Yellow Medicine County Recorder

The Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining real property records in Yellow Medicine County.

The fee to record most documents, including a Certificate of Title, is $46, regardless of the number of pages.

A marginal entry on a Certificate of Title is $46.

Multiple satisfactions, assignments, and partial releases are $46 with four document citations or fewer. The fee is $10 for each additional document citation over four.

A Well Certificate is $50 to file.

The rate of deed tax is $1.65 for each $500 of purchase price.

Checks should be made payable to Yellow Medicine County. Do not combine the recording fee with any applicable tax items.

* A document should consist of one or more individual sheets measuring no larger than 8.5 x 14 inches.

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

* White paper of at least 20 pound weight should be used.

* The first page should have a top margin of at least 3-inches. The right half of this space is reserved for recording information and the left side will be used for tax certification. An administrative page can be attached before the first page to accommodate this standard. The administrative page, if used, should contain the 3-inch margin, the document title, the date of the document, and if applicable, the grantor and grantee. This will be deemed part of the document when recorded.

* Below the 3-inch top margin on the first page (if an administrative page is not used), the title of the document should be prominently displayed.

* The name and address of the individual who prepared the document needs to be included and can be given in the following form: "This instrument was drafted by NAME and ADDRESS."

* The name and address of the person to whom future tax statements should be sent should be provided on the document and can be given in the following form: "Tax statements for the real property described in this instrument should be sent to (legal name of grantee) and (residential or business address).

* The document should conform to the standards but should not be rejected unless the document is illegible or cannot be archived.

CERTIFICATE OF REAL ESTATE VALUE

Buyers 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 more than $1,000 if the deed is a warranty deed, contract for deed, quit claim deed, trustee deed, executor deed, or probate deed.

If the price is $1,000 or less, a Certificate of Real Estate Value is not needed. However, the following statement should be on the back of the deed: "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.

WELL DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATE

A new Well Disclosure is not needed if the number and status of wells on the property has not changed since the last transfer. However, the following statement must appear on the deed presented for recording: "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 certificate." This statement must be followed by the signature of the seller or buyer, or a person authorized to act on either's behalf.

A Well Disclosure is not required if there are no wells on the property. Before signing an agreement to sell or transfer real property, the seller must deliver a statement to the buyer that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property. In this case, the deed must contain the statement: "The seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property." This statement must be followed by the signature of the seller or buyer, or a person authorized to act on behalf of the seller or buyer. Questions regarding a Well Certificate can be directed to the Minnesota Department of Health.