Request an examiner’s directive

An examiner’s directive is a written directive to the registrar of titles to do something to affect current title or to transfer title.

This is a statutory authority for the examiner of titles to administratively affect or transfer title.
The examiner’s directive is recordable without an acknowledgement.

Before requesting a directive

Your certificate of title may show liens or interests that are no longer valid.

Before requesting a directive, review each of these items:

Clerical errors

To request a clerical error fix, email recordinginfo@hennepin.us.
The registrar maintains the certificates of title.

Liens, interests, and requirements

Review the list of document types and applicable authority (PDF, 1MB).
Learn whether the registrar of titles will drop liens or interests or will require an examiner’s directive.

Exchange certificate

To request an exchange certificate, email recordinginfo@hennepin.us.
A recording fee applies.
The registrar of titles will issue a new certificate of title.

The certificate will be free from the memorials of all interests which have terminated (Minnesota Statute 508.421).

Drop satisfied memorials
Combine legal descriptions from 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

Minnesota Statutes

Open all

Deletion directives

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.

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
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
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 and recording process

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 request

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

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.

This completes the directive process.

Recording information

Real estate recording information

Relevant statutes

Open all