About Nobles County
Nobles County is located in the southwestern corner of Minnesota, bordered by Iowa to the south and positioned within the prairie region of the state. Nobles County Seat is Worthington, which is the primary hub for government services and county administration. Established in 1857 and organized in 1870, Nobles County covers approximately 722 square miles of fertile agricultural land. Nobles County was named after William H. Nobles, a member of the Minnesota territorial legislature.
- Nobles County is characterized by its strong agricultural economy, particularly livestock production and crop farming, with significant meat processing facilities that serve as major employers.
As of recent census estimates, Nobles County has a population of approximately 22,000 residents, with Worthington being the largest city. The scene is predominantly flat prairie farmland interspersed with small lakes and wetlands. Key government offices include Nobles County Recorder located in Nobles County Courthouse at 315 Tenth Street in Worthington, the County Assessor's Office at the same address, and the County Administrator's Office.
Nobles County Government Center houses most administrative functions. Lake Bella, Round Lake, and Indian Lake are notable water features. Nobles County is home to a diverse population with significant immigrant communities contributing to the local culture and economy, particularly in Worthington, which has been recognized as one of Minnesota's most diverse communities.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Nobles County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Nobles County. It oversees Nobles County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing efforts and operates specialized units such as the drug task force.
Police Departments
In addition to Nobles County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Nobles County. These include the Worthington Police Department, Adrian Police Department, and Ellsworth Police Department. Each department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, handling local crime and community policing.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Nobles County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1530 Airport Road in Worthington, Minnesota 56187, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Nobles County. The agency operates Nobles County Jail, a detention facility that houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate information and jail roster searches can be conducted by contacting the jail directly at or by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person during business hours.
- Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency, though certain information may be classified as private or confidential under state law.
- Booking photographs (mugshots) are generally available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office, though online databases may not be maintained.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Worthington Police Department serving the city of Worthington, and other communities may contract with the Sheriff's Office or maintain their own departments. Arrest records in Nobles County are considered public information under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13. Minnesota Statute §13.82 governs the classification of criminal investigative data, and §13.87 addresses arrest data.
The Worthington Police Department handles municipal law enforcement including traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, and community policing within city limits.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Nobles County cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses, as well as the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which provides statewide criminal history information. The bureau offers a public criminal history search online, allowing individuals to access records for personal or professional purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Nobles County are maintained by Nobles County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Arrest records typically contain the date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. The process for obtaining these records may involve submitting a formal request and paying any applicable fees.
Jail & Inmate Records
Nobles County Jail, located in Worthington, is the primary detention facility for Nobles County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Nobles County, where they are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate information can be accessed through the jail's online inmate lookup system. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Minnesota state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Nobles County are taken and retained by Nobles County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are considered public records and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office or potentially through third-party websites. Minnesota does not have specific laws for the removal of mugshots from public records, but individuals may seek removal through legal channels if they believe their rights are infringed. The availability of mugshots online may vary, and individuals seeking such records should contact the Sheriff's Office for guidance.
Courts & Case Records
Nobles County is served by the Fifth Judicial District Court of Minnesota, with Nobles County Courthouse located at 315 Tenth Street, Worthington, MN 56187. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. This is the trial court of general jurisdiction handling criminal, civil, family, probate, and juvenile matters for Nobles County. The Fifth Judicial District covers multiple southwestern Minnesota counties.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents are established by Minnesota Statutes §357.021 and typically include $14 for certification plus copy fees.
- The court administrator's office maintains all court records and can assist with record requests during regular business hours.
Court records and case information can be searched through Minnesota's statewide online portal, the Minnesota Judicial Branch's Public Access system (MNCIS - Minnesota Court Information System) available at www.mncourts.gov. The public access system allows users to search for case information by party name, case number, or attorney, though some records may be sealed or confidential by statute. Access to court records in Minnesota is governed by Minnesota Court Rules and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 (Government Data Practices Act).
Rule 4 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch establishes the framework for public access to court records while protecting privacy interests in certain cases such as those involving minors, mental health commitments, and certain family law matters. In-person research of court files can be conducted at the courthouse during regular business hours, and the court administrator's office can provide guidance on accessing specific case files and obtaining copies.
Property & Public Records
Nobles County Recorder's Office, located at 315 Tenth Street in Worthington, MN 56187, maintains land and property records for Nobles County. The office can be contacted at and provides access to deeds, mortgages, liens, uniform commercial code (UCC) filings, plat maps, and other real property documents. The Recorder's Office is responsible for recording and indexing documents that affect real property ownership and interests in Nobles County. Many counties in Minnesota, including Nobles County, provide online access to recorded documents and property records.
- Nobles County website (www.co.nobles.mn.us) offers access to property information and may include searchable databases for recorded documents, though fees may apply for document retrieval.
- Property tax information is maintained by Nobles County Assessor's Office at the same courthouse address, phone, which provides property valuations, parcel information, and tax assessment data.
Nobles County Treasurer's Office handles tax payments and can be contacted through the office’s website. Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person or by mail, with fees typically $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page, as established by Minnesota Statute §357.18. Nobles County may also maintain a Geographic Information System (GIS) for viewing parcel boundaries, zoning information, and other spatial data. Abstracts, title searches, and historical property ownership chains can be researched through the Recorder's Office indexing system, which maintains grantor/grantee indexes dating back to Nobles County's organization.
