About Grant County
Grant County is located in west-central Minnesota, bordered by Traverse County to the north, Douglas County to the east, Pope County to the south, and Big Stone County to the west. The county was established on March 6, 1868, and named after Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general and future 18th President of the United States. The county seat is Elbow Lake, situated in the heart of the county. Grant County encompasses approximately 575 square miles of predominantly agricultural land, rolling prairie, and numerous lakes.
According to recent census estimates, the county has a population of approximately 5,900 residents, making it one of Minnesota's smaller rural counties. The landscape is characterized by fertile farmland, glacial lakes including Pomme de Terre Lake and Lake Emily, and the Pomme de Terre River valley. Agriculture drives the local economy with corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock production dominating.
The Grant County Courthouse, located at 10 2nd Street NE in Elbow Lake, houses most county offices including the County Recorder, County Auditor-Treasurer, and County Assessor. The Grant County Recorder's office maintains land records, deeds, and vital statistics. The County Assessor's office, also located in the courthouse, handles property valuations and assessment records.
What makes Grant County unique is its position in the transitional prairie pothole region, its strong Scandinavian heritage reflected in local festivals and churches, and its role as a key agricultural producer in Minnesota's lake region. The county's small-town character, outdoor recreational opportunities, and preservation of historic sites make it a distinctive Minnesota community.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Grant County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community-oriented programs and initiatives aimed at crime prevention and public safety. Notably, the Sheriff's Office runs various divisions, including patrol, investigations, and emergency management, to effectively serve the county's needs.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Grant County is primarily handled by the Grant County Sheriff's Office, which covers the unincorporated areas. Additionally, several municipal police departments operate within the county, including the Elbow Lake Police Department and the Ashby Police Department. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage throughout the county. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective city, while the Sheriff's Office provides support and resources as needed.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Grant County, Minnesota is primarily provided by the Grant County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 10 2nd Street NE, Suite 2, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (218) 685-4411 and serves all unincorporated areas of the county as well as providing support to municipal police when needed. The Sheriff's Office operates the Grant County Jail, a small detention facility located adjacent to the courthouse complex.
- Minnesota statute does not currently mandate online inmate rosters for all counties, so Grant County primarily provides jail information by phone or in-person request.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public information once an individual has been formally charged, though the county may require completion of a data request form.
- Processing time for records requests varies but typically takes 3-5 business days.
To inquire about current inmates or recent bookings at the Grant County Jail, citizens can contact the Sheriff's Office directly at the main phone number during business hours. Municipal law enforcement in Grant County is limited due to the rural nature of most communities. The City of Elbow Lake contracts with the Grant County Sheriff's Office for policing services rather than maintaining a separate police department.
Smaller cities such as Ashby, Herman, and Hoffman similarly rely on the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement coverage. Arrest records and booking information in Grant County are considered public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. There are no federally recognized tribal lands in Grant County, so no tribal police jurisdiction exists within county boundaries.
The Sheriff's Office works cooperatively with the Minnesota State Patrol on highway enforcement and with neighboring county sheriff's offices on mutual aid.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Grant County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the Sheriff's Office or utilize state resources for comprehensive background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Grant County are maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office. These records provide detailed information about the circumstances of an individual's arrest, charges, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the Sheriff's Office, which adheres to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. This law ensures transparency and access to public records, allowing individuals to obtain necessary information for legal or personal purposes.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Grant County Jail, located in Elbow Lake, is the primary detention facility for the county. It handles the booking process for individuals arrested within the county, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate lookup services are available to the public, allowing individuals to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to adhere to scheduled times and security protocols. The bond and bail process follows Minnesota state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Grant County are taken and retained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the arrest record and can be accessed by the public through the Sheriff's Office. While the office may provide online access to mugshots, individuals can also request them in person. Minnesota does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so the availability of these images is subject to the state's public records regulations.
Courts & Case Records
Grant County is served by Minnesota's Eighth Judicial District Court, with the Grant County Courthouse located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. The courthouse phone number is (218) 685-4520. District Court in Minnesota is the trial court of general jurisdiction, handling all major civil cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, felony and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, probate matters, and juvenile proceedings. The Eighth Judicial District covers a large region of west-central Minnesota including multiple counties.
- Fees for copies of court documents are established by Minnesota statute and court rules, typically $14 for certification of documents plus per-page copy charges.
- Interested parties can request court records in person at the Grant County Court Administration office, by mail with appropriate fees, or in some cases through the state's remote access system.
