Search Wadena County Criminal History Records
Wadena County criminal history records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Wadena. With a population of about 14,000, the county is part of the 7th Judicial District. Wadena County offers several online tools for checking criminal history, including a public in-custody search and a warrant list. Court case records are available through the state's free MCRO system. This page explains how to find criminal records in Wadena County and who to contact for more detailed requests.
Wadena County Overview
Wadena County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Wadena County Sheriff's Office and detention facility are at 415 S Jefferson St, Wadena MN 56482. The main line is (218) 631-7600. The Sheriff handles all law enforcement operations in the county, including arrests, jail bookings, and records management. Arrest data and booking information are public under state law and flow through the Sheriff's department for all agencies operating in Wadena County. To request records, contact the office by phone or visit in person during business hours.
Wadena County makes it easy to check jail activity online. The Sheriff's department maintains a jail information page at co.wadena.mn.us/183/Jail, and a separate in-custody search tool at co.wadena.mn.us/293/Search. The in-custody search lets you look up whether a specific person is being held at the Wadena County detention facility. This is one of the more complete online jail tools available in a county of this size, and it saves you the step of calling the jail directly for a quick custody check.
The screenshot below is from the Wadena County Jail page, which links to the in-custody search, visitation details, and jail contact information.
The jail page also lists video visitation and messaging options for people who want to stay in contact with someone in the Wadena County detention facility.
| Office | Wadena County Sheriff / Detention |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 S Jefferson St, Wadena MN 56482 |
| Phone | (218) 631-7600 |
| In-Custody Search | co.wadena.mn.us/293/Search |
| Warrant List | co.wadena.mn.us/205/Warrant-List |
Wadena County Criminal Court Records
All criminal cases in Wadena County are handled by the District Court, which is part of the 7th Judicial District based in Wadena. The court processes all charges from petty misdemeanors to felonies and maintains records of hearings, judgments, and sentencing. Minnesota Court Records Online is the easiest way to access these records without an in-person visit.
MCRO is available for free at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. You can search Wadena County cases by name or case number. The system returns docket entries, case status, charge information, and hearing dates. Some records may be sealed or restricted under court order or statute. If a case does not appear online, the court clerk in Wadena can help you find it through their internal system.
The screenshot below is from the Wadena County court page on mncourts.gov, which lists current court contact information and hours for the District Court in Wadena.
Use the mncourts page to confirm hours and find out which clerk division handles the type of record you need.
Minnesota Statute 13.82 establishes that arrest records and law enforcement data are public. This covers booking data at the Wadena County Sheriff and case data at the District Court. Both sources are worth checking when researching a criminal matter in the county.
Wadena County Warrants and Inmate Services
Wadena County publishes an active warrant list online at co.wadena.mn.us/205/Warrant-List. This is a public resource for checking whether an active warrant exists in the county. The warrant list shows names and warrant information for individuals who have outstanding warrants in Wadena County. It is updated regularly and is free to access without logging in.
The screenshot below is from the Wadena County in-custody search page, which allows anyone to look up whether a specific person is currently held in the county detention facility.
The in-custody tool and warrant list together give a solid view of active criminal matters in Wadena County without requiring a phone call or office visit.
Wadena County also supports several inmate services. Video visitation and messaging are available through CIDNET at cidnet.net, Reliance Telephone at reliancetelephone.com, and JailATM at deposits.jailatm.com. For direct inmate messaging calls, the number is (218) 631-6963. Victim notification is handled through VINE at vinelink.com, which provides free custody status alerts around the clock.
Background Checks and BCA Criminal History
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the main source for certified statewide criminal history checks in Minnesota, including Wadena County records. The BCA database includes arrests, charges, and dispositions from all counties. Access background check services at bca.dps.mn.gov. Fees vary by request type. The BCA handles personal record requests and third-party checks through its online portal.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 defines who can access criminal history data and what level of detail is available. Arrest data is public for most purposes. Full disposition records may require a formal request with appropriate identification or authorization. If you are checking your own criminal history, the process is more straightforward than requesting someone else's record.
Note: The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer is free and shows current prison status for anyone in Minnesota state custody, including people from Wadena County.
Wadena County Criminal Record Expungement
Under Minnesota Statute 609A.02, eligible individuals can petition to have their criminal records sealed through expungement. This removes the record from most public searches. Not all offenses qualify. The statute sets out which charges are eligible and what waiting periods must pass after sentencing before you can file. Petitions for Wadena County cases go to the District Court in Wadena.
Once filed, the petition must be served on the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecuting office. Each agency has a period to object. The judge reviews all responses and issues a ruling. If granted, the record is hidden from public view, but law enforcement can still access it under limited conditions. The process typically takes several months from start to finish.
Legal aid organizations that serve central Minnesota can help you assess whether a Wadena County record qualifies for expungement and guide you through filing the petition correctly.
Cities in Wadena County
Wadena is the county seat and largest city in Wadena County. All criminal cases from anywhere in the county are filed with the District Court in Wadena.
No cities in Wadena County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Criminal records for Wadena and all other communities in the county are handled through the Wadena County District Court.
Nearby Counties
Wadena County is in central Minnesota and borders several counties. Verify where an arrest or incident took place before searching for records, since each county maintains its own filings.