Minnesota Criminal Records

Thank you for visiting this page. We understand you need help with your Minnesota Criminal Records Search. Our aim is to give you clear and useful facts. We will do our best to guide you through the right steps. Let us help you find the data you seek.

If you want to start a search right now, you can visit Minnesota Official Records at https://minnesotaofficialrecords.com/criminal-records/. This resource provides a way to begin your Minnesota Criminal Records Search quickly. They offer access paths that might make your search for public criminal records simpler. Check their site if you need immediate access to begin looking up information.

Official Sources for Minnesota Criminal Records

Finding official records means going to the right state sources. In Minnesota, two main bodies keep these records. They are the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the state courts.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

The BCA is part of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. It runs the main state database for criminal history. This is called the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS). The BCA collects data from law enforcement across the state. They get reports on arrests and court outcomes. The BCA provides background check services. These are often needed for jobs or licenses. They offer public access to some data. They also manage access to more private data. Access to private data has strict rules.

You can contact the BCA's Criminal History Access Unit for help. Address: 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106 Phone: (651) 793-2400 (Select option 7 for background check questions) Fax: (651) 793-2401 Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Website for Background Checks: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/background-checks.aspx 

The BCA offers different types of checks. A public check uses name and birth date. It shows public conviction data. A full check includes private data like arrests. This often needs fingerprints and consent. For example, checks for guardians need fingerprints. The BCA charges $32.00 for this specific check. Fingerprinting itself costs $10 at the BCA. You must call (651) 793-2410 to make an appointment for fingerprinting at BCA. They require a valid government photo ID. Some local police offices might also offer this service. Check with them first about service and fees.

Minnesota Judicial Branch (Courts)

The Minnesota Judicial Branch manages court case records. This includes criminal case filings, actions, and results. Records come from district (trial) courts across the state. They also keep records for the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Court records show the official path of a case. This includes charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentences. Access to these records is vital for a full Minnesota Criminal Records Search. But, court records are not the same as the BCA's history system. The court system focuses on specific case details. The BCA links records to individuals using fingerprints.

You can access court records online or in person. The main online tool is Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). You can find MCRO here: https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/. This site lets you search for cases and view many public documents. Keep in mind MCRO data is not official certified data. For certified copies, contact the specific district court administrator. Each county courthouse has public access terminals. You can view records there, often for free.

Court contact information varies by county.

• Anoka County Courthouse: 2100 3rd Ave, Anoka, MN 55303. Phone: (763) 760-6700.

• Brown County Court Administration: 14 S State Street, 3rd Floor, New Ulm, MN 56073. Phone: (507) 441-7020.

• Rice County Court Administration: 218 Third St. NW, Faribault, MN 55021. Phone: (507) 497-7134.

• Statewide Self-Help Center Phone: (651) 435-6535 (Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.). They offer remote help and have workstations in some courthouses with varying hours. For example, the Ramsey County Self-Help Center is at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Room 190, St. Paul, MN 55102. Front desk hours are Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Types of Criminal Records Available

Minnesota law sorts criminal data into public and private types. What you can see depends on the type of data. It also depends on who is asking for it. Both the BCA and the courts hold different kinds of records.

BCA Criminal History System (CHS) Records

The BCA's CHS database contains comprehensive criminal history information. Access levels differ based on data classification.

• Public Criminal History Data: This includes most conviction information. It lists the offense, offense date, court, conviction date, sentence, and conviction level. Probation details or place of lock up may also be public. Anyone can access this public data. The BCA provides an online portal for this. You can also view it at a public terminal at BCA headquarters. This data is defined under Minnesota law.

• Private Criminal History Data: This is not open to the general public. It includes all arrest information until a conviction occurs. It covers all juvenile records. It also includes court data not part of the public conviction record. Convictions older than 15 years are often private too. Access is limited by law.

• Who Can Access Private Data:

  • The person the record is about (the data subject).

  • Criminal justice agencies for work purposes.

  • Groups required by law to do background checks (like schools or care facilities).

  • Anyone with a notarized consent form signed by the data subject.

• Fingerprint Verification: The BCA uses fingerprints to link records accurately. This helps avoid misidentification due to common names or dates of birth. Full background checks often rely on fingerprints for this reason. MCRO (the court system) cannot offer this level of ID check.

Court Records via MCRO and Courthouses

Court records focus on individual court cases. They offer deep detail on legal actions.

• Case Information: This includes the Register of Actions. It lists all events and filings in a case. You can see charges, hearings, motions, and orders.

• Publicly Accessible Court Documents: MCRO provides online access to many public documents. This is governed by Rule 8, subd. 2 of the Minnesota Rules of Public Access. Generally, public documents filed after July 1, 2015, in major criminal and civil cases are available. Some older orders and judgments might be online too. Access can vary. You might need to contact the court for older or restricted documents.

• Judgments: MCRO allows searching for docketed money judgments by the debtor's name.

• Hearing Information: You can search for scheduled court hearings. Search by name, case number, judge, or attorney.

• Limitations: Court records have limits. MCRO is not the official record. You cannot search pending criminal cases by the defendant's name until a conviction occurs (defined in Minn. Stat. § 609.02, subd. 5). Records might be missing if they were expunged. Old records might be destroyed based on retention schedules. Some old cases may not be in the electronic system at all. Contact local court administration if you cannot find a case online.

How to Conduct a Minnesota Criminal Records Search

You can search for Minnesota criminal records in several ways. Online tools offer quick access to public data. In-person visits allow viewing records and getting certified copies. Mail requests are often needed for full history checks.

Online Methods

Several online portals provide access to different types of records.

• BCA Public Criminal History Search (CHS Portal): Access this at https://chs.state.mn.us/. 

  • You need the person's first name, last name, and date of birth.

  • It shows public Minnesota criminal conviction records. This includes offense level, court, and sentence.

  • It does not show arrests without convictions. It does not show out-of-state data. It is not fingerprint-verified. Name searches can be unreliable due to similar names. Use caution. The BCA warns MCRO should not be used for background checks; use the CHS system instead.

• Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO): Find it at  https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/. 

  • Offers four search types: Case Search, Document Search, Hearing Search, Judgment Search.

  • Search by name (person or business), case number, citation number, or attorney details.

  • Provides case details (Register of Actions) and many public documents online.

  • Remember, MCRO data is unofficial. It has limits, especially for pending criminal cases searched by name. It works best with Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

• Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System (P-MACS): Available at https://macsnc.courts.state.mn.us/. 

  • Use this to find case information for the Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. It shows case status, parties, docket entries, and links to opinions or orders for recent cases.

In-Person Methods

Visiting official locations can provide more services.

• BCA Headquarters: Located at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106.

  • Use the public terminal in the lobby to view public criminal history records for free.

  • Open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Call (651) 793-2400 for general questions.

  • Offers fingerprinting services for background checks. An appointment is needed (call 651-793-2410). The fee is $10. Bring a valid government photo ID.

• District Courthouses: Each Minnesota county has a district court.

  • Most courthouses have public access computer terminals. You can look up case records, often for free.

  • To get certified copies of court documents, contact the local court administrator's office. Fees usually apply.

  • Find courthouse locations and hours on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website or specific county websites (e.g., Anoka, Brown, Rice listed earlier). Hours are typically standard business hours but can vary. Self-Help Centers may have different or limited walk-in hours. Always call ahead if unsure. For example, the Tenth District Self-Help Center advises calling (763) 760-6699 to confirm walk-in hours before visiting.

Mail Methods

Mail is often used for requests needing consent or fingerprints.

• BCA Full Criminal History Request: To get a full record (public and private data), you must submit a formal data request.

  • If requesting someone else's private data, you need a notarized Informed Consent Form signed by that person. Find forms and details on the BCA website.

  • If requesting your own full record, use the appropriate BCA data request process. Indicate if it's for immigration or use outside the U.S.

  • A fingerprint card might be required, especially for identity verification or specific checks like guardianship. Form GAC121 is used for guardian checks.

  • Mail completed forms, fingerprint card (if needed), and fees to: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota Justice Information Services - CHA Unit, 1430 Maryland Ave E, St. Paul, MN  55106.  

  • Fees apply for certain checks (e.g., $32 for the guardian check). Check the BCA site for current fee information.

Understanding Minnesota Criminal Record Laws and Access Rules

State laws carefully control access to criminal records. These laws balance public safety, government needs, and personal privacy. Key laws shape how you perform a Minnesota Criminal Records Search.

Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA)

Found in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/part/13/), this is the main law governing government data.

• Presumption of Public Access: The law assumes all government data is public unless a specific state or federal law says otherwise.

• Data Classification: Data is classified to control access:

  • Public: Available to anyone for any reason.

  • Private (Data on Individuals): Not public, but accessible to the person the data is about (the data subject). Examples include arrest data before conviction.

  • Confidential (Data on Individuals): Not public and not accessible to the data subject.

  • Nonpublic (Data Not on Individuals): Not public data about businesses or entities, but accessible to the subject entity.

  • Protected Nonpublic (Data Not on Individuals): Not public and not accessible to the subject entity.

• Rights of Data Subjects: You have the right to see public data for free. You have the right to get copies (fees may apply). If data is about you (private data), you have the right to view it and challenge its accuracy. Government entities must tell you why data is needed if they ask you for private or confidential data.

• Access Rules: You don't need to give your name or reason to see public data. Accessing private or nonpublic data requires being the data subject or having legal authority (like consent or a statute).

• Copy Costs: Public requesters pay up to $0.25 per page for 100 pages or fewer. For larger requests or electronic data, actual costs for search, retrieval, and copying apply. Data subjects only pay the actual cost of making copies, not search time. Payment is usually required before getting copies.

Minnesota Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch

These court rules (https://www.mncourts.gov/rules-statutes/rules-of-public-access/) govern access specifically to court records.

• Rule 4: Defines general access rules and limitations for court records.

• Rule 8, subd. 2: Details which documents are accessible remotely via systems like MCRO. It specifies access based on case type and filing date (e.g., public documents filed after July 1, 2015).

• Remote Access Limits: These rules restrict remote access to certain information. For instance, you typically cannot search pending criminal cases by name online until a conviction is entered. This protects individuals before a case concludes. You may need to use a case number or visit the courthouse.

Other Factors

• Record Retention Schedules: Courts and agencies follow schedules for how long they must keep records. Very old records might be legally destroyed and thus unavailable. Find the District Court schedule here: https://www.mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/scao_library/Record-Retention-Schedule-District-Courts.pdf. 

• Expungement: If a court has ordered a record expunged, it seals the record from public view. An expunged record will likely not appear in a standard public search via BCA or MCRO.

Specific Use Cases for Criminal Record Checks

Different needs require different types of searches or processes.

Background Checks for Employment or Housing

Employers and landlords often need background checks.

• The BCA strongly recommends using their official Minnesota Public Criminal History Search (CHS) system for background checks. Access it online (https://chs.state.mn.us/) or visit the BCA.

• MCRO (court records) should not be used for background checks as it lacks fingerprint verification and may not show the full picture.

• For jobs involving vulnerable people (children, elderly), more thorough checks including private data and FBI checks are often required by law. These require fingerprints and consent.

Personal Review

You have the right to see your own criminal record.

• Use the BCA Public CHS portal for a quick check of public data.

• To see your full record (public and private data), submit a data request to the BCA CHA Unit. Instructions are on the BCA website under background checks or FAQs (https://chs.state.mn.us/Home/Faq). You may need to provide identification.

Guardianship/Conservatorship Checks

Minnesota courts require criminal history checks for proposed guardians or conservators.

• This is a specific process involving the BCA.

• Requires the "CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK: Information and BCA Consent Form for Guardians and Conservators" (Form GAC121: https://www.mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CourtForms/GAC121.pdf?ext=.pdf). 

• Requires a set of fingerprints.

• A fee of $32.00 payable to the BCA is required.

• Submit the form, fingerprint card, and fee to the BCA by mail.

Health Related Licensing Boards Checks

Individuals applying for licenses with certain Minnesota Health Related Licensing Boards (HLBs) need a background check.

• This is handled by the Criminal Background Check Program (CBCP). 

• CBCP Location: 335 Randolph Ave, Suite 180, St. Paul, MN 55102.

• CBCP Phone: (651) 201-2822.

• CBCP Email: criminal.background.check@state.mn.us

• This process uses specific applicant forms (check the CBCP website https://mn.gov/boards/cbc/ for current forms) and requires fingerprints. The process typically takes about seven business days. This office only handles checks for these specific MN boards.

Helpful Resources

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