diff --git a/target_csv.py b/target_csv.py
index 68a8994..b7dc309 100755
--- a/target_csv.py
+++ b/target_csv.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def get_headers(schema, parent_key=DEFAULT_PARENT_KEY, sep=SEP):
 def generate_key(parent_key, sep, key):
     return parent_key + sep + key if parent_key else key
 
-def persist_messages(delimiter, quotechar, messages, destination_path):
+def persist_messages(delimiter, quotechar, messages, destination_path, validate_records):
     state = None
     schemas = {}
     key_properties = {}
@@ -68,7 +68,8 @@ def persist_messages(delimiter, quotechar, messages, destination_path):
                 raise Exception("A record for stream {}"
                                 "was encountered before a corresponding schema".format(o['stream']))
 
-            validators[o['stream']].validate(o['record'])
+            if validate_records:
+                validators[o['stream']].validate(o['record'])
 
             filename = o['stream'] + '.csv'
             filename = os.path.expanduser(os.path.join(destination_path, filename))
@@ -144,7 +145,8 @@ def main():
     state = persist_messages(config.get('delimiter', ','),
                              config.get('quotechar', '"'),
                              input_messages,
-                             config.get('destination_path', ''))
+                             config.get('destination_path', ''),
+                             config.get('validate_records', True))
 
     emit_state(state)
     logger.debug("Exiting normally")