Minnesota Arrest Records Search | Free Public Lookup Online

Minnesota · County bookings, MCRO cases, BCA histories and DOC custody

Find a Minnesota Arrest and Verify the Final Court Outcome

Minnesota does not place every arrest, jail booking, warrant and court disposition in one public database. Begin with the county jail, save the official identifiers and then verify the criminal case through Minnesota’s court system. This guide also explains police reports, bail, county jail visits, public defenders, victim notifications, BCA checks, DOC custody, record corrections, Clean Slate sealing and court expungement.
MINNESOTA RECORD ROUTER VERIFYING
COUNTY BOOKING LIVE
JAIL
MCRO
BCA
MN DISTRICT COURT
OUTCOME FOUND
IDENTITY + DISPOSITION VERIFIED
Arrest does not mean conviction. A jail charge records an allegation known during arrest or intake. The prosecutor may decline, replace or amend it, and the court may dismiss the charge or find the defendant not guilty.
Recent arrestSearch the county sheriff or jail first.
Pending caseMCRO name search will not display it.
BCA self-record$8 for a Minnesota-only personal record.
Certified copy$14 statewide base fee per document.
Official reviewProcedures checked July 24, 2026.
Start with the right system

Which Minnesota record answers your question?

COUNTY JAIL Is the person held now?Booking number, allegations, custody, bail, holds, housing and release status. Best first step for a recent arrest.
POLICE OR SHERIFF What did officers report?Incident report, arrest narrative, probable-cause information, property and supplements. Request it from the agency that created it.
DISTRICT COURT Were charges filed?Complaint, amended charges, hearings, warrants, dismissal, plea, judgment and sentence. Use MCRO and the filing county court.
MINNESOTA DOC Is the person under DOC authority?Prison location or supervision information for people still under DOC jurisdiction. County pretrial detainees require a county search.
MINNESOTA BCA Do you need statewide history?Public convictions, personal Minnesota histories, authorized checks and identity corrections. The public system is not an arrest roster.
Best search order: Find the booking, save the jail and agency identifiers, obtain the court case number, locate the formal complaint and verify the disposition for every count.

Go directly to the Minnesota task

Complete search workflow

How to search Minnesota arrest records step by step

Identify the city and county of arrest Search where the person was taken into custody, not only where the person lives.
Identify the arresting agency Determine whether city police, a sheriff, Minnesota State Patrol, Tribal police or another agency made the arrest.
Open the county’s official jail search Look for Jail Roster, Inmate Search, In-Custody List, Jail Bookings or Who Is in Jail.
Begin with the surname Add the first name, middle name or birth date only when the initial search is too broad.
Allow time for intake Identification, fingerprinting, medical screening, property processing and data entry can delay a new booking.
Open every plausible result Compare birth date, age, booking date, arresting agency, county and official identifiers.
Save every number Record the booking number, jail ID, OID, SID, agency report number, citation number and court file number.
Read every charge and hold separately One booking may contain several allegations, warrants or agency detainers.
Search Minnesota Court Records Online Use a case or citation number whenever possible. Open MCRO
Contact court administration for a pending case A pending criminal case cannot be located through an MCRO defendant-name search.
Find the criminal complaint Compare the prosecutor’s formal charges with the jail allegations.
Locate the final result Find the dismissal, acquittal, plea, conviction, judgment or sentence for each count.
Booking-result decoder

Understand the fields in a Minnesota jail record

A jail entry is not the final court disposition
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Next action
Booking number One jail intake or custody event. The final charge or outcome. Use it for jail and records questions.
Jail ID, OID or SID An identifier in a justice or correctional system. Guilt or conviction. Use it for custody, mail and deposits.
Arrest date When law enforcement initiated custody. When the alleged conduct occurred. Compare it with the incident report.
Booking date When jail processing was recorded. When a court case was filed. Use it to separate multiple bookings.
Arresting agency The department responsible for the arrest. The jail created the police report. Request the report from this agency.
Booking charge An allegation recorded during arrest or intake. What the prosecutor formally filed. Read the criminal complaint.
Bail amount A monetary release entry or court condition. Payment clears every case or hold. Confirm the newest court order.
Hold or detainer Another agency or court may control release. Local bail controls custody. Ask which agency owns the hold.
Release date The displayed custody event ended. The case was dismissed. Read the court disposition.
Mugshot A photograph created during jail intake. Identity alone, guilt or conviction. Match stronger official identifiers.
Identity safeguard

Verify the correct person before using the record

Full first and last name match
Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent
Date of birth or age matches
Booking date matches the known incident
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking or jail number matches another record
Court case follows the same incident
Physical description is reasonably consistent
Minimum rule: Confirm at least two independent identifiers before sending money, publishing an accusation or treating the result as belonging to a particular person.
No-result troubleshooting

Why a Minnesota arrest or case may be missing

Intake is incomplete Fingerprinting, medical screening and data entry can delay publication.
The wrong county was searched Search the place of arrest and any county connected to a warrant.
The name is entered differently Try the surname alone, former surname, suffix, hyphenated name or alternate spelling.
The person was released An active jail roster may remove released people and require a historical request.
The person was transferred Check another county, Minnesota DOC, federal custody or a medical facility.
The court case is pending MCRO will not return a pending criminal case through a defendant-name search.
The matter is Tribal or federal It may not appear in Minnesota district court records.
The record is restricted Juvenile, sealed, expunged or protected information may be unavailable.
Custody call script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency] in [city or county]. Can you confirm whether the person is being booked, held, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Police and sheriff reports

Request a Minnesota arrest report efficiently

Identify the agency that created the report Request a city police report from city police and a sheriff report from the sheriff.
Name the exact records Ask for the incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement and identified supplements.
Provide narrow identifiers Include the name, date, location, report number, booking number and court case number.
Request electronic delivery Electronic production may reduce staff, copy and mailing charges.
Set a cost limit Require approval before the agency exceeds a stated amount.
Ask for the legal basis for redactions Request an explanation for withheld or redacted information.
Use the agency’s data-practices contact Submit the request through the official city, county or state process.
Copy-ready Minnesota data request
I request an electronic copy of the public incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement and releasable supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [if known], for the incident on or about [date and time] at [location]. Known identifiers are agency report number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount], and identify the legal basis for withheld or redacted information.
Minnesota Court Records Online

Use MCRO to verify the criminal court case

MCRO can provide

  • Case Search and Register of Actions.
  • Public documents available online.
  • Document Search by case number.
  • Hearing Search information.
  • Judgment Search.
  • Mobile access without registration.

MCRO cannot provide

  • Pending criminal cases by defendant-name search.
  • Certified court documents.
  • A BCA background check.
  • Court fine or fee payments.
  • Hearing scheduling.
  • District court document filing.
Open MCRO Read and accept the access terms. Open Minnesota Court Records Online
Select Case Search Use it to view the Register of Actions and available public documents.
Use the case number when possible A case number is the most reliable way to locate the correct case.
Use exact-name searches carefully Search with and without the middle name or initial.
Use the wildcard or Sounds Like option These tools can help with spelling variations.
Read the Register of Actions chronologically Follow the case from complaint through the latest disposition.
Check every count One case may include amended, dismissed and convicted counts.
Order certified proof from court administration MCRO cannot issue certified copies.
MCRO advises users to navigate with its breadcrumb links rather than the browser Back button.
Important search limitation

How to find a pending Minnesota criminal case

A pending criminal case will not appear when MCRO is searched only by defendant name. Dismissed cases and cases continued for dismissal are treated as pending for this search limitation.
Check the jail booking Look for the case number, citation number or next court date.
Check the citation, complaint or release paperwork The court file number may be printed on an official document.
Search MCRO by case or citation number Pending cases can be found with the correct number.
Search by attorney information MCRO permits searches using an attorney name or attorney bar number.
Contact court administration Provide the defendant’s legal name, birth date, arrest date and booking or citation details. Find the filing county court
Ask for the public case number Court staff can provide public record information but cannot give legal advice.
Pending-case call script
I am trying to locate a public criminal case for [full legal name], date of birth [date], connected to an arrest on [date] by [agency] in [county]. The booking or citation number is [number]. Can you confirm the public court file number, case location and next scheduled hearing?
Court documents and fees

