Winona County Recorder

An Abstract Title (Registered Property) is the most common recording in Winona County. The Recorder also handles documents for Torrens Property. Deeds, mortgages, and other instruments relating to real property in Winona County are recorded with the Recorder.

Registered Property and Torrens Property documents are $46.

Referencing more than four documents is $10 per reference after the fourth.

A Well Disclosure certificate is $50.

Deed tax is calculated on the purchase price of the property, less any assumed mortgages and special assessments and taxes included in the purchase price. The rate of tax is $1.65 for each $500 of purchase price.
Deed tax = Sale amount x .0033

On all deeds and mortgages where state deed tax and state mortgage registry taxes are due, there is also a state mandated $5 agricultural preservation fee. This fee should be included in either the state deed tax or state mortgage registry tax fee and not in the recording fee.

Certified copies of documents are $10.

Mailing and handling is $1.50.

Notary fees are $1 per signature.

* A document shall consist of one or more individual sheets measuring no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches and no smaller than 8.5 x 11 inches.

* The form should be printed, typewritten, or computer-generated in black ink in a font size of at least 8 point.

* When presenting a document for recording, it should be sufficiently legible to reproduce a readable copy using the County Recorder's current method of reproduction.

* The document should be on 20# white paper and, except for the first page, should have .5 inch margins on the top, bottom, and each side. No additional sheet can be attached or affixed to a page that covers up any information or printed part of the form.

* The first page should contain a blank top margin measuring 3 inches and .5 inch margins for each side and bottom. An administrative page may be attached to the document in order to meet this requirement. The administrative page should contain the document title, document date, and if applicable, the grantor and grantee. It will be deemed part of the document when recorded.

* The right half of the blank space is reserved for recording information and the left half is reserved for tax certification.

* The title of the document should be prominently displayed at the top of the first page immediately after the 3-inch top margin.

* Documents need to show a date of execution.

* The grantor and grantee connected with the property should be named in the document.

* Provide a complete legal description for the real property.

* The document needs to have a proper acknowledgment (notary seal/stamp, signatures, and marital status, when applicable).

* Include the name and address of the person who drafted the instrument.

* Provide reference document numbers when applicable.

STATE DEED TAX & CERTIFICATE OF REAL ESTATE VALUE

Instruments requiring deed tax must state the amount of tax due or must state if the document is exempt.

The buyer of real property must file a Certificate of Real Estate Value with the county auditor where the property is located if the sale price (or other consideration) is greater than $1,000. This is needed for a warranty deed, contract for deed, quit claim deed, trustee deed, executor deed, or a probate deed.

For considerations of $1,000 or less, the certificate is not needed. However, the following must appear on the back of the deed submitted to the recorder: "The sale price or other consideration given for this property was $1,000 or less."

THE NEW eCRV: As of October 2014, transfer deeds require submission of an electronic Certificate of Real Estate Value (CRV).
* Submitters fill in the online eCRV form and receive an eCRV ID number.
* They must reference this eCRV ID number when presenting the deed to the county.
* Counties view eCRV data online, verify, and add additional information. They may also download or upload data as needed.
* Paper copies are no longer accepted.

Payment of the current year's taxes is required when tax parcels are split or land is platted.

WELL DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATE

A Well Disclosure Certificate is required for any document that also requires a Certificate of Real Estate Value. This can be filed online or can be submitted as a paper copy.

If a Well Disclosure Certificate has already been filed on the property and the number or status of wells has changed, a new certificate must be filed.

If the number and status of wells has not changed since the last filing, a statement must be placed on the deed that reads "I am familiar with the property described in this instrument and I certify that the status and number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed well disclosure certificate." This statement must be certified by the buyer or seller. A new Well Disclosure Certificate is not required.

If there are no wells on the property, a Well Disclosure Certificate is not required. However, the seller must certify this with a statement on the deed. This statement should read substantially as follows: "The seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property."