Saint Paul Criminal History Records

Saint Paul criminal history records are kept by the Saint Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff, and the Ramsey County District Court. You can search court case records for free through Minnesota Court Records Online, request police incident reports or data through the SPPD records portal, and run background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This page covers the tools and offices you need to find criminal records tied to Saint Paul.

Saint Paul Police Department Records

The Saint Paul Police Department handles law enforcement for the city and maintains records on incidents, arrests, and related data. Their Records Unit is located at 367 Grove Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101. The unit is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. For non-emergencies, call (651) 291-1111. The main SPPD website is at stpaul.gov/departments/police.

Saint Paul's records and data page at stpaul.gov lists the types of records you can request, including incident reports, crash reports, local records checks, body camera video, police photographs, and 911 transcripts. Fees vary by type. Body camera video is $30 per CD. Police photographs are $15 per CD. For 911 transcripts, there is a $25 per hour charge for research time.

The screenshot below is from the Saint Paul Police Department website, the main hub for records access and department contact information.

The SPPD site has links to each service area, including the online data request system and the non-emergency contact line.

Saint Paul Police Data Requests

The Saint Paul Police Department has an online portal for public data requests at stpaul.gov/datarequest. You can use this system to request data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The portal lets you track the status of your request from submission to completion.

The screenshot below is from the Saint Paul Police Records and Data page, which explains the process and lists what types of records are available.

Records requests submitted online typically take a few business days to process, depending on the type and volume of data involved.

For submitting a police report online, the SPPD uses the CopLogic system at stpaul.gov/PoliceReport. This is for non-emergency reports only, such as minor theft, property damage, and fraud. Emergency situations always require a 911 call. The data request portal is separate and handles records you want to retrieve, not incidents you want to report.

The screenshot below is from the Saint Paul data request portal, which is the preferred method for submitting formal records requests to the city.

Using the portal gives you a reference number so you can follow up if you don't hear back within the expected timeframe.

Ramsey County Court Records

All Saint Paul criminal cases are handled by the Ramsey County District Court, which is part of Minnesota's 2nd Judicial District. The courthouse is at 15 West Kellogg Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Court case records and filings from Saint Paul are searchable through this court system.

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) is the free public access tool for Ramsey County court cases. Search by name or case number at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO shows docket entries, charges, case status, and hearing information. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2015 are generally available to view online without visiting the courthouse in person.

Under Minn. Stat. 13.82, arrest data from Saint Paul Police is public. You can see who was arrested, what the charge was, and when and where the arrest took place. Active criminal investigation data may be restricted, but most data becomes accessible once a case moves through the court system. If a record does not appear in MCRO, staff at the Ramsey County court records office can help locate it.

Note: Saint Paul is the state capital and county seat of Ramsey County. All criminal filings from within city limits run through the Ramsey County District Court, not Hennepin County or any other county.

BCA Background Checks

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains Minnesota's statewide criminal history database, including all records from Ramsey County and Saint Paul cases. You can run a background check or request criminal history data through the BCA's portal at dps.mn.gov. The BCA is also located in Saint Paul at 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106, and can be reached by phone at (651) 793-2400.

Standard criminal history checks cost $15. Requests from nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations are $8. If you need a copy of your own record, the fee is also $8, with a notarized consent form required. The BCA's criminal history search covers conviction data that is public for up to 15 years after someone finishes their sentence, per Minn. Stat. 13.87. Arrest-level data without a conviction is not part of the public BCA search.

The DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer lets you search for anyone in Minnesota Department of Corrections custody, including those sentenced out of Ramsey County. This tool is free and shows current facility, status, and expected release date. It covers people on supervised release as well as those actively incarcerated.

Saint Paul Criminal Record Expungement

If you have a Saint Paul criminal record, you may qualify to have it sealed under Minn. Stat. 609A.02. Expungement does not destroy the record. It seals it from public access. Waiting periods depend on the offense level. Misdemeanors require two years. Gross misdemeanors need four years. Certain felonies have a five-year wait after the sentence ends. Offenses requiring predatory offender registration are not eligible.

Petitions for expungement of Saint Paul cases are filed in Ramsey County District Court. The court requires service on several agencies, including the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecutor's office. Each agency can object before the judge rules. The process takes several months. Filing fees run around $300 but can be waived based on financial need. Some cases qualify for automatic expungement under Minn. Stat. 609A.015 without a formal petition.

Victim Notification: VINE

If you are a crime victim connected to a Saint Paul case, VINE gives you a way to stay informed about the person who was arrested. Register at vinelink.com or call 1-877-664-8463 to set up alerts for when an inmate is released, transferred, or escapes from Ramsey County custody. The service is free, available 24 hours a day, and does not require you to go to the courthouse.

Nearby Cities

Saint Paul sits in Ramsey County, with several neighboring cities that use different county court systems for criminal records. Check the county for each city to find the right court.