Dakota County Genealogy Records

Dakota County genealogy records are available through the County Recorder in Hastings, the Dakota County Historical Society in South St. Paul, and the MNGenWeb project. As one of the more populous counties in the Twin Cities metro area, Dakota County has extensive records covering births, deaths, marriages, land transactions, probate filings, military service, and census data going back to the 1850s.

Dakota County Recorder

The Dakota County Recorder in Hastings holds land and vital records for the county. Land records include deeds, mortgages, and plats going back to the 1850s. These are some of the most useful genealogy sources because every transaction names the parties and gives dates. For families who owned property in any Dakota County community, the Recorder's records can trace them across decades.

Vital records in Minnesota were first kept at the county level before the state took over registration. Dakota County has older local vital records that predate the state system starting in 1908 for deaths. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old are restricted under Minnesota Statutes section 144.225. Older records are open to the public.

The Dakota County government website at co.dakota.mn.us has current contact information for all county offices. The county also has online property record search tools, which can help you trace land ownership without a trip to Hastings.

Dakota County Historical Society

The Dakota County Historical Society is located in South St. Paul and holds local history materials, photographs, newspapers, and genealogical records specific to the county. The society is a good place to look for obituaries, donated family papers, and historical materials that are not available through county offices or state databases.

The historical society's collections reflect Dakota County's long history as one of the first Minnesota counties, organized in 1849. That means records here go back further than in many other counties. The society can help you find materials from the earliest settlement period in the communities of Hastings, South St. Paul, and the other towns that grew along the Mississippi River in the 19th century.

Researchers looking into Dakota County's Native American heritage should also check the MNGenWeb site, which lists resources specific to Dakota history in the region. The county takes its name from the Dakota people who lived in this area before European settlement.

Dakota County MNGenWeb

The Dakota County MNGenWeb site is part of the statewide volunteer genealogy network and is currently available for adoption by a new coordinator. It has county history, biographies, maps, vital records links, military records, obituaries, cemetery transcriptions, and Native American resources. FamilySearch historical images for the county are also linked from the site.

Census records for Dakota County go back to 1850. Federal censuses through 1950 are open to the public. Minnesota state censuses from 1865 to 1905 can fill in decade-long gaps and often include more information on family members and places of birth. The MHS holds these state census records and they are searchable through the MHS People Records Search tool.

The Dakota County MNGenWeb archive covers history, biographies, maps, and census records for this Twin Cities metro county. Visit the Dakota County MNGenWeb site to search county history, browse biographies and cemetery records, and find links to FamilySearch collections and Native American resources.

The MNGenWeb site for Dakota County links to history, biographies, military records, obituaries, and FamilySearch collections for this south Twin Cities metro county.

Records Available for Dakota County Research

Dakota County has one of the more extensive genealogy record sets in Minnesota because of its age and its role as an early center of settlement in the territory. Land records go back to the 1850s. Vital records at the county level start in the same era. Census records from 1850 through 1940 are on FamilySearch and Ancestry, with the 1950 census now open.

Military records for Dakota County veterans are available through MNGenWeb and through the National Archives. The MNGenWeb site lists resources for this. Obituaries are available through Heritage Hub and through the county's newspapers. The MHS holds Dakota County newspapers that are not available online and can be viewed on-site at the Gale Family Library in St. Paul.

FamilySearch has historical images specific to Dakota County. These include some vital records, land records, and other documents that have been digitized and are free to search. The MHS People Records Search at mnhs.org/search/people is another free tool that covers birth indexes from 1900 to 1934 and death indexes from 1905 to 1996 for the entire state including Dakota County.

Note: Dakota County also borders Wisconsin across the St. Croix River. If your family crossed between Minnesota and Wisconsin, check records in Pierce and St. Croix counties in Wisconsin as well.

Vital Records and State Sources

Birth and death records after 1908 are at the Minnesota Department of Health. Genealogy copies cost $13 each. Order by mail or fax to PO Box 9441, Minneapolis, MN 55440, phone 651-201-5970. The MDH Vital Records page has instructions and forms.

For marriages from 1958 to 2001, use the free Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). Earlier marriages are at the County Recorder or through the MHS marriage index. The MHS index covers Dakota County marriages going back to the territorial period.

The Dakota County government site has current contact information for the Recorder and other county offices holding genealogy records in Hastings.

Land Records and Probate

Land records in Dakota County go back to the 1850s. Federal land patents for early settlers are free to search at BLM General Land Office Records. Many early Dakota County settlers got their land through the preemption and homestead acts, and the original patents often list age and birthplace.

Probate records for Dakota County are at the District Court in Hastings. Wills and estate inventories name heirs and can help you build out family relationships. The MHS holds some older probate records and can direct you to the right source based on the year you need. For researchers who cannot visit Hastings, the county's online property records portal may have some digitized land records accessible from home.

Cities in Dakota County

These cities in Dakota County have their own pages with more detailed genealogy resources.

Nearby Counties

Dakota County borders these counties. Families often moved between them, and neighboring county records can fill in gaps.