Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

When you’re looking for information and aren’t sure where to start, this is the place to begin.

The information on this page includes the most frequently asked questions received by staff at the Steele County Administration Center. These resources are designed to help you quickly find answers, locate services, and navigate County information with ease.

In Minnesota, you can vote early with an absentee ballot.

For detailed information on Absentee Voting click here (Clicking on this link will redirect to an external website) or call the Auditors Office at 507-444-7410

Birth Certificates may be obtained in person or by mail.

For more information Birth Certificate or call the Recorders Office at 507-444-7450

Department of Natural Resources:  

Other Information:

Call Court Administration at 507-686-7012

Child support is the contribution that non-custodial parents make to ensure that their children have adequate care, living expenses and medical support. All of Minnesota’s 87 counties provide child support services, regardless of families’ socioeconomic status.

MNPrairie works to make sure that children get the support they need.

For more information call MNPrairie at 507-431-5600 or click here(Clicking on this link will redirect to an external website)

Three cities in Steele County operate community yard waste compost sites for their residents.  

For more information click here

Steele County is able to process death certificate requests when the death occurred in any county in Minnesota during or after 1997.

For more information Death Cerificates or call the Recorders Office at 507-444-7450.

Steele County Recorder's Office no longer offers finger printing services.

Available Options:

For additional information please search the web.

Steele County does not endorse any particular company. We are providing information and listings only which we hope are helpful.

For Financial Assistance please contact MN Prairie County Alliance at 507.431.5600.

They are located at the Steele County Administration Center 2nd Floor.

1.800.252.1166

Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) provide health care coverage to eligible families with children, adults, people with disabilities and seniors

Call MNPrairie at 507-431-5600 or click here (Clicking on this link will redirect to an external website)

Call MN Prairie County Alliance  507-431-5600

Contact Minnesota Prairie County Alliance 
Phone: 507.431.5600

Services:

  • Health Care Coverage
  • Income and Food Assistance
  • Child Support
  • Children & Family Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Substance Use Services
  • Disability Services
  • Senior Services

Our Locations

Dodge County: 22 6th Street East, Dept. 401 
Mantorville, MN 55955

Steele County: 630 Florence Avenue 
Owatonna, MN 55060

Waseca County: 1000 West Elm Avenue 
Waseca, MN 56093

The Recorder's Office does preform marriages at the Steele County Administration Building during business hours.

Please call 507-444-7450 for more information.

A marriage license purchased in Minnesota only allows you to be married in Minnesota. Your marriage license is valid for six (6) months. 

For more information regarding the application process please click here or call the Recorders Office at 507.444.7450.

Steele County also preforms marriages on site at the Steele County Administration center during business hours.  Please contact the Recorder's office at 507-.444-7450

Who do I call to report noxious weeds (thistles etc.) on farm land?

Farm Service Agency
507.451.1054  X2

Passport Information or call the Recorders Office at 507-444-7450.

Payments are made at the Treasurer's Office - Administration Center

Phone: 507-444-7420

Click Here for additional information.

If you would like more information about Recycling in Steele County click here.  For additional information please call Planning & Zoning / Environmental at507-444-7487.

Serving the County Civil Summons

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Property Taxation & Elections can no longer accept civil summons on behalf of Steele County. The civil summons must be delivered in person to the Steele County Attorney's Office.

This is a change to the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 4.03 (e) (1). It does not affect the service of summons or other types of legal documents.

Service instructi​ons

  1. Go to the Steele County Attorney's Office located at: 
  2. 303 S Cedar Avenue, Owatonna, MN
  3. The front desk employee or other staff members are authorized to accept service of a civil summons on behalf of the county attorney.
  4. The Attorney's Office can't accept service for Steele County employees listed as defendants on the civil summons unless confirmed by the employee to accept service on their behalf.

Acknowledgement of ​​​service

If requested, the Attorney's Office will issue the server an acknowledgement of service upon receiving the civil summons.

A Social Security Representative no longer visits Owatonna.
You may reach them at:
State: 800-772-1213
Austin: 866-504-5010

All Steele County Office Buildings are located in Owatonna, MN.

Administration Offices - 507.444.7430

630 Florence Ave
Po Box 890

Attorney’s Office - 507.444.7780

303 South Cedar Ave

Community Corrections - 507.444.7725

631 North Cedar Ave, Suite 100

Court Administration - 507.686.7012

111 East Main St

Detention Center – 507.444.7000

2500 Alexander St

Extension Office - 507.444.7685

ANNEX Building (across the street)

635 Florence Ave
Po Box 890

Highway Department - 507.444.7670

Public Works Building

3000 Hoffman Drive NW
Po Box 890

Public Health Nursing - 507.444.7650

ANNEX Building (across the street)

635 Florence Ave
Po Box 890

Sheriff’s Department

Non-Emergency - 507.444.3800
204 East Pearl St

Where are the best Wildlife Management Areas in Steele County?

DNR Wildlife Office - 507.455.5841

Where can I obtain tree advice and planting plans for windbreaks and wildlife plantings?

Steele Co. Conservation Office

451-6730 Ext. 3

Where can I obtain the zoning rules for tree plantings?

Steele Co. SWCD - 507.451.6730

Steele Co. Zoning - 507-444-7475