Ramsey County Property Records

Ramsey County property records are maintained by the Property Records and Revenue office in Saint Paul. You can search deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents using the Tapestry online system or the Beacon property search tool, or visit the office in person to look up records and request copies. The county handles both abstract and Torrens title records, and the Recorder serves as the official custodian of all documents affecting real property in Ramsey County. Whether you need ownership history, a recorded deed, or current assessment data, the offices in Saint Paul can help you find it.

Ramsey County Recorder

The Ramsey County Recorder is the official keeper of all legal documents tied to real property in the county. The office records deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, and other instruments that affect land ownership. All documents must meet state requirements before the office will accept them. That means proper notarization, a clear legal description, the preparer's name on the face of the document, and payment of the correct recording fees and applicable transfer taxes.

Ramsey County accepts electronic recording, which makes it easier for lenders, title companies, and attorneys to submit documents without coming in person. Walk-in document submission is also available. The office stops accepting documents for same-day recording at 4:15 PM, even though the office remains open until 4:30 PM. Documents submitted after the cutoff are recorded the next business day. The Recorder also maintains Torrens certificates and handles Uniform Commercial Code filings.

Ramsey County is Minnesota's second-largest county by population and one of the busiest recording offices in the state. The volume of transactions here is high, which means the office has staff experienced in a wide range of document types. If you are not sure what you need to bring or how to format a document for recording, call before you come in.

The Ramsey County Recorder also maintains historical records going back many decades. Older documents may not be available online, but staff can pull them from the archive if you provide enough identifying information, such as a grantor or grantee name and an approximate date range. Certified copies are available for a base fee plus per-page charges.

The screenshot below is from the Minnesota Department of Revenue's property tax portal, which links to county-level recording and tax information across the state, including Ramsey County.

The state property taxes portal connects residents to county-level property tax records, payment options, and assessment data statewide.

Ramsey County Property Records and Revenue

The Ramsey County Property Records and Revenue office handles assessments, tax collections, and related services for all parcels in the county. The office sets estimated market values as of January 2 each year. Values are based on recent sales data, property characteristics, and physical inspections. Valuation notices go out in March. If you believe your value is wrong, you can appeal before the Board of Equalization meets in the spring.

The assessor's office classifies each parcel based on its use. Homestead properties receive different treatment than rental or commercial land. If you own the home you live in, you should apply for homestead classification, which can reduce your effective tax rate. The office handles these applications and can tell you what documents you need to qualify. With about 570,000 residents and a dense mix of residential, commercial, and industrial land, Ramsey County's assessment work is among the most complex in the state.

Property owners who disagree with the assessed value after meeting with the local board can take their appeal to the County Board of Equalization, and from there to the Minnesota Tax Court. There is no cost to file at the county level. You can represent yourself or bring an agent. The window to appeal typically runs about 30 days after the valuation notice is mailed in March.

Search Ramsey County Property Records Online

Ramsey County offers two main online tools for property record searches. The first is the Beacon WebGIS system, which lets you search parcels by PIN, address, or owner name. Beacon is free to use and available 24 hours a day. It shows current and historical assessed values, sales history with prices and dates, building characteristics, zoning data, aerial photography, and tax information. The map view is mobile compatible, so you can use it from your phone in the field.

The second tool is Ramsey County Tapestry, which provides access to recorded documents. Tapestry lets you search by name, document date, or document type. Document images are available online. Access is fee-based, either through a subscription or a per-document charge. Documents from approximately 1990 to the present are available online. Older records are in the office. Tapestry is available 24 hours a day and supports e-recording for title companies and attorneys.

Note: Beacon shows assessment data. Tapestry shows recorded document images. For certified copies of any document, contact the Recorder's office directly.

The screenshot below is from the Minnesota PRISM system, which aggregates property record data statewide and links to tools like Beacon.

PRISM connects county-level property data across all 87 Minnesota counties, including Ramsey, and serves as a resource for both residents and government agencies.

Ramsey County Property Records Types

The Ramsey County Recorder maintains a full range of documents affecting real property in the county. Deeds are the most common type. A deed transfers ownership from one party to another. Recording the deed provides public notice of the transfer and protects the buyer's interest against future claims. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 507, a deed must be recorded to be effective against subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers who have no notice of the prior transfer.

Mortgages and satisfaction of mortgages are also recorded in Ramsey County. A mortgage gives the lender a security interest in the property. The lender records the mortgage to put the public on notice. When the loan is paid in full, the lender records a satisfaction. Other documents you will find in the Ramsey County records include easements, declarations of covenants and restrictions, federal and state tax liens, mechanic's liens, plats, and certificates of survey. Well disclosure certificates are required on most residential property transfers and are recorded at the time of sale.

Ramsey County uses both the abstract title system and the Torrens registration system. Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 508, Torrens properties carry a Certificate of Title issued by the court. That certificate is the definitive proof of ownership for Torrens land. Abstract properties require a chain of recorded documents to establish title. Both systems are maintained by the Recorder's office, and a title search in Ramsey County may involve checking both sets of records depending on how the parcel is registered.

Recording Fees and Transfer Taxes

Recording fees in Ramsey County follow the state schedule. 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 submitted separately, but the fee is included in the deed recording fee if the certificate is attached at the time of recording.

Two state taxes apply to most real estate transfers in Ramsey County. The State Deed Tax, set under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 287, is 0.33% of the net consideration, with a minimum of $1.65. For a property that sells for $300,000, the deed tax is $990. The Mortgage Registry Tax is 0.23% of the principal debt. On a $240,000 mortgage, that is $552. Both taxes are due at the time of recording. Title companies and lenders typically calculate these amounts and pay them during the closing process.

Certified copies of recorded documents are available through the Recorder's office. The base fee for a certified copy is $10, plus per-page charges. Non-certified copies cost less. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through the Tapestry online system for documents back to about 1990.

Note: Payment methods vary. Call 651-266-2050 to confirm what forms of payment the Recorder accepts before mailing a document with a check.

Property Tax in Ramsey County

Ramsey County property taxes follow the schedule set under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 279. The first half of your annual bill is due May 15. The second half is due October 15. Tax statements are mailed in March. If you miss the May 15 deadline, the unpaid balance becomes delinquent on January 1 of the following year and starts accruing interest.

The county offers multiple ways to pay. You can pay online through the county website, by mail, or in person at the Property Records and Revenue office. Information about delinquent taxes, forfeiture timelines, and taxpayer assistance programs is available at ramseycounty.us/residents/property/taxes. If taxes remain unpaid for three consecutive years, the property can enter the tax forfeiture process. The county eventually takes title to forfeited land, and those properties may be offered for sale at public auction.

The state property tax framework comes from Minnesota Statutes Chapter 272, which sets out general property tax law, and Chapter 273, which governs how properties are valued and assessed. Ramsey County assessors work within these rules when setting values each January. The Minnesota Department of Revenue oversees assessment practices statewide and publishes guidance on the state property taxes portal.

The screenshot below is from the Minnesota state statutes page for Chapter 272, which sets out the core property tax law that applies to Ramsey County.

Chapter 272 of the Minnesota Statutes is the foundation of property tax law in all 87 counties, including Ramsey.

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County includes Saint Paul, the state capital, along with a number of suburbs and smaller communities. All property records for land anywhere in the county are filed with the Ramsey County Recorder in Saint Paul.

Other communities in Ramsey County include Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview, New Brighton, Arden Hills, Little Canada, Falcon Heights, and Lauderdale. All property transactions in these communities are recorded at the Ramsey County Recorder's office.

Nearby Counties

Ramsey County borders several counties in the Twin Cities metro area. Property records for land in neighboring counties are kept by those counties' own recorders.