Lyon County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Lyon County in 2026
LyonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Lyon County, Minnesota. Members of the public seeking court filings, property documents, vital records, or other government-generated materials may find relevant data through this resource. The categories of records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Tax and financial records
- Meeting minutes and county board agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records in Lyon County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
Members of the public may access electronic district court case records through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) portal, which provides remote access to case information. The Lyon County Assessor's property data is available through the county's official website. Some records require account registration or payment of a fee prior to retrieval.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Lyon County Government Center to inspect records in person. The Lyon County District Court is located at 607 W Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258. Courthouse public access terminals provide the most complete access to electronic district court case records. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office and must include the requester'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:
- Lyon County Government Center: (507) 537-6728
- Lyon County District Court Administrator: (507) 537-6734
What Are Public Records in Lyon County?
Public records in Lyon County are government-generated or government-held documents that are accessible to the public under Minnesota law. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.03, Subd. 1, all government data is presumed public unless classified otherwise by statute or federal law. The following record types are maintained by various Lyon County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Lyon County District Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Lyon County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Minnesota Department of Health / County |
| Divorce records | Lyon County District Court |
| Business licenses and permits | Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer |
| Property tax and assessment records | Lyon County Assessor |
| Voting and election records | Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Lyon County Administrator |
| Budget and financial documents | Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer |
| Law enforcement records | Lyon County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Lyon County Planning and Zoning |
The Minnesota State Law Library notes that district court files include "pleadings and documents filed by the parties to the case and orders and findings issued by the court." Divorce decrees and related family court documents are among the records accessible through the court system; plain copies of recent divorce records may be found using the Minnesota Court Records Online portal.
Is Lyon County an Open Records County?
Lyon County follows Minnesota's statewide open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government data. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minn. Stat. § 13.01 et seq., all data collected, created, received, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is public unless classified as not public by statute, federal law, or temporary classification. The MGDPA applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies operating within Lyon County.
As stated by the Minnesota Department of Administration, "The presumption under the MGDPA is that government data is public. The burden is on the government entity to identify a specific law that classifies data as not public." County departments are required to designate a Responsible Authority to manage data practices compliance and to respond to data requests in a timely manner. Lyon County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance; the MGDPA governs all public data access at the county level.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lyon County?
The cost to obtain public records in Lyon County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Standard fees currently in effect are as follows:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (black and white) | $0.25 per page (standard) |
| Certified copies of court records | $14.00 per document |
| Certified copies of vital records | $13.00 per copy (MDH rate) |
| Electronic record retrieval (MCRO) | Varies by record type |
| Property record copies | Set by Recorder's Office |
Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, Subd. 3, government entities may charge for the actual cost of searching for and retrieving data, as well as for copies. Inspection of public records at a government office is available at no charge. Accepted payment methods at Lyon County offices include cash, check, and credit or debit card, depending on the specific office. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for individuals requesting their own data under the MGDPA.
Does Lyon County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Lyon County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may review documents in person without charge at the relevant office. The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- Lyon County District Court public access terminals: Located at the Government Center, 607 W Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258. These terminals provide free on-site access to electronic court case records.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): Certain case information is available at no cost through the MCRO public access portal.
- Lyon County Assessor's Office: Property assessment data and parcel information are available for free inspection online and in person.
- Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer: Election results, meeting minutes, and financial documents are available for public inspection at no charge.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection of records is free, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to applicable fees as described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lyon County?
Any person may request access to public government data in Lyon County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The MGDPA does not require requesters to be Minnesota residents or to explain why they are seeking records. Under current law, government entities may not require a requester to identify themselves as a condition of accessing public data, though identification may be required for certain restricted record types or for individuals requesting their own private data.
Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:
- Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting data about themselves are entitled to access their own private data held by government entities, subject to identity verification requirements.
- Requesting records about others: Access to private or confidential data about other individuals is restricted and requires a legal basis, such as a court order or statutory authorization.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Lyon County and Minnesota retain full rights to request public data under the MGDPA.
- Minors and juvenile records: Access to juvenile court records is restricted under Minn. Stat. § 260B.171 and related provisions.
Members of the public seeking court records may submit requests directly to the Lyon County District Court, which has original jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, probate, and family matters within the county.
What Records Are Confidential in Lyon County?
Not all government records in Lyon County are available to the public. The MGDPA and related statutes classify certain categories of data as private, confidential, or protected. The following record types are exempt from public disclosure under current law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile delinquency proceedings are restricted under Minn. Stat. § 260B.171.
- Active investigation data: Law enforcement data related to ongoing criminal investigations is classified as confidential.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected.
- Medical and health records: Protected under both the MGDPA and federal HIPAA regulations.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal conditions.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Classified as private or confidential under Minn. Stat. § 13.46.
- Personnel records: Employee data held by government entities is classified as private, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt from disclosure when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Classified to protect public safety.
As the Minnesota Department of Administration states, "Not public data cannot be given to the public. Government entities must protect not public data from unauthorized access." Requesters who believe a denial of access is improper may file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division.
Lyon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lyon County Recorder
607 W Main Street, Suite 460
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-6724
Lyon County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Lyon County District Court
607 W Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-6734
Lyon County District Court – Minnesota Judicial Branch
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer
607 W Main Street, Suite 320
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-6724
Lyon County Auditor-Treasurer
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lyon County Assessor
607 W Main Street, Suite 460
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-6724
Lyon County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Lyon County Sheriff's Office
607 W Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 537-7666
Lyon County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM