Free Minnesota Arrest & Criminal Records: Check All MN Counties

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Free Minnesota Arrest Records & Criminal Records Search

Access Minnesota Records: background checks, warrants, probation and parole, court records, and all criminal and arrest records.

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Check free Minnesota criminal records and daily arrest reports in every MN county through official agencies in just a few minutes.

Thanks to Minnesota and federal open record laws, these records can be accessed by anyone for any reason. Yet, finding Minnesota arrest records and criminal proceedings is overly complicated due to the different processes between various agencies and types of records.

This streamlined resource aims to simplify this process and make finding any public criminal record quick and stress-free. Through the guidance below, searchers will learn how to find:

• Online inmate rosters that contain recent or daily arrests, and contact information for arresting agencies
• Criminal records through courts and law enforcement agencies
• Information regarding arrest warrants, probation, and parole status
• Sexual predators in MN neighborhoods
• Prison records for Minnesota state prisons and federal penitentiaries

Furthermore, citizens will learn more about background checks for personal or professional uses, bailing someone out of jail, expunging records, and laws surrounding the ethical use of criminal and arrest records.

Accessing Public Criminal Records & Arrest Records: Minnesota

Minnesota classifies data as either private or public information.¹ Private records refer to publicly unavailable records that might require a court order to access. These include juvenile records, all arrest information, and convictions over 15 years old. In contrast, anyone can access public information, including offenses, convictions for 15 years, date of offenses, probation information, and the place of confinement.

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), among other statutes and acts, regulates access and dissemination of arrest and criminal records in Minnesota.² The MGDPA requires that accessed data be used for specific purposes. According to the act, data should only be used or disclosed after the provision of an authorization, failure to which individuals accessing the data are subject to legal action.

In addition to the MGDPA, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that individuals can access data except in situations that can affect the use of the data.³ The FOIA stipulates that such data be used for research and analysis, to review and hold agencies accountable, and to conduct other duties under the law.

The Minnesota Statutes §299C.095 categorizes juvenile records as private data and only accessible by the criminal justice system during trial courts, by public defenders, and by criminal justice agencies.⁴ Access can also be granted in case of a background check on an employment or license applicant to determine criminal history.

Whereas juvenile records are kept for a certain period, Minnesota Statutes §299C.095 allocates timelines under which the records should be destroyed on case dismissal, diversion, or the juvenile attaining a certain age.

While criminal records are public information in Minnesota, Statutes §364.01 and 364.10, commonly referred to as “Ban the Box,” offers some protection on how these records can be used.^5,6 These stipulations strive to prevent discriminating against individuals with a criminal history from employment opportunities, while offering employers a chance to review their employees before hiring them.

According to Ban the Box, employers cannot request a potential employee’s criminal history until the applicant has been selected for an interview or offered a conditional job. Employers are free to conduct further extended criminal background checks once a conditional job offer has been extended.

In Minnesota, anyone can report the violation of Ban the Box to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights through the Ban the Box Submission Form.⁷

In addition to criminal and arrest records, the resource on tracking down Minnesota public information details even more information that can be found, including but not limited to records regarding marriage, divorce, birth, death, court dockets and more.

A Comparison of Details Shown on Criminal Records vs Arrest Records in Minnesota

The terms “arrest records” and “criminal records” are often used interchangeably and are interrelated; however, they refer to different things.

An arrest record shows exactly that — details of an arrest. Arrest records are especially important if you want to find out someone’s charges in jail. In contrast, a criminal record, also known as a rap sheet, contains exhaustive information about an individual’s criminal history.

Employers rely on criminal records and arrest records during employee background screening. Courts also use these records to make decisions on convictions, plea bargains, and probation, among other things.

The following details can help differentiate between the two types of records.

Minnesota arrest records include:

• Name
• Mugshot (some county jail rosters do not include mugshots)
• Age
• Gender
• Date and time of booking (in some cases indicated as incarceration)
• Booking agency (usually the Sheriff’s Office)
• Booking ID/Booking number
• Court case number
• Housing agency (where the offender is housed, usually in the county jail)
• Offense/charges
• Status
• Scheduled release date (if available)
• Actual release date (if available)
• Bail amounts

Minnesota criminal records contain:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Case number
• Date filed
• Case title
• Case type
• Case location
• Case status
• Citation number
• Judicial officer
• Charges
• Level of charge
• Statutes
• Disposition and date of disposition
• Offense date
• Community of offense
• Law enforcement agency
• Prosecuting agency
• Guilty pleas
• Fines and fees (if any)

How To Find Out if Someone Was Arrested or Is in a Minnesota Jail (Free)

If a person wants to know how to find recent arrests, they can call or visit the local Sheriff’s Office to inquire and access this information for free. The Sheriff’s Office can provide key information on the arrestee’s charges, current state, and court appearance.

Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, consent is not required before accessing arrest records as the data is considered public. Interested parties can also access county jail rosters or get the information via a phone call for free.

Check Minnesota Arrest Records, Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment via County Sheriff Offices

Most counties in Minnesota publish daily arrests on their websites. Some counties, like Anoka County, have an inmate arrest records search feature that, when queried, displays the inmate’s arrest details alongside a mugshot of the inmate.⁸

Aitkin County is an example of a county that publishes a daily jail roster (as opposed to having an inmate locator).⁹ As shown in the image below, the roster lists inmates and their charges. There’s also a mugshot beside each inmate’s name.

Inquirers may also want to visit or call the local Sheriff’s Office to find more details about an inmate whose arrest details are not yet available online. In most Minnesota counties, arrest reports are available 24 hours after the arrest.

The table below shows the link to each Minnesota county inmate locator or jail roster, the county jail or the Sheriff’s Office phone number, and whether the search tool or jail roster has an accompanying inmate mugshot. A person can use these details to find out if someone is in jail in Minnesota.

County Inmate Search Tool or Contact Page	County Jail or Sheriff’s Office Phone Number	Shows Mugshots?
Aitkin County	218-297-7435 888-900-2138	✓
Anoka County	763-324-5000	✓
Becker County	Jail: 218-847-2939 Sheriff’s Office: 218-847-2661	✓
Beltrami County	Jail: 218-333-4189 Sheriff’s Office: 218-333-9111	✓
Benton County	Jail: 320-968-8180 Sheriff’s Office: 320-968-7201	X
Big Stone County	Sheriff’s Office: 320 839-3558	X
Blue Earth County	Sheriff’s Office: 507-304-4800	✓
Brown County	Sheriff’s Office: 507-233-6700	✓
Carlton County	Jail: 218-384-9520 Sheriff’s Office: 218-384-4560	✓
Carver County	Sheriff’s Office: 952-361-1212	X
Cass County	Jail: 218-547-2441 Sheriff’s Office: 218-547-1424	✓
Chippewa County	Sheriff’s Office: 320-269-2121	✓
Chisago County	Jail: 651-257-2931 Sheriff’s Office: 651-213-6300	X
Clay County	Jail: 218-299-5163 Sheriff’s Office: 218-299-5151	X
Clearwater County	Sheriff’s Office: 218-694-6226	✓
Cook County	218-387-3030	✓
Cottonwood County	Sheriff’s Office: 507-831-1375	✓
Crow Wing County	Jail: 218-822-7050 Sheriff’s Office: 218-829-4749	✓
Dakota County	Sheriff’s Office: 651-438-4700	✓
Douglas County	Jail: 320-762-2139 Sheriff’s Office: 320-762-8151	X
Faribault County	Sheriff’s Office: 507-526-5148	✓
Fillmore County	507-765-3874	✓
Freeborn County	Jail: 507.377.4683 Sheriff’s Office: 507-377-5205	✓
Goodhue County	Jail: 651-267-2804 Sheriff’s Office: 651-267-2600	✓
Hennepin County	Jail: 612-348-5112 Sheriff’s Office: 612-348-3744	✓
Houston County	507-725-3379	✓
Hubbard County	218-732-3331	✓
Isanti County	763-689-2141	✓
Itasca County	Jail: 218-327-2875 Sheriff’s Office: 218-326-3477	✓
Jackson County	507-847-4420	✓
Kandiyohi County	320-214-6700	✓
Koochiching County	218-283-4416	✓
Lac qui Parle County	320-598-3720	✓
Lake County	218-834-8385	✓
Le Sueur County	Jail: 507-357-8274 Sheriff’s Office: 507-357-8557	✓
Lyon County	Jail: 507-929-6623 Sheriff’s Office: 507-537-7666	✓
Martin County	507-238-4481	✓
McLeod County	Jail: 320-864-5191 Sheriff’s Office: 888-440-3134	✓
Meeker County	Jail: 320-693-5415 Sheriff’s Office: 320-693-5400	✓
Mille Lacs County	Jail: 320-983-8244 Sheriff’s Office: 320-983-8250	✓
Morrison County	Jail: 320-632-2673 Sheriff’s Office: 320-632-9233	✓
Mower County	Jail: 507-437-9562 Sheriff’s Office: 507-437-9546	✓
Murray County	507-836-6168	✓
Nicollet County	507-931-1570	✓
Nobles County	Jail: 507-295-5290 Sheriff’s Office: 507-295-5400	✓
Norman County	Tri-County Community Corrections: (218)470-8100 Sheriff’s Office: 218-784-7114	✓
Olmsted County	507-328-6790	✓
Otter Tail County	Jail: 218-998-8556 Sheriff’s Office: 218-998-8534	✓
Pennington County	Jail: 218-416-7097 Sheriff’s Office: 218-681-6161	✓
Pine County	Jail: 320-629-8400 Sheriff’s Office: 320-629-8380	✓
Pipestone County	507-825-1100	✓
Polk County	Tri-County Community Corrections: (218)470-8100 Sheriff’s Office: 218-281-0431	✓
Ramsey County	Jail: 651-266-9350 Sheriff’s Office: 651-266-9333	X
Red Lake County	Tri-County Community Corrections: (218)470-8100 Sheriff’s Office: 218-253-2996	✓
Redwood County	Jail: 507-637-1313	✓
	Sheriff’s Office: 507-637-4036
Renville County	Jail: 320-523-3600 Sheriff’s Office: 320-523-1161	✓
Rice County	Jail: 507-332-6021 Sheriff’s Office: 507-334-4391	✓
Rock County	Jail: 507-295-5290 Sheriff’s Office: 507-283-5000	✓
Roseau County	218-463-1421	✓
Saint Louis County	Jail: 218-726-2345 Sheriff’s Office: Duluth: 218-726-2340 Hibbing: 218-262-0134 Virginia: 218-749-7134	✓
Scott County	Jail: 952-496-8314 Sheriff’s Office: 952-496-8625	✓
Sherburne County	763-765-3500	✓
Sibley County	Jail: 507-237-4337 Sheriff’s Office: 507-237-4339	✓
Stearns County	Jail: 320-259-3760 Sheriff’s Office: 320-259-3702	✓
Steele County	Jail: 507-446-7000 Sheriff’s Office: 507-444-3800	✓
Swift County	320-843-3133	✓
Todd County	320-732-2157	✓
Traverse County	320-422-7800	✓
Wabasha County	Jail: 651-560-1004 Sheriff’s Office: 651-565-3361	✓
Wadena County	218-631-7600	✓
Waseca County	507-835-0510	✓
Washington County	651-430-7900	X
Watonwan County	Jail: 507-375-1206 Sheriff’s Office: 507-375-3121	✓
Wilkin County	Jail: 218-643-1205 Sheriff’s Office: 218-643-8544	✓
Winona County	Jail: 507-457-6377 Sheriff’s Office: 507-457-6368	✓
Wright County	763-682-7622	X
Yellow Medicine County	320-564-2130	✓

*Murray County and Lincoln County have partnered on inmate housing.
*Red Lake, Polk, and Normal counties share correctional services known as the Tri-County Community Corrections.
*Rock County and Nobles County share a jail.
*Winona County is in the final stages of completing the Winona County Detention Center (WCDC).

