Official
City records
City of Nelson
Nelson's city office answers at 320-335-0770; its site covers city hall rental, the history of Nelson and contact details.
Open official site City of NelsonStart here
Most requested Nelson records
As a small town, Nelson relies on Douglas County for its court cases, deeds and other public records. The cards below are the county and state offices that keep them. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.
Official
City records
City of Nelson ordinances page
Ordinances, permits, licenses and council meeting minutes as approved by the Nelson City Council are gathered on one government resources page.
Open official site City of Nelson ordinances page
Official
State records
Minnesota Business & Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Minnesota Secretary of State.
Open official site Minnesota Business & Corporation Search
Official
County court
Minnesota Federal Cases
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota hears federal civil and criminal cases; its dockets and filings are searched through PACER. State court cases come from the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
Open official site Minnesota Federal Cases
Official
Property records
Minnesota Property Records
The Minnesota Department of Revenue publishes property tax data by year and location, including sales ratios and market values. Parcel records and tax statements come from each Minnesota county.
Open official site Minnesota Property Records
Official
State records
Minnesota Unclaimed Property
Search property and claim status by individual name or business through the Minnesota Dept. of Commerce.
Open official site Minnesota Unclaimed Property
Official
Vital records
Minnesota Vital Records
Request birth and death certificates, marriage records and divorce filings in Minnesota.
Open official site Minnesota Vital Records
Official
Police & jail
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
The mission of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is to protect and serve the citizens of Douglas County Minnesota.
Open official site Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Official
County court
Minnesota Court Records Online case search
Certified copies of court documents and civil judgment search results may be obtained from local court administration.
Open official site Minnesota Court Records Online case searchNothing in this category on this page.
Everything else, organized
More official Nelson record sources
Local record guide
About public records in Nelson
What we hold on Nelson, and who keeps its records.
Local profile
Nelson at a glance
- County
- Douglas County
- County seat
- Alexandria
- Population
- 182
- Douglas County population
- 39,006
- Local records
- Douglas County offices
- ZIP codes
- 56355, 56308
About Nelson public records
Nelson is an incorporated place in Douglas County, a place of 182 people, and keeps its own council and town business records. Alexandria, the county seat, is where the county offices are. See our Douglas County page for every county office.
Straight answers
Nelson public-records FAQs
Open only the answer you need.
Are Nelson public records free?
Inspecting records is free under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and copies of 100 pages or fewer cost 25 cents a page. Minnesota Court Records Online and the BCA public criminal history search are free, a certified Minnesota birth certificate costs $26 and a death certificate $13, and a noncertified birth record is $13.
How do I request a Nelson police report?
Ask the Nelson police department for incident and accident reports if the city has its own force; otherwise the Douglas County Sheriff's Office keeps reports for the area. Crash reports filed with the state go only to the people involved, through Driver and Vehicle Services.
Where can I search Nelson court cases?
Cases filed in Douglas County are heard by the Minnesota District Court for the county. Minnesota Court Records Online, MCRO, gives free public access to district court case records and many documents, with the fullest access at courthouse terminals.
Where do I find property deeds, ownership and tax records?
Deeds and mortgages are recorded by the Douglas County Recorder, or the registrar of titles for Torrens property. The Douglas County Assessor sets values, and the county auditor and treasurer send property tax statements and collect payments.
Who issues Nelson birth, death and marriage certificates?
Any county vital records office in Minnesota, including Douglas County's, issues certified birth and death certificates from anywhere in the state, often while you wait, and the Minnesota Department of Health issues them too. Marriage records come from the county where the license was issued.
Can I search another person’s Minnesota criminal history by name?
Yes. The BCA's Minnesota Public Criminal History website is free and shows public conviction data for 15 years after a sentence ends. MCRO also shows criminal cases by name.
How quickly must a Minnesota agency respond to a public-records request?
Minnesota agencies must respond within a reasonable time under the Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, and a request for data about yourself must be answered immediately or within 10 business days.
Same county
Nearby Douglas County cities
Other places in Douglas County. A town page lists that town's own offices where it has them; Douglas County records are on the county page.