Nobles County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Nobles County in 2026

NoblesRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to government documents and records maintained by agencies in Nobles County, Minnesota. Members of the public seeking court filings, property documents, vital records, or other government-generated materials may locate relevant data through official county offices, state-level portals, and authorized online tools. The availability and completeness of records vary by record type, custodial agency, and applicable state law.

Records that may be accessible through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Business licenses and permits
Property tax and assessment records
County board meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Online Access: Members of the public may conduct a case search through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), which provides electronic access to district court case information statewide. Certain records are available without registration, while others may require account creation or in-person verification. The Nobles County Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer maintain property and tax records accessible through the county's official web portal.

In-Person Requests: Requests for court records may be submitted in person at the Nobles County Justice Center, located at 1530 Airport Road, Worthington, MN 56187. The Nobles County District Court serves as the custodian of civil, criminal, probate, and family court files. Property and land records are maintained by the Nobles County Recorder's Office at the Nobles County Courthouse, 315 10th Street, Worthington, MN 56187. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requester's name, a description of the records sought, and preferred format for delivery. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed ten business days for routine requests.

Phone/Email:

Nobles County Courthouse main line: (507) 295-5200
Nobles County District Court: (507) 295-5202

What Are Public Records in Nobles County?

Public records in Nobles County are government-generated or government-held documents subject to disclosure under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.01, 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.

The following record types are maintained by county agencies:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil, criminal, probate, family court records	Nobles County District Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Nobles County Recorder
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Nobles County Vital Records / MN Dept. of Health
Property tax and assessment records	Nobles County Assessor / Auditor-Treasurer
Business licenses and permits	Nobles County Auditor-Treasurer
Voting and election records	Nobles County Auditor-Treasurer
County board minutes and agendas	Nobles County Administrator
Law enforcement incident reports	Nobles County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Nobles County Planning and Zoning

Trial court documents, including pleadings, orders, and findings filed by parties to a case, are described by the Minnesota State Law Library as part of the district court file maintained at the courthouse where the case was filed.

Is Nobles County an Open Records County?

Nobles County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework, which mandates public access to government data. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 1, "all government data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity shall be public data unless classified by statute, federal law, or temporary classification as nonpublic or protected nonpublic, or as private or protected private data."

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) serves as the state's primary open records law and applies to all county agencies, including those in Nobles County. The Act establishes a presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government entity to justify any withholding of data. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division (IPAD) provides guidance to both government entities and the public on the application of the MGDPA.

As the Minnesota Judicial Branch notes, "courthouse public access terminals provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records," reflecting the state's commitment to transparency in judicial proceedings. Members of the public may access case records through terminals located at the Nobles County Justice Center or through authorized online platforms.

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

The cost to obtain public records in Nobles County depends on the record type, format requested, and the custodial office. The MGDPA governs permissible fees and limits charges to the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying records.

Standard Copy Fees (Nobles County):

Service	Fee
Black-and-white paper copies	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies of court documents	$14.00 per document (state court fee)
Certified copies of vital records	$13.00 per copy (MN Dept. of Health rate)
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Document search fee	No charge for routine requests

Inspection of public records is provided at no charge.
Fees for certified copies of recorded documents (deeds, mortgages) are set by the Nobles County Recorder and reflect current state schedules.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in circumstances where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, subject to agency discretion.

Does Nobles County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under the MGDPA, which prohibits government entities from charging for the right to view public data. The distinction between free inspection and paid copies is significant: viewing records at a government office carries no fee, while obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Free access to Nobles County records is available through the following official channels:

Courthouse public access terminals at the Nobles County Justice Center allow free electronic review of district court case records.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) provides free online access to basic case information for district court proceedings statewide.
Nobles County Assessor's online portal offers free access to property assessment and parcel data.
County board meeting minutes and agendas are posted at no charge on the Nobles County official website.

Child support case information and related agency records may be reviewed through the directory of Minnesota county child support agencies, which lists local offices and their services at no cost to the public.

Who Can Request Public Records in Nobles County?

Any person may request access to public government data in Nobles County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The MGDPA does not require requesters to identify themselves, explain the reason for their request, or demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought, except in limited circumstances involving private or protected data.

Key eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Minnesota retain full rights to request public data.
Identification: Not required for access to public data. Identification may be required when requesting private data about oneself.
Purpose: Requesters are not obligated to state a purpose for public data requests.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking private data about themselves must provide sufficient identification to verify their identity. Government entities are required to provide individuals with access to their own private data upon verified request.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile court files, adoption records, and law enforcement investigative data, carry access restrictions regardless of requester identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Nobles County?

Not all government-held records in Nobles County are subject to public disclosure. The MGDPA classifies certain data as private, protected private, nonpublic, or protected nonpublic, restricting access to authorized individuals or agencies. The following categories are exempt from general public access under Minnesota law:

Sealed court records — accessible only by court order
Juvenile records — protected under Minnesota Statutes governing juvenile proceedings
Active law enforcement investigative data — classified as protected nonpublic during an ongoing investigation
Personal identifying information — 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 conditions
Child welfare and protective services records — classified as private data under Minnesota Statutes § 13.46
Personnel records — private data on individuals, with limited exceptions for public employees' compensation and job titles
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — classified to protect public safety

The Minnesota Department of Administration's IPAD office provides authoritative guidance on the classification of government data and the application of statutory exemptions under the MGDPA.

Nobles County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Nobles County Recorder
315 10th Street
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 295-5220
Nobles County official website

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Nobles County District Court
1530 Airport Road
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 295-5202
Nobles County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Nobles County Auditor-Treasurer
315 10th Street
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 295-5210
Nobles County official website