About Minnesota Public Records

Minnesota public records are governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn. Stat. ch. 13, which presumes all government data is public unless classified as private, nonpublic, or confidential. County recorders and registrars of titles hold land records, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) administers statewide criminal history, and the Judicial Branch publishes Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).

Minnesota Public Records

Court Records

Judgments
Official Free
Minnesota Trial Court Public Access service. Search by name for Minnesota judgments.
🌐 mncourts.gov

Criminal Records

Criminal Histories
Official Free
Use this Minnesota Department of Public Safety service to do a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) criminal history search in Minnesota. Name and birth date are required.
🌐 mn.gov
Liquor Licenses
Official Free
Minnesota Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division records of liquor licenses by city name, business name, licensee name, or search for 2 AM business licenses.
🌐 mn.gov
Methamphetamine Offenders
Official Free
Use this Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension service to search for convicted Methamphetamine offenders by name and/or county.
🌐 mn.gov
Missing Persons
Official Free
Minnesota a Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension clearinghouse of missing and unidentified persons.
🌐 dps.mn.gov
Offenders | Predatory
Official Free
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension database of non-compliant predatory offenders. Search by name, age, and/or location.
🌐 mn.gov
Vehicle Services
Official Free
Minnesota vehicle tab renewals, vehicle taxes paid, dealership search, and dealer license renewals.
🌐 dps.mn.gov

Property Records

Mental Health
Official Free
Mental Health Centers and Clinics licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
🌐 mn.gov

Vital Records

Marriage Records
Official Free
Minnesota official marriage record reference system managed by the combined efforts of all 87 counties.
🌐 mn.gov
Marriages
Official Free
Minnesota Official Marriage System marriage certificate search.
🌐 moms.mn.gov
Births & Deaths
Official Free
Minnesota Historical Society "People Finder" birth and death records, including veterans grave registrations.
🌐 search.mnhs.org
Genealogy | Iron Range
Official Free
Iron Range Research Center database of statewide naturalizations and Iron Range births, marriages, cemetery records, obituaries, mining accidents, Chippewa census, alien registration, high school i...
🌐 ironrangeresearchcenter.org
Births & Deaths
Official Free
Minnesota Historical Society "People Finder" birth and death records, including veterans grave registrations.
🌐 mnhs.org

Licenses

Business

Notaries
Official Free
Secretary of State records of registered notaries by name, business name, city, county, zip code or commission number.
🌐 notary.sos.state.mn.us

Civic

Campaign Finance Databases
Official Free
Search Minnesota Campaign Finance databases for candidate, political committee, political party, and public official members, campaign contributions, and expenditures.
🌐 mn.gov
Lobbyists
Official Free
Minnesota Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board lobbyists lists, including registered lobbyists, associations represented, principles, subject areas, designated lobbyists, and lobbyist subject areas.
🌐 mn.gov
Employees
Official Free
Minnesota Government white pages employee directory by name and agency.
🌐 mn.gov
Minnesota State Portal
Official Free
Go to the official state site and portal for Minnesota to find government offices, agencies, officers, and services.
🌐 mn.gov

Other

Contractors
Official Free
Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry individual and business license records for registered and residential contractors, and manufactured structure companies.
🌐 secure.doli.state.mn.us
Cosmetology
Official Free
Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners records of licensed cosmetologists, cosmetology salons, operators, managers, schools, school managers, and instructors.
🌐 mn.gov
Credit Unions
Official Free
Browse the Minnesota Department of Commerce Credit Union List by name.
🌐 mn.gov
Debt Proraters
Official Free
Minnesota Department of Commerce list of licensed Debt Prorater Companies.
🌐 mn.gov
Dentistry
Official Free
Minnesota Board of Dentistry license search for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants.
🌐 mn.gov
Agriculture | Food, Stock, Grain
Official Free
Minnesota Department of Agriculture license database: grain, chemigation, dairy plants, food brokers, animal waste, commercial feed, cheese, fertilizer, livestock, pesticides, seeds, pest control, ...
🌐 mn.gov
Aircraft Registration
Official Free
Use this service to look up an Aircraft Registration in Minnesota. For basic information all that is needed is the aircraft N-Number.
🌐 mn.gov
Chiropractors
Official Free
Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners license search by name, city, or zip code.
🌐 mn.gov
Dietitians
Official Free
Use this Minnesota Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice service to search for licensed dietitians & nutritionists by name or license number.
🌐 mn.gov
Lakes
Official Free
Search for lakes by name, ID, or county in Minnesota. Information provided includes lake survey, maps, water levels, water quality, recreation, and topographic maps.
🌐 dnr.state.mn.us
Census Records
Official Free
Minnesota Historical Society index of almost 6 million census records.
🌐 mnhs.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What public records are available in Minnesota?

Minnesota provides public access to court records, criminal histories, vital records (birth/death/marriage), property records, professional licenses, voter registration, and business filings. Each record type has its own page on SearchSystems.net.

Are Minnesota public records free?

Most online lookups — court calendars, property assessor portals, license verification, voter status — are free. Certified copies and fingerprint-based criminal-history checks typically carry a state fee.

What law governs public records in Minnesota?

Minnesota public records are governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minn.

How do I request a record not available online?

File a written records request with the state or local agency that maintains the record. Most Minnesota agencies must respond within a fixed statutory window (typically 3–15 business days).