Winona County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Winona County?
Public records in Winona County are defined under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03 as government data that government entities collect, create, receive, maintain, or disseminate in the course of official duties, and which are accessible to the public unless otherwise classified as private, confidential, or protected by law. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of a broad range of records maintained by Winona County offices and agencies.
The following record types are currently available through various Winona County offices:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Winona County District Court
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements) — maintained by the Winona County Recorder's Office
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Winona County Vital Records Office and the Minnesota Department of Health
- Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Winona County Auditor-Treasurer's Office
- Tax records (property tax statements and assessment records) — maintained by the Winona County Assessor's Office
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Winona County Auditor-Treasurer's Office
- Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board of Commissioners and advisory boards) — maintained by the Winona County Administrator's Office
- Budget and financial documents — available through the Winona County Administrator's Office
- Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Winona County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Winona County Planning and Zoning Department
Members of the public may access the Winona County official website to identify the appropriate office for each record type and to initiate records requests.
Is Winona County an Open Records County?
Winona County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework, which establishes a presumption of public access to government data. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.01, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) declares that all government data are public unless classified otherwise by statute, federal law, or temporary classification. This statute applies to all Minnesota counties, including Winona County, and governs how government entities collect, store, and make data available to the public.
Key provisions of the MGDPA relevant to Winona County include:
- Government entities must respond to data requests in a prompt and appropriate manner
- Entities may not require requestors to identify themselves or state a reason for requesting public data
- Data that are not classified as private, confidential, or protected are presumed to be open and accessible
Winona County follows these statutory requirements and does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. The county's compliance with Minnesota's sunshine laws ensures that meeting notices, agendas, and minutes of public bodies are made available in a timely manner pursuant to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
How to Find Public Records in Winona County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Winona County public records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought. The following steps outline the standard process:
- Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record. Property records are held by the Recorder's Office, court records by the District Court, and vital records by the Vital Records Office or the Minnesota Department of Health.
- Submit a written or in-person request. Most offices accept requests in person during regular business hours, by mail, or by email. Written requests should identify the record type, date range, and any known identifiers such as a parcel number or case number.
- Use online portals where available. Court records for Winona County may be searched through the Minnesota Court Records Online system, which allows members of the public to look up civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases by county.
- Contact the Winona County Recorder's Office for property-related documents, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The office maintains an online search tool through the county's official website.
- Request vital records through the Winona County Vital Records Office or the Minnesota Department of Health, which maintains statewide birth and death records.
- Allow for processing time. Under the MGDPA, government entities must respond to requests within a reasonable time. Complex or voluminous requests may require additional processing.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Winona County?
Current fees for public records in Winona County vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the records. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities may charge for copies of public data, but fees must not exceed the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying the data.
Standard fees currently applicable in Winona County include:
- Document copies: Typically $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies
- Certified copies of recorded documents: Fees set by the Recorder's Office, generally ranging from $10 to $20 per document
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Fees established by the Minnesota Department of Health; currently $13 per certified copy for birth records and $13 per certified copy for death records
- Court record copies: Fees set by Minnesota court administration; standard copy fees apply per page
- Electronic records: May be provided at no cost or at a reduced rate when no reproduction costs are incurred
Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or nonprofit organizations, at the discretion of the custodial office.
Does Winona County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Winona County, consistent with the requirements of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Members of the public have the right to inspect public government data at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following free resources are currently available:
- In-person inspection at the relevant county office during regular business hours, at no cost
- Minnesota Court Records Online — members of the public may search Winona County court case information through the Minnesota Court Records Online portal at no charge for basic case lookups
- Winona County property records — the county's online property search tool allows free access to parcel data, assessment information, and tax records through the Winona County official website
- Meeting minutes and agendas — posted publicly on the Winona County website at no cost
- Minnesota Department of Health vital records index — limited vital records information is available through the Minnesota Department of Health at no charge
Who Can Request Public Records in Winona County?
Any person may request access to public records in Winona 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 requestor. Specifically:
- Residency is not required. Non-residents of Winona County and non-residents of Minnesota have equal rights to access public government data.
- Identification is generally not required for requests involving public data. Offices may not demand identification as a condition of access to public records.
- Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not obligated to explain why they are seeking public data.
- Restrictions apply to certain record types. Private data, confidential data, and records classified under specific statutes may only be accessed by the subject of the data, authorized representatives, or entities with a legal basis for access.
- Requesting your own records. Individuals have the right under the MGDPA to access data about themselves, including data that may be classified as private. Government entities must inform individuals of their rights regarding their own data.
- Legal representatives and authorized agents may request records on behalf of individuals, provided appropriate authorization is documented.
What Records Are Confidential in Winona County?
Certain categories of government data are exempt from public disclosure in Winona County pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and related statutes. Minnesota Statutes § 13.02 establishes classifications for private and confidential data, and numerous other statutes identify specific categories of protected information.
Records currently exempt from public disclosure include:
- Sealed court records — ordered sealed by a judge pursuant to court rules or statute
- Juvenile records — protected under Minnesota Statutes § 260B.171, which restricts access to juvenile delinquency records
- Ongoing criminal investigation data — classified as confidential during active investigations under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82
- Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers
- Medical and health records — protected under both the MGDPA and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records — classified as private or confidential under Minnesota Statutes § 13.46
- Personnel records — private data on government employees, with limited exceptions for certain disciplinary actions
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government entities under assurances of confidentiality
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — classified to protect public safety
The MGDPA requires government entities to apply a balancing test when data classifications are unclear, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals.
Winona County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Winona County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian of property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other recorded documents. Members of the public may visit the office in person, submit requests by mail, or access available records through the county's online portal.
Winona County Recorder's Office 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6350 Winona County Recorder's Office
Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding official county holidays)
Winona County Auditor-Treasurer's Office (Elections, Tax, and Business Records) 177 Main Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6340 Winona County Auditor-Treasurer
Winona County District Court (Court Records) 171 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6380 Winona County District Court
Winona County Sheriff's Office (Law Enforcement Records) 201 West Third Street, Winona, MN 55987 (507) 457-6370 Winona County Sheriff's Office