Minnesota People Search
Finding someone in Minnesota starts with knowing where to look. The state keeps public records across several databases, and most are free to search. Court records from all 87 counties are available through one central system. Criminal history, corrections data, and vital records each have their own search tools run by different state agencies. Whether you need to find a person by name, check a court case, or look up background details, Minnesota offers multiple ways to search public records online and in person at government offices throughout the state.
Minnesota People Search Overview
How to Search for People in Minnesota
Minnesota runs several public databases that help you find people and look up their records. The main one for court cases is the Minnesota Court Records Online system, known as MCRO. It is free to use. You can search by a person's name, case number, attorney name, or citation across all 87 counties. The system covers criminal, civil, family, probate, housing, and traffic cases. Results show party names, case types, hearing dates, and case status. Documents filed after July 1, 2021 can be downloaded for $8 per document, and you can create a free account to use the MCRO portal right away.
Beyond court records, the BCA Criminal History Search lets you look up conviction data on a specific person. Each name search costs $8 online. You need the person's first name, last name, and date of birth. The system shows conviction records going back 15 years after the sentence was discharged, as governed by Minn. Stat. § 13.87. If you want to skip the fee, you can visit the BCA office in person at 1430 Maryland Ave East in St. Paul. Walk-in searches are free, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections also maintains a public search tool. Their Public Viewer at coms.doc.state.mn.us lets you look up people who are currently incarcerated or under state supervision. You can also sign up for VINE notifications to get alerts when someone's custody status changes. The DOC's main office is at 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, Saint Paul. Their phone number is (651) 361-7200.
Minnesota Court Records for People Search
District courts handle most cases in Minnesota. There are 87 counties and 10 judicial districts. Every county has its own District Court that files and stores case records locally. When you search for a person through the court system, you can find criminal charges, civil lawsuits, family court matters, and more. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides three ways to access these records: the online MCRO system, in-person terminals at courthouses, and mail requests. Certified copies of any court document cost $14.
The MCRO portal is the fastest way to run a people search through court records. Type in a name and pick a county, or search the whole state at once. The system returns a list of matching cases with basic details. You can narrow results by case type if you only want criminal cases or family cases. Hearing dates and judgment info show up too. The system does go down for maintenance on Sundays from 11am to 2pm, so plan around that if you need to search on a weekend.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Records Portal explains all your options for getting case records.
This page walks you through each access method, from online searches to in-person visits at your local courthouse.
The MCRO search interface is straightforward and works well for a quick people search across Minnesota courts.
You can filter by name, case number, or county to find the records you need.
Criminal History and Background Search in Minnesota
Running a background check on someone in Minnesota usually starts with the BCA Criminal History Search. This is the official state tool for looking up criminal conviction data. The search pulls from a statewide database and shows convictions that fall within the 15-year window after sentence discharge. It does not show pending charges or arrests that did not lead to a conviction. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, arrest data is public, but the BCA system focuses on convictions specifically. Victim data stays private under that same statute.
The Predatory Offender Registry is another tool for people search in Minnesota. You can search by name, city, county, or zip code. The registry uses three risk levels. Level 1 means low risk. Level 3 means high risk. Each entry shows the person's name, aliases, photo, physical description, date of birth, address, and offense details. The registry is updated within 48 hours of any change, as required by Minn. Stat. § 243.166.
The BCA Criminal History Search tool is the state's primary resource for conviction data.
Results include the person's name, offense details, and sentence information for qualifying convictions.
The predatory offender search provides detailed results including photos and address information.
This registry is maintained by the Department of Corrections and covers all three risk levels.
Note: Records that have been expunged under Minn. Stat. § 609A will not appear in any of these public search tools.
Minnesota Public Records and People Data
Minnesota has strong public records laws. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act starts from the idea that all government data is public unless a law says otherwise. That is the rule under Minn. Stat. § 13.01. When you search for people in Minnesota, this law works in your favor. Most records held by state and local agencies are open for you to look at. Under Minn. Stat. § 13.03, you have the right to inspect public data for free. No one can ask you to show an ID or explain why you want to see the records.
Vital records are one area where access rules get more specific. The Minnesota Department of Health keeps birth records going back to 1900 and death records from 1908. A birth certificate costs $16 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy. Death certificates are $13. Minnesota is one of the states where the health department does not record marriages or divorces. Those stay with the courts. Under Minn. Stat. § 144.225, certain vital records have restricted access depending on how old they are and who is asking.
The MN Department of Health Vital Records office handles birth and death certificates.
Contact them at (651) 201-5970 or by mail at PO Box 64499, St. Paul, MN 55164-0499.
For business-related people searches, the Secretary of State Business Search is free. You can search by business name, file number, or registered agent name. Results show the business type, filing date, current status, and the registered agent's name and address. This can help you track down a person who owns or runs a company in Minnesota.
Minnesota Jail and Inmate Records
Each county in Minnesota runs its own jail. Sheriffs must keep public jail rosters under Minn. Stat. § 641.05. Many counties post these rosters online. You can usually search by name to see if someone is currently in custody. The roster shows the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. Booking data is public under Minn. Stat. § 13.85, which covers correctional facility data.
For state prisons, the Department of Corrections Public Viewer lets you search for anyone currently held in a state facility or under supervised release. The tool shows the person's name, ID number, facility location, and expected release date. You can also call the DOC fugitive tip line at 651-603-0026 if you have information about someone who may have left supervision.
County jails and the state prison system are separate. If your people search turns up nothing in the DOC system, check the county jail roster for the county where the person was last known to live. Some counties update their rosters every few hours. Others update once a day. Larger counties like Hennepin and Ramsey tend to have the most current online rosters.
Legal Help for Minnesota People Search
Sometimes a people search in Minnesota is part of a legal matter. You might need to find someone for a court case, serve legal papers, or track down a person who owes child support. Several resources in Minnesota can help with these situations.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch Self-Help Center provides forms and guides for common legal tasks. If you need help understanding court records from your search, they can point you in the right direction. Many courthouses also have self-help desks staffed by people who can explain what different case types mean and how to read case records. They can not give legal advice, but they can help you find the right forms and understand procedures.
Legal aid programs serve people who can not afford a lawyer. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid covers the Twin Cities metro area and parts of central Minnesota. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services handles cases in the south. Both can help with family law, housing, and other civil matters that may come up during a people search. The Minnesota State Bar Association also runs a lawyer referral service if you need to hire an attorney.
Note: Court staff can help you search records and make copies but they can not give you legal advice about your situation.
Are People Records Public in Minnesota
Most of them are. Minnesota's Data Practices Act makes government data public by default. Court records, criminal history data, jail rosters, and many other records are open for anyone to search. You do not need to be a party to a case. You do not need a reason to look. Just go to the right database or office and search.
There are limits, though. Some records get classified as private or confidential. Juvenile court records are generally not public. Sealed cases will not appear in search results. Certain personal data like social security numbers and financial account numbers get redacted from public court files. Expunged records are removed from public databases entirely. Victim information in criminal cases stays private under state law. These protections exist to balance the public's right to know with individual privacy, but the vast majority of records you will encounter during a Minnesota people search are fully accessible to the public.
Browse Minnesota People Search by County
Each of Minnesota's 87 counties keeps its own court records and public data. Pick a county below to find local search tools and contact details for people records in that area.
People Search in Major Minnesota Cities
People in larger cities can use both city and county resources for their search. Pick a city below to find out which offices and databases serve that area.