How to Locate and Identify Assets Held in Different Counties or States in Minnesota

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Detailed Answer

When you need to locate and identify assets held across different counties or states, you must follow a step-by-step approach. In Minnesota, you can combine civil discovery tools, public-record searches, and specialized databases to build a full picture of someone’s holdings. Below is an overview of the key steps.

1. Use Civil Discovery Tools

If you’re involved in litigation or a formal financial proceeding, you can request asset information through discovery:

• Interrogatories and Requests for Production – Ask the other party to list real estate, bank accounts, investments and business interests.
• Depositions – Question individuals under oath about asset locations and ownership structures.
• Subpoenas – Directly seek records from banks, brokers or third parties. Cross-border subpoenas rely on the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (Minn. Stat. § 548.502 to 548.526, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/548.502).

2. Search Public Records

Public records provide a wealth of data on real property and business filings:

• County Recorder/Registrar of Titles – Access deeds and mortgages at each county’s website to identify real estate ownership.
• Secretary of State Business Search – Find corporate filings, officers and registered agents at the Minnesota Business Filings portal (https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/).
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Filings – Identify personal property liens through UCC searches via the Secretary of State (https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/uniform-commercial-code/).
• Motor Vehicle Titles – Check the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for vehicle registration and title information (https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/pages/default.aspx).

3. Leverage Third-Party Databases

Commercial databases can speed up your search:

• Credit Reporting Agencies – A credit report can list loans, mortgages and other liabilities linked to names and addresses.
• Property Aggregators – Services like LexisNexis or other asset-search platforms compile records from multiple jurisdictions.

4. Consider Professional Assistance

Complex cases may require specialized expertise:

• Forensic Accountants – Trace hidden bank accounts, shell companies and international transfers.
• Private Investigators – Conduct on-the-ground research in multiple counties or states.

Helpful Hints

• Document every search: Record dates, search criteria and results to maintain a clear audit trail.
• Verify names and aliases: Assets may appear under maiden names, DBA filings or corporate entities.
• Use statewide databases first: Minnesota’s centralized portals can save time before county-by-county searches.
• Watch for lien releases: An old UCC filing may have been terminated; check the status before assuming encumbrance.
• Coordinate subpoenas across states: Use the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act to enforce subpoenas beyond Minnesota.