Beltrami County Genealogy Records

Beltrami County genealogy records date to the 1890s, covering birth, death, marriage, land, probate, military, and court records held at the county courthouse in Bemidji, the Beltrami County Historical Society, and through state archives. This page explains where each record type is held and how to request access or copies.

Beltrami County Court Administrator Records

The Beltrami County Court Administrator office holds the official vital records and court records for the county. Birth, death, and marriage records go back to 1896, when the Clerk of District Court began keeping records. Divorce records from 1951 onward and probate records from 1896 are also held here. Court records going back to 1897 are on file with the Clerk of Courts. This is your first stop for official certified copies of any of these record types.

An important note about the county's records: before the Clerk of District Court began keeping records in 1894, Beltrami County was attached to Becker County for record-keeping purposes. If you are searching for records from the earliest settlement period, check Becker County's archives as well. This overlap is a common source of confusion for researchers working in this area of the state.

The Beltrami State Registrar Office also serves this area and is located at the License Center, 701 Minnesota Avenue NW, Suite 100, Bemidji, MN 56601. Phone: 218-333-4148. This office can assist with vital record requests at the local level.

Beltrami County Historical Society

The Beltrami County Historical Society is located in the historic Great Northern Depot in Bemidji. It is a key resource for genealogy research in the county, particularly for materials that predate or supplement official county records. The society holds land records from 1874 to 1969 (records from 1969 onward are at the Recorder Office), as well as military records, photographs, and local history materials. Researchers can visit on Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4pm.

The historical society's land record collection (1874-1969) is particularly useful for researchers trying to trace property ownership during the early settlement period. For records after 1969, contact the Recorder Office at the courthouse. Military records held by the historical society can help document veterans who served from the county.

Beltrami County MNGenWeb

The Beltrami County MNGenWeb site provides free online access to genealogy data for the county. It is part of the statewide MNGenWeb project and carries census records, family histories, and links to digitized materials through FamilySearch and other archives. The online resources include a birth certificate index from 1900 to 1934 and a death certificate index from 1905 to 1996, both via the Minnesota Genealogical Society. Will records from 1849 to 1985 are also indexed online.

The MNGenWeb site for Beltrami County links to birth and death certificate indexes, will records, and other genealogical materials useful for researching families in northwest Minnesota.

The online birth certificate index covers 1900 to 1934 and is one of the fastest ways to verify a birth before ordering a certified copy. The death certificate index from 1905 to 1996 is similarly useful for confirming deaths and finding death dates for further research. These indexes are free and do not require registration to search.

Vital Records: Birth, Death, and Marriage

Beltrami County vital records begin in 1896 at the county level. Birth, death, and marriage records from that year forward are held by the Court Administrator. For records after 1900 (births) and 1908 (deaths), the Minnesota Department of Health holds the state copies. MDH handles requests by mail or fax only. Send requests to: Central Cashiering - Vital Records, PO Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499. Call 651-201-5970 or visit health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords for current fees and forms.

Marriage records are searchable through the free Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) at moms.mn.gov, which covers marriages from 1850 to present. Search by name to find the county and year before ordering a certified copy. Access to certified vital records is regulated by Minnesota Statute 144.225, which defines who is eligible to receive official copies.

State birth records start in 1900 and death records start in 1908, even though the county has kept records since 1896. The difference matters: between 1896 and 1908 for deaths, and between 1896 and 1900 for births, you will need the county copy rather than the state copy. The Court Administrator in Bemidji can tell you what is available for the specific dates you need.

Land, Probate, and Military Records

Land records for Beltrami County are split between two offices depending on the date. Records from 1874 to 1969 are held by the Beltrami County Historical Society. Records from 1969 onward are at the Recorder Office, which is part of the courthouse complex at 619 Beltrami Ave NW in Bemidji. For federal land patents issued before 1908, use the BLM General Land Office site at glorecords.blm.gov to search for original grantees.

Probate records from 1896 are held at the Clerk of Courts. These cover estates of people who died in Beltrami County and list heirs, assets, and often detailed family information. If you are trying to identify a person's children or siblings, probate files are worth checking even when other records are available. Military records are held by the historical society and can document service history for veterans from the county.

Note: The Minnesota Historical Society's People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people also covers veterans graves registration for Minnesota, which can help confirm that a family member served and where they are buried.

Minnesota Historical Society Resources

The MHS People Records Search covers birth records 1900-1934, death records 1904-2001, state census records, and veterans graves for all Minnesota counties. For Beltrami County researchers, the MHS Gale Family Library in St. Paul at 345 Kellogg Blvd W (651-259-3300) is the main MHS research facility. The library holds naturalization records, historical newspapers, and other collections that supplement what is available at the county level. Ancestry Library Edition is available free to in-person visitors at the library.

Census records for Beltrami County are available free through FamilySearch for federal censuses from 1850 through 1940. Minnesota state censuses are also accessible through MHS. These records capture household members, ages, birthplaces, and relationships. For a county like Beltrami, where records before 1896 are limited, census records from the 1880s and 1890s can be one of the few ways to document families in the early settlement period.

Cities in Beltrami County

Beltrami County includes Bemidji (the county seat), Blackduck, Kelliher, and other small communities. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All genealogy records for cities and townships in Beltrami County are filed at the county courthouse in Bemidji.

Nearby Counties

Beltrami County shares borders with several northern Minnesota counties. If your ancestor's records are not found in Beltrami, check neighboring counties, particularly Becker County for records predating 1894.