Court administration services are provided locally at the Grant County Courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Minnesota does not have separate circuit or superior courts; the District Court system is unified. Case records and dockets can be searched through Minnesota's statewide electronic case records system.
While Minnesota Courts previously offered public access through MNCIS (Minnesota Court Information System), access policies have evolved and certain case information is available online while other records require in-person or written requests to the court administrator's office. Public access to court records in Minnesota is governed by Minnesota Statutes Section 13.03 and the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Most civil and criminal case information is public, with exceptions for certain sealed records, juvenile matters, and confidential family law documents.
Probate matters are also handled by District Court and records are available through the Court Administrator subject to privacy restrictions for certain sensitive documents.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Grant County, Minnesota are maintained by the Grant County Recorder's Office, located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. The Recorder's Office can be contacted at (218) 685-4523. The County Recorder is responsible for recording and maintaining documents affecting real property including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, plat maps, surveys, and related documents.
- Citizens seeking property records can visit the Recorder's Office in person during regular business hours or submit written requests by mail.
- Copy fees are established by Minnesota statute, with standard fees for certified copies and per-page charges for document reproduction.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Recorder with appropriate identification and fees.
Minnesota law requires most documents affecting title to real property to be recorded with the county recorder to provide constructive notice to subsequent purchasers and interested parties. Grant County does not currently offer a fully free online searchable database of recorded documents, but some counties in Minnesota have partnered with private vendors to provide subscription-based or fee-per-document online access. Property tax information and assessment records are maintained by the Grant County Assessor's Office and the County Auditor-Treasurer, both located in the Grant County Courthouse.
The Assessor's office, reachable at (218) 685-4522, maintains property valuation records, assessment rolls, and parcel data. Property tax payment records and current tax information are handled by the Auditor-Treasurer's Office at (218) 685-4521. Grant County participates in the Minnesota statewide property tax system, and some property tax data may be searchable through state resources.
Many Minnesota counties offer GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewers online, and Grant County may provide access to mapping and parcel data through its website or through regional GIS consortiums.
Vital Records
Vital records for Grant County, Minnesota, including birth and death certificates, are maintained both locally and at the state level. The Grant County Recorder's Office at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, (218) 685-4523, maintains birth and death records for events occurring within Grant County. However, Minnesota statute centralizes vital records authority with the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.
- Birth certificates can be requested from the Grant County Recorder for births that occurred in Grant County, with a current fee typically around $26 for a certified copy.
- Processing time for in-person requests at the county level is often same-day or within 1-2 business days, while mail requests may take 1-2 weeks.
- Death certificates are similarly available through the Grant County Recorder's Office for deaths occurring in Grant County, with the same fee structure and eligibility requirements.
- Online ordering of Minnesota vital records is available through VitalChek, the state's authorized vendor, at mn.gov/health/vitalsrecords, though service fees apply in addition to statutory fees.
Applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225. Only eligible individuals such as the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives may obtain certified copies. For vital records older than 100 years, access restrictions are generally relaxed for genealogical research.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Grant County Recorder's Office, and couples planning to marry in Minnesota must apply in person. Marriage certificates documenting completed marriages are also maintained by the Recorder. Dissolution of marriage (divorce) records are court records maintained by the Grant County District Court rather than the vital records office.
For individuals who prefer centralized access or need records from multiple counties, the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records in St. Paul maintains statewide birth records from 1935 forward and death records from 1997 forward, with older records available through the Minnesota Historical Society.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Grant County, Minnesota are maintained at both county and state levels depending on the type of business activity. The Grant County Recorder's Office, located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, (218) 685-4523, handles filings for assumed names (DBA - Doing Business As) and certificates of assumed name for businesses operating under names different from their legal entity names. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 governs assumed name requirements.
- This database covers all businesses formally registered to operate in Minnesota regardless of county location.
Businesses operating in Grant County under an assumed name must file with the county and renew periodically as required by law. For comprehensive business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit corporations, the authoritative source is the Minnesota Secretary of State Business Services Division. The Secretary of State maintains a free online business database accessible at sos.state.mn.us where citizens can search for registered business entities, view filing histories, registered agent information, and business status.
Local business licensing requirements in Grant County vary by county and type of business. The Grant County Auditor-Treasurer's office at (218) 685-4521 can provide information about county-level licenses if applicable. Cities within Grant County, such as Elbow Lake, may have their own business licensing requirements administered by city clerks or administrators.
