Minnesota Forms

Otter Tail County Certificate of Trust Form

Otter Tail County Certificate of Trust Form

Otter Tail County Certificate of Trust Form

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

Document Last Validated 8/8/2025
Otter Tail County Certificate of Trust Guide

Otter Tail County Certificate of Trust Guide

Line by line guide explaining every blank on the form.

Document Last Validated 7/15/2025
Otter Tail County Completed Example of the Certificate of Trust Document

Otter Tail County Completed Example of the Certificate of Trust Document

Example of a properly completed form for reference.

Document Last Validated 6/9/2025

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

Immediate Download • Secure Checkout

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

Where to Record Your Documents

Otter Tail County Recorder
Address:
Government Services Center - 565 Fir Ave West
Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537

Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm M-F

Phone: (218) 998-8140

Recording Tips for Otter Tail County:
  • Bring your driver's license or state-issued photo ID
  • Bring extra funds - fees can vary by document type and page count
  • Both spouses typically need to sign if property is jointly owned

Cities and Jurisdictions in Otter Tail County

Properties in any of these areas use Otter Tail County forms:

  • Battle Lake
  • Bluffton
  • Clitherall
  • Dalton
  • Deer Creek
  • Dent
  • Elizabeth
  • Erhard
  • Fergus Falls
  • Henning
  • New York Mills
  • Ottertail
  • Parkers Prairie
  • Pelican Rapids
  • Perham
  • Richville
  • Underwood
  • Vergas
  • Vining

View Complete Recorder Office Guide

Hours, fees, requirements, and more for Otter Tail County

How do I get my forms?

Forms are available for immediate download after payment. The Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County?

Yes. Our form blanks are guaranteed to meet or exceed all formatting requirements set forth by Otter Tail County including margin requirements, content requirements, font and font size requirements.

Can I reuse these forms?

Yes. You can reuse the forms for your personal use. For example, if you have multiple properties in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County?

Recording fees in Otter Tail County vary. Contact the recorder's office at (218) 998-8140 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 Otter Tail County to use these forms. Documents should be recorded at the office below.

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

Our Promise

The documents you receive here will meet, or exceed, the Otter Tail County recording requirements for formatting. If there's an issue caused by our formatting, we'll make it right and refund your payment.

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