Research Services
Most distance copy and research services are currently paused as we adjust our daily operations. We expect to reintroduce these types of services throughout the Autumn and Winter.
Search online yourself
Use the Minnesota People records search to find and order copies of specific records online. Visit about the records/help for more information and search tips.
- Birth records delivered via email
- State census records view and print records for free
- World War I Gold Star Rolls view and download/print records for free
Copy requests
Please see distance copy requests for more information about this service.
Basic research requests
The following services are currently available for official or legal purposes only. Examples of this type of need include upcoming trial dates, citizenship hearings, current benefits claims, obtaining a passport/Real-ID, and other similar purposes. If this applies to you, please email us at reference@mnhs.org with the subject line “Research Service: Urgent Legal Need” and we will work with you to place an order.
- Court records searches:
- Institutional Record Requests
- Naturalization record request
- Will book record request
Discontinued research services
- Land survey field notes
These records are available for free through the Bureau of Land Management’s Land Survey Field Notes search.
Interlibrary loan (ILL)
Interlibrary loan services are currently available. MNHS makes items available for interlibrary loan (ILL) on a limited basis. Items available include most of our newspaper and microfilmed manuscript collections, Minnesota state archives records, city directories, and county atlases.
If you are interested in borrowing MNHS materials through interlibrary loan, please contact your local public or university library for assistance. They will serve as the borrower on your behalf and can help you with their procedures. Please see our interlibrary loan section for more information on our ILL policies.
Independent researchers
Patrons needing additional help with complex or broad-based research can consult the list of independent researchers who are familiar with our collections. Any service agreements are solely between the patron and the hired researcher.