How to Look Up Arrest Records in Minnesota

Minnesota doesn't keep one public arrest database. Arrest information lives in three places: county jail rosters, the state court system, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Here's what each one covers and how to use it.

Last reviewed October 31, 2026

The three official sources

County jail rosters

Most of Minnesota's 87 sheriffs run a county jail, and most post a roster of who is in custody. A few small counties board inmates in a neighboring county's jail instead. Rosters are the fastest way to confirm a recent arrest, but they are short-lived. Ramsey County, for example, removes a record five days after release, and Hennepin County shows releases from the past seven days. Pick a county below for its roster link and details.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

MCRO is the Judicial Branch's free search of state district court records. You can search cases by name, look up upcoming hearings, and download public documents if you have the case number. One catch: pending criminal cases don't come up in a name search, only cases that ended in a conviction, so an open case needs the case number. Every district courthouse also has public terminals that search records statewide and show more than the website.

BCA Public Criminal History Search

The BCA's search is free and needs a first name, last name, and date of birth. Under Minnesota law, a conviction is public for 15 years after the sentence is completed. Arrest information without a conviction is private data at the BCA, so it won't show up here at all.

Booking photos

Booking photos are generally public data in Minnesota under Minn. Stat. § 13.82, but each agency sets its own release process. Arrest Registry links to official sources and does not publish mugshots.

Minnesota counties

Counties are grouped by judicial district. Guides with verified links are live; the rest are being checked against official sources and added in batches.

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