Order ordinary or certified Minnesota court records

Current statewide base court-copy fees
Service Base fee Best use
Uncertified copy $0 Personal review when certification is unnecessary.
Certified copy $14 per document Formal proof for an employer, agency or legal filing.
Exemplified copy $14 per document Additional authentication when specifically required.
Exemplified and certified copy $28 per document When both forms of authentication are required.
Criminal expungement petition $285 base fee when applicable Court petition when automatic sealing does not apply.
Identify the exact document Examples include Complaint, Dismissal, Plea Petition, Judgment or Sentencing Order.
Ask the recipient what it accepts Avoid paying for exemplification when a plain or certified copy is enough.
Use the filing county’s request procedure Follow the Minnesota court-copy instructions. Open court-copy request guidance
Provide the case number and document title Include the filing date when it is known.
Pay the required county total Some county-specific charges may differ from the statewide base amount.
Warrant verification

Check a possible Minnesota warrant safely

Minnesota does not provide one complete statewide public warrant-search database. County sheriffs and district courts maintain local warrant information.
Identify the likely issuing county Use the citation, complaint, booking entry or known court case.
Check the official sheriff website Look for Warrant Search, Active Warrants or Most Wanted.
Search the related court case Look for issued, served, cancelled, recalled or quashed warrant entries.
Read the newest docket entry Do not rely on an old warrant line when later action exists.
Confirm current status directly Contact the issuing sheriff or court.
Use legal counsel when the warrant concerns you A lawyer can explain appearance, surrender, release and hearing options.
Never confront or attempt to detain anyone. Similar names, recalled warrants and delayed updates can create dangerous mistakes.
Scam warning: Independently contact the court or sheriff before paying. Do not use gift cards, cryptocurrency, QR codes or an unexpected telephone payment link.
Bail and release

Confirm every charge and hold before arranging release

Release without bailThe court may release the defendant under nonfinancial conditions.
Cash bailCash bail may be paid through the approved jail or criminal court process.
Appearance bondAn approved Minnesota bail-bond agent may issue an appearance-only bond.
Detention or holdA court order, another warrant or an agency detainer may prevent release.
Confirm the correct person Match the legal name, birth date and booking number.
List every active charge One booking may contain several release conditions.
Identify every hold Ask whether another county, state, federal or Tribal authority controls release.
Confirm the newest court order A booking amount may change after judicial review.
Ask where payment is accepted Use only the jail or court process confirmed by the custodian.
Verify a bail-bond agent Only agents and agencies approved by the State Court Administrator may issue Minnesota district court bonds. Check approved Minnesota bond agents
Understand refund rules A private bond premium is different from cash bail and is not normally applied to fines.
Keep complete proof Save the payment receipt, bond agreement, booking information and court number.
County jail visitation

Schedule a visit at a Minnesota county jail

There is no statewide county-jail visitation schedule. Each sheriff controls approval, scheduling, visit type, providers, fees, dress rules and cancellations.
Confirm the person is still held Recheck the county, facility and housing location.
Open the official visitation page Look for Visiting, Inmate Services, Video Visitation or Jail Information.
Check the visit type The jail may provide in-person, non-contact, onsite video or remote video visits.
Create the approved provider account Use only the vendor linked by the sheriff.
Complete visitor approval Provide the requested name, birth date, address and identification information.
Add minors correctly Check relationship, birth-certificate, consent and supervision requirements.
Wait for confirmation A requested appointment is not necessarily approved.
Recheck custody before traveling Release, transfer, court movement or lockdown may cancel a visit.
Original government-issued photo ID
Confirmed visitor approval
Correct facility and housing unit
Confirmed appointment
Compliant clothing
Required documents for minors
No unauthorized phone or camera
No weapons, tobacco or contraband
County mail, calls and money

