Lakeville Background Check and Public Records
Lakeville is one of the fastest-growing cities in Dakota County in the south metro. Background check searches in Lakeville draw on the BCA statewide criminal history database, Dakota County District Court records in Hastings, and police records from the Lakeville Police Department. This page covers all the key public record sources for background checks in Lakeville, explaining how to access each one and what data is available under Minnesota law.
Lakeville Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs the state's primary criminal history database. You can search it for free at chs.state.mn.us. The database covers felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from all 87 Minnesota counties, including Dakota County where Lakeville is located. The search is name-based. Enter a first name, last name, and date of birth. No account is required and there is no fee for the online search.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public for 15 years from the date of conviction. Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal are not included. The BCA receives data from courts statewide, so Dakota County convictions appear once the court reports them. For pending charges or recent filings not yet resolved, MCRO shows court records in real time before a conviction is entered in the BCA system. Using both tools gives you the fullest picture.
Fingerprint-based checks are also available through the BCA for positions requiring more thorough vetting. These run through state records and FBI national databases. They require a formal submission and are separate from the free online search. For general public background check needs, start with the online BCA tool.
The BCA public criminal history search is the primary statewide tool for Lakeville background checks, drawing on felony and gross misdemeanor conviction data from Dakota County courts.
Lakeville Police Department Records
The Lakeville Police Department is at 9237 183rd Street W, Lakeville, MN 55044. Their main number is 952-985-2800. The department website is at lakevillemn.gov/departments/police_department. The Lakeville PD handles incidents within city limits and maintains records for those cases. To request police reports or arrest records, contact the department directly through their records unit.
Arrest data from the Lakeville 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 officer. Police reports are available under the Government Data Practices Act. Portions covering active investigations, victim information, and other protected data categories may be withheld before release. The records unit reviews each request and releases what state law permits. Have the subject's full name and date of birth ready when you submit your request.
Dakota County District Court
Dakota County District Court is the court of record for all district-level cases in Lakeville. The courthouse is at 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. The court phone number is 651-493-2200. Their Minnesota courts page is at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Dakota.aspx. The court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Felony and gross misdemeanor charges originating in Lakeville are prosecuted in Dakota County and, upon conviction, are reported to the BCA criminal history database.
Court records are public for most case types. Juvenile records are sealed by law. Records expunged under Statute 609A are removed from public access by court order. Certified copies of court documents cost $14 per document. You can request them in person at the Hastings courthouse or by mail. For a basic case index search, use the free MCRO online portal before going to the courthouse. This can save a trip if the record you need is simple to verify online.
Minnesota Court Records Online
MCRO is the free public court portal at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. Search by name across all Minnesota counties, including Dakota. MCRO shows case index data, charge types, hearing dates, and case status. Most searches are free. MCRO is especially useful for finding pending cases in Lakeville that have not yet resulted in a conviction reflected in the BCA database.
Minnesota Court Records Online allows free searches for Lakeville cases filed in Dakota County District Court, covering both pending and closed criminal and civil matters.
MPA Remote Access
Minnesota Public Access Remote provides deeper court record access for subscribers at pa.courts.state.mn.us. MPA Remote includes document images and full charge histories across all Minnesota counties. There is a subscription fee. Legal professionals and researchers who access court records regularly use it most. For a single search, MCRO is the practical starting point.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections runs 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 show people who have completed their sentence. Use this tool to verify whether a specific person is currently incarcerated or under state supervision in Minnesota. Results are updated regularly.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act sets the legal rules for what public agencies must disclose. For background checks, the core statutes are Statute 13.82 for arrest data and Statute 13.87 for conviction data. Both apply in Lakeville. Arrest data is public from booking. Conviction data is public for 15 years. When you request records from the Lakeville Police or Dakota County court, these statutes govern what gets released.
Some data is protected. Active investigation files, victim information, certain juvenile records, and court-ordered sealed records are not available to the public. Expungement under Statute 609A allows a person to petition the court to seal their criminal records from all participating agencies. If a court grants expungement, those records are removed from public searches, including the BCA database. A background check will not return the sealed records. This is a legal right, not a system error, and it applies statewide, including in Lakeville and Dakota County.
Mail Requests to the BCA
Send background check requests by mail to the BCA at 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. The fee is $15 per name. Include the full name, date of birth, and a check or money order made out to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Processing takes about two weeks. Call 651-793-2400 with questions about your request.
DHS Background Studies
Some roles in Minnesota require a Department of Human Services background study under Statute 245C. These studies are required for people who work in direct contact with children or vulnerable adults in licensed care settings. DHS studies are separate from the BCA public search and cover a broader list of disqualifying offenses. If a DHS study is required for a specific role, it must be submitted through the DHS system, not substituted with a general public record search.
Nearby Cities
Lakeville is in the southern part of the Twin Cities metro. These nearby qualifying cities each have local police records and access to their respective county court systems.