Minneapolis Criminal History Records
Minneapolis criminal history records are spread across several agencies, including the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and the 4th District Court. You can search court records online through Minnesota Court Records Online, request police records through the MPD records portal, and get full background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This guide covers where to look, what each tool gives you, and how to reach the right office when you need something specific.
Minneapolis Overview
Minneapolis Police Department Records
The Minneapolis Police Department is the main law enforcement agency in the city. Their Records Information Unit handles requests for police reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement data. The Records unit is at the Minneapolis Public Service Building, 505 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415. The main police address is City Hall, 350 Fifth St. S., Room 130, Minneapolis, MN 55415. For non-emergencies, call 311 or (612) 673-3000. Office hours for records are 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday, and 9 AM to 4 PM on Fridays.
The MPD records portal at minneapolismn.gov is the central hub for most public data requests. You can use it to get police reports, accident reports, arrest records, body camera data, and clearance letters. Each category has its own page with instructions on how to submit a request and what to expect.
The screenshot below is from the Minneapolis Police Department website, which is the starting point for records requests and general MPD contact information.
The MPD site has direct links to each type of request, so you don't have to dig around to find the right page.
| Office | Minneapolis Police Department - Records Information Unit |
|---|---|
| Address | 505 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| Phone | (612) 673-3000 |
| Hours | Mon-Thu 8 AM - 4 PM, Fri 9 AM - 4 PM |
| Records Portal | minneapolismn.gov |
Minneapolis Arrest Records
The MPD maintains its own arrest records database, separate from the county and state systems. You can request Minneapolis arrest records through the dedicated portal at minneapolismn.gov/arrest-records. These records cover adults arrested by Minneapolis officers only. Juvenile records and arrests made by other agencies are not part of this system.
The screenshot below is from the MPD arrest records page, where you can see what information is available and how to submit a request.
Requests can be submitted online or in person at the records unit. Processing time depends on the type of record and how far back it goes.
Clearance letters from MPD cost $5, paid by cash, check, or money order. They take about 5 to 10 business days to process. If you just need to see whether someone was arrested in Minneapolis, the arrest records portal is faster, since it does not require a formal clearance request. For arrests you need to fully document, clearance letters are the better option because they are official and signed.
Note: MPD arrest records only reflect what Minneapolis Police recorded. For a complete picture, combine this with a BCA background check and an MCRO court search.
Hennepin County Court Records
All Minneapolis criminal cases go through the Hennepin County District Court, part of Minnesota's 4th Judicial District. The courthouse sits at 300 S Sixth St, Minneapolis MN 55487. Court records can be reached at (612) 348-3991. This is where you find case filings, charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes for anyone arrested in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) gives free public access to Hennepin County court cases. Search by name or case number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO shows docket entries, charges, hearing schedules, and case status. It covers criminal cases going back many years, though some older documents may not be fully available online. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally available to view without going to the courthouse.
Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, most arrest data is public in Minnesota. The basic facts of an arrest, such as the person's name, the charges, and where and when it happened, are available to the public. Active investigative data can be restricted, but once a case closes, most of the file becomes accessible. This statute applies to Minneapolis arrests as it does everywhere else in the state.
The screenshot below is from the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, which is the primary tool for searching Minneapolis and Hennepin County criminal cases without a courthouse visit.
MCRO is free to use and does not require an account or registration.
BCA Background Checks
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs the statewide criminal history database. For a full background check on someone in Minneapolis or anywhere else in Minnesota, go to dps.mn.gov. The BCA maintains arrest records, charges, and disposition data from courts across the state, including all Hennepin County cases.
A standard criminal history record check costs $15 through the BCA. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status pay $8. If you need your own record, you can request a copy for $8 with a notarized consent form. Mail requests go to the BCA's Criminal History Access Unit at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106. For fingerprint-based checks, additional fees apply.
Under Minn. Stat. 13.87, conviction data is public for 15 years after someone finishes their sentence. Arrest data without a conviction is not public through the BCA. If you only need conviction information, the BCA public search is the clearest source. For arrest-level data, MCRO or the MPD records portal may give you more detail.
The DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer covers people in Minnesota Department of Corrections custody. If someone was convicted in Minneapolis and sent to prison, check this tool for their current facility, status, and release information. It is free to use and covers both current inmates and those under supervised release.
Minneapolis Criminal Record Expungement
If you have a criminal record from a Minneapolis case, you may be able to get it sealed under Minn. Stat. 609A.02. Expungement seals the record from public view without erasing it entirely. Misdemeanors have a two-year waiting period. Gross misdemeanors require four years. Certain felonies require five years after the sentence ends. Offenses requiring predatory offender registration do not qualify.
Expungement petitions for Minneapolis cases go through Hennepin County District Court. You file the petition, serve copies on several agencies including the BCA and the prosecuting office, and then wait for the court to rule. The process takes several months from start to finish. Filing fees are around $300, though the court can waive fees for people who cannot afford them. Some offenses qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 without having to file a petition.
Even if expungement is granted, law enforcement agencies and certain licensing boards can still access the sealed record under specific circumstances. For most everyday purposes, the record will not appear in public background checks or searches after it is sealed.
Victim Notification: VINE
VINE, or Victim Information and Notification Everyday, is a free service for crime victims. If someone was booked into Hennepin County jail following an arrest in Minneapolis, you can sign up for alerts at vinelink.com or by calling 1-877-664-8463. VINE sends automatic notifications when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes. The service runs around the clock and does not require a visit to the courthouse to stay up to date.
Nearby Cities
Minneapolis is surrounded by cities that fall within Hennepin County's jurisdiction for criminal records. Nearby cities in different counties use their own county court systems.