Some counties in Minnesota do not have an online search tool or an inmate jail roster for current arrests. Consequently, the table below lists these counties and the Sheriff’s Office number where a person can call to find out if someone was detained:

County	Sheriff’s Office Number
Dodge County	507-635-6200
Grant County	218-685-8280
Kanabec County	320-679-8400
Kittson County	218-843-3535
Lake of the Woods County	218-634-1143
Lincoln County	507-694-1664
Mahnomen County	218-935-2255
Marshall County	218-745-5411
Pope County	320-634-5411
Stevens County	320-208-6500

How To Contact a Minnesota Jail Inmate & Bail Them Out

The best way to contact an inmate in jail is usually through a bail bondsman. These people know the intricacies of the legal system and can save time.

However, a person can still contact someone in jail if they know where that person has been detained. It is usually not advisable to show up in jail and expect to see the arrestee. Jails in Minnesota have visitation days and rules. Some jails offer physical visits, while others provide video visitation.

For video visitation, a person can either video call at home or at a specific place set up by the jail (usually inside the jail). However, even video visitation needs booking, and it is advisable to call the jail in advance and inquire about their visitation policies.

The following is a table of the county jails in Minnesota, including details about visitation policies alongside contact numbers to help a person contact someone who’s in jail:

County Jail	Contact & Visitation Details	Personal Visits Allowed?
Aitkin County	Visitation can be scheduled by calling 218-927-7444 at least 24 hours in advance, Mon-Fri.	✓
Anoka County Jail	On-site video visits are available. Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours prior. Off-site video visits through ICSolutions.	X
Becker County Jail	On-site video visitation via a computer kiosk (Wed-Sat) or online home visitation (Mon-Sun). Call 218-847-2939 to arrange.	X
Beltrami County Jail	On-site (jail lobby) and off-site (online) visits. Off-site visits through Video Canteen. Visitations are allowed every day at specific times.	✓
Benton County Jail	Through appointments, 24 hours prior. Arranged through 320-968-8180.	✓
Big Stone County Jail	No information is provided. Call Sheriff’s office on 320-839-3558	*
Blue Earth County Jail	Remote and on-site visiting only through Inmate Canteen. First, register for approval.	X
Brown County Jail	Visitation allowed subject to approval (Sun, Mon, Thur). Call (507)233-6775 at least 24 hours prior.	✓
Carlton County Jail	Non-contact visits are allowed on Tues, Thur, and Sat. Call 218-384-4560 to arrange.	✓
Carver County Jail	Telephone and video visitation through NCIC Inmate Communications. Call +1-800-943-2189 to arrange.	X
Cass County Jail	Visitation is allowed on Wed, Thur, and Sat. Call 218-547-1424 to arrange.	✓
Chippewa County Jail	Visitations only on Tue and Fri. Call 320-269-2121 to arrange.	*
Chisago County Jail	On-site video visitation. Visitation hours depend on if inmates are classified as minimum/medium security or maximum security. Call 651-257-2931 to arrange.	X
Clay County Jail	Inmate video visitation is provided via Reliance Telephone. Appointments are required, and visitations are conducted in the public lobby.	X
Clearwater County Jail	Non-contact visitation is to be arranged by calling 208-476-8903.	✓
Cook County Jail	Can be arranged by calling 218-387-3030. Visitation is conducted via Reliance Telephone.	✓
Cottonwood County Jail	Free video visitation is offered from the Law Enforcement Center kiosk. Sign up through Reliance Telephone.	X
Crow Wing County Jail	Visitation is conducted via video communication. Schedule at Inmate Canteen.	X
Dakota County Jail	On-site jail video visiting is currently suspended.	X
Dodge County Jail	Call the Sheriff’s Office at 507-635-6200 to enquire.	*
Douglas County Jail	Video visitation is to be scheduled via Inmate Canteen. It can be on-site or off-site.	X
Faribault County Jail	Non-contact visits are allowed. Pre-approved video visits via Turnkey and Reliance Telephone.	X
Fillmore County Jail	Non-contact visits are allowed on Tue and Thur. Call 507-765-3874 to arrange	✓
Freeborn County Jail	Free video visitation at the jail lobby. Online visitation via Inmate Canteen.	X
Goodhue County Jail	On-site video visitations are allowed by scheduling one at Securus.	X
Grant County Jail	Call the Sheriff’s Office at 218-685-8280 to enquire.	*
Hennepin County Jail	Only video visits are allowed at $4 per 20 minutes through Securus Technologies.	X
Houston County Jail	Video visiting to be scheduled at https://visitation.co.houston.mn.us	X
Hubbard County Detention Center	Pre-approved on-site video visitation. Call 218-732-3331 to arrange.	X
Isanti County Jail	On-site video visitation is subject to approval. Call 763-691-2456 to arrange.	X
Itasca County Jail	Non-contact on-site visitation is to be secluded by calling 218-327-2875.	X
Jackson County Jail	Video calling is allowed. Call 507-847-4420 to schedule.	X
Kanabec County Jail	Visits can be scheduled by calling 320-679-8402.	*
Kandiyohi County Jail	On-site and off-site video visitation is provided by Inmate Canteen	X
Kittson County Jail	Call 218-843-3535 at least 24 hours in advance to make visitation arrangements.	*
Koochiching County Jail	Contact 218-283-4416 for more information.	*
Lac qui Parle County Jail	Contact 320-598-3720 for more information.	*
