Minnesota Statutes Evidence (Ch. 595-603) § 601.04. Deed or court records destroyed; abstract of title as evidence

When, upon the trial of any action or proceeding which is now, or hereafter may be, pending in any court in this state, any party to such action or proceeding, or the party's agent or attorney, shall make and file an affidavit in such cause, stating that the original of any deed or other instrument in writing or the records of any court relating to any lands, the title or any interest therein being in controversy or question in such action or proceeding, are lost or destroyed, and not within the power of such party to produce the same; and the record of such deed, instrument, or other writing has been destroyed by fire or otherwise, it shall be lawful for the court to receive as evidence in such action or proceeding, any abstract of title to such lands made in the ordinary course of business before such loss or destruction. It shall also be lawful for the court to receive as evidence any copy, extract, or minutes from such destroyed records or from the original thereof, which were, at the date of such destruction or loss, in the possession of any person then engaged in the business of making abstracts of title for others for hire.