St. Paul Criminal Records Search
St. Paul is Minnesota's capital city and the county seat of Ramsey County. Background check searches here draw on several distinct public record systems, including the BCA statewide criminal history database, Ramsey County District Court filings, and police records maintained by the Saint Paul Police Department. This guide walks through each source, explains what data is available, and covers how to submit requests, whether online, in person, or by mail.
St. Paul Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains 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 Ramsey. The search is name-based. You enter a first name, last name, and date of birth, and results come back quickly. No account is needed.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data is public record for 15 years from the conviction date. If a conviction falls within that window, it should appear in the BCA search. Cases that ended in acquittal or dismissal are not included. The BCA pulls records directly from court systems statewide, so Ramsey County convictions are included. This is the broadest and most consistent source for criminal conviction data in St. Paul.
Fingerprint-based background checks are also available through the BCA for cases that call for a more thorough search. These go through state and FBI databases and are more complete than the name-based online search. They require a formal submission process and are used for specific licensed or regulated purposes. The online search covers most general needs without that added step.
Saint Paul Police Department Records
The Saint Paul Police Department keeps local records that are separate from both the BCA database and state court records. Their Records Unit is on the first floor of the main police building at 367 Grove Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. The unit is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. You can also reach them by phone at 651-266-5685. For police reports and public data, the SPPD website at stpaul.gov/departments/police has online access options.
Police reports are available in person or through online request. The copy fee is 25 cents per page for up to 99 pages. For records exceeding 100 pages, the department charges actual cost. Arrest records from the SPPD are public under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which classifies arrest data as public from the time of booking. Public data includes the name of the person arrested, the date and location, the charges, and the arresting agency. Some portions of police reports may be withheld if they involve active investigations, protected victim data, or other categories exempted under the Data Practices Act.
The St. Paul Police Department website provides access to police reports, crime statistics, and public data requests under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act.
Ramsey County District Court
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County, so all district court filings for the city go through Ramsey County District Court at 15 W Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102. The court phone number is 651-266-8267. Their page on the Minnesota courts site is at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Ramsey.aspx. The court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases. Most felony and gross misdemeanor convictions that appear in BCA records started as filings in this courthouse.
Court records are public for most case types, but certain records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile records are not available to the public. Expunged cases have been removed from public view by court order. Active investigations may also have restricted filings. For records that are public, you can search the case index through MCRO online or request certified copies from the clerk's office at the courthouse. Certified copies cost $14 per document and can be requested in person or by mail.
The St. Paul Police Records Unit page explains how to request police reports, what public data is available, and the fee schedule for copies.
Minnesota Court Records Online
MCRO is the statewide court records portal. Find it at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. You can search by name for case index information, hearing dates, and case types across all Minnesota counties. Most searches are free. Document viewing may carry a small fee. MCRO is useful for checking whether someone has active court cases in Ramsey County or elsewhere in the state. It does not show sealed or expunged records, and some family matters are restricted.
MPA Remote Access
The Minnesota Public Access Remote system offers more detailed court record access than MCRO. Log in at pa.courts.state.mn.us. MPA Remote includes document images and full charge histories. It requires a subscription and is primarily used by attorneys, researchers, and others who access court records regularly. For a one-time search, the free MCRO portal is the more practical option.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections has offices in St. Paul at 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55108. Their main phone line is 651-361-7200. The DOC also runs a free public Offender Locator tool at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. This tool shows people currently in prison or under DOC supervision, such as those on probation or supervised release. It does not show people who have finished their sentence. Use this tool if you need to know whether someone is currently serving time or under active DOC supervision in Minnesota.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act sets the rules for what public agencies must share and what they may keep private. Statute 13.82 makes arrest data public. Statute 13.87 makes conviction data public for 15 years. These two statutes form the foundation of most public background check searches in St. Paul. However, the law also carves out protections for certain data types. Victim information, active investigation details, and court-sealed records are not available to the public.
Expungement under Statute 609A can seal records held by all agencies involved in a case, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. When a court grants expungement, the record is removed from public searches. This means a person may have a prior arrest or conviction that no longer appears in a background check. This is by design, and it is a legal protection. You will not be able to find these records through the standard public tools.
Mail Requests to the BCA
The BCA accepts background check requests by mail. Send to 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. The fee is $15 per name search. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and payment by check or money order made out to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Processing takes about two weeks. Call 651-793-2400 with questions. Mail requests produce a printed result that can be kept as a formal record.
DHS Background Studies
Licensed care programs in Minnesota are subject to a different background check process under Minnesota Statute 245C. These Department of Human Services background studies apply to people in direct contact with vulnerable adults or children in licensed settings. The process is separate from the public BCA search and has its own disqualifying offense list, submission requirements, and review procedures. If a DHS study is required for your situation, you must go through the DHS process, not just the public BCA search.
Nearby Cities
St. Paul borders several other communities in the east metro. You can search background check records for nearby qualifying cities through their own pages.