Minnesota Background Checks

Minnesota Criminal Records

Recently, the MNJIS (Minnesota Justice Information Services) division was created in October 2008 to make gaining access to Minnesota criminal records easier. MNJIS was also created to promote information exchange between sources of criminal records information. MNJIS overhauled their internal procedures and now offers a simpler process for obtaining Minnesota criminal records.

Any individual is allowed access to certain aspects of Minnesota criminal records because most of the information is considered public domain. This includes any criminal convictions, which will remain available for 15 years following the completion of the jail sentence. Anyone can see the offense, date of the offense, court of conviction, conviction date, sentence, incarceration location and the conviction level. However, arrest records are not considered public domain. Juvenile Minnesota criminal records are also considered private and are not available to the public.

Individuals, criminal justice agencies or agencies with criminal justice purposes, businesses required to perform background checks, and anyone with a signed, notarized Informed Consent Form may access private Minnesota criminal records. Fingerprints are not required to perform criminal records searches, but are sometimes requested to verify identity. Minnesota criminal records can be viewed online or at the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) office via a public computer terminal. If you want the records printed, it will cost $8.

To view Minnesota criminal records online do the following:

For additional information on obtaining Minnesota criminal records, please contact the office at the address or phone number below:

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Minnesota Justice Information Services
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
(651) 793-2400

Resource Links
Minnesota Criminal History Records

Minnesota Court Records

Obtaining Minnesota court records, such as court opinions and case records, can be accomplished easily online through P-MACS (Public-Minnesota Appellate Courts Case Management System). You can also access district trial case records and calendars online, although online Minnesota court records information is limited due to privacy concerns.

If you wish to obtain specific names, addresses or any other personal information related to a case, you will need to visit the district courthouse where the case takes place. You may search misdemeanors, civil and criminal trials using names, and also find information on pre-conviction cases. Fees for obtaining Minnesota court records vary among the district courthouses.

To search for court records online do the following:

For additional information on obtaining Minnesota court records, please contact the office at the address or phone number below:

Clerk of Appellate Courts
305 Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-2581

Resource Links
Minnesota Case Records Access

Minnesota Jail Records

Minnesota jail records are maintained in an offender locator database operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. This system is available online to search for adult offenders using their full name and date of birth or using the OID (Offender Identification). Your search will only turn up inmates who were committed to the Commissioner of Corrections and are still under supervision, whether in prison or on supervised release.

For victims of a crime, you can access VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) 24 hours a day using a touch-tone phone. There is always a live operator on stand-by if you have any questions or trouble using the system, but otherwise it’s automated. Callers simply enter the offender’s name or ID number using your phone’s touchpad, and you will receive a status update.

To search for jail records online do the following:

For additional information on locating Minnesota jail records, please contact the Minnesota Department of Corrections at the address or phone number below:

Minnesota Department of Corrections
1450 Energy Park Dr., Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 361-7200

VINE Hotline
(877) 664-8463

Resource Links
Minnesota Offender Locator

Minnesota Driving Records

In Minnesota, the Driver and Vehicle Services Division falls under the Department of Public Safety. Individuals may gain access to their Minnesota driving records by filling out a records request form and mailing it, along with a $9 fee for an uncertified copy or a $10 fee for a certified copy. If you also requested a vehicle title history or driver’s license correspondence, it will cost an additional $1 per page on top of the records fee.

You may request another person’s Minnesota driving records if you either attach that person’s written consent or possess an authorized user number (such as law enforcement or insurance companies). If you request another person’s Minnesota driving records, the fee increases to $9.50 for an uncertified copy and $10.50 for a certified copy.

For additional information on obtaining Minnesota driving records, please contact the office at the address or phone number below:

Department of Public Safety
Driver and Vehicle Services Division-Records Unit
445 Minnesota St., Suite 161
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 215-1335-

Resource Links
Minnesota Driving Record Request Form

Additional Resources

Minnesota Sexual Offender Registry
Minnesota Attorney General