Free links to official Minnesota state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 87 counties.
How to Search Minnesota Criminal Records (Start Here)
Minnesota criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Minnesota state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Court Administrator in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Minnesota repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) publisher on review date. 5 primary .gov sources cited below.
Minnesota Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
Free public CHS at chs.state.mn.us. Clean Slate Act automatically seals eligible misdemeanors after 2 years and felonies after 5 years (effective Jan 1, 2025).
Free public access
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Free online via Minnesot
Primary method
How to submit
Minnesota Bureau of Crim
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
Minn. Stat. §299C
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Minnesota Criminal Records
2026
Minnesota state-only check active
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) continues to process state criminal history checks via chs.state.mn.us.
FACTThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) check covers ONLY Minnesota arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
MYTH"Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
FACTOnly chs.state.mn.us (the official Minnesota repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
MYTH"Sealed records will show on a check."
FACTRecords sealed or expunged under Minnesota law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
MYTH"Arrest = conviction on my record."
FACTAn arrest is not a conviction. Most Minnesota public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
MYTH"State and FBI checks return the same data."
FACTThe Minnesota state check shows Minnesota-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
The sheriff's side of Minnesota record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Custody roster covering Anoka County — who is currently held, with booking dates. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Sentences for felony-level crimes in Minnesota are determined by utilizing the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, which designate the appropriate length of prison sentences, or probationary sentences, based upon the severity of the crime and the offender’s criminal history.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff keeps public records on individuals who may have been received by, currently in, or very recently released from the county jail. As a service to the public, and in conjunction with Minnesota statute, a roster of such individuals is published in web page format. The following inmate information is provided as required by, and in accordance with Minnesota Statute 641.05.
To offer positive incentives for inmates with a classification system based on their behavior. To provide inmates programs to offer opportunity to become a productive component of our community upon release. Our commitment is to serve everyone in Carver County with respect and dignity.
The sheriff's side of Minnesota record-keeping — bookings, incident reports, and records requests start here. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Public criminal history record search is required by Minnesota Statutes §13.87, Subd. 1(c). The Methamphetamine Offender Registry (MOR) search is required by Executive Orders 06-09 and 11-08. The Adult-Use Cannabis Act requires automatic expungement of certain cannabis-related records from the BCA’s Criminal History System (CHS). All cannabis-related petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor records, along with felony level records that were dismissed or otherwise resolved in.
County Attorney Keena also thanked the Apple Valley, Burnsville and Eagan police departments for the thorough investigation of this incident. The next court appearance is Dec. 23 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings. The juvenile will remain in custody at the Juvenile Services Center. *Criminal charges.
You can check on the custody status. Safety's Minnesota Victim Information and Notification Everyday service. Get Dakota County Sheriff's Office and Dakota County Attorney's Office news sent directly to your email inbox by signing up for Dakota County E-News. Sign up now. Sorry, the inmate search is.
In-custody listings for Goodhue County post here, typically updated daily. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Case records from the Minnesota courts serving Hennepin County surface through this system. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
Current inmate information for Minnesota is published here. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official criminal record office.
Custody roster covering Nobles County — who is currently held, with booking dates. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
115.12 Contracting with other entities for the confinement of inmates · Auditor Overall Determination: Meets Standard · Auditor Discussion · Otter Tail County does not contract to house its confined persons at other facilities. Otter Tail County contracts with the Minnesota Department of Corrections—Work ·
One of the primary duties of the Sheriff's Office is the management of the Scott County Jail. The jail is a 264-bed facility that opened in 2005. The jail houses sentenced and pre-trial adult male and female offenders in a combination of direct supervision and remote supervision housing units.
The law enforcement agency responsible for disclosing information determines, on a case-by-case basis, what information to disclose. The Minnesota Department of Corrections posts information to this website within 48 hours of receiving authorization from law enforcement.
Criminal Case Search contains information concerning adult criminal cases filed by the Stearns County Attorney’s Office in Stearns County District Court. Check out current and past inmates, Stearns most wanted, and outstanding warrant information. Look up records provided by the Stearns County Recorder's office.
Custody roster covering Stearns County — who is currently held, with booking dates. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
Case records from the Minnesota courts serving Minnesota surface through this system. Confirm details with the official criminal record office before relying on them.
87 Minnesota counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Which Minnesota counties publish jail rosters and sheriff records online
50 of Minnesota's 88 counties run their own online source for jail rosters and sheriff records, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above — click a county for its full records page.
How do I run an official Minnesota background check?▼
Minnesota's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Begin the request at chs.state.mn.us. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Minnesota statute.
Are Minnesota criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Minnesota is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) explains who can request what at chs.state.mn.us. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Minnesota?▼
A state check from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) (chs.state.mn.us) covers only criminal activity within Minnesota. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Minnesota criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) documentation at chs.state.mn.us lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Minnesota criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Minnesota criminal history, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at chs.state.mn.us — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
