About Grant County
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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. Grant 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. Grant County seat is Elbow Lake, situated in the heart of Grant County. Grant County includes approximately 575 square miles of predominantly agricultural land, rolling prairie, and numerous lakes. According to recent census estimates, Grant County has a population of approximately 6,108 residents, making it one of Minnesota's smaller rural counties. The scene 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. 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. Grant County Recorder's office maintains land records, deeds, and vital statistics. Grant 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. Grant 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
Grant County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in Grant County. It patrols the unincorporated areas, manages Grant County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community-oriented programs and initiatives meant to crime prevention and public safety.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Grant County is primarily handled by Grant County Sheriff's Office, which covers the unincorporated areas. Several municipal police departments operate within Grant County, including the Elbow Lake Police Department and the Ashby Police Department. These agencies collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Grant 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 Grant County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 10 2nd Street NE, Suite 2, Elbow Lake, MN 56531.
- 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.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public information once an individual has been formally charged, though Grant 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 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.
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.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Grant County, MN are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and the court system. Background checks are typically obtained through state-level repositories or authorized vendors. For an authoritative source, see Case Search - Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Grant County, MN are public under most state public-records laws unless sealed or expunged by a court. They are maintained by the arresting agency, primarily the County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Grant County jail is operated by the County Sheriff's Office and houses pretrial detainees and short-sentence inmates. Inmate locator tools allow public searches by name or booking number.
- Look up current inmates and booking information at Sheriff | Grant County, MN - Official Website.
- Sheriff's Office: Sheriff | Grant County, MN - Official Website.
- The bond and bail process allows release of detainees under conditions set by the court; inquiries about recently arrested individuals can be directed to the jail's administrative office.
Courts & Case Records
Grant County is served by Minnesota's Eighth Judicial District Court, with Grant County Courthouse located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. The courthouse phone number is unlisted. 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 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 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 Grant County Recorder's Office, located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531. The Recorder's Office can be contacted for Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County Assessor's Office and the County Auditor-Treasurer, both located in Grant County Courthouse.
The Assessor's office 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 for 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. Grant County Recorder's Office at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, 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 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 Grant 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 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 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 Grant County District Court rather than the vital records office.
For people 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. Grant County Recorder's Office, located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, 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. Businesses operating in Grant County under an assumed name must file with Grant County and renew periodically as required by law.
- This database covers all businesses formally registered to operate in Minnesota regardless of county location.
For full 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.
Grant County Auditor-Treasurer's office at 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 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 Grant 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 Grant County business community and can be a resource for new businesses seeking information about local requirements and economic development opportunities.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Grant County, Minnesota?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Grant County, Minnesota?
How do I get a criminal background check in Grant County, Minnesota?
How can I look up sex offenders in Grant County, Minnesota?
How do I register to vote in Grant County, Minnesota?
How do I look up property records in Grant County, Minnesota?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Grant County, Minnesota?
How do I find business license records in Grant County, Minnesota?
Cities & Towns in Grant County
Economy & Demographics
Grant County, Minnesota's economy is fundamentally based on agriculture, reflecting its position in the productive west-central Minnesota farmland region. Grant 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. 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 Grant 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. 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.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Grant County, Minnesota are administered by Grant County Auditor-Treasurer, who is the chief election official for Grant County. The Auditor-Treasurer's office is located at 10 2nd Street NE, Elbow Lake, MN 56531, and can be contacted through the office’s website. 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 Grant County or state, and absentee ballot statistics. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 201 and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act govern access to election records.
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 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 Grant County website or through the Secretary of State, and official canvass results certified and made public according to statutory deadlines.