Public Records Resources for Big Stone, Minnesota

Official government websites for Big Stone, Minnesota and the surrounding area. All links point to .gov, .us, or .mil domains.

About Big Stone County

County Seat Ortonville
Established 1862

Court Records & Case Information

Big Stone County Minnesota Court is located at 612 Central Avenue, Ortonville, MN 56278. It is a district court that serves Big Stone County. It is a court of limited jurisdiction, handling civil and criminal cases, including traffic violations, small claims, probate, juvenile, and family matters.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Mugshots and booking photos are available through the Sheriff's Office, though they may require a formal data practices request.
  • Processing fees for copies of arrest records and booking reports typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page, consistent with Minnesota data practices law.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • Bail procedures follow Minnesota state guidelines, allowing for cash or bond payments to secure release pending trial.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

  • Remote access to basic case information is free, though detailed document viewing requires a subscription fee of approximately $35 per month or pay-per-view charges.
  • In-person inspection of court files is available at the Courthouse during regular business hours at no charge, though copying fees apply at $0.25 per page for standard documents and $5.00 for certified copies.
  • Big Stone County also handles conciliation court matters (small claims) for disputes under $15,000, with simplified procedures designed for self-represented litigants.
  • All court filing fees, bond schedules, and procedural information are available through the Court Administrator's office or the Eighth Judicial District website.
20 2nd Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278

Property & Public Records

  • Recording fees in Minnesota are established by statute, with standard documents typically costing $46 for the first page and $2 for each additional page, though fees vary by document type.
  • Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained in person or by mail with proper identification and payment of statutory fees.
20 2nd Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Birth certificates cost $26 for the first copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered at the same time, while death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy.
  • Processing time for mail-in requests is typically 4-6 weeks, though expedited service is available for an additional fee.
  • The marriage license fee is approximately $115.
401 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55155

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • Sales tax permits are obtained through the Minnesota Department of Revenue, which requires all businesses making retail sales to register and collect sales tax.
  • Permit requirements vary by project type and location, with commercial construction, residential additions, and agricultural buildings all subject to different regulations and fee structures.
  • The West Central Initiative, which serves Big Stone County and surrounding areas, provides economic development resources, business planning assistance, and lending programs for entrepreneurs and expanding businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Big Stone County, Minnesota?
To search for someone recently arrested in Big Stone County, Minnesota, you can contact the Big Stone County Jail. The jail is located at 20 2nd St SE, Ortonville, MN 56278. You can call the jail directly at (320) 839-3558 to inquire about recent arrests. The county Sheriff's Office may provide an inmate lookup service on their official website for public access to arrest records.
Mugshots or booking photos in Big Stone County, Minnesota, can be obtained from the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office. The office is located at 20 2nd St SE, Ortonville, MN 56278. You may contact them at (320) 839-3558 to request access to booking photos. Some mugshots may also be available through online portals associated with the Sheriff's Office, depending on their public records policy.
To obtain a criminal background check in Big Stone County, Minnesota, you should contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA provides statewide criminal history checks, which can be requested online through their website. Locally, you can also inquire at the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office for any additional procedures specific to the county.
You can look up sex offenders in Big Stone County, Minnesota, by accessing the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry. This registry is managed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and provides information on registered sex offenders throughout the state. You can search the registry online to find details about offenders residing in Big Stone County.
Voter registration in Big Stone County is handled by the County Auditor-Treasurer's office at (320) 839-2555 located at 20 2nd Street SE, Ortonville. You can register online at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us up to 21 days before an election, or take advantage of Minnesota's same-day registration by registering at your polling place on Election Day with proof of residence. Absentee ballot applications are available online through the Secretary of State's website or by contacting the Auditor-Treasurer's office directly, with in-person absentee voting beginning 46 days before each election.
Property records in Big Stone County are maintained by the County Recorder's Office at 20 2nd Street SE, Ortonville, MN 56278, phone (320) 839-2555 extension 3. The Recorder's Office maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plat maps, with many documents available through the county's property information system. Property tax information and assessment records are available through the County Assessor and Auditor-Treasurer's offices in the same building. Contact the Recorder's office directly to confirm current online search capabilities and obtain certified copies of recorded documents for a statutory fee.
Birth and death certificates for Big Stone County events are obtained through the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, at 401 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55155, or online at health.state.mn.us. Birth certificates cost $26 for the first copy and death certificates cost $13 for the first copy, with processing times of 4-6 weeks for standard mail requests. Expedited service is available for additional fees through the VitalChek online ordering system. Eligibility restrictions apply, as birth records are confidential for 100 years and death records for 20 years, with access limited to authorized individuals.
Most business entity registrations in Minnesota are filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State rather than at the county level, and can be searched free online at www.sos.state.mn.us. Assumed name certificates (DBAs), corporations, and LLCs are all searchable through this database. For local permits, building permits, and zoning matters in Big Stone County, contact the County Zoning Administrator at the Government Center in Ortonville. Specific occupational licenses are issued by Minnesota state licensing boards rather than county offices, while sales tax permits are obtained through the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Nearby Counties

Roberts County SD Swift County MN Stevens County MN Grant County SD Lac qui Parle County MN Traverse County MN