Find Criminal History Records in Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County criminal history records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court based in Fergus Falls. The county covers a large area of west-central Minnesota and is part of the 7th Judicial District. You can search criminal records through statewide databases like MCRO and the BCA, or contact local offices directly for arrest records, jail information, and case files. This page walks you through each source and how to use them.
Otter Tail County Overview
Otter Tail County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county and holds arrest and jail records. The Sheriff patrols the county's unincorporated areas and provides support to smaller towns across this large rural county. All bookings into the county jail go through the Sheriff's office, making it the first source for recent arrest data. The office is at 417 Court St S, Fergus Falls MN 56537. You can reach them at (218) 998-8555, and the jail line is (218) 998-8556.
Otter Tail County is one of the largest counties in Minnesota by land area. That size means the Sheriff covers a wide range, and arrest records can come from many different towns and townships. If you are looking for records tied to a specific community, the Sheriff's office can tell you if that area falls under county jurisdiction or if a city police department handled the case.
To request arrest records or incident reports from the Sheriff's office, you can call the main line or visit in person. The office can also tell you whether a specific person is currently in custody at the county jail.
| Office | Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 417 Court St S, Fergus Falls MN 56537 |
| Main Phone | (218) 998-8555 |
| Jail Phone | (218) 998-8556 |
| Website | ottertailcounty.gov/departments/sheriffs-office |
Otter Tail County Criminal Court Records
The Otter Tail County District Court handles all criminal cases in the county, from misdemeanors to felonies. It is part of Minnesota's 7th Judicial District. The court is located at 121 Junius Ave W Suite 310, Fergus Falls. You can reach the court at (218) 998-8420. This is where all charges are filed, hearings take place, and final case records are stored.
The screenshot below was captured from the Otter Tail County District Court page on mncourts.gov, which lists contact info, court locations, and links to self-help resources.
The court page is a good starting point if you need to contact the clerk's office or find specific case information tied to Otter Tail County.
For online access to criminal case records, Minnesota Court Records Online is available at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. You can search by name or case number to find docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions. The screenshot below shows the MCRO interface.
MCRO is free and covers Otter Tail County cases going back many years. Some records may be restricted based on court orders or privacy rules.
Minnesota Statute 13.82 defines what law enforcement data is public. Arrest records, case summaries, and booking information are generally accessible under this statute, with some limitations for certain types of cases or individuals.
Otter Tail County Jail Records and Warrants
The Otter Tail County jail is run by the Sheriff's Office at the 417 Court St S location in Fergus Falls. To check whether someone is currently in custody, call the jail at (218) 998-8556. Staff can confirm current bookings and provide general information. For automated custody notifications, VINE is a free service available through vinelink.com.
The screenshot below is from VINE Link, the statewide victim notification system that tracks inmate custody status in Otter Tail County and across Minnesota.
VINE lets you sign up for alerts when an inmate is released, transferred, or has a status change. It is available day and night and costs nothing to use.
For warrant information in Otter Tail County, contact the Sheriff's office or the District Court clerk. Active warrants are not typically posted in a public online list at the county level, so a direct inquiry is the most reliable method. The court can confirm whether a warrant is attached to an active case.
Background Checks and BCA Records
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains statewide criminal history records that include data from Otter Tail County and every other county in Minnesota. For a full background check, go to bca.dps.mn.gov. You can request your own record or submit a third-party check through their online system. The BCA covers arrests, charges, and dispositions statewide, making it the most complete source for criminal history data.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 sets the rules for who can access criminal history data. Most members of the public can get arrest-level information, but full disposition histories may need formal authorization. Courts and government agencies have broader access rights. If you need a certified copy of a criminal history record, the BCA is the right place to request it.
The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer lets you search for anyone currently or previously in state prison custody. If someone from Otter Tail County received a prison sentence, this tool will show their current status and facility.
Otter Tail County Record Expungement
Under Minnesota Statute 609A.02, people with certain criminal records can petition the court to have those records sealed. For cases handled in Otter Tail County, petitions go to the District Court in Fergus Falls. Not every offense qualifies, and waiting periods apply. The petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecutor, each of whom can object before the judge decides.
If the court grants an expungement, the record is sealed from public view. Law enforcement and certain state agencies can still access sealed records when needed. But for most routine purposes, the record is not visible. Legal aid services in west-central Minnesota can help you figure out if your record qualifies and walk you through the filing process.
Cities in Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County includes Fergus Falls as its county seat, along with a number of smaller towns spread across west-central Minnesota. Criminal cases from across the county are heard by the Otter Tail County District Court.
Communities in Otter Tail County include Fergus Falls, Perham, Battle Lake, Henning, and Pelican Rapids. None of these cities exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but criminal records for all of them are handled through the Otter Tail County court system.
Nearby Counties
Otter Tail County borders several other Minnesota counties. If you need records from a neighboring jurisdiction, check where the arrest or case was originally filed.