Search Houston County Property Records

Houston County property records are kept at the County Recorder's office in Caledonia, Minnesota. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents filed in Houston County are maintained there as part of the permanent public record. The Assessor tracks property values for roughly 12,000 parcels across the county. You can search property records online through the county's Beacon WebGIS system or visit the courthouse in Caledonia to look up documents in person. Whether you need ownership history, tax information, or a copy of a recorded deed, the Recorder and Assessor offices are your main starting points.

Houston County Recorder

The Houston County Recorder keeps all legal real estate records for the county. This office processes deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, and other documents that affect real property in Houston County. Documents are recorded in Room 131 at 304 South Marshall Street in Caledonia. The mailing address is PO Box 189, Caledonia, MN 55921. Call the Recorder at (507) 725-5801 or email recorder@co.houston.mn.us with questions. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Documents submitted in person must arrive by 4:15 PM to be recorded the same day.

E-Recording is available for those who submit documents electronically through approved vendors. This option is common for title companies and lenders who record frequently. The office also handles Torrens title registration and well disclosure certificates. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 507, abstract documents must meet specific form requirements before the Recorder can accept them. Documents that do not comply will be returned.

The Recorder's page at co.houston.mn.us/215/Recorder has current fee information and document requirements. Check there before submitting anything for recording.

The Houston County Recorder's office documents the county's full real estate activity, from simple deed transfers to complex mortgage transactions. Visit the Recorder's page online for forms and filing requirements.

Documents submitted to the Recorder become part of the permanent public real estate record for Houston County.

Houston County Assessor

The Houston County Assessor values and classifies all real property in the county. The office is at the same address as the Recorder: 304 South Marshall Street in Caledonia. Reach the Assessor at (507) 725-5806. Staff review property sales, conduct physical inspections on a five-year cycle, and set estimated market values as of January 2 each year. Valuation notices go out in March. The Board of Equalization meets in April to hear informal appeals.

You can look up assessed values through the Beacon WebGIS system available on the county's website. This tool lets you search by parcel number, address, or owner name. It shows current values, classifications, and tax information. Homestead applications and changes to classification are handled through this office as well. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 272, all property must be assessed at estimated market value unless a special classification applies.

The Assessor's page at co.houston.mn.us/214/Assessor links to the Beacon system and explains the appeal process. If you believe your assessed value is too high, start with an informal discussion with the Assessor's office before the Board of Equalization meeting.

The Houston County Assessor's site provides access to valuation data and parcel information through the Beacon WebGIS tool, giving property owners a clear view of how their property is classified.

The Assessor reviews every parcel in the county at least once every five years through scheduled physical inspections.

Online Property Search in Houston County

The county provides access to property data through the Beacon WebGIS platform. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or address. The system returns current value data, property classification, tax amounts, and sales history. It also shows parcel boundaries on an interactive map. This service is free and available to the public at any time.

For recorded documents, you may need to visit the Recorder's office in person. Staff can look up documents by party name, document type, or date range. Older records may be in physical books or microfilm. The office can make copies of most documents on request. Certified copies cost $10 plus per-page fees. Non-certified copies are $2 per page. If you are doing a title search, bring as much information as you have to help narrow the search.

Note: Online access to recorded document images may be limited. Call the Recorder at (507) 725-5801 to ask about the current state of online document availability before making a trip.

Houston County Property Documents

The Recorder files many types of real estate documents in Houston County. Warranty deeds and quit claim deeds transfer ownership. Mortgages and assignments of mortgage track loan activity on a property. Satisfactions of mortgage confirm when a loan has been paid off. Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens can also be filed against a property. All of these go into the county's index and can be searched later.

Plats are filed when land is subdivided. Plat recording costs $56 in Minnesota. Well disclosure certificates must be recorded when a property with a private well is sold. This requirement comes from state law and helps track well locations across the state. The recording fee for a well disclosure in Houston County follows the standard state schedule. Documents recorded here follow the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 507, including margin, font, and content standards. The Recorder rejects documents that do not meet these standards.

Torrens title documents are also handled here. The Torrens system, governed by Minnesota Statutes Chapter 508, provides a registered title certificate that is updated with each transaction. Not all parcels in Houston County are under Torrens, but the Recorder can tell you which system covers a given parcel.

Recording Fees and Transfer Taxes

Houston County charges $46 to record the first page of a real estate document and $4 for each additional page. Plats cost $56. Certified copies are $10 plus per-page fees. These fees are set by state law. When documents cover more than one title, a separate $46 fee applies to each title.

Two state transfer taxes also apply to most real estate transactions in Houston County. The deed tax under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 287 is 0.33% of the net consideration, with a minimum of $1.65. This tax is paid by the grantor in most cases and must be paid at recording. The mortgage registry tax is 0.23% of the principal amount and is collected when a mortgage is recorded. Both taxes are remitted to the state by the Recorder's office at the time of filing.

Some transfers are exempt from deed tax, including transfers between spouses, certain government conveyances, and gifts. The deed must note the exemption basis if no tax is paid. If you have questions about whether your transaction is taxable, check the guidance at revenue.state.mn.us/property-taxes or contact the Recorder's office.

Property Tax in Houston County

Houston County property taxes are due in two installments. The first half is due May 15. The second half is due October 15. Taxes that are not paid by these dates become delinquent on January 1 of the following year. Delinquent taxes carry interest at 9 to 10% per year under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 279. If taxes remain unpaid for three years, the property can be forfeited to the state.

Tax statements go out in March each year. They show the property's value, the tax amount, and the payment due dates. You can pay by mail to the county treasurer, in person at the courthouse, or through online options if available. The county also processes bank escrow payments for properties with mortgage escrow accounts. Homeowners who qualify may be able to reduce their tax through state-funded programs for seniors or people with disabilities. More information on state property tax programs is at revenue.state.mn.us/property-taxes.

Values are set as of January 2 each year under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 273. If you want to appeal your assessed value, you start with the local Board of Equalization in April. The Minnesota Tax Court is the next step if the local board does not resolve the issue.

Cities in Houston County

Houston County includes Caledonia, Rushford, Spring Grove, Hokah, Houston, and other smaller communities. All property records for these communities are filed at the county Recorder's office in Caledonia. No cities in Houston County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Houston County. If a property is near a county line, verify the correct county before requesting records.