Requests for Approval

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Use these instructions to request a Certificate of Examiner approving documents before recording (for example, Trustee’s Deed or Probate conveyances). Do not use these instructions to request deletions or Directives to correct Name or Marital Status (see below).

  • Use the related resources on this page to determine whether your documents need examiner approval and what supporting documents are required.
  • Wet signature originals must be signed, notarized and dated on or before the date you submit them to us.
  • Remote Notaries are acceptable if they use one of the notarial certificates in Minn. Stat. 358.66.
  • Copies of court documents must be certified copies with all the certified copy markings clearly legible.
  • Scan each document as a separate PDF and attach them to an email. Do not use encrypted email.
  • Send the email to [email protected], an email address shared by all of us in the Examiner of Titles office. Please do not send your requests to individual staff members, as it may cause unnecessary delays and confusion.

Approvals will be emailed to you in PDF format for you to record with the approved documents. Instructions for payment will be included in the email.

Directives to correct Name or Marital Status

Use these instructions to request an Examiner’s Directive to correct the name or marital status shown on a certificate of title. Do not use these instructions to request deletions or pre-approvals.

  • Complete the appropriate affidavit making changes as required to suit your situation, then scan the signed and notarized affidavit as a PDF. Affidavit templates are here.
  • Attach the PDF to an email. Do not use encrypted email.
  • Send the email to [email protected], an email address shared by all of us in the Examiner of Titles office. Please do not send your requests to individual staff members, as it may cause unnecessary delays and confusion.

Approvals will be emailed to you in PDF format for you to record with the approved documents. Instructions for payment will be included in the email.

Payment

The examination fee will be stated in the email, generally $100 if all the land affected by the approval is shown on a single certificate of title. When you receive the electronic approval from the Examiner, send a check for the examination fee made payable to “Ramsey County” to our mailing address: 

Examiner of Titles
90 West Plato Blvd., Suite 110
St. Paul, MN 55107

Write the ET number and certificate of title number on the check to ensure credit for payment. Be advised, this fee must be paid by the requester whether or not a closing takes place, and if your envelope is not addressed properly and your payment is mistakenly deposited by another department (i.e. as a property tax payment or as part of the recording package), the money will not likely be transferred to our office or refunded to you, and it will continue to be your responsibility to make sure we are paid.

Late payments

If we do not receive payment within thirty days, all future requests from your company must be paid upfront until we receive payment for the unpaid Directive/Certificate.

Turnaround time

Turnaround time depends, in large part, on our staffing levels and customer volumes. Generally, obtaining an Examiner's Directive/Certificate takes two to three business days. Please plan accordingly. 

Delays for physical mail

Our staff is mostly working remotely. If you send documents to our office by U.S. mail, courier, or overnight delivery (e.g. FedEx or UPS), you should expect delays.   

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