Lake County Jail	Both on-site and off-site visitation via the Reliance Connect app. Visitations are only on Sundays and Wednesdays.	X
Lake of the Woods County Detention Center	On-site non-contact visitation via the telephone at the visiting booth.	✓
Le Sueur County Jail	On-site and video visitation are available. Schedule a visit via Inmate Canteen.	✓
Lincoln County Jail	Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 507-694-1664.	*
Lyon County Jail	Personal visits are allowed on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. No appointment is required. Visitation runs from 8:00 AM to 11 AM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.	✓
Murray County
McLeod County Jail	On-site video visitation via Inmate canteen.	X
Mahnomen County Jail	Call the county Sheriff’s Office at 218-935-2255 to enquire.	*
Marshall County Jail	Visitations are allowed Mon-Fri from 1-4 PM. Contact visits are subject to Sheriff’s Office approval via 218-745-5411.	✓
Martin County Corrections	On-site video visits are allowed on Fri, Sat, Sun. Call the jail administrator at 507-238-3153 to schedule.	X
Meeker County Detention Center	Visitations are allowed on Thur and Sun. Call the detention center at 320-693-5415 to schedule.	✓
Mille Lacs County Jail	Both on-site and remote video visitation is to be scheduled via Securus.	X
Morrison County Jail	Video visitation is to be scheduled via JailATM.	X
Mower County Jail	On-site non-contact video visitation is to be scheduled by calling 507-437-9562.	X
Nicollet County Jail	On-site non-contact visitation is to be scheduled by calling 507-934-7161. Visitation days: Tue, Thur, and Sat.	X
Nobles County Jail	On-site video visitation via Reliance: Sun, Tue, Thur	X
Rock County Jail
Norman County, Polk County, and Red Lake County (Tri-County Community Corrections)	On-Site & Off-Site video visitation via SECURUS. On-site: Mon-Fri; off-site: 7 days a week.	X
Olmsted County Detention Center	Both online and in-person visits are available. Unlimited off-site visits via ICSolutions. In-person video visits are held at Olmsted County Work Release.	X
Otter Tail County Jail	Limited visitation. Contact Sgt. Berg at 218-998-8576 for appointment.	X
Pennington County Jail	Remote video. Only visitation via Inmate Canteen.	X
Pine County Jail	Onsite inmate visitation is conducted via Reliance Telephone.	X
Pipestone County Jail	Visits are allowed on Wed, Sat, Sun, and holidays. Call 507-825-1100 to schedule.	X
Pope County Jail	Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 320-634-5411.	*
Ramsey County ADC	On-site non-contact video visits via Securus. At-Home (remote) visits are also available.	X
Redwood County Jail	On-site video visiting is provided at the visiting quarters of the jail lobby.	X
Renville County Jail	No on-site visitation. Video visitation via Reliance Telephone.	X
Rice County Jail	On-site visit is available. Remote visits via Inmate Canteen are also available. Personal visits are limited to Tue, Thur, and Sat. Call 507-332-6021 to schedule.	X
Roseau County Detention Center	Off-site video visitation is available via Inmate Canteen. Contact 218-463-1421 for more information.	X
Saint Louis County Jail	Pre-registered lobby visits via Reliance. Lobby kiosks are available at Duluth.	✓
Scott County Jail	Off-site video visitation is provided via ICSolutions. You can also schedule on-site video visitation by calling 952-496-8327.	X
Sherburne County Jail	Free on-site video visitation is available via NCIC. Remote visitation is available via appointment only via NCIC at $0.27 per minute. Visitations are allowed at specified times on all days of the week.	X
Sibley County Jail	Visiting days are Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Call 507-237-4337 to schedule a visit.	X
Stearns County Jail	Non-contact on-site visits are allowed. All days of the week except for Tuesdays and Saturdays.	X
Stevens County Jail	Call the Sheriff’s Office at 320-208-6500 to enquire.	*
Swift County Jail	Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 320-843-3133 to enquire.	*
Todd County Detention Center	Inmate visitation is allowed on Wed, Fri, and Sun. Call 320-422-7800 to make an appointment.	X
Traverse County Jail	Call the Sheriff’s Office at 320-422-7800 to enquire.	X
Wabasha County Jail	On-site telephone visitation is available, Sun to Sat. Schedule a visit by calling the jail at 651-560-1004.	✓
Wadena County Detention Center	On-site visitation allowed Mon-Sun. Call 218-631-7600 to schedule a visit.	✓
Waseca County Jail	On-site visits are allowed via telephone booth. Visitation days are restricted to Thur, Sat, and Sun.	✓
Washington County Jail	On-site visitation allowed Mon-Sun. Call 651-430-7900 in advance. Make sure you are on the inmates visitor list.	✓
Watonwan County Jail	On-site visitation is allowed on Tue, Thur, Sat, and Sunday. Call 507-375-1206 at least 24 hours in advance.	✓
Wilkin County Jail	On-site and remote video visits facilitated by Reliance. Note that jail staff will not schedule visits for you.	X
Winona County Detention Center	Please note that WCDC is under renovation. Visitations will be on Tue, Sat, and Sun.	X
Wright County Jail	On-site visits allowed Mon-Fri. Call 763-684-2381 to schedule.	✓
Yellow Medicine County Jail	Visiting is allowed every day at specific times. Call 320-564-2130 to enquire and schedule.	✓

How To Look Up Anyone’s Criminal Records in MN

There are several ways to access criminal records in Minnesota and the government agencies summarized below are explained in further detail below.