Use only the service approved by the current jail

Personal mail
  • Use the booking name and jail identifier.
  • Use the jail’s current personal-mail address.
  • Check whether correspondence is scanned offsite.
  • Do not send cash or original documents.
Telephone and messaging
  • County inmates generally initiate outgoing calls.
  • County calls may not be free.
  • Use only the provider linked by the jail.
  • Ordinary communications may be monitored.
Money and commissary
  • Verify the person and booking number.
  • Use only the jail-approved deposit service.
  • Review fees before submitting payment.
  • Keep the transaction confirmation.
Minnesota DOC mail, free-call and deposit rules do not apply to county jails. Follow the specific sheriff’s current instructions.
Court-appointed counsel

Request a Minnesota public defender

Only a judge can appoint a Minnesota public defender. The defendant must complete the required financial and charge-information intake form.
Complete the Public Defender intake form Forms are available through Minnesota Courts and in several languages. Open the Public Defender application
Provide case and charge information Include the court file number, county, next hearing and custody location.
Complete the financial section accurately Provide the requested income, assets, household and expense information.
Take the form to the next hearing The judge decides whether the person qualifies for appointed counsel.
Contact the assigned regional office Minnesota public-defense offices are organized by judicial district and county. Find the correct public-defense office
Avoid discussing case facts on ordinary calls Use the approved confidential attorney-communication procedure.
Victim support and notification

Get custody alerts and Minnesota victim assistance

Contact the local prosecutor or victim advocate Ask for the county attorney or city attorney victim-witness program.
Provide the report and case numbers These identifiers help staff locate the incident and prosecution.
Ask about pretrial-release notification Qualifying victims may receive notice before release from pretrial detention.
Use the county custody-notification system Register with the VINE or local system linked by the jail when available.
Register with Minnesota Haven for DOC cases Haven provides custody and supervised-release notifications for people sentenced to the Commissioner of Corrections. Register for Minnesota Haven
Request safety and financial assistance Ask about advocacy, reimbursement, address confidentiality, restitution and emergency services.
Minnesota DOC Victim Assistance800-657-3830 victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us
Immediate emergencyCall 911 Use for immediate danger or urgent medical need.
Public BCA criminal history

Understand what the free public BCA search displays

Public BCA information

  • Qualifying Minnesota conviction information.
  • Offense and offense date.
  • Court and conviction date.
  • Sentence and conviction level.
  • Probation agency or place of confinement.
  • Generally public for 15 years after sentence completion.

Not ordinarily public in CHS

  • Ordinary arrest information.
  • Cases not resulting in conviction.
  • Juvenile criminal histories.
  • Sealed or expunged public records.
  • A complete national history.
  • Every county booking or pending case.
Open Minnesota Public Criminal History Use the official BCA public search. Search public Minnesota convictions
Search accurate identity information Use the complete legal name, middle name and birth date when available.
Understand a no-result response It does not prove the person was never arrested, charged or involved in a pending case.
Compare the result with court records Use MCRO or court administration to check complaints, dismissals and dispositions.
Account for Clean Slate processing A qualifying record may disappear from ordinary public access after sealing.
Your Minnesota criminal history

Request your own BCA record

Current Minnesota BCA fees
Service Current fee Important requirement
Own Minnesota-only record $8 Use the correct personal data-request procedure.
General or statutory Minnesota check $15 Use the appropriate authorized request.
Fingerprinting service $10 per card Appointment and accepted identification may be required.
Dishonored payment charge $30 service charge Additional statutory penalties may apply.
Choose personal use or use by another party Use informed consent when the BCA will send the record to another person or organization.
Complete the correct form Use the correct legal spelling, middle name and birth date. Open BCA public background-check instructions
Complete notarization when required Follow the current BCA form instructions exactly.
Prepare the correct fee A Minnesota-only own-record request currently costs $8.
Submit by mail or in person Send the request to the BCA Criminal History Access Unit or visit BCA headquarters.
Review every arrest and disposition Compare the BCA record with certified court documents.
Request sealed personal records when needed A person may request a complete personal history that includes records sealed under qualifying Minnesota laws.
BCA Criminal History Access Unit 1430 Maryland Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55106 Phone: 651-793-2400
Correction and identity theft

