Request an Examiner’s directive

Determine if you need a directive:

Registrar's errors

• To request a typo, clerical, or scrivener's error be fixed on a Certificate of Title, email recordinginfo@hennepin.us

Drop liens or interests

Learn whether the Registrar of Titles will drop liens or interests or will require an Examiner’s directive:

• Review the list of document types and applicable authority (PDF, 1MB)

Exchange certificate

• To request an exchange certificate, email recordinginfo@hennepin.us
• Upon request, the Registrar of Titles will issue a new certificate of title free from the memorials of all interests which have terminated (Minnesota Statutes, Section 508.421).
  • Drop satisfied memorials
  • Combine legal descriptions of two or more certificates (if requested)
  • Separate legal descriptions (if requested)
  • Convert from unplatted to platted descriptions
  • Reflect a recorded document which caused a change in fee owner name
  • Reflect a recorded certificate of trust document that adds or removes a trustee

Request a deletion directive

Do not record a directive request without first contacting the examiner’s office. 

If the document cannot be dropped by the Registrar or removed by Examiner’s Directive, you may need to get a release or deed from the holder of the interest, or a court order in a proceeding subsequent.

Email ex.titles@hennepin.us with each of the following:

• Submitter’s name, company, phone number and email address
• Request made on behalf of (registered owner or other party in interest)
• Certificate of title number
• Type of directive request
• Relevant document numbers
• The authority for the request
• Copies of any supporting documentation (e.g., affidavit)

Do not include copies of recorded documents or title commitments. 

Common non-deletion directive types

• Cancellation of contract for deed (PDF, 1MB) - Remove the memorials of a contract for deed and notice of cancellation of contract for deed
• Correct name on certificate – person (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction to individual’s name on certificate of title
• Correct marital status on certificate (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction on individual's marital status on certificate of title
• Correct name on certificate – entity (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction to entity name, type of entity, or state of organization on certificate of title
• Condominium declaration or amended/supplemental declaration (PDF, 1MB) - Examiner approval to record declaration 
• Eminent domain transfer (PDF, 1MB) - New certificate of title pursuant to a final certificate or quick take order
• Mortgage foreclosure by action (PDF, 1 MB) - New certificate of title when redemption period has expired
• Street/alley vacation (PDF, 1MB) - Change to legal description on a certificate of title to include vacated street/alley
• Tax forfeiture (PDF, 1MB) - New certificate of title when auditor's certificate has been of record 10 years of more

Deletion directives

Request a deletion directive

Non-deletion directives

Email ex.titles@hennepin.us with each of the following:

• Submitter’s name, company, phone number and email address
• Request made on behalf of (registered owner or other party in interest)
• Certificate of title number
• Type of directive request (common types listed below)
• Relevant document numbers
• The statutory authority for the request
• Copies of any supporting documentation (e.g., affidavit) but don't include copies of recorded documents or title commitments. 

Common non-deletion directive types

• Cancellation of contract for deed (PDF, 1MB) - Remove the memorials of a contract for deed and notice of cancellation of contract for deed
• Correct name on certificate – person (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction to individual’s name on certificate of title
• Correct marital status on certificate (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction on individual's marital status on certificate of title
• Correct name on certificate – entity (DOCX, 1MB) - Correction to entity name, type of entity, or state of organization on certificate of title
• Condominium declaration or amended/supplemental declaration (PDF, 1MB) - Examiner approval to record declaration 
• Eminent domain transfer (PDF, 1MB) - New certificate of title pursuant to a final certificate or quick take order
• Mortgage foreclosure by action (PDF, 1 MB) - New certificate of title when redemption period has expired
• Street/alley vacation (PDF, 1MB) - Change to legal description on a certificate of title to include vacated street/alley
• Tax forfeiture (PDF, 1MB) - New certificate of title when auditor's certificate has been of record 10 years of more

Review Examiner's directive request

We'll email you after we review the directive request.

We'll give you a directive recording form with more instructions or explain why we can’t issue the directive.

Record Examiner’s directive

If your request is approved, follow the recording instructions we emailed.

A recording fee applies but there is no fee for an examiner’s directive. For details, visit recording fees.

The Examiner’s directive will appear on the Registrar of Titles recording coversheet. 

Real estate recording information