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1. Where are real estate property forms available?

Minnesota Uniform Conveyance Blanks are available from:

• Area attorney’s offices
• Abstract/title companies
• MN Dept of Revenue Uniform Conveyancing Forms

The staff in this office/department are not attorneys licensed to practice law in this state; therefore, the staff are not allowed to draft legal documents, give advice on legal matters, which includes real estate matters. 

The staff will provide a detailed rejection list when a presented document does not meet recording requirements. 

2. Where do I find my property information?

Property information is available on-line through the idocmarket.com enhanced service (credit card required) or for property tax information through the Carlton County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.

3. How do I obtain a copy of recorded documents or my Certificate of Title?

Requests require document number and appropriate fees ($3.00 minimum per document up to three pages $1.00 per page thereafter or $10.00 for a certified copy of a document).

Mail requests to: 

Carlton County Recorder’s Office

P.O. Box 70

Carlton, MN  55718

Please include a self-addressed stamped return envelope.  Requests will not be honored without payment.

Documents are also available, for viewing and copy purchase, in our public research area located in the County Recorder’s Office on the 1st Floor of the Carlton County Courthouse, Carlton, MN.  

Documents recorded after April 25, 1978 may be obtained through the idocmarket.com enhanced service (credit card required) or in the County Recorder’s Office.

4. How do I calculate State Deed and Mortgage Registration Tax?

• State Deed Tax:  Net Consideration X .0033
• Mortgage Registration Tax:  Secured Amount X .0023

5. What is a standard document?

Minnesota Recording Document Standards
All Documents Dated August 1, 1997 or After

When creating forms always leave 3 inches of blank space at the top of the first page.

Minnesota Statutes 507.093 sets standards for documents to be recorded with the County Recorder or Registrar of Titles (other than by electronic means) as follows:

1. The document shall consist of one or more individual sheets measuring no larger than 8.5 inches by 14 inches.
2. The form of the document shall be printed, typewritten, or computer generated in black ink and the form (font) of the document shall not be smaller than 8-point type.
3. The document shall be on white paper of not less than 20-pound weight with no background color, images, or writing and shall, except for the first page, have a clear border of approximately one-half inch on the top, bottom, and each side.
4. The first page of the document shall contain a blank space at the top measuring three inches, as measured from the top of the page and a border of one-half inch side and bottom margins. The right half of the blank space shall be reserved for recording information and the left half shall be reserved for tax certification.  Any person may attach an administrative page before the first page of the document to accommodate this standard.  The administrative page may contain the document title, document date, and if applicable, the grantor and grantee, and shall be deemed part of the document when recorded. 
5. The title of the document shall be prominently displayed at the top of the first page below the blank space referred to in clause (4) or on the administrative page. 
6. No additional sheet shall be attached or affixed to a page that covers up any information or printed part of the form.
7. A document presented for recording must be sufficiently legible to reproduce a readable copy using the County Recorder’s or Registrar of Title’s current method of reproduction.  

One sided documents are preferred to deter bleed through caused by a notary stamp, etc. which could interfere with the legibility of the document for recording purposes.  

When attaching legal descriptions to the document use full sheets of paper printed portrait style (no sideway submissions). 

The maximum time allowed for completion of the recording process for documents presented in recordable form is ten business days. MS 357.182

6. What needs to be on a document for recording purposes?

All Documents

• Document dated
• Document signed
• Notary acknowledgment requirements: 
  • Date
  • Individual names being notarizing
  • Legible notary seal or stamp
  • Notary signature
  • Notary commission expiration date
• Marital status must be on the form:
  • "A Single Person"
  • "Husband and Wife"
  • "Divorced and Not Remarried"
  • "Widowed and Not Remarried"
  • "Married to Each Other"
  • “Spouses Married to Each Other”
  • Marital status shown as "Married" is ambiguous and unacceptable.
• Full legal description (tax statements use brief legal descriptions and are not sufficient)
• Draftsman Statement - Include name and address of party drafting the instrument 
• Recording Fees
  • $46 per document* - Payable to the Carlton County Treasurer 
  • *Some exceptions may apply. Torrens property and plats may have additional fees
• White-out is unacceptable as this creates an altered document
• When a document is delivered for recording please note the following (preferably on your cover letter):
  • Telephone number with contact information
  • Address of where to return the document (original document is returned after recording process). Documents are returned within 10 business days
  • Whether the document is to be recorded in the "Abstract" or "Torrens" Department
  • Specific recording order if multiple documents are being submitted in one package
• Contact Recorder’s Office/Registrar of Titles before mailing Torrens documents as additional requirements may apply 
• To ensure same day recording, early day document delivery is suggested

Transfer Deeds

• State Deed Tax required (purchase price times .0033 - Payable to Carlton County Auditor/Treasurer)
• Completed Electronic Certificate of Real Estate Value (ECRV) number noted on deed 
• If applicable, statement regarding "Total consideration for this transfer of property is $500 or less."
  • State Deed Tax in case shown above the tax will be the minimum of $1.65
• Tax Statement: Include name and address of person to receive the Tax Statement
• All delinquent taxes must be paid before a property can be transferred.
• If splitting a tax parcel - all current taxes must be paid and split must be previously approved.  This may require a survey or in the case of Torrens property, a Registered Land Survey
• Completed Electronic Well Disclosure Certificate (EWell) number noted on Deed and $50 fee (payable to Carlton County Recorder) OR one of the statements that apply:
  • "The Seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property,” OR "I am familiar with the property described in this instrument and I certify that the status and the number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed well disclosure certificate."
  • In fulfillment of a contract for deed either:  
    • "The Grantee certifies that the Grantee does not know of any wells on the described real property,"
      OR 
    • "The Grantee is familiar with the property described in this instrument and certifies that the status and the number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed well disclosure certificate."
      • Grantee must sign the given statement
        
        

Miscellaneous Documents

• Correction Documents (Must have new signatures, new acknowledgements, and a correction statement)
• Mortgage Registration Tax included (Mortgage amount times .0023 - Payable to Carlton County Auditor/Treasurer)
• Carlton County does not have a conservation fee.
  When drafting a legal document, it is advisable to seek legal advice from an attorney to ensure that the document has the intended effect. 
  •  County staff cannot provide legal assistance or advice

7. What form(s) do I need to change my name (marriage/divorce)? How do I add a person to the ownership/title?

Legal advice will be required for this inquiry:

The staff in this office/department are not attorneys licensed to practice law in this state; therefore, the staff are not allowed to draft legal documents, give advice on legal matters, which includes real estate matters. 

The staff will provide a detailed rejection list when a presented document does not meet recording requirements. 

8. Where can I get a plat map?

Copies of recorded plats are available at the County Recorder’s Office. 

Fee:  $10.00 non-certified copy or $15.00 certified copy as per statute.