Title: Abstracter: Company & Individual Proprietor / Individual
Alternate Title: Abstracter
Description:
An abstracter is “any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of making abstracts of title and issuing certificates showing ownership of, or interest in, or liens upon any lands in the state of Minnesota, whether registered or not,” including “present duly qualified and acting county recorders not now prohibited by law from making abstracts.” Minnesota Department of Commerce
Subject: Abstracters
Real Property
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:10:24 PM
Modification Date: 6/30/2025 3:59:02 PM
Agency Name: Commerce, Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://mn.gov/commerce/
Agency Description:
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is the chief regulator for the banking, energy, insurance, real estate, securities, telecommunications industries and also operates Minnesota's Unclaimed Property.
Agency Phone: 651-539-1500
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://mn.gov/commerce/
Agency Address:
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul
MN
55101
Unit Name: Licensing Unit
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: 651-539-1599
800-657-3978 MN only
Unit Fax: Contact person(s): licensing.commerce@state.mn.us
Unit URL:
Audience:
Application URL: https://www.sircon.com/landingPages/states/minnesota/otherBiz/content.jsp
Renewal URL: https://www.sircon.com/landingPages/states/minnesota/otherBiz/content.jsp
Versa URL:
Requirements:
Rules:
Statutes: 386
Forms:
Abstracter Licensing
To apply for an abstracter license, you will first need to create an account at sircon.com (or sign into your account there if you already have one). After signing in to your account you will be able to complete the Abstracter application.
To become licensed as an abstracter in Minnesota, you must first qualify by fulfilling several requirements. You must pass the abstracter examination, obtain a qualifying annual bond or abstracter's insurance policy, submit the application for your license, and receive notice that the application for your license has been approved by the Commerce Department.
The primary statute governing abstracters in Minnesota is Minn. Stat. Chapter 386, County Recorder; Abstracter. You must be familiar with other Minnesota laws as well, including Minn. Stat. Chapter 45, Department of Commerce; General Powers,
Abstracter Examination
A person must pass the abstracter examination before they apply for a license. For a business entity applicant, one of the members or managing officials must pass the abstracter examination.
PSI Services administers pre-license examinations for real estate license candidates.
Schedule the abstracter exam at PSI (866-395-1006). After the exam a person will receive their results, and PSI will also send the exam results to us electronically.
Qualifying Bond or Abstracter's Insurance Policy
You must file an annual bond or abstracter's liability insurance policy for each license year, in the sum of at least $100,000; but if you intend to engage in the business of abstracting in any county having more than 200,000 inhabitants, the bond or insurance policy must be in the sum of at least $250,000.
Properly licensed title insurance companies and their employees or those having cash or securities on deposit with the state of Minnesota in an amount equal to the required bond or insurance policy are exempt from filing the required bond or insurance policy. The required bond or insurance policy must be issued for a period of one or more years and renewed for one year at the date of expiration.
Applying for an Abstracter License
To apply for an abstracter license, you will first need to create an account at sircon.com (or sign into your account there if you already have one). After signing in to your account you will be able to complete the Abstracter application.
1. The application requires you to enter your name, date of birth, Social Security Number, designated business address, mailing address, residence address, telephone numbers, and an email address for business use. You will also need to supply information regarding the following:
- county licensure applications, if applicable
- a certification that when furnishing abstracts of title to real property under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 386, you will provide a seal showing your name, and file with the Minnesota Department of Commerce the signatures of persons authorized to sign the following issued by you:
- certificates of abstracts;
- continuations of abstracts; and
- certificates showing ownership or interest in or liens upon any lands in the State of Minnesota, whether registered or not
- whether you have for use in the business a complete set of abstract books or records of all instruments of record in the office of the county recorder in your county
- affiliation with any official, person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of making abstracts of title and issuing certificates showing ownership of, interest in, or liens upon any lands including the State of Minnesota, whether registered or not
- whether you are, at present, a duly qualified and acting county recorder, and if so, whether you presently are prohibited by law from making abstracts
2. You will also need to enter answers to background questions regarding the following:
- criminal history
- administrative proceedings
- inquiries or investigations by any division of the Minnesota Commerce Department or any other regulatory agency, including self-regulatory organizations
- lawsuits or arbitrations involving allegations of fraud, misappropriation or conversion of funds, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, or breach of contract
- delinquent tax obligations that are not the subject of a repayment agreement
- child support obligations in arrearage
3. You must hold a bond or liability insurance policy or proof of cash, securities, or deposit with the state of Minnesota in the amount of $100,000 for counties having less than 200,000 inhabitants or $250,000 for counties having more than 200,000 inhabitants.
4. You must either be working as an individual proprietor or working for an abstracter company; if you are working for an abstracter company, you will need to provide the company name and license number in your license application.
5. The fee is $50.
6. The license is valid for up to one year and must be renewed by June 30.
Renewing an Abstracter License
To renew your abstracter license, you will first need to create an account at sircon.com (or sign into your account there if you already have one). After signing in to your account you will be able to complete the Abstracter license renewal application.
1. The renewal fee is $40.
2. The renewal application is available during the first week of April.
3. The renewal deadline is June 30.
Fees:
Individual and/or Company new license - $50
Individual - $50
Renewal - $40
Period of Issuance:
1 year
Length of Determination: 2 - 4 weeks.
Other Info:
Activity: Abstracter
License Detail URL:
Abstracters
Apply for a Real Estate License
Real Estate
