Start with Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at mncourts.gov for statewide court searches — this covers all 87 counties. For criminal background checks, use the Minnesota BCA criminal history search. For property, start with the County Assessor, then the County Recorder for deeds. Minnesota has good centralized tools for most record types.
Sources curated and maintained by SearchSystems.net since 1997.
Minnesota Counties — Most Searched
Statewide Databases
Official government databases.
Sex Offender Registry — Predatory
DOC — Offender Search
Vital Records — Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
Business Entity Search — SOS
How to Search Minnesota Criminal Records
Two tools cover Minnesota comprehensively. First: Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at mncourts.gov/publicaccess — free statewide court search across all 87 counties for criminal, civil, and family cases. Second: the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) at cch.state.mn.us — $15 name-based criminal history check covering conviction records statewide. MCRO gives you case-level docket data. The BCA check gives you a formal criminal history report. Together they cover more ground than most states offer at any price. The DOC offender search handles state inmates, and the Predatory Offender Registry is searchable online.
How to Search Minnesota Court Records
Use MCRO at mncourts.gov for everything — District Court is the sole trial court in Minnesota. It handles all felonies, misdemeanors, civil, family, juvenile, and probate matters across 87 counties organized into 10 judicial districts. There are no separate county or municipal courts.
How to Search Minnesota Property Records
Start with the County Assessor for property valuations and ownership. Then go to the County Recorder for deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded documents. For tax bills, go to the County Auditor (Minnesota uses Auditors for tax, similar to Ohio). Hennepin County (Minneapolis) and Ramsey County (St. Paul) have the best online tools.
How to Get Minnesota Vital Records
For birth and death certificates, order from the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. For marriage licenses, go to the county or city licensing office. For divorce records, search MCRO at mncourts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Minnesota court records? ▼
Use Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) at pa.courts.state.mn.us. It covers district courts statewide including civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases.
Is there a free statewide criminal search? ▼
Minnesota Courts provides free online case search. The BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) offers a more comprehensive criminal history check for a fee.
How are Minnesota property records organized? ▼
Each county has a County Recorder for deeds and liens, an Assessor for property valuations, and a Treasurer/Auditor for tax records. Some counties combine these offices.
What is the Torrens system in Minnesota? ▼
The Torrens system is a state-guaranteed land title registration system used alongside traditional deed recording in Minnesota. About 30% of Hennepin County properties use it. Check with the County Recorder to find out which system your property is registered under.
What is Minnesota's BCA criminal check? ▼
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) offers a $15 name-based criminal history check online at cch.state.mn.us. It covers statewide criminal conviction records and is available to the general public.
BBB A+ Rated