A person can access criminal records through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).¹⁰ The MCRO offers access to public case records and documents, including criminal records.

The public access terminals in each district courthouse in Minnesota offer the inquirer electronic access to statewide public court case records.

Inquirers can also access criminal records through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.¹¹ Court records can also enable the inquirer to determine whether the court has put out a warrant list, which can help know if someone has been charged with a crime.

The following details how an inquirer can obtain public criminal records in Minnesota:

• The person can access the records online through the  Minnesota Public Criminal History Record Search website.¹² The website has data on public criminal history.
• The inquirer can also visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) office, where access to criminal records and a mugshot database is granted free of charge.

Utilize the County’s Court Case Access System To Find MN Criminal Records

The Minnesota Judicial Branch, through its Access Case Records webpage, enables the inquirer to view county court records and determine their availability in the online portal.¹³

However, to access these records, the inquirer must know the court file’s case number/file number as well as the names of the participants in the case. These details should enable the inquirer to perform the search.

A person can also access court records via the public computer terminals at the Minnesota State Law Library or through the “Find Your Court” search feature provided by the Minnesota Judicial Branch. However, printing at the courthouse terminals attracts an $8 fee.¹⁴

The table below shows each county’s online portal for searching someone’s criminal history.

*Stearns County has its own criminal case search portal.

County Courts Who Provide Criminal Records	County Courthouse Address	Shows Mugshots?
Aitkin County	Aitkin County Courthouse Address: RM 242A, 209 2nd Street NW Aitkin, MN 56431	✓
Anoka County	Anoka County Courthouse Address: Court Administration 2100 3rd Ave. Anoka, MN 55303-2489	✓
Becker County	Becker County Courthouse Address: 913 Lake Avenue Detroit Lakes, MN 56501	✓
Beltrami County	Beltrami County Courthouse Address: 600 Minnesota Avenue NW, Suite 108 Bemidji, MN 56601-3068	✓
Benton County	Benton County Courthouse Address: 615 Highway 23, PO Box 189 Foley, MN 56329	X
Big Stone County	Big Stone County Courthouse Address: 20 Second Street SE, STE 107 Ortonville, MN 56278	X
Blue Earth County	Blue Earth County Courthouse Address: 401 Carver Road, PO Box 3366 Mankato, MN 56002-3366	✓
Brown County	Brown County Courthouse Address: 14 South State Street, PO Box 248 New Ulm, MN 56073-0248	✓
Carlton County	Carlton County Courthouse Address: 301 Walnut Avenue, PO Box 190 Carlton, MN 55718	✓
Carver County	Carver County Courthouse Address: 604 East 4th Street Chaska, MN 55318	X
Cass County	Cass County Courthouse Address: 300 Minnesota Avenue, PO Box 3000 Walker, MN 56484	✓
Chippewa County	Chippewa County Courthouse Address: 629 North 11th Street, Suite 9 Montevideo, MN 56265	✓
Chisago County	Chisago County Courthouse Address: 313 North Main Street Center City, MN 55012	✓
Clay County	Clay County Courthouse Address: 807 11th Street North Moorhead, MN 56560	X
Clearwater County	Clearwater County Courthouse Address: 213 Main Avenue #303 Bagley, MN 56621	✓
Cook County	Cook County Courthouse Address: 411 West 2nd Street Grand Marais, MN 55604	✓
Cottonwood County	Cottonwood County Courthouse Address: 900 Third Avenue, PO Box 97 Windom, MN 56101-0097	✓
Crow Wing County	Crow Wing County Courthouse Address: 213 Laurel Street, Suite 11 Brainerd, MN 56401	✓
Dakota County	Dakota County Courthouse Address: 1560 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033 Phone: (651) 377-7180	✓
Dodge County	Dodge County Courthouse Address: 22 6th Street E, Dept. 12 Mantorville, MN 55955	X
Douglas County	Douglas County Courthouse Address: 305 8th Avenue West Alexandria, MN 56308	X
Faribault County	Faribault County Courthouse Address: 415 North Main Street, PO Box 130 Blue Earth, MN 56013-0130	✓
Fillmore County	Fillmore County Courthouse Address: 101 Fillmore Street, PO Box 436 Preston, MN 55965	✓
Freeborn County	Freeborn County Courthouse Address: 411 South Broadway Albert Lea, MN 56007	✓
Goodhue County	Goodhue County Courthouse Address: 454 West Sixth Street Red Wing, MN 55066	✓
Grant County	Grant County Courthouse Address: 10 2nd Street NE Elbow Lake, MN 56531	X
Hennepin County	Hennepin County Courthouse Address: 300 South 6th St, Minneapolis, USA, MN 55487	✓
Houston County	Houston County Courthouse Address: 306 South Marshall, Suite 2100 Caledonia, MN 55921	✓
Hubbard County	Hubbard County Courthouse Address: 301 Court Avenue Park Rapids, MN 56470	✓
Isanti County	Isanti County Courthouse Address: 555 18th Avenue SW Cambridge, MN 55008	✓
Itasca County	Itasca County Courthouse Address: 123 4th Street NE Grand Rapids, MN 55744	✓
Jackson County	Jackson County Courthouse Address: 405 4th Street Jackson, MN 56143	✓
Kanabec County	Kanabec County Courthouse Address: 317 Maple Avenue East, Suite 318 Mora, MN 55051-1385	X
Kandiyohi County	Kandiyohi County Courthouse Address: 505 Becker Avenue SW Willmar, MN  56201	✓
Kittson County	Kittson County Courthouse Address: 410 South 5th Street, Suite 204 Hallock, MN 56728	X
Koochiching County	Koochiching County Courthouse Address: 715 4th Street International Falls, MN 56649	✓
Lac qui Parle County	Lac Qui Parle County Courthouse Address: 600 Sixth Street, Suite 11 Madison, MN 56256	✓
Lake County	Lake County Courthouse Address: 601 3rd Avenue Two Harbors, MN 55616	✓
Lake of the Woods County	Lake of the Woods County Courthouse Address: 206 8th Avenue SE #250 Baudette, MN 56623	X
Le Sueur County	Le Sueur County Courthouse Address: 435 E Derrynane St Le Center MN 56057	✓
Lincoln County	Lincoln County Courthouse Address: 319 North Rebecca, P.O. Box 15 Ivanhoe, MN 56142-0015	X
Lyon County	Lyon County Courthouse Address: 607 West Main Marshall, MN 56258	✓
McLeod County	McLeod County Courthouse Address: 830 11th Street East Glencoe, MN 55336	✓
Mahnomen County	Mahnomen County Courthouse Address: 311 N Main Mahnomen, MN 56557	X
Marshall County	Marshall County Courthouse Address: 208 E Colvin, Suite 18 Warren, MN 56762	X
Martin County	Martin County Courthouse Address: 201 Lake Avenue Fairmont, MN 56031	✓
Meeker County	Meeker County Courthouse Address: 325 North Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355	✓
Mille Lacs County	Mille Lacs County Courthouse Address: 225 6th Ave SE Milaca, MN 56353	✓
Morrison County	Morrison County Courthouse Address: 213 1st Avenue Southeast Little Falls, MN 56345	✓
Mower County	Mower County Courthouse Address: 201 Second Avenue NE Austin, MN 55912	✓
Murray County	Murray County Courthouse Address: 2500 28th Street, PO Box 57 Slayton, MN 56172-0057	✓
Nicollet County	Nicollet County Courthouse Address: 501 South Minnesota Avenue St. Peter, MN 56082	✓
Nobles County	Nobles County Courthouse Address: 1530 Airport Road, PO Box 547 Worthington, MN 56187	✓
Norman County	Norman County Courthouse Address: 16 E 3rd Avenue E Ada, MN 56510	✓
Olmsted County	Olmsted County Courthouse Address: 151 Fourth Street SE Rochester, MN 55904	✓
Otter Tail County	Otter Tail County Courthouse Address: 121 West Junius Avenue #310 Fergus Falls, MN 56537	✓
Pennington County	Pennington County Courthouse Address: 141 Main Ave S Thief River Falls, MN 56701	✓
Pine County	Pine County Courthouse Address: 635 Northridge Drive NW, Suite 320 Pine City, MN 55063	✓
Pipestone County	Pipestone County Courthouse Address: 416 South Hiawatha Pipestone, MN 56164	✓
Polk County	Polk County Courthouse Address: 816 Marin Ave, Suite 210 Crookston, MN 56716	✓
Pope County	Pope County Courthouse Address: 130 East Minnesota – Ste 309 Glenwood, MN 56334	X
Ramsey County	Ramsey County Courthouse Address: 15 W Kellogg Blvd Room 1700 Saint Paul MN 55102 (651) 266-8266	X
Red Lake County	Red Lake County Courthouse Address: 124 Main Ave NW, PO Box 339 Red Lake Falls, MN 56750	✓
Redwood County	Redwood County Courthouse Address: 250 South Jefferson Redwood Falls, MN 56283-0130	✓
Renville County	Renville County Courthouse Address: 500 East DePue, Third Level Olivia, MN 56277	✓
Rice County	Rice County Courthouse Address: 218 NW Third St, Suite 300 Faribault, MN 55021	✓
Rock County	Rock County Courthouse Address: 204 East Brown Street, PO Box 745 Luverne, MN 56156-0745	✓
Roseau County	Roseau County Courthouse Address: Room 20, 606 5th Avenue SW Roseau, MN 56751	✓
Saint Louis County	Duluth Courthouse Address: 100 North 5th Avenue West Duluth, MN 55802-1285	✓
Scott County	Scott County Courthouse Address: 200 Fourth Avenue West Government Center – JC115 Shakopee, MN 55379-1220	✓
Sherburne County	Sherburne County Courthouse Address: 13880 Business Center Drive NW Elk River, MN 55330	✓
Sibley County	Sibley County Courthouse Address: 400 Court Avenue, PO Box 867 Gaylord, MN 55334	✓
Stearns County	Stearns County Courthouse Address: Room 448, 705 Courthouse Square St. Cloud, MN 56303	✓
Steele County	Steele County Courthouse Address: 111 East Main Street Owatonna, MN 55060	✓
Stevens County	Stevens County Courthouse Address: 400 Colorado Avenue, STE 307 Morris, MN 56267	X
Swift County	Swift County Courthouse Address: 301 14th Street North, Suite 6 Benson, MN 56215	✓
Todd County	Todd County Courthouse Address: 221 1st Avenue South Long Prairie, MN 56347	✓
Traverse County	Traverse County Courthouse Address: 702 2nd Avenue North, PO Box 867 Wheaton, MN 56296	✓
Wabasha County	Wabasha County Courthouse Address: 848 17 Street East STE 4 Wabasha, MN 55981 Phone: (651) 412-8627	✓
Wadena County	Wadena County Courthouse Address: 415 Jefferson Street South Wadena, MN 56482	✓
Waseca County	Waseca County Courthouse Address: 307 North State Street Waseca, MN 56093	✓
Washington County	Washington County Courthouse Address: 14949 62nd Street North, PO Box 3802 Stillwater, MN 55082	X
Watonwan County	Watonwan County Courthouse Address: 710 Second Avenue South, PO Box 518 St. James, MN 56081	✓
Wilkin County	Wilkin County Courthouse Address: 300 South 5th Street, PO Box 219 Breckenridge, MN 56520	✓
Winona County	Winona County Courthouse Address: 171 West Third Street Winona, MN 55987	✓
Wright County	Wright County Courthouse Address: Wright County Justice Center Room 1100, 3700 Braddock Avenue Buffalo, MN  55313	X
Yellow Medicine County	Yellow Medicine County Courthouse Address: 415 9th Avenue, Suite 201 Granite Falls, MN 56241	✓

