Eagan Background Check and Public Records
Eagan is located in Dakota County, just south of St. Paul, and background check resources for the city run through county and state systems. Criminal history records for Eagan residents are searchable through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at no cost online. Court records from Dakota County are accessible through MCRO and in person at the Dakota County District Court in Hastings. This guide explains how to use each source and what you can find through them.
Eagan Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is Minnesota's central repository for criminal history data. Law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Eagan Police Department, submit arrest and conviction records to the BCA. The public can search this database for free at chs.state.mn.us using a person's name.
The BCA system includes felony and gross misdemeanor convictions along with many pending charges. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data is public for 15 years following discharge. Arrest records, even those that did not lead to conviction, are public under Statute 13.82. There is no cost for online name-based searches and no account is required.
The BCA portal covers serious criminal matters. Petty misdemeanors and most traffic violations are typically not included. For a more complete picture of local court activity in Eagan, pairing BCA results with a search of Dakota County court records gives better coverage.
The BCA public portal provides free statewide criminal history searches that include records from Eagan and Dakota County.
Eagan Police Department
The Eagan Police Department handles local law enforcement and maintains police records for incidents occurring within city limits. Members of the public can request copies of incident reports and other public data under Minnesota's Data Practices Act.
Public data requests can be submitted in person or by written request. The department may charge a fee to cover the cost of reproducing records. Requests for active investigation files, juvenile records, and certain victim data may be denied under state law. Any denial must include a written explanation citing the specific statute that protects the withheld data.
Dakota County District Court
Eagan falls within the First Judicial District, served by the Dakota County District Court in Hastings. All criminal, civil, family, and probate cases from Eagan are filed and maintained here. The court is about 20 miles south of Eagan.
The court clerk's office can provide certified copies of case documents. Certified copies cost a fee per page and require a written request. Anyone can view public case documents at the clerk's window during business hours without needing to provide a reason. MCRO and MPA Remote allow remote access to case records without visiting Hastings in person.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO is accessible at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro and provides public access to court case information from all 87 Minnesota counties. It covers Dakota County cases including all Eagan filings. Searches can be done by name or case number at no charge.
MCRO shows case status, parties, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. It functions primarily as a case index. Actual document images are not always viewable through MCRO but the case-level information it provides is reliable and current. For Eagan cases, MCRO is a good starting point before going to MPA Remote or the court clerk for document copies.
MCRO is free to use and covers all Dakota County court cases, including those originating from Eagan.
Minnesota Public Access Remote (MPA Remote)
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us offers deeper access to court records than the free MCRO portal. It provides access to document images from court filings, including complaints, motions, orders, and judgments from the First Judicial District. Attorneys, researchers, and others who need the actual text of court documents use this system.
A subscription is available for regular users. Per-search access is also possible for occasional needs. For most straightforward background check searches in Eagan, the BCA portal and MCRO will be enough. MPA Remote adds value when you need to read the underlying documents rather than just knowing a case exists. Costs are reasonable for one-time lookups.
DOC Offender Locator
The Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer allows free searches for people currently in state custody or on supervised release. The search is name-based and returns information about custody status, facility location, and release conditions where applicable.
This tool shows only current status. People who completed their sentences and are no longer under DOC supervision do not appear here. For historical incarceration or conviction data, use the BCA portal or court records. The DOC locator is best used when you need a quick check on whether someone is currently in the correctional system rather than a full background search.
Predatory offender registration is covered by Statute 243.166 in Minnesota. The BCA maintains a separate public registry for registered predatory offenders. This registry is searchable through the DPS website and covers individuals living in the community under registration requirements, not just those currently in custody.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Data Practices Act establishes Minnesota's framework for access to government data. Criminal conviction data is explicitly public under Statute 13.87 and arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. These rules apply to Eagan city agencies and all Dakota County offices.
Agencies receiving public data requests must respond promptly. Denials must be explained in writing with specific legal authority cited. Requesters who believe a denial was wrongful can seek review from the Department of Administration's Information Policy Analysis Division or file a complaint in district court. The burden is on the agency to justify withholding data, not on the requester to justify the request.
Expungement under Statute 609A can seal certain criminal records. Once expunged, a record no longer shows up through BCA public searches or MCRO. Law enforcement may retain access to sealed records for internal purposes, but the general public cannot see them. Expungement requires a court petition and is not available for every offense type. The process takes time and involves a hearing before a judge.
Requesting Records by Mail
The BCA handles mail requests for certified criminal history records. Use this option when you need an official document rather than an online search printout.
Include the subject's full name and date of birth with your request. Payment of $15 by check or money order payable to the State of Minnesota must be included. The BCA does not expedite mail requests. If you need faster results, the online portal provides instant name-based results. Fingerprint-based searches, which fall under Statute 299C.10, offer the most thorough results but require fingerprinting at an authorized site and cost more than a name-based search.
Additional Resources
Other official sources useful for Eagan background checks include:
- Minnesota DPS Background Check Information - Explains BCA services and how to request records
- Minnesota Court Directory - Find court contact information statewide
- DOC Offender Locator - Current custody and supervision data
- BCA Criminal History Search - Free online name-based criminal history search
The Dakota County District Court in Hastings handles all court matters originating from Eagan. The clerk's office can tell you what documents are available for a specific case and what fees apply for copies. You do not need to explain why you want public records. Anyone can access public data without giving a reason.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Eagan with their own records pages: