.17 of the Minnesota Statutes governs the management and preservation of government records at both the state and local level, defining "government records" to include all records made or received by any government entity in connection with the transaction of public business.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by various Goodhue County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files are maintained by the Goodhue County District Court. Members of the public may search these records through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), the official statewide portal for district court records and documents.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related instruments are filed with the Goodhue County Recorder's Office. Real property assessment data is accessible through the Goodhue County property records portal, maintained by the Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer Departments.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Minnesota Department of Health. Marriage license applications and records are processed by the Goodhue County Recorder's Office. Divorce decrees are held by the District Court.
Business records — Fictitious name registrations, assumed name filings, and certain business entity documents are maintained by the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax statements and assessment records are maintained by the Goodhue County Auditor-Treasurer's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are administered by the Goodhue County Auditor-Treasurer, which serves as the county's election authority.
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and related documents are available through the Goodhue County Administrator's Office.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records are public documents maintained by the county's Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports that are not part of an active investigation may be requested from the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions under the MGDPA.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning permits, variances, and land use applications are maintained by the Goodhue County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Goodhue County an Open Records County?

Goodhue County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, all government data is presumed public and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific statutory classification restricts access. This presumption of openness is a foundational principle of Minnesota law and applies to all county departments and offices within Goodhue County.

Key provisions of the MGDPA relevant to public access include the requirement that government entities respond to data requests in a prompt and appropriate manner, and that they may not require a requester to identify themselves or state a reason for the request when seeking public data. The Act further mandates that entities provide data in the format requested by the individual, to the extent reasonably possible.

Minnesota's open meeting law, codified at Minnesota Statutes § 13D.01, further reinforces government transparency by requiring that meetings of governmental bodies — including the Goodhue County Board of Commissioners — be open to the public. Goodhue County adheres to these sunshine law requirements, and meeting records are made available to the public accordingly.

How to Find Public Records in Goodhue County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Goodhue County public records through several official channels, depending on the record type sought.

Online portals — Property assessment data is currently available through the Goodhue County real property public access system. Court records may be searched through the case search tool on Minnesota Court Records Online. Business entity filings are searchable via the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.
In-person requests — Members of the public may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours to inspect or request copies of public records. The Goodhue County Government Center, located at 509 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066, houses multiple departments including the Recorder's Office, Auditor-Treasurer, and Planning and Zoning.
Written or email requests — Requests for data may be submitted in writing to the appropriate department. While no specific form is required under state law, requesters should identify the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate them.
Marriage license records — Applications and related marriage records may be accessed through the Goodhue County marriage license information page.
Sheriff's Office records — Requests for law enforcement records should be directed to the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office, also located at the Government Center campus.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Goodhue County, consistent with the cost parameters established under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Under current law, government entities may charge a fee for copies that does not exceed the actual cost of searching for and retrieving the data, as well as the cost of making the copies.

Paper copies — Standard copy fees are typically assessed on a per-page basis. Fees vary by office and document type; members of the public should confirm current rates directly with the relevant department.
Certified copies — Certified copies of recorded documents, such as deeds or marriage certificates, are subject to additional fees set by the Recorder's Office.
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies are generally limited to the cost of the storage medium or transmission, where applicable.
Court records — Fees for copies of court documents are governed by Minnesota court rules and may differ from county administrative fees.
Payment methods — Accepted payment methods vary by office but commonly include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment forms with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Fee waivers — Under certain circumstances, fees may be waived or reduced, particularly for individuals requesting their own government data or for requests determined to be in the public interest.

Does Goodhue County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Minnesota law. Government entities are required to permit individuals to inspect public data at no charge; fees may only be assessed when copies are requested.

Several official online resources currently provide free access to Goodhue County public records:

The Goodhue County property assessment database provides free online access to real property records maintained by the Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer Departments.
Minnesota Court Records Online offers free online access to certain district court case information statewide, including records from Goodhue County District Court.
The Minnesota Secretary of State's office provides free online access to business entity filings, assumed name records, and related documents.
In-person inspection of records at county offices is available at no cost during regular business hours.

Who Can Request Public Records in Goodhue County?

Any person may request access to public government data in Goodhue County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act does not restrict access to public data based on the identity or affiliation of the requester.

Residency — Requesters are not required to be residents of Goodhue County or the State of Minnesota to access public records.
Identification — Government entities may not require a requester to provide identification as a condition of accessing public data, unless identification is necessary to determine whether the requester is entitled to access private or confidential data about themselves.
Purpose — Requesters are not required to state a reason for their request when seeking public data. A stated purpose may be required only in limited circumstances involving access to private data.
Requesting your own records — Individuals have the right under the MGDPA to request access to private data maintained about themselves by government entities. In such cases, the entity may require reasonable verification of identity before releasing the data.
Restrictions for specific record types — Certain records, such as juvenile records, adoption files, and active investigation data, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Goodhue County?

Not all government data maintained by Goodhue County is accessible to the general public. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act classifies certain data as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic, restricting access to authorized individuals or entities. Under § 13.02 of the Minnesota Statutes, "private data" is accessible only to the subject of the data and authorized parties, while "confidential data" is not accessible to the public or the data subject.

The following categories of records are currently exempt from general public access in Goodhue County:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records — Records relating to juvenile delinquency proceedings are classified as private under Minnesota law.
Active investigation records — Law enforcement data relating to ongoing criminal investigations is protected from disclosure.
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 federal HIPAA regulations.
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions.
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 generally private, with limited exceptions for certain categories of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Data submitted to government entities that qualifies as a trade secret may be protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Information relating to security systems and infrastructure vulnerability assessments is classified as nonpublic.

When a government entity withholds data, it is required to inform the requester of the specific statutory basis for the classification, consistent with the balancing framework established under the MGDPA.

Goodhue County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Goodhue County Recorder's Office is the principal repository for recorded land documents, vital records, and related instruments. The office is responsible for the proper filing of all documents made a matter of public record and for the accuracy and safety of official records, as described on the Goodhue County Recorder's Office official page.

Goodhue County Recorder's Office 509 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 (651) 385-3040 Goodhue County Recorder's Office

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding official county holidays. Members of the public seeking to record documents, obtain certified copies, or apply for marriage licenses may visit the office in person during these hours.

Goodhue County Government Center (General) 509 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 (651) 385-3000 Goodhue County Government

Goodhue County District Court 454 W. 6th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 (651) 267-4800 Minnesota Judicial Branch – Goodhue County

Goodhue County Sheriff's Office 509 W. 5th Street, Red Wing, MN 55066 (651) 385-3155 Goodhue County Sheriff's Office