Vital Records
Vital records for Nobles County, Minnesota are maintained at both Nobles County and state levels. Birth and death certificates from January 1870 to present are available through the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499. Birth certificates cost $26 for a certified copy, and death certificates cost $13. Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks by mail. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Online ordering of Minnesota vital records is available through VitalChek at www.health.state.mn.us for an additional service fee.
Some vital records may also be obtained through Nobles County Public Health & Human Services office, which can be contacted through the office’s website. Marriage licenses are issued by the County Recorder's Office at 315 Tenth Street, Worthington, and cost $115. Marriage applications require both parties to appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. There is a five-day waiting period after application before the license is valid, and it remains valid for six months.
Marriage certificates (records of marriages performed) can be obtained from the Recorder's Office or the State Vital Records Office. Dissolution of marriage (divorce) records are maintained by the District Court Administrator's Office at Nobles County Courthouse and are part of court case files. Access to vital records is governed by Minnesota Statutes §144.218-144.227.
Only eligible individuals (the registrant if of legal age, parent, legal guardian, legal representative, or someone with a court order) may obtain certified copies of birth records. Death records may have limited access restrictions.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Nobles County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. Fictitious business name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA) are filed with Nobles County Recorder's Office at 315 Tenth Street, Worthington, MN 56187 These filings create public records of businesses operating under assumed names. For formal business entity registrations including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, filings are maintained by the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office.
- Building permits for construction projects in unincorporated Nobles County are processed through Nobles County planning office, while municipalities issue their own permits.
The Secretary of State's Business Services Division offers a free online search tool at www.sos.state.mn.us where users can search for registered business entities, view filing history, and obtain copies of documents. Nobles County Planning and Zoning Office, phone, handles land use permits, conditional use permits, and zoning compliance for unincorporated areas. The City of Worthington maintains its own licensing and permitting systems for businesses operating within city limits.
Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, plumbers, electricians, and healthcare providers are typically issued by state licensing boards rather than at Nobles County level. The Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 1121 Third Avenue, Worthington, is a resource for business development and can be reached, website www.worthingtonmnchamber.com. Sales tax permits are obtained through the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Nobles County are administered by Nobles County Auditor-Treasurer's Office, which serves as Nobles County's election authority. The office is located at 315 Tenth Street, Worthington, MN 56187, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Nobles County election information is available through Nobles County website at www.co.nobles.mn.us. Minnesota offers same-day voter registration, allowing eligible residents to register at their polling place on Election Day with proper proof of residence.
- Pre-registration is available online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us up to 21 days before an election.
- Voters can also register by mail or in person at the County Auditor's office.
- Minnesota Statutes Chapter 204B governs election administration and public access to election records, for public access in the electoral process while protecting voter privacy.
To find your polling place in Nobles County, residents can use the Minnesota Polling Place Finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us or contact the Auditor-Treasurer's office directly. Election records that are public in Minnesota include voter registration lists (available for purchase for legitimate purposes under Minnesota Statutes §201.091), campaign finance reports filed with the state Campaign Finance Board, candidate filings, and precinct-level election results. Nobles County voter turnout in the November 2024 general election was approximately 72%, consistent with Minnesota's traditionally high voter participation rates.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. Congressional midterm elections, Minnesota state constitutional offices including Governor, and state legislative seats. Absentee voting is available to all Minnesota voters without requiring an excuse.
Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at the County Auditor-Treasurer's office. Minnesota law allows absentee voting to begin 46 days before an election. Completed absentee ballots must be received by Election Day to be counted.
Economy & Demographics
Nobles County's economy is anchored by agriculture and food processing, with livestock production and crop farming forming the foundation of economic activity. Nobles County is a major center for pork and turkey production, with JBS USA (formerly Swift & Company) operating one of the largest pork processing facilities in the United States in Worthington. This facility employs several thousand workers and serves as Nobles County's largest employer. Other major employers include Seaboard Triumph Foods, Campbell Soup Company, C.H. Robinson, and various agricultural service businesses.
- The median household income in Nobles County is approximately $58,000, somewhat below the state average but reflective of the agricultural and manufacturing employment base.
- Manufacturing, particularly food processing, represents the second-largest employment sector.
Agriculture remains the dominant economic sector, with corn, soybeans, hogs, and turkeys being the primary products. Nobles County's agricultural output contributes significantly to Minnesota's position as a leading agricultural state. Healthcare services provided by Sanford Worthington Medical Center also contribute to local employment.
The Worthington area has experienced economic growth driven by its position as a regional retail and service center for southwestern Minnesota. Recent economic development has focused on downtown revitalization, industrial park expansion, and infrastructure improvements to support business growth. Nobles County's diverse population has contributed to entrepreneurship in retail, food service, and service industries.
Unemployment rates in Nobles County have typically remained near or slightly above state averages, with seasonal fluctuations related to agricultural cycles. Wind energy development has created additional economic activity in recent years.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (MNCIS) | Property: Yes: Online Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: State Office/Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State & County) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results | Overall Score: 7.5/10 No:bles County provides good digital access to property, court, and election records, though jail rosters and some vital records require direct contact.