Blaine MN Background Check Records
Blaine is one of the largest cities in Anoka County, located in the northern Twin Cities metro. Background check searches in Blaine draw on the BCA statewide criminal history database, Anoka County District Court records, and police records from the Blaine Police Department. This page explains all the key public record sources available for background checks in Blaine, including online tools, in-person options, and how to submit records requests under Minnesota law.
Blaine Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains the state's central criminal history database. The free public search is at chs.state.mn.us. It covers felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from all 87 Minnesota counties, including Anoka County where Blaine is located. You search by first name, last name, and date of birth. No account or fee is needed for the online search.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public for 15 years from the date of conviction. Cases that ended in dismissal or acquittal are not in the database. The BCA pulls data from court systems statewide, so Anoka County convictions appear once the court submits them. For recent charges or pending cases not yet resolved, check MCRO directly to see those court filings before they show up in the BCA.
Fingerprint-based checks through the BCA are also available for positions requiring more complete vetting. These run through state files and FBI national databases. They require a formal submission process separate from the online name search. For general public background check needs, start with the online BCA tool.
The BCA public criminal history search is the main statewide resource for Blaine background checks, covering felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from Anoka County courts.
Blaine Police Department Records
The Blaine Police Department is at 10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55449. The main phone number is 763-427-1212. Their website is at blainemn.gov/departments/police-department. The Blaine PD handles law enforcement within city limits and keeps records for incidents that occurred there. To request police reports or arrest records, contact the department's records unit directly.
Arrest data from the Blaine Police Department is public under Minnesota Statute 13.82. Public arrest records include the name of the person arrested, the date and location, the charges filed, and the arresting agency or officer. Police reports are available under the Government Data Practices Act. The department may withhold portions of reports that cover active investigations, victim information, or other protected data categories before releasing records. Have the subject's full name and date of birth ready when you contact the records unit. For incidents outside city limits but within Anoka County, contact the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Anoka County District Court
Blaine is in Anoka County, so all district court cases for the city go through Anoka County District Court. The court's Minnesota courts page is at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Anoka.aspx. Anoka County District Court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases. Felony and gross misdemeanor charges that originate in Blaine are prosecuted in Anoka County and, upon conviction, are reported to the BCA criminal history database. The court serves as the record-keeper for all significant criminal matters in the city.
Most court records are public, but there are clear exceptions. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Records expunged under Statute 609A are removed from public access when a court grants the petition. For public cases, you can search the case index through MCRO online at no charge. To get certified copies, contact the clerk's office. Certified copies of court documents cost $14 per document and can be requested in person at the courthouse or by mail. The MCRO search is the best first step before deciding whether you need certified documents.
Minnesota Court Records Online
MCRO is the free public portal for Minnesota court records at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. Search by name across all Minnesota counties, including Anoka. MCRO shows case index information, charge types, hearing dates, and case status. Most searches are free. Some document images carry a small fee. MCRO is especially useful for finding pending or recently filed cases in Blaine that have not yet resulted in a conviction in the BCA database.
Minnesota Court Records Online allows free searches for Blaine cases filed in Anoka County District Court, covering pending and concluded criminal and civil matters.
MPA Remote Access
Minnesota Public Access Remote is a subscription service at pa.courts.state.mn.us. It provides deeper court record access than the free MCRO portal, including document images and full charge histories for all Minnesota counties. There is a subscription fee. Legal professionals and frequent researchers use it most. For a one-time search, start with the free MCRO tool.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections offers a free public Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. This shows people currently in a Minnesota state prison or under active DOC supervision such as probation or supervised release. It does not include people who have finished their sentence and been discharged from DOC supervision. Use this tool to check whether a person is currently incarcerated or under state supervision in Minnesota. Results are updated regularly.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act controls what public agencies must disclose. For background checks, the key statutes are Statute 13.82 for arrest data and Statute 13.87 for conviction data. Both apply fully in Blaine. Arrest data is public from booking. Conviction data is public for 15 years. The Blaine Police Department and Anoka County court apply these statutes when responding to records requests from the public.
Some data is legally protected. Active investigation materials, victim information, certain juvenile records, and court-ordered sealed records are not releasable. Expungement under Statute 609A gives a person the right to petition the court to seal their criminal records. If a court grants expungement, all agencies involved in the case must seal their records, including police, courts, and the DOC. After expungement, those records no longer appear in standard background check searches, including the BCA database. A search returning no results does not always mean no history exists, because expunged records are intentionally hidden from public access.
Mail Requests to the BCA
Mail background check requests to the BCA at 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. The fee is $15 per name search. Include the full name, date of birth, and a check or money order payable to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Processing takes about two weeks. For questions, call 651-793-2400.
DHS Background Studies
Certain care roles in Minnesota require a Department of Human Services background study under Statute 245C. These apply to people in direct contact with children or vulnerable adults in licensed care settings. They are separate from the public BCA search and use a broader set of disqualifying offenses and a different submission process. If a DHS study is required for a specific role, it must go through the DHS system rather than a standard public records search.
Nearby Cities
Blaine is in the north metro and shares borders with several other qualifying cities. Each has its own local police records and access to Anoka or Hennepin County District Court.