Washington County Criminal History Search
Washington County criminal history records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the District Court in Stillwater. With a population of about 270,000, Washington County is one of the larger counties in Minnesota and is part of the 10th Judicial District. The county offers strong online access to criminal records, including a daily jail booking report and a public inmate roster. This page covers how to search criminal history records in Washington County, what tools are available online, and where to go for certified background checks.
Washington County Overview
Washington County Sheriff Criminal Records
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 15015 62nd St N, Stillwater MN 55082. The main number is (651) 430-6000. For jail-specific inquiries, call (651) 430-7900. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for the county, including arrests, booking, and jail operations. The jail division opened in 1993 and operates with over 200 beds, making it one of the larger county jail facilities in the Twin Cities metro area. Visit the Sheriff's department page at co.washington.mn.us/271/Sheriffs-Office for contact details and services.
Washington County provides detailed public access to jail data. The Daily Jail Booking Report at co.washington.mn.us/3220/Daily-Jail-Booking-Report lists people booked into the jail each day. You can also download the Adult Inmate Roster as a PDF at web1.co.washington.mn.us/WCInmateRoster/InmateRosterReport.pdf, which shows everyone currently in custody. These are two of the more useful online tools available from any Minnesota county sheriff's office.
The screenshot below is from the Washington County Daily Jail Booking Report page, which gives the public daily access to booking data for the Washington County jail.
The daily booking report is updated each day and shows names, charges, and booking dates for people recently arrested in Washington County.
| Office | Washington County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 15015 62nd St N, Stillwater MN 55082 |
| Main Phone | (651) 430-6000 |
| Jail Phone | (651) 430-7900 |
| Jail Division | co.washington.mn.us/3197/Jail-Division |
Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County criminal cases are handled by the District Court in Stillwater, which is part of the 10th Judicial District. The court is at 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater MN 55082, and the clerk's number is (651) 430-6755. The court processes the full range of criminal charges for a county of this size, from traffic cases to major felonies. Because Washington County is a Twin Cities suburb with a substantial population, the court handles a significant caseload.
Case records can be searched for free through Minnesota Court Records Online at publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us. MCRO lets you search by name or case number and returns docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. Some records are sealed or restricted by court order and will not appear in public searches. For sealed or older records, the court clerk in Stillwater can help locate files. The court also has a page on mncourts.gov for hours and directions at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Washington.aspx.
The screenshot below is from the Washington County court page on mncourts.gov, which lists current contact information, hours, and locations for the District Court in Stillwater.
The court page links to self-help resources and the right clerk divisions for different types of requests, which is helpful when navigating a busy county courthouse.
Minnesota Statute 13.82 establishes that arrest records and law enforcement data are public. This covers booking data from the Washington County Sheriff's jail as well as case filings at the District Court. Both sources are worth checking when researching a criminal matter in Washington County, as they may contain different details about the same case.
Washington County Jail Data and Inmate Access
Washington County's jail division at co.washington.mn.us/3197/Jail-Division provides information about the facility, visitation rules, and inmate services. The jail has been operating since 1993 and holds more than 200 beds. Given the county's size, the booking report and roster are updated regularly and tend to reflect current custody status quickly. For the most current inmate list, download the Adult Inmate Roster PDF directly from the county website.
The screenshot below is from Minnesota Court Records Online, which covers Washington County and is useful for checking case history, warrant status, and active court filings for people in or connected to Washington County.
MCRO pulls directly from the court system and is one of the fastest ways to confirm whether a case exists in Washington County District Court and what its current status is.
Background Checks and BCA Criminal History
For a certified statewide criminal history check covering Washington County and all other Minnesota counties, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is the primary source. The BCA maintains arrest records, charges, and dispositions from courts and law enforcement agencies across the state. Access background check services at bca.dps.mn.gov. Personal record checks and third-party checks are both available. Fees apply and vary by request type.
Minnesota Statute 13.87 sets the rules for who can access criminal history data and what level of detail is available. Most arrest-level data is public. Full disposition records require a more formal process. Government agencies and licensed organizations have broader access than private individuals. The BCA website walks you through each request type step by step.
The Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer is a free public tool for checking whether anyone from Washington County is currently in a state prison. It shows current facility, custody status, and release information for all DOC inmates statewide.
Washington County Criminal Record Expungement
Under Minnesota Statute 609A.02, eligible individuals can petition to have their criminal records sealed. Expungement removes the record from most public searches. Not all offenses are eligible. The law specifies which charges qualify and what waiting periods apply after sentencing. For Washington County cases, you file the petition with the District Court at 14949 62nd St N, Stillwater.
Filing for expungement requires serving the BCA, the arresting agency, and the prosecuting office. Each agency gets a chance to object before the judge makes a ruling. Given Washington County's larger population and court caseload, the expungement process may take several months from start to finish. If granted, the record is sealed from public databases but law enforcement can still see it under specific circumstances.
Legal aid organizations in the east Twin Cities metro area can help Washington County residents assess whether their records qualify for expungement and assist with filing in Stillwater.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes Stillwater, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, and several other communities. All criminal cases filed anywhere in the county go through the District Court in Stillwater.
Other communities in Washington County include Stillwater, Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Lake Elmo, and Mahtomedi. Criminal records for all of these cities are handled through the Washington County District Court system.
Nearby Counties
Washington County is on the eastern edge of the Twin Cities metro. If you need records from a neighboring county, check which county handled the original filing.