View Criminal Records in MN via the Minnesota Public Criminal History Tool

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Criminal History System (BCA CHS), also known as the Minnesota Public Criminal History Tool, provides a central repository for all criminal records in the state.¹⁷ This people finder database offers access to records on persons arrested and convicted.

Anyone can access the Criminal Apprehension Criminal record repository for free. To conduct the search and check if someone has a criminal record, the inquirer needs the offender’s last and first name, followed by their date of birth.

Furthermore, the Minnesota Rules Court of the Judicial Branch regulates access to public court records.¹⁵ At the same time, the Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS) offers the public access to the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals court case records.¹⁶

In essence, if a case is appealed in trial courts, the appellate court will review the case and come to a conclusion if there was a previous error, mistake, or inquiry to modify or reverse a decisions.

How Do You Obtain an Official Copy of Your Own Criminal Record in Minnesota?

There are various ways of getting a copy of criminal records in Minnesota, as outlined below:

• The first and quickest option is the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).¹⁸ Through MCRO, anyone can go to the Case Search link and search for and print a copy of the criminal records.
• Inquirers can also visit in person the local county sheriff’s office on weekdays during working hours and request a printed copy of a criminal record. For example, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates a Crime History Unit where inquirers can request a copy of a criminal record.¹⁹
• The inquirer can also request a copy mailed to their address via US Mail. The BCA requires requesters to send a notarized Informed Consent form signed by the person whose criminal record needs to be accessed. The consent form should include the correct spelling of the subject’s name and the correct date of birth.
• Alternatively, the inquirer can visit the BCA headquarters with a signed Informed Consent form and $15 of either cash or money order, certified check, personal check, business check, or cashier’s check enclosed in a manila envelope. Give three business days to pick the records.

When sending a mailing request to the BCA, the person should enclose a check of $15 as discussed above. Additionally, the inquirer should include a stamped envelope with an address and mail the request to the following address:

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Minnesota Justice Information Services – CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55106

Mail responses should be expected in approximately two weeks.

How Can I Tell if Someone Is on Probation or Parole in Minnesota?

Finding out if someone is on parole in MN or checking if someone is under Minnesota probation has been made simple by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC).²⁰

The MNDOC stores Minnesota criminal records of individuals under the supervision of the Commissioner of Corrections.

A person can access information about someone on parole or probation through the Minnesota Offender Search Tool.²¹ The search tool works by querying the parolee database using either their last name or an MNDOC offender ID number.

The following image displays the total number of probationers and parolees in Minnesota and compares it with other states across the United States. Additionally, it showcases the ethnicities of individuals on community supervision in Minnesota, including probation and parole.

A sample of the probation search results is shown below, with those on probation shown as “under supervision.”

In Minnesota, the Community Supervision and Reentry supervises probation, while the Board of Pardons oversees paroles.^22,23

What’s the Process for Expunging Criminal Records in the State of Minnesota?

Minnesota only offers the expungement and not the sealing of adult criminal records. The state encourages an individual who has a criminal record to begin the process of expungement only under the following conditions:

• If the individual’s criminal case was dismissed or they were acquitted of their crime.
• The individual was a juvenile convicted as an adult.
• The individual was convicted of a petty misdemeanor but hasn’t committed any other crime in two years.
• The individual was convicted of a gross misdemeanor but hasn’t committed any other crime in four years.
• The individual served time for some non-violent crimes but hasn’t committed any other crime in five years.

In Minnesota, to apply for expungement, the person should follow these steps:²⁴

1. Visit the court and acquire the expungement packet of forms.²⁵
2. Fill out all the forms and obtain any other necessary documents.
3. Visit the court clerk and file all the expungement forms and other required documents.
4. Pay the filing fee where necessary.
5. Deliver another set of expungement forms to the prosecuting attorney. This is because, under Minnesota Laws, the prosecutor and the victims have a right to object to the expungement petition.
6. Wait 60 days for the prosecutor and the victims to file objections against the expungement petition.
7. Go to the court hearing. A ruling against the expungement will allow an appeal within 60 days. If the court grants the petition, all Minnesota criminal records will be expunged by the all agencies who host them.

A qualifying individual can initiate the expungement process. However, seeking legal counsel can help ensure all forms are submitted correctly, and all stipulations are met.

How To Find Someone in a Minnesota State Penitentiary or Federal Prison

An inquirer who wants to find someone in the federal and state prisons has two places to search: the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Federal Prison Search

For someone sentenced by the federal court, the Federal Prison Inmate Locator on the BOP website provides an online directory.²⁶ This directory serves as the felony registry for inmates held in federal prisons.

The individual has two search options on the inmate locator, ‘Find by Number’ and ‘Find By Name.’ To “Find by Number,” the inquirer must have the inmate’s BOP Register Number. The inquirer should enter this number and perform a search, as shown in the first image below.

To ‘Find by Name,’ the inquirer must search by entering the inmate’s first, middle, and last name, followed by the inmate’s race, age, and sex, as shown in the second image below.

MN State Prisoner Lookup

An inquirer wishing to find someone in a state prison in Minnesota can search the offender inmate locator search tool. This tool is provided by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MNDOC) website.

