Woodbury Background Check Records
Woodbury is the largest city in Washington County, located in the east metro just outside of St. Paul. Background check searches in Woodbury draw on the BCA statewide criminal history database, Washington County District Court records in Stillwater, and police records from both the Woodbury Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office. This page covers all the major public record sources for background checks in Woodbury and explains how to access each one.
Woodbury Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs the state's central criminal history database. The free public tool is at chs.state.mn.us. It covers felony and gross misdemeanor convictions from all 87 Minnesota counties, including Washington County. You search by first name, last name, and date of birth. No account or payment is needed for the online name 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 court systems statewide, so Washington County convictions appear once the court reports them. For pending cases or recent filings not yet resolved, MCRO is the better source for finding those court records before they appear in the BCA database.
Fingerprint-based checks through the BCA are also available for situations requiring a more complete search. These use both state records and FBI databases. They require a formal submission process and are separate from the free online search. For most general background check purposes, start with the online BCA tool.
The BCA public criminal history search covers statewide conviction records and is the primary tool for background checks in Woodbury and Washington County.
Woodbury Police Department Records
The Woodbury Police Department is at 8415 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN 55125. Their main number is 651-714-3600. The department website is at woodburymn.gov/police-department. The Woodbury PD handles law enforcement within city limits and maintains records for incidents that occurred there. To request police reports or arrest records, contact the department directly through their records division.
Arrest data from the Woodbury Police Department is public under Minnesota Statute 13.82. Public arrest records include the name of the person arrested, the date and location of arrest, the charges filed, and the arresting officer or agency. Police reports are available under the Government Data Practices Act. However, portions of police reports covering active investigations, victim information, or other protected data categories may be withheld before release. When you submit a request, the records unit will determine what is releasable under state law.
Washington County Sheriff
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 15015 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082. Their phone number is 651-430-7900. Their website is at co.washington.mn.us/1253/Sheriffs-Office. The sheriff serves unincorporated areas and smaller communities within Washington County. For incidents that occurred outside Woodbury city limits but within Washington County, the sheriff's records office is the appropriate contact. The sheriff's office can assist with records requests under the same Data Practices Act framework as the city police department.
Washington County District Court
Washington County District Court is located in Stillwater at 14949 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082. The court phone number is 651-430-6263. Their Minnesota courts page is at mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Washington.aspx. All district court cases filed in Woodbury and the rest of Washington County go through this courthouse. The court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.
Felony and gross misdemeanor charges filed in Woodbury are prosecuted in Washington County and, upon conviction, are reported to the BCA criminal history database. Court records are public for most case types. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records under Statute 609A are removed from public access. To request certified copies of court documents, contact the clerk's office at the Stillwater courthouse. Certified copies cost $14 per document and can be requested in person or by mail. For a general case index search, use MCRO online at no charge.
Minnesota Court Records Online allows free public searches for Woodbury cases filed in Washington County District Court, covering both active and concluded matters.
Minnesota Court Records Online
MCRO is the free public court records portal at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. You can search by name across all 87 Minnesota counties, including Washington. MCRO shows case index data, 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 cases that have not yet resulted in a conviction in the BCