OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. For criminal history, BCA is the agency — not the Minnesota State Patrol, which handles traffic enforcement only.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through Minnesota MCRO statewide
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and municipal police
📋 Criminal history checks through BCA
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county where the record was created

How Records Work in Minnesota

Minnesota's court and arrest records run across state, county, and arresting-agency levels. The state judiciary under the Minnesota Supreme Court maintains court records through the MCRO statewide system. BCA holds statewide criminal history (not the State Patrol). Most local records — deeds, marriage licenses, District Court filings — are held at the county level.

Minnesota has 87 counties organized into 10 judicial districts. Each county has its own Court Administrator (administrative lead of the District Court), County Recorder, sheriff, and vital records office maintaining separate records. MCRO's statewide coverage makes Minnesota unusually searchable for District Court cases; older records and specialized filings may require a Court Administrator's office visit.

Counties in Minnesota

Minnesota has 87 counties. Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. MCRO provides strong statewide coverage, but some case types are restricted from public view under the Data Practices Act. Older records and specialized filings may require a Court Administrator's office visit. When in doubt, call the agency directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026