Correct an inaccurate Minnesota criminal record

Identify which system is wrong Compare the jail roster, arrest report, court case and BCA history.
Save the inaccurate result Record the website, agency, date viewed, booking number, case number and disputed field.
Obtain the controlling document Use a certified dismissal, corrected judgment, amended complaint or agency correction.
Contact the originating agency first A jail error goes to the sheriff, a police-report error to the arresting agency and a court error to court administration.
Request your BCA history Review what the statewide system currently contains.
Use Questioned Identity for criminal identity theft The BCA process may require fingerprints when another person used your name.
Submit supporting proof Identify the incorrect field and attach the official document showing the correct information.
Recheck connected systems One agency’s correction may not automatically update another government or private database.
Correction versus expungement: Use correction when information is factually wrong. Use expungement when the record is accurate but may qualify for legal sealing.
Minnesota DOC visitation

Apply and schedule a state-prison visit

DOC visitation rules do not apply to county jails. Use this process only when the DOC locator confirms state correctional custody.
Confirm the current facility Use the DOC locator before submitting an application.
Use the current visiting application Download the latest form from Minnesota DOC. Open Minnesota DOC visiting information
Provide complete identity information Missing or inaccurate information can result in denial.
Wait for the approval decision The incarcerated person is normally notified of approval and must inform the visitor.
Read a denial letter carefully A denied or banned applicant receives an explanation and appeal instructions.
Do not call for application status DOC does not provide visiting-application status by phone.
Check the institution schedule Visiting hours and appointment procedures differ by facility.
Bring valid identification Arrive early and follow clothing, property and screening rules.
Minnesota DOC personal mail

Send regular prison mail through TextBehind

Minnesota DOC uses TextBehind for regular unprivileged mail. TextBehind scans and prints the correspondence for delivery inside the facility.
Required regular-mail format
First Name Last Name – OID Number MCF-[Facility Name], Minnesota P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Find the legal name and OID Use Minnesota DOC search.
Write the facility name correctly Include “Minnesota” in full rather than abbreviating it.
Use the TextBehind P.O. Box Send ordinary personal correspondence to Phoenix, Maryland.
Do not include money or legal mail TextBehind does not accept legal mail, money orders, checks, gift cards or cash.
Send approved books directly to the facility Books must come from an approved vendor or nonprofit organization.
Follow the attorney-mail process Attorney-client privileged mail requires the current verified QR-code procedure.
Minnesota DOC telephone calls

Receive free calls from a Minnesota state prison

Calls from Minnesota DOC facilities are free to both the incarcerated person and the recipient.
The incarcerated person must place the call
Facilities do not transfer incoming calls
Press zero when prompted to accept
A funded AdvancePay account is not required
A 15-minute wait follows a completed call
Facility telephone schedules still apply
Ordinary calls may be monitored or recorded
County jail calls can follow different rules
The published 15-minute wait between completed calls applies at Minnesota DOC facilities except MCF-Red Wing.
Minnesota DOC deposits

Send money through the approved JPay process

Published Minnesota DOC JPay charges
Deposit amount Online Phone Cash walk-in
$0.01–$20 $3.95 $4.95 $6.95
$20.01–$100 $6.95 $7.95 $6.95
$100.01–$200 $8.95 $9.95 $6.95
$200.01–$300 $10.95 $11.95 $6.95
$300.01–$999.99 Not offered Not offered $6.95
Online or telephoneUse JPay with the correct legal name and OID. Funds generally post the following business day after verification.
Cash walk-inParticipating MoneyGram locations include CVS and Walmart. Minnesota DOC’s published receive code is 1279.
Money order or cashier’s checkUse the JPay lockbox and required deposit form. Do not mail personal deposits directly to the prison.
JPay lockbox address
Payable to: JPay P.O. Box 246450 Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
Automatic record sealing

