The Recorder is the custodian of all
records of the County pertaining to property titles and transfers. It protects,
secures, and preserves documentation of land titles. Being in the County
Recorder's Office is like being in a gigantic history book. In Stevens County,
the records go back to the 1870's. The first Register of Deeds in Stevens
County took office in 1872, which is the year County government began in Stevens
County. Thirteen people have served as the Official in this office, 11 men and
2 women. This is an elective office, elected to a four-year term.
Documents frequently recorded include warranty
deeds, quit claim deeds, contracts for deed, real estate mortgages, probate
documents, liens and attachments, and other various documents presented for
recording purposes. The recording must be completed and the instrument returned
to the proper person. Recording of Military Discharges has been provided since
1919.
In Minnesota, the County Recorder is also the
Registrar of Titles under the Torrens System. The Registrar is an arm of the
District Court and under the Court's control at all times. One or more
attorneys in the county may be appointed by the judge of district court as
Examiner of Titles and legal advisors of the Registrar.
In Stevens County, the Recorder is also an
Abstracter. The duties of the abstracter are to compile abstracts of title,
which are the complete history and record of all transfers, mortgages, and other
documents pertaining to a particular parcel of land.
The County Recorder is also responsible for the
filing of "Financing Statements".
The Recorder's Office is also responsible for filing
all birth and death certificates for people who are born and die in Stevens
County, or are residing in Stevens County. The birth and death records filed in
this office date back to the 1870's. This office also issues Marriage Licenses
and those records also date back to the 1870's.
The Stevens County Recorder's Office consists of
Virginia Mahoney, the County Recorder, Peg Kruize, Chief Deputy Recorder,
Jane Swenson, Deputy Recorder and Part Time Deputy Recorder Lois Strei. Together we bring to the office over 100 years of
experience.
