Search Apple Valley Background Check Records
Apple Valley is located in Dakota County, in the southern Twin Cities metro area. Background check resources for the city connect through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Dakota County District Court, and the Apple Valley Police Department. The BCA offers free online criminal history searches, and MCRO covers court case records for all Minnesota counties including Dakota. This guide explains where to look and what each official source provides.
Apple Valley Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains Minnesota's statewide criminal history database. The Apple Valley Police Department and all other law enforcement agencies in the state submit arrest and conviction data to the BCA. The public portal at chs.state.mn.us is free to use and doesn't require any account or login to run a name-based search.
The BCA database shows felony convictions, gross misdemeanor convictions, and pending charges in many cases. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data is public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82, including arrests that did not result in a conviction. Traffic citations and petty misdemeanors are generally not in the BCA public database.
Start here for any Apple Valley background check search. The free online search is quick and covers the full state. If you need certified documentation or deeper court records, the sections below explain how to get those.
The BCA public portal provides free criminal history searches covering Apple Valley and all Dakota County cases.
Apple Valley Police Department
The Apple Valley Police Department handles city law enforcement and maintains local police records. Public incident records can be requested under Minnesota's Data Practices Act.
Requests for public police data can be made in person or in writing. The department may charge a fee to cover reproduction but cannot charge more than actual cost. Active investigation data, juvenile records, and certain victim information are protected and will not be released. If any part of a request is denied, the department must provide a written statement that cites the specific law authorizing the denial. You are not required to explain why you want the records.
Most routine requests are fulfilled within a few business days. Larger or older requests may take more time. The Data Practices Act also allows you to ask the department what categories of records exist, even if some of those records are not publicly accessible. This can help you figure out what to look for before making a formal request.
Dakota County District Court
Apple Valley is served by the First Judicial District. All court cases originating in Apple Valley, including criminal, civil, family, and probate matters, are filed and maintained by the Dakota County District Court in Hastings.
Certified copies of case documents require a written request and payment. Non-certified copies of public documents are available at the clerk's window. Remote access to case records is available through MCRO and MPA Remote, which are described in sections below. You don't need to travel to Hastings to do a first-pass search. MCRO covers most what you'd need for general background check purposes.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro gives free public access to court case records from all 87 Minnesota counties. Dakota County cases, including those from Apple Valley, are searchable by name or case number. Results show case status, parties, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. No account is needed and there is no fee.
MCRO is primarily a case index system. It tells you a case exists and gives you key details, but it doesn't always let you read the actual filings. For Apple Valley criminal and civil cases, MCRO paired with the BCA portal covers the bulk of what most background check searches need. If you need access to specific documents, MPA Remote or the court clerk's office are the next steps.
MCRO is free to search and covers all Dakota County court cases including those from Apple Valley.
Minnesota Public Access Remote (MPA Remote)
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us goes deeper than MCRO by providing document images from court filings. This includes complaints, motions, orders, and other case documents from the First Judicial District. Attorneys and researchers who need actual document text use this tool.
Subscriptions are available for regular users, and per-search access works for one-time needs. The cost is modest for occasional use. For most general background check searches related to Apple Valley, the BCA portal and MCRO will give enough information. MPA Remote is worth using when you need to read actual court documents rather than just case summaries.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains a free offender locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. Search by name to check whether someone is currently in a state correctional facility or on supervised release. The tool returns custody status and facility information.
The locator only reflects current status. Once a person finishes their sentence and leaves DOC supervision, they no longer show up here. For historical incarceration or conviction data, use the BCA portal or court records. The DOC locator is a quick-check tool for current custody status, not a substitute for a full criminal history search.
Minnesota's predatory offender registry, governed by Statute 243.166, is a separate public resource. The BCA manages this registry, and it's searchable through the DPS website. People on the registry may be living in the community rather than in custody. The registry and the DOC locator serve different purposes and neither replaces the other.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Data Practices Act establishes what government records are public and how agencies must handle requests. Criminal conviction data is public under Statute 13.87 and arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. These rules apply statewide, covering Apple Valley, Dakota County, and every other government entity in Minnesota.
When you submit a public data request, the agency must respond without unreasonable delay. Any denial must be explained in writing, citing the specific law that protects the withheld data. If you believe the denial was improper, you can contact the Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division or file in district court. You do not have to justify your request or explain why you want the records.
Expungement under Statute 609A can seal certain records from public access. An expungement order means the BCA portal and MCRO will no longer show the record in public searches. Law enforcement agencies may still retain internal access to sealed records. Not all offenses qualify for expungement, and the process requires filing a petition, giving notice to affected agencies, and attending a court hearing. The outcome depends on the nature of the offense and the individual's overall record.
Requesting Records by Mail
The BCA handles mail requests for certified criminal history records. Use this option when you need an official document with proper certification rather than an online search.
Include the subject's full name and date of birth with your request. A check or money order for $15 payable to the State of Minnesota must be enclosed. The BCA doesn't offer expedited processing for mail requests. If you need fast results, the free online BCA portal returns instant name-based results, though they are not certified. Fingerprint-based searches under Statute 299C.10 are also available and produce the most complete results, but require fingerprinting at an authorized location before submission.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Apple Valley with their own background check resource pages: