Short answer: Start by identifying the exact parcel and pulling the recorded deed and chain of title at the county recorder (register of deeds) where the land is located in Minnesota. That documented record is the primary starting point to see who legally owns the portion in question.
Detailed answer — how to begin a Minnesota title inquiry
This section explains step-by-step what to do first and why each step matters. The goal is to give you a clear, practical starting point so you can decide whether you need a title company or lawyer to continue.
1) Identify the parcel and the correct county
Before you can look at recorded documents you must know which county contains the land. Useful clues include the street address, property tax parcel ID (PID), legal description on any old deed, or a plat map. If you do not know the county:
- Search online using the address or your grandfather’s name at the county assessor or GIS mapping site for likely counties in Minnesota.
- Check any old paperwork you have: tax bills, mortgage statements, previous deeds, or mail sent to the property.
County assessor and GIS sites are often the quickest way to confirm parcel location and parcel ID. Minnesota state statute resources and court resources are available at the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes and Minnesota Judicial Branch for related procedures: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/ and https://www.mncourts.gov/.
2) Pull the recorded deed(s) from the county recorder / register of deeds
Once you know the county, the first formal record to pull is the recorded deed that transferred the property to your grandfather (or to whomever conveyed the relevant portion). The recorded deed shows the legal description, the names of grantor and grantee, and the recording date. Many counties let you search online; others require a visit or a records request.
Look for the chain of title: the sequence of recorded deeds and other instruments (mortgages, releases, easements) for that parcel. The chain of title tells you how ownership passed from one person to another and whether a later document changed ownership.
3) Check probate and estate records
If your grandfather is deceased, ownership may have passed by will, probate, or operation of law. Search the county probate court records where your grandfather lived or where the property is located for the estate file, which may include the will, letters testamentary, and recorded deeds transferring title from the estate. County court clerks or the Minnesota Judicial Branch site can guide you on accessing those records: https://www.mncourts.gov/.
4) Review tax and assessor records and maps
Property tax records and assessor parcel pages often list the current owner name on the county’s website, show assessed values, and include a link to recorded documents or a parcel map. These records are helpful to confirm whether the county thinks the property is owned by your family or someone else.
5) Consider a full title search or title report
A surface review of deeds and county web pages can answer basic ownership questions, but a title company or an attorney performing a full title search will examine all recorded documents affecting title (liens, mortgages, easements, restrictions, judgments) and produce a report. That report is often necessary if you intend to buy, sell, refinance, or litigate ownership.
If you want title insurance, contact an authorized title insurer or agent in Minnesota; the Minnesota Department of Commerce offers consumer information about title insurance: https://mn.gov/commerce/.
6) When the records aren’t clear: boundary disputes, adverse possession, or quiet title
If recorded documents conflict, if someone claims ownership based on long-term use, or if the parcel lines are in dispute, you may need legal action to clear ownership. In Minnesota, courts can resolve such disputes through actions such as a quiet title action or boundary determination. Adverse possession claims and the applicable statutory period and requirements are governed by Minnesota law; for specifics consult Minnesota statutes or a Minnesota attorney: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/.
7) Hire a Minnesota real estate attorney or title professional when needed
If you encounter unclear records, missing deeds, probate complications, competing claims, or possible adverse possession, consult a licensed Minnesota real estate attorney or a title company. They can run a professional search, interpret legal descriptions, and, if necessary, file the appropriate court actions to clear title. You can find attorneys through the Minnesota State Bar Association or local county bar referrals: https://www.mnbar.org/.
Practical first-step checklist
- Confirm the county where the land sits (use address, old paperwork, assessor site).
- Search the county recorder/register of deeds for the deed to your grandfather and subsequent recordings on that parcel.
- Check county assessor/tax records for current owner name and parcel ID.
- If your grandfather is deceased, search probate records in the likely county court for estate transfers.
- If the county records are confusing or you need a definitive answer, hire a title company or Minnesota real estate attorney to do a complete title search and advise on next steps.
Helpful hints
- Bring any paperwork you have (deeds, tax bills, letters, mortgage statements, surveys) when you contact county offices or an attorney.
- Parcel identification numbers (PIDs) are extremely helpful—county assessor/GIS pages usually display them.
- County recorder offices often have staff who can help you find records; many also provide copies for a small fee.
- Be aware that the name on the county tax rolls is not always definitive proof of legal title; always confirm with recorded deeds.
- If the parcel crosses county lines, you may need to check records in more than one county.
- Keep a clear written chain-of-title log as you pull records; it makes it easier to explain the situation to a title professional or attorney.
- Costs: basic county record searches are low-cost; full title searches, attorney reviews, or quiet title litigation are more expensive—ask for estimates up front.
Where to look online right now
- Minnesota statutes and legal references: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/
- Minnesota Judicial Branch (courts and probate records): https://www.mncourts.gov/
- Minnesota Department of Commerce (title insurance information): https://mn.gov/commerce/
- Minnesota State Bar Association (find a lawyer): https://www.mnbar.org/
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Minnesota procedures and is not legal advice. For a definitive determination of ownership or legal steps you must consult a licensed Minnesota real estate attorney or a title professional.