Building permits and zoning approvals are handled by the Grant County Planning and Zoning Department or Environmental Services office, which can be contacted through the courthouse. Sales tax permits are administered by the Minnesota Department of Revenue rather than at the county level. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, health care providers, and others are typically issued by state licensing boards.
The Elbow Lake Area Chamber of Commerce serves the Grant County business community and can be a resource for new businesses seeking information about local requirements and economic development opportunities.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Grant County, Minnesota are administered by the Grant County Auditor-Treasurer, who serves as the chief election official for the county. The Auditor-Treasurer's office is located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, and can be reached at (218) 685-4521. The office manages voter registration, polling place assignments, absentee voting, election judge recruitment, and tabulation of election results for all federal, state, county, and local elections.
- Minnesota allows same-day voter registration, meaning eligible citizens can register and vote on Election Day by providing proof of residence.
- However, pre-registering at least 21 days before Election Day helps ensure your polling place assignment is correct and streamlines the voting process.
- In the 2024 general election, Grant County turnout was approximately 75-80% of registered voters, consistent with Minnesota's traditionally strong civic participation.
- Absentee ballots can be requested starting 46 days before an election.
Voter registration in Grant County can be completed in several ways: online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us, in person at the Auditor-Treasurer's office, by mail using a voter registration application, or on Election Day at your polling place. To find your polling place in Grant County, voters can use the Polling Place Finder tool on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website by entering their address, or contact the Auditor-Treasurer's office directly. Grant County typically operates polling locations in Elbow Lake, Ashby, Herman, Hoffman, and other population centers, with exact locations varying by precinct.
Election records that are public in Minnesota include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted for privacy), precinct-level election results, candidate filings, campaign finance reports filed with the county or state, and absentee ballot statistics. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 201 and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act govern access to election records. Grant County, like most of Minnesota, experiences relatively high voter turnout.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and U.S. Senate races, Minnesota state constitutional offices including Governor, state legislative seats, and county offices.
Absentee voting in Grant County is available both by mail and in-person. Minnesota voters do not need to provide an excuse to vote absentee. To request a mail ballot, voters can apply online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's absentee ballot portal, download and mail a paper application, or request an application from the Grant County Auditor-Treasurer.
In-person absentee voting (also called early voting) is available at the Auditor-Treasurer's office beginning 46 days before Election Day and continuing through the day before the election. Grant County demonstrates strong election transparency, with results posted promptly after polls close, unofficial results published on the county website or through the Secretary of State, and official canvass results certified and made public according to statutory deadlines.
Economy & Demographics
Grant County, Minnesota's economy is fundamentally based on agriculture, reflecting its position in the productive west-central Minnesota farmland region. The county's major industries include crop production, particularly corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa, along with livestock operations including cattle, hogs, and dairy farming. Agricultural services, grain storage and processing, and farm equipment sales constitute significant economic activity. According to U.S.
- Census data, Grant County's median household income is approximately $58,000 to $62,000, somewhat below the Minnesota state median but consistent with rural agricultural counties.
- Manufacturing has a modest presence with several small fabrication and processing facilities.
The largest employers in Grant County include agricultural cooperatives, school districts (particularly Elbow Lake Public Schools and Ashby Public Schools), the Grant County government itself, and health care providers including Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services in Elbow Lake. The service sector includes retail trade, restaurants, financial services, and insurance agencies primarily clustered in Elbow Lake and Ashby. Tourism and recreation contribute to the economy, with fishing, hunting, and lake recreation drawing visitors to the county's numerous lakes including Pomme de Terre Lake and Lake Emily.
The unemployment rate in Grant County typically tracks close to or slightly above the Minnesota state average, fluctuating seasonally with agricultural cycles. Economic development efforts focus on retaining agricultural vitality, supporting small business growth, improving broadband infrastructure in rural areas, and promoting recreational tourism. The Grant County Economic Development Authority works to attract new businesses and retain existing employers.
Recent years have seen investment in renewable energy with wind farms and solar installations providing both lease income for landowners and property tax revenue. There are no federally recognized tribal lands in Grant County, so tribal economic enterprises do not factor into the local economy. Challenges include population decline common to rural Minnesota counties, workforce development, and competition from larger regional centers.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ⚠️ Limited Online Access | Property: ⚠️ In-Person/Phone Preferred | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or State Online | Business: ✅ State Online (Secretary of State) | Elections: ✅ State Online Tools | Overall Score: 5/10 — Grant County provides standard rural Minnesota access to public records, with most services requiring phone or in-person contact, though state-level online systems supplement county resources.
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Cities & Towns in Grant County
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Grant County.