Dodge County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Dodge County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Dodge County, Minnesota may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state court systems, and online portals. DodgeCountyRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available data related to government activities in Dodge County. The records accessible through official channels may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property and land records (deeds, mortgages, and liens)
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted)
Tax and assessment records
Business licenses and permits
County meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Land use and zoning records

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.

Online Access:

Members of the public may search court case information through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO), a statewide portal maintained by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. MCRO provides access to case index information for civil, criminal, probate, and family matters. Certain records may require registration or in-person verification to view in full. Property and land records for Dodge County are accessible through the county's Recorder's Office land records portal, where deeds, plats, and related documents are available for public inspection.

In-Person Requests:

Members of the public may visit the Dodge County Sheriff's Office Records Department, located at 721 Main Street North, Mantorville, MN 55955, to request law enforcement records. The Records Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with occasional closures from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. Requestors are advised to call ahead to confirm availability. Court records may be inspected in person at the Dodge County Courthouse, 38 East Main Street, Mantorville, MN 55955, during regular business hours.

Written/Mail Requests:

Written requests for public records should be directed to the appropriate custodial office. Requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, government entities are required to respond to data requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Dodge County Sheriff's Office Records Department: (507) 635-6200
Dodge County Recorder's Office: (507) 635-6260
Dodge County District Court: (507) 635-6282

What Are Public Records in Dodge County?

Public records in Dodge County are defined under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), codified at Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13, as all data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity, regardless of physical form or characteristics. The following record types are maintained by various county offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Dodge County District Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)	Dodge County Recorder's Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce)	Minnesota Department of Health / County
Business licenses and permits	Dodge County Administration
Tax and assessment records	Dodge County Assessor's Office
Voting and election records	Dodge County Auditor-Treasurer
Meeting minutes and agendas	Dodge County Administration
Law enforcement records	Dodge County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Dodge County Planning & Zoning

The Dodge County District Court, located in Mantorville, holds original jurisdiction in all civil, family, probate, juvenile, and criminal matters filed within the county. The Recorder's Office maintains permanent records pertaining to real estate transactions, including official plats and survey documents.

Is Dodge County an Open Records County?

Dodge County operates in full compliance with Minnesota's open records framework. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq., all government data is presumed public unless classified as private, confidential, or protected by a specific statutory exemption. This presumption of openness applies to all county departments and offices.

As stated by the Minnesota Department of Administration, "Government data is public unless there is a specific law that classifies the data as not public." This principle governs the operations of all Dodge County offices, including the Sheriff's Office, Recorder's Office, and District Court.

The Minnesota Legislature has further reinforced this framework through the Open Meeting Law, codified at Minn. Stat. § 13D.01, which requires that meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public and that meeting minutes be made available for inspection. Dodge County boards and commissions are subject to these requirements. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond what state law permits.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dodge County?

The cost to obtain public records in Dodge County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, subdivision 3, government entities may charge for the actual cost of searching for and retrieving data, as well as for copies made at the request of the individual.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Paper copies (black and white)	$0.25 per page (standard)
Certified copies of court documents	$14.00 per document (Minnesota Judicial Branch)
Certified copies of vital records	Set by Minnesota Department of Health
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Document recording (Recorder's Office)	Varies by document type
Property record searches	No charge for in-person inspection

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Minnesota law, though certain statutory provisions allow for reduced fees in specific circumstances, such as requests made by the subject of the data.

Does Dodge County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Dodge County government offices during regular business hours. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, government entities are required to permit individuals to inspect public data at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection is free, requestors who wish to obtain physical or electronic copies may be assessed fees as described above.

The following resources provide free access to public records:

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): Members of the public may conduct court case searches at no cost for basic case index information.
Dodge County Recorder's Office: In-person inspection of land records, deeds, and plats is available at no charge during office hours.
Dodge County Sheriff's Office Records Department: Members of the public may inspect publicly available law enforcement records in person at no cost.
Minnesota State Law Library: The Dodge County legal referrals page provides free access to legal information and resources relevant to Dodge County residents.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dodge County?

Any person may request access to public records maintained by Dodge County government offices. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, there is no residency requirement for requestors, and individuals are not required to state the purpose of their request when seeking access to public data. Non-residents of Minnesota retain the same rights of access as residents with respect to public government data.

Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect public data, though identification may be required for certain restricted record types or when requesting data about oneself. When an individual requests data about themselves—referred to as "data subjects" under Minnesota law—additional rights apply, including the right to receive a copy of the data in an understandable form.

Certain record types impose additional eligibility requirements. Access to private or confidential data is restricted to the data subject, authorized representatives, and entities with a statutory basis for access. Law enforcement records related to active investigations may be withheld from public disclosure until the investigation is closed.

What Records Are Confidential in Dodge County?

Not all government records in Dodge County are available for public inspection. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes specific classifications for data that is private, confidential, or protected. The following categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under current Minnesota law:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Data relating to juvenile offenders is classified as private under Minnesota law.
Active investigation records: Law enforcement data related to ongoing criminal investigations is protected from disclosure.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are classified as private data.
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Classified as private or confidential under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 260C.
Personnel records: Employee data is classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt from disclosure when submitted to government entities under a claim of confidentiality.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

As noted by the Minnesota Department of Administration, "Not all government data is public. Some data is classified as private, confidential, or protected nonpublic." Requestors who believe a record has been improperly withheld may file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division.

Dodge County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dodge County Recorder's Office
721 Main Street North
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6260
Dodge County Recorder's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Dodge County District Court
38 East Main Street
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6282
Dodge County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Dodge County Sheriff's Office – Records Department
721 Main Street North
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6200
Sheriff's Office Records Department

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Occasional closures from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM; advance contact is recommended

Dodge County Auditor-Treasurer's Office
721 Main Street North
Mantorville, MN 55955
Phone: (507) 635-6240
Dodge County Government