Lake County Certificate of Trust Form

Last validated July 21, 2026 by our Forms Development Team

Lake County Certificate of Trust Form

Lake County Certificate of Trust Form

Fill in the blank form formatted to comply with all recording and content requirements.

Document Last Validated 7/7/2026
Lake County Certificate of Trust Guide

Lake County Certificate of Trust Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 7/8/2026
Lake County Completed Example of the Certificate of Trust Document

Lake County Completed Example of the Certificate of Trust Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 7/21/2026

All 3 documents above included • One-time purchase • No recurring fees

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

Important: Your property must be located in Lake County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

Where to Record Your Documents

Lake County Recorder

Address:
Courthouse - 601 Third Ave, Rm 201
Two Harbors, Minnesota 55616

Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday

Phone: (218) 834-8347

Recording Tips for Lake County:
  • Documents must be on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper
  • Recording fees may differ from what's posted online - verify current rates
  • Ask about their eRecording option for future transactions
  • Avoid the last business day of the month when possible

Cities and Jurisdictions in Lake County

Properties in any of these areas use Lake County forms:

  • Beaver Bay
  • Finland
  • Isabella
  • Knife River
  • Silver Bay
  • Two Harbors

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Lake County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Lake County forms will be in your account ready to download to your computer. An account is created for you during checkout if you don't have one. Forms are NOT emailed.

Are these forms guaranteed to be recordable in Lake County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable formatting requirements used for recording in Lake County, including margin requirements, font requirements, and other layout standards. This guarantee applies to formatting, not to the legal sufficiency of information entered by the user or the suitability of a form for a particular transaction.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Lake County you only need to order once.

What do I need to use these forms?

The forms are PDFs that you fill out on your computer. You'll need Adobe Reader (free software that most computers already have). You do NOT enter your property information online - you download the blank forms and complete them privately on your own computer.

Are there any recurring fees?

No. This is a one-time purchase. Nothing to cancel, no memberships, no recurring fees.

How much does it cost to record in Lake County?

Recording fees in Lake County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (218) 834-8347 for current fees.

Questions answered? Let's get started!

The certificate of trust is codified under the Minnesota Trust Code at Minn. Stat. 501C.1013.

This document is an abstract of the trust instrument setting forth "fewer than all of the provisions . . . and any amendments to the instrument," and contains only essential information relevant to the transaction for which it is being presented (Minn. Stat. 501C.1013, Subd. 1). It "serves to document the existence of the trust, the identity of the trustees, the powers of the trustees and any limitations on those powers, and other matters the certificate of trust sets out, as though the full trust instrument had been recorded or presented" (Subd. 4).

Presented to a recipient in situations regarding personal property, or filed with the county recorder in situations regarding real property, a certificate of trust is "prima facie proof as to matters contained in it" (Subd. 4).

A certificate is valid when executed by settlor or trustee "any time after the execution or creation of a trust" (Subd. 1). The basic content requirements include the name of the trust; the date of the trust instrument; the name and address of each acting trustee; the number of trustees required to act; and the powers of the trustee relevant to the transaction at hand. The certificate also declares whether the trust has terminated or the trust instrument has been revoked (Subd. 1 (1-6)).

For use in real property transactions, the certificate requires the name of each settlor and original trustee, along with a specific statement relating to the authority of the trustee and any restrictions on the trustee's power "to sell, convey, pledge, mortgage, lease, or transfer title to any interest in real property" (Subd. 2). Transactions affecting real property may also require an affidavit of trustee under Minn. Stat. 501C.1014.

The representations contained within the certificate are made by the executing trustee or settlor under oath before a public notary and as such the executing party ensure there are no provisions in the trust instrument or subsequent amendments to limit the power of the trustee in the transaction or "to exercise any other power identified in the certificate" (Subd. 1).

Contact an attorney with any questions regarding trusts or certificates of trust, as each situation is unique.

(Minnesota COT Package includes form, guidelines, and completed example)

Important: Your property must be located in Lake County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

This Certificate of Trust meets all recording requirements specific to Lake County.

Our Promise

The documents you receive here are guaranteed to meet or exceed the applicable Lake County recording format requirements. If there is a rejection caused by our formatting, we will correct the issue or refund your payment. This guarantee applies to document formatting only and does not extend to information entered by the user, the selection of the form, or the legal effect of the completed document.

Save Time and Money

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