Ortonville, MN 56278

Phone Number: (320) 839-6390

Fax Number: (320) 839-6394

When you step into the office of the County Recorder on the Main (or Second) floor of the Courthouse, you usually will be greeted by three friendly, familiar faces; Elaine Martig, County Recorder, Deputies Karol Stotesbery and Laura Berger. Together, they bring many years of experience to the office.

Many reasons may prompt your visit to the office as we have many departments and perform many functions that touch just about everyone’s life at some point in time.

We record real estate, both abstract and registered or Torrens, transactions. Our land records go back to the late 1870’s, so the Recorder’s office has the history of all Big Stone County land transactions recorded since that time. So if you are recording a real estate transaction such as a deed, mortgage or plat or just doing some research on the history of the “family” farm, you will probably be visiting our office.

We have military discharges starting with World War I veterans recorded in our office, so if you need a certified copy of one that was filed in our office, we can be of service to you.

We file Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and Central Notification System (CNS) documents that affect personal property. As of July 1, 2001, we will become a satellite office of the Secretary of State for the new Article 9 filings.

We have the vital (birth, death, marriage) records for Big Stone County dating back to about 1880, so we see many people checking on genealogy. Since we have gone on-line with the Minnesota Department of Health, we are now able to issue a certified copy of almost any birth record that occurred within the State of Minnesota. As of now, we can issue death records for any death that occurred within the State of Minnesota from 1997 through 1999 and very soon 2000 and 2001 also. Certified copies of death records prior to 1997 for Big Stone County may be obtained in our office also. In order to obtain a certified copy of birth or death records, you must fill out a birth record application or death record application and show tangible interest. Providing the application is in order, we are usually able to offer same day service as we receive the fee and application.

We take Marriage License applications for marriages to be performed in Minnesota and issue copies of any marriage recorded in Big Stone County since about 1880.

Lastly, we are also the office for applying for passports. You can get an application for a U.S. Passport from our office or by going to www.travel.state.gov.

So as you can see, there are many reasons to visit our office! But you don’t need to have a reason – we always enjoy someone just stopping by to say “Hi” or take a tour. Many things have changed in the past 100 plus years of Big Stone County record keeping (from recording in books with quill pens to typewriters, to photocopying and now scanning and computers). However, we hope to always remain your local, friendly office. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you!