Clearwater County Property Records

Clearwater County property records are maintained at the County Recorder's office and the Assessor's office in Bagley, Minnesota. The Recorder keeps all legal documents tied to real property in the county, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and Torrens records. The Assessor handles valuations and property tax data for all parcels. You can visit either office in person to search records, get copies, or ask questions. This page explains how to find and access Clearwater County property records.

Clearwater County Recorder

The Clearwater County Recorder is responsible for recording legal documents related to real property in the county. The office accepts deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, federal and state tax liens, mechanic's liens, well disclosure certificates, and Torrens documents. All documents must meet Minnesota state requirements: original signatures, notary acknowledgment, a proper legal description, and the preparer's name on the first page.

Clearwater County accepts electronic recording through approved vendors. Paper documents are accepted Monday through Friday until 4:15 PM. The office stays open until 4:30 PM. If you mail documents, confirm fee amounts before sending. Certified copies of recorded documents are available upon request. Torrens records are also maintained at this office, so both abstract and Torrens land titles are handled in Bagley.

More information is at co.clearwater.mn.us/207/Recorder. Certified copies cost $10 plus per-page charges. Plain copies are less.

The screenshot below was captured from the Minnesota Department of Revenue's PRISM system at revenue.state.mn.us, which includes Clearwater County data.

PRISM is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Revenue and aggregates property record and assessment data from all 87 Minnesota counties, including Clearwater.

Clearwater County Assessor

The Clearwater County Assessor values and classifies all real property in the county. The office sets estimated market values as of January 2 each year using recent sales data and physical inspection results. Valuation notices are mailed in March. If you believe your value is wrong, you can file an appeal before the Board of Equalization meets in spring. There is no fee to appeal with the local board.

Clearwater County has approximately 9,000 parcels and inspects all of them on a five-year cycle. The assessor classifies each parcel based on its current use. Residential, agricultural, and commercial properties are assessed under different rules. If your use changes, that can affect your classification and tax bill. Homestead applications are also handled through this office for eligible owner-occupants. Tax statements are mailed in March.

If you disagree with the local board, appeals go to the County Board of Equalization and then to the Minnesota Tax Court. You can represent yourself or bring an attorney, appraiser, or other agent.

The screenshot below was captured from the Minnesota property taxes page at revenue.state.mn.us/property-taxes.

The Minnesota property taxes page covers payment schedules, delinquency, forfeiture, and homestead programs that apply to Clearwater County property owners.

Access Clearwater County Property Records Online

Clearwater County uses the Beacon WebGIS system for online property searches. Beacon lets you look up parcels by parcel ID, street address, or owner name. The map interface shows parcel boundaries and property details including ownership, assessed values, acreage, building characteristics, and sales history. No login is required for basic searches, and the system is available 24/7. Search the county's Beacon instance to start your research without needing to call the office.

For document-level searches, contact the Recorder's office directly. Staff can search by name, parcel number, or document type during business hours. Older records may not be in any digital system and may require an in-person visit to Bagley.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue's PRISM system is also useful for basic property information and assessed values at the statewide level. It includes Clearwater County alongside all other counties in Minnesota.

Note: Online tools show assessment data but are not a substitute for certified copies from the Recorder's office. For legal purposes or title searches, verify all information through official records.

Property Records in Clearwater County

The Clearwater County Recorder maintains all legal documents affecting real property in the county. Deeds are the most common document recorded. A deed transfers ownership and must be recorded to provide public notice under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 507. Without recording, a transfer is not protected against future claims by creditors or other buyers who lacked notice of it.

Mortgages and mortgage satisfactions are also recorded at this office. Other records include easements, declarations of covenants, federal and state tax liens, mechanic's liens, plats, and certificates of survey. Well disclosure certificates are required on most property transfers and are either attached to the deed or filed separately for a $50 fee.

Some Clearwater County properties are registered under the Torrens system, governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 508. Torrens titles use a court-issued Certificate of Title rather than a chain of recorded documents. Both abstract and Torrens records are maintained at the Recorder's office in Bagley.

Recording Fees in Clearwater County

Recording fees in Clearwater County follow the state standard. The base fee is $46 for the first page of any document, plus $4 for each additional page. Plats cost $56 to record. Well disclosure certificates cost $50 if filed separately, but the fee is included if the certificate is attached to the deed at the time of recording.

Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 287, the State Deed Tax is 0.33% of the net consideration, with a minimum of $1.65. The Mortgage Registry Tax is 0.23% of the principal debt. Both taxes are collected at the time of recording. Certified copies cost $10 as a base fee plus per-page charges.

Note: Call the Clearwater County Recorder at (218) 694-6120 before mailing documents to confirm current fee amounts and payment methods.

Property Tax in Clearwater County

Property taxes in Clearwater County follow the schedule under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 279. The first half is due May 15. The second half is due October 15. Unpaid amounts become delinquent on January 1 of the next year and start accruing interest at 9 to 10 percent annually. Tax statements are mailed in March.

Valuation and tax rules under Chapter 272 and Chapter 273 govern how Clearwater County sets values and taxes each parcel. Values are established as of January 2 each year. Properties with three consecutive years of unpaid taxes can enter the forfeiture process. Tax-forfeited properties may eventually be sold at public auction. The Minnesota Department of Revenue's property tax page explains these rules in detail. Well disclosure requirements are at health.state.mn.us.

Communities in Clearwater County

Clearwater County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. The county seat is Bagley. Other communities include Shevlin, Clearbrook, Gonvick, Leonard, and Oklee. All property records for land in any of these communities are filed at the Clearwater County Recorder's office at 213 Main Avenue North in Bagley.

Nearby Counties

Clearwater County is in northwestern Minnesota. Property records for land in neighboring counties are maintained by their own county recorders.