Check whether Minnesota Clean Slate applies

Minnesota’s Clean Slate Act took effect January 1, 2025. It requires automatic sealing of qualifying BCA and court records that previously required some people to petition.
Request your complete BCA history A personal request can include records already sealed under qualifying Minnesota laws.
Compare the case with current automatic-sealing rules Hundreds of offenses and dispositions may qualify, but not every arrest or conviction is included.
Allow the automated review process to operate The BCA identifies potentially eligible records and sends them to the Judicial Branch for review.
Recheck the BCA public search and MCRO Qualifying records may disappear from ordinary public access after processing.
Do not assume a visible record is permanently ineligible Historical records may require manual matching and court review.
Use a court petition when broader relief is needed Automatic sealing may not cover every record holder or legal purpose.
Clean Slate processing update: As of February 11, 2026, the BCA reported more than 1.6 million records sealed and additional records in Judicial Branch review.
Court petition

Petition to expunge a Minnesota criminal record

Automatic Clean Slate sealing and court-ordered expungement are different. A petition may be necessary when automatic relief does not apply or when broader agency sealing is needed.
Current Minnesota expungement timing and fees
Item Current guidance
Qualifying favorable resolution A filing fee may not be required in certain cases resolved in the applicant’s favor.
Other criminal petition $285 statewide base fee plus any county law-library fee.
Hearing timing The hearing must generally be at least 63 days after service.
Decision timing The judicial officer may take up to 90 days after the hearing.
Appeal period Another 60 days generally passes before an approved record is sealed.
Typical process At least approximately four to six months, and longer if disputed or appealed.
Check automatic sealing first Avoid filing and paying unnecessarily when Clean Slate already applies.
Obtain every case number and disposition Use MCRO, court administration and certified copies when needed.
Download the current expungement forms Use the official Minnesota court packet. Download Minnesota expungement forms
List every agency holding the record Follow the packet for prosecutors, law enforcement, the BCA, corrections and other agencies.
Serve the required agencies correctly The hearing generally must occur at least 63 days after service.
File in the correct district court Use the court where the criminal case was handled.
Pay the fee or request a waiver Check the county total, including any applicable law-library fee.
Prepare for the hearing Bring the petition, proof of service and supporting evidence.
Keep the written order It may be difficult to obtain after the case is sealed.
Verify every system afterward Recheck MCRO, BCA, county jail pages and private background reports.
Contacts and location

Minnesota arrest, court and corrections contacts

BCA Criminal History Access
1430 Maryland Avenue East St. Paul, MN 55106
651-793-2400
BCA Main Office651-793-7000
BCA Fingerprinting651-793-2410 Published service fee: $10 per card.
Minnesota DOC
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200 St. Paul, MN 55108
651-361-7200
Board of Public Defense
331 Second Avenue South, Suite 900 Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-349-2565

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension map

Confirm before traveling: Verify office hours, appointment requirements, accepted identification, payment methods and whether the task can be completed online or by mail.
Title-related questions

Minnesota arrest-record questions answered

How do I search a recent Minnesota arrest?Identify the county where the arrest occurred, open the official sheriff or jail roster and verify the name, birth date, booking date, arresting agency and jail identifier.
Is there a statewide Minnesota arrest database?No. County bookings, arrest reports, court cases, BCA histories and DOC custody records are maintained in different systems.
Why does MCRO not show a pending case by name?MCRO does not return pending criminal cases through defendant-name searches. Use a case number, citation number, attorney information or contact court administration.
What does the public BCA search show?It generally displays qualifying Minnesota conviction information for 15 years after sentence completion. It is not a statewide public arrest roster.
How much does my own Minnesota BCA record cost?The current Minnesota-only personal-record fee is $8. Follow the BCA’s current personal data-request instructions.
How much is a certified Minnesota court copy?The statewide base fee is currently $14 per certified document. An exemplified and certified copy has a $28 base fee.
How do I verify a Minnesota warrant?Check the sheriff and district court in the issuing county, review the latest court entries and confirm current status directly.
Are Minnesota DOC calls free?Yes. Calls from Minnesota DOC facilities are free, but the incarcerated person must initiate the call and facility schedules apply.
How do I correct criminal identity theft?Obtain the inaccurate records, report the identity theft and use the BCA Questioned Identity process, which may require fingerprints.
Can a Minnesota arrest record be expunged?Some records qualify for automatic Clean Slate sealing. Other arrests and cases require a court petition, service on required agencies and a judicial decision.

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