Renville County

Renville County is located in south-central Minnesota, established in 1855 and named after Joseph Renville, a prominent fur trader and U.S. Army officer of mixed Dakota and French heritage. Renville County seat is Olivia, positioned centrally within Renville County's 983 square miles. As of the 2020 Census, Renville County had a population of approximately 14,723 residents. Renville County is predominantly agricultural, featuring fertile prairie lands that make it one of Minnesota's leading producers of corn, soybeans, and sugar beets. Major communities include Olivia, Renville, Buffalo Lake, Bird Island, Fairfax, Hector, and Sacred Heart. Renville County is bordered by the Minnesota River to the north, creating scenic bluffs and recreational opportunities. Renville County is home to several historic sites including the Olivia Historic Depot and Renville County Museum. Renville County Courthouse, located at 500 East DePue Avenue in Olivia, houses essential county offices including the County Recorder, County Clerk, and County Assessor. Renville County Auditor-Treasurer office manages property tax collections and maintains vital records. Renville County's economy remains rooted in agriculture, with food processing and manufacturing playing significant supporting roles. Renville County is part of Minnesota's Ninth Judicial District and operates under a five-member Board of Commissioners elected by district. Renville County's scene is characterized by flfor gently rolling terrain, typical of the Minnesota River Valley agricultural region, with several small lakes and wetlands supporting diverse wildlife populations.

• Renville County's economy remains rooted in agriculture, with food processing and manufacturing playing significant supporting roles.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Inmate information can be obtained by calling the jail directly at during business hours or by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office.
• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency, specifying the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
• There may be fees for copying and processing requests.
• Mugshots and booking photos are typically considered public data once an individual has been formally charged, and can be requested through the same process.
• Response times vary but agencies must respond to data requests within a reasonable time frame.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process follows Minnesota state guidelines, where individuals can be released upon payment of bail set by the court.

Court records for this county include civil cases, criminal cases, traffic violations, and family law matters handled by the local Circuit, District, or Superior Court.

• Certified copies of court documents cost $14 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.
• Uncertified copies are typically $0.25 per page.
• The court also handles conciliation court cases (small claims) involving disputes up to $15,000, which are heard by referees.
• All court filings can be made in person at the courthouse or electronically through Minnesota's eFiling system for registered users.

• Many records are available for online search through Renville County's website, though the extent of digitization varies.
• Recording fees are established by Minnesota statute and typically range from $46 for standard documents to higher amounts for more complex filings.
• Property tax information can be searched through Renville County's online GIS parcel viewer system, which provides ownership information, assessed values, tax amounts, and property characteristics.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for $14 for the first certification plus recording fees.
• The GIS mapping system provides aerial photography, zoning information, and detailed parcel boundaries, accessible through Renville County website.

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

• Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.health.state.mn.us for an additional processing fee, with expedited shipping options.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from Renville County where the marriage ceremony will take place; applications are submitted to Renville County Auditor-Treasurer and cost $115.
• Marriage certificates documenting completed marriages are available for $9.
• Applicants requesting vital records must complete application forms specifying the relationship to the registrant and intended use of the certificate.

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

• The Secretary of State's business database is searchable free of charge at mnsecofstate.gov, providing access to articles of incorporation, annual renewals, registered agent information, and business status.