The offender inmate locator offers two search criteria: search by name and search by MNDOC number. The search results show the following about the offender:

• Name
• Date of birth
• MNDOC number
• Offender’s status (whether incarcerated or under supervision)

Further details include the offender’s mugshot, date of sentencing, and details of crimes committed.

How To Execute a Minnesota Arrest Warrant Lookup

As with Minnesota arrest records, warrant information is available at the county level since MN doesn’t have a statewide warrant system. To look up active warrants throughout Minnesota, individuals can utilize the local county offices or the clerk’s office. The person can call the Sheriff’s office or look online on the count’s official website.

For instance, Ramsey County has an online warrant search feature.²⁷ The inquirer can search using first and last names, as shown in the image below.

In contrast, Hennepin County has a warrant office where the inquirer can call and find out if someone has a warrant.²⁸ This information is shown in the image below.

The following steps detail how to determine if an individual has a warrant out for their arrest:

• For active federal warrants, the inquirer can use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) case locator.²⁹
• Inquirers can also use legal representatives to determine if an active arrest warrant is issued. However, engaging a legal representative attracts a fee for their services.
• The inquirer can also request an active warrants list from the Sheriff’s office. However, most sheriff departments may not divulge this information freely over the phone.
• Alternatively, the inquirer can employ the services of a bail bondsman who may be able to provide information on issued active warrants.

An Overview of Minnesota Background Checks & How To Get One Done

Individuals can conduct background checks for personal benefits, such as on friends, acquaintances, and business associates.

Other background checks may be conducted by the following:

• Employers on their employees
• Firearms licensing agencies
• Adoption agencies
• Child protection services

There are two types of background checks: level 1 and level 2.³⁰ Level 1 background checks are name-based, state-only background checks. These checks cover an applicant’s local or state criminal record and employment history.

Additionally, an agency can make a level 1 background check to check if the applicant’s name appears in the national sex offender registry. These checks may further include an applicant’s credit history check.

Level 2 criminal background checks involve fingerprints to check an applicant’s criminal history. It involves an applicant’s full FBI criminal background search. A level 2 background check can be conducted on individuals dealing with the elderly, children, and those in the healthcare sector.

In Minnesota, criminal records can only be accessed for 15 years after the sentence is completed. These records do not include private, confidential information, criminal history, or federal offenses.

The following details how an individual can conduct a background check in Minnesota.

• The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is a public records repository that stores criminal records.³¹ The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension requires that individuals submit a notarized informed consent form after applying for a criminal history record in person or via mail.
• The Minnesota Judicial Branch places limited access to all public court records.³² Cases with pending charges are not reflected on these online criminal records. Included in these records are cases in which no conviction has been made.
• Individuals can also access detailed information on a particular case by accessing the records from the courthouse that handled the case. However, certain case files, such as those containing confidential, private, expunged, or sealed information that requires authorized access, may not be accessible.

How To Navigate the Minnesota Sex Offender Registry

Minnesota is not included in the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) because it does not provide geographic coordinates for addresses to NSOPW.³³Only states with this information can be searched on the NSOPW registry.

The Minnesota sex offender classification ranges from first to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.³⁴ In the first and third-degree categories, sexual conduct generally involves penetration, while second, fourth, and fifth-degree classifications involve sexual conduct without penetration.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections website provides a statewide sexual offender registry search tool with four search criteria: city, county, name, and zip code.³⁵

A persona can follow the steps outlined below to conduct a registered sex offender search:

• The inquirer can begin to search for registered sex offenders by city, county, name, or zip code. The search results should display the sex offender’s full name with the date the offender changed their living address.
• Next, click the “Go” action button to get the full information about the sex offender. This information shows the sex offender’s full name, date of birth, ethnicity, hair and eye color, height, weight, build, and skin tone. Also shown are the release date, offense information, address county, registered address, law enforcement agency’s phone number, and the sex offender’s known aliases.

Minnesota Laws on Criminal Records, Arrest Records & Discrimination

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) grants anyone access to a wide variety of public records, including Minnesota arrest records, criminal records, arrest warrant information, and sex offender registries.

The MGDPA mirrors stipulations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); however, other laws regulate the extent to which information can be retrieved on these otherwise public records.⁴¹

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offers protection against employment discrimination based on sex, color, race, and disability.³⁶ The EEOC also protects released offenders from being discriminated against due to their criminal history.

Under EEOC, employers cannot access a potential employee’s criminal history unless they have been shortlisted or offered a potential contract. This ensures that those with a criminal history have an equal chance to be evaluated based on their skills and qualification, not their criminal past, which may be secondary to the role.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that stipulates how consumer’s credit information is collected and accessed.³⁷ The FCRA regulates privacy, accuracy, and fairness regarding credit reporting. The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforce FCRA.^38,39 The FCRA describes the type of data credit bureaus can collect while limiting who can access the data and under which circumstances it is permissible.

FCRA provides several limitations under which credit reports can be accessed to protect an individual’s privacy as the data is private and not public information. Part of the limitations include criminal records for employment purposes.

According to FCRA, if an individual has non-conviction crimes such as arrests, they are not to be reported after seven years. When hiring or reviewing client credit records, the requester cannot request back-dated records beyond seven years.

Section 13C.02 of the Minnesota Statutes provides guidance on how consumer reports can be used in case of employment opportunities in Minnesota.⁴⁰ The statute requires that employers receive written consent from the job applicant or employee before obtaining a consumer report.

Lastly, a person does not require consent to conduct Minnesota criminal records checks for personal benefit. However, consent is required for background checks for professional purposes like employment, licensing, and housing. Applicants wishing to access Minnesota arrest records must also abide by all local and federal laws.