2025 Session Last amended: 1986 session

§ 507.34 — Unrecorded Conveyances Void in Certain Cases

Plain-Language Summary

Every deed must be recorded at the county recorder's office. If you do not record your deed, it will not protect you against someone else who later buys or gets a lien on the same property and records their document first. This applies even if the other person used a quitclaim deed.

507.34 UNRECORDED CONVEYANCES VOID IN CERTAIN CASES.

Every conveyance of real estate shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county where such real estate is situated; and every such conveyance not so recorded shall be void as against any subsequent purchaser in good faith and for a valuable consideration of the same real estate, or any part thereof, whose conveyance is first duly recorded, and as against any attachment levied thereon or any judgment lawfully obtained at the suit of any party against the person in whose name the title to such land appears of record prior to the recording of such conveyance. The fact that such first recorded conveyance is in the form, or contains the terms of a deed of quitclaim and release shall not affect the question of good faith of such subsequent purchaser or be of itself notice to the subsequent purchaser of any unrecorded conveyance of the same real estate or any part thereof.

History:

(8226) RL s 3357; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1986 c 444

History: History: (8226) RL s 3357; 1976 c 181 s 2; 1986 c 444

Practical Notes

This is the core ‘race-notice’ recording statute in Minnesota. Recording your deed right away is critical to protecting your ownership. An unrecorded deed is still valid between the buyer and seller, but it will not protect you against later claims from third parties who record first.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes