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1. I live outside of Austin. Do they have collection in my area?

Yes. Mower County has been doing remote collections out in the county during the summer months (two per summer). We have been rotating the sites for the last couple of years to try and target areas that are further away from our central facility. Watch for newspaper ads, radio announcements, or contact us for further information. These remote collections usually have been a one-day collection for approximately 3 hours.

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1. How do I sign up for recycling and how much does it cost?

Come to the Recycling Center during regular business hours and there you will receive three bins, be given a brief overview of the program and be on your way within ten minutes. Recycling fees are included in the taxes paid by Mower County residents. As long as you are a resident of Mower County there is no additional cost to you. Please be prepared to show proof of residency if requested.

2. How do holidays affect the curbside collection?

Mower County’s recycling schedule is not affected by Monday holidays as pick-up days are only Tuesday through Friday. Legal holidays affected (see schedule) will not be picked up on their normal days but will slide to the next business day. See the schedule for complete details.

Austin Schedule

Small City Schedule

3. Why should I recycle?

We have to do something with the garbage we produce. In 1990 american's produced on average over half a ton of garbage per person every year - about 3.5 pounds per day.

• Burning garbage is not the answer. Incinerators are one of the largest sources of air pollution in most communities, spewing gases that contribute to acid rain, toxic metals and dioxins.
• Common sense - making the most of what we have is an American tradition.
• It's quick - it takes less time then you think. A recent study done for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that the total time used by a household is only 73 minutes per month. You can make a profit on it by selling aluminum. Recycling also saves on natural resources.
• No more space - landfill space is very limited.
• Safety first - Even if all landfills were available, they'd be health and safety hazards. Most landfills were built before safety standards became a priority. They are not equipped to stop toxins from seeping into the groundwater.

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1. How do I utilize the Sheriff's Department to collect on a debt for me?

You must be awarded a judgment through Conciliation Court, then obtain a Writ of Execution. This can be done by contacting the Court Administrator's Office at 507-509-7013. Once you obtain the Writ of Execution and an Execution Instruction Sheet, you can bring them to the Sheriff's Office with the appropriate fees to have us levy on wages, bank accounts, or personal property.

2. How do I evict a tenant who is not paying rent?

You must first file a Complaint in Unlawful Detainer with the Court Administrator's Office 507-509-7013. A court hearing is then scheduled, and the Court Administrator's Office provides the Civil Process Division with copies of this paperwork to serve on the tenant. Both parties go to court, and the judge will decide if the tenant is to be evicted.

3. What are the fees charged by the Sheriff's Office for certain services?

Effective October 1, 2009, the Mower County Sheriff's Department Fee Schedule is as follows:

Service	Fee
Serving Civil Documents (i.e. Summons, Complaint, Writ, etc.) Service fee is per person, per affidavit, flat fee (mileage included):	$80
Making Diligent search and inquire and returning an affidavit of "Not Found":	$80
Conducting Mortgage Foreclosure Sale:	$150
Failure to notify Sheriff's Office of a cancellation or postponement of a Mortgage Foreclosure Sale:	$100
Certificate of Sale or Redemption of Mortgage Foreclosure:	$250
Execution Levy Fee (Wages, Bank, Demand, etc.) per action:	$80
Collection on Execution after Levy:	5% of Amount Collected
Officer Assistance (Escort, Stand-by, etc.):	$80 per hour - per Deputy
Posting Notices of Sale (3 Locations)	$80
Returning Unsatisfied Execution to Court Administrator:	$80
Securing and safely storing property under Replevin or Attachment:	Actual cost incurred (i.e. towing, storage, fees, officers time, etc.) plus $80

For services not listed, the cost will be the same as a comparable service.

Please note: advanced payment of service fees is required! Fees are subject to change without notice.

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1. How do I get a birth certificate?

You must complete an application. Use the Birth Certificate Application English (PDF) or Birth Certificate Application Spanish (PDF) form to order a certificate. You must sign and date the application in front of a notary public if applying by mail or in front of county staff if applying in person.

Requirements to Obtain A Death Certificate

• You must meet the legal requirements to get a certified birth certificate.
• You must complete an application to request a certificate.
• You must show valid identification.
• You can get a birth certificate only if you have tangible interest.
• You must qualify to get a confidential record in addition to having tangible interest.
• You must pay a fee of $26. If you order more than one copy, each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time is $19. Fees are non-refundable, per Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226.
• You must sign your application.

If No Record Exists

You will receive a “Statement of No Birth Record Found” if you request a certificate and the state or county vital records office cannot identify or find a record using the information you provide.

Payment

Payment is required to get a birth certificate and most other vital records documents.

The fees are the same at all county vital records offices statewide. See Mower County payment options above. The State Office of Vital Records accepts payment by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, or Discover), check or money order. 

Processing

All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail. If you would like your certificate returned by priority or overnight mail please provide the appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the county for more information at 507-437-9535. We are not responsible for deliveries that do not require signatures.

If you want a copy of a record for a birth that occurred in another state, see the National Center for Health Statistics website for contact information.

2. How long does it take to get a birth certificate?

If you need a birth certificate quickly, make your request in person or by mail to one of the 108 county vital records offices in Minnesota.

If you order a certificate from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health, please allow approximately two to three weeks for the office to process your request. Requests for changes or other services in addition to a certificate may take longer. The State Office of Vital Records offers rush processing for an additional fee, and rush shipping for an additional fee.  

If you mailed your request to a county vital records office, check with that office to find out when your request will be processed.

3. Where do I get a death certificate?

In Person Service

For in person service, visit any Minnesota county vital records office. Pre-1935 records are available only in the county of birth. In person service is available only at county vital records offices; the State Office of Vital Records does not have walk-in service.

Service by Mail

For service by Mail, use the Birth Certificate Application (PDF) form to order a certificate. You must sign and date the application in front of a notary public if applying by mail. You can mail your application to:
Mower County Auditor/Treasurer
201 1st Street NE, Suite 7
Austin, MN 55912  

Multiple Certificates

If ordering for multiple persons please complete an application for each person.

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1. Where do I get a death certificate?

Death certificates are available from all county vital records offices and the state. Walk-in service is available at county local issuance offices only. Service through the mail is available from state and county offices. The Minnesota Office of Vital Records does not have walk-in service.

For in person service: Visit any Minnesota county vital records office for records 1997-present. Pre-1997 records are available only in the county of death or through the Minnesota Office of Vital Records. Pre-1908 records are available only in the county of death.  

Apply by mail to the MN Office of Vital Records for records 1908 to present. The Death Certificate Application (PDF) must be signed and dated in front of a notary public if applying by mail. You can mail your application to:
Mower County Auditor/Treasurer
201 1st Street NE, Suite 7
Austin, MN 55912

2. How long does it take to get a death certificate?

If you need a death certificate quickly, make your request in person or by mail to one of the 108 county vital records offices in Minnesota.

It takes the Minnesota Department of Health two to three weeks to process a request for a death certificate. Rush processing and rush shipping via United Parcel Service (UPS) are available through the State Office of Vital Records for additional fees.

3. How do I get a death certificate?

Regardless of where you go to get a Minnesota certificate, you must complete an application. Use the Death Certificate Application (PDF) to order a certificate.  

Requirements to Obtain A Death Certificate

• You must meet the legal requirements to get a certified death certificate:
• You can get a death certificate only if you have tangible interest.
• You must complete an application to request a certificate.
• You must show valid identification.
• You must pay a fee of $13. If you order more than one copy, each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time is $6. Fees are non-refundable, as per Minnesota Statutes, section 144.226.
• You must sign your application.

If No Record Exists

You will receive a “Statement of No Death Record Found” if you request a certificate and the state or county vital records office cannot identify or find a record using the information you provide.

Payment

Payment is required to get a death certificate and most other vital records documents.

The fees are the same at all county vital records offices statewide. The State Office of Vital Records accepts payment by credit card (MasterCard, VISA, or Discover), check or money order. 

Processing

If you order a death certificate from the Office of Vital Records at the Minnesota Department of Health, please allow approximately four to six weeks for the office to process your request.

All certificates are mailed using First Class Mail. If you would like your certificate returned by priority or overnight mail please provide the appropriate self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the county for more information at 507-437-9535. We are not responsible for deliveries that do not require signatures.

Contact Us

If you still have questions about how to apply for a death certificate, email the Minnesota Office of Vital Records at or call 651-201-5970.

4. Where can I get more information on a death or birth certificates?

If you have questions about Minnesota birth/death certificates, email the Office of Vital Records or call 651-201-5970. You may also contact the Mower County Auditor-Treasure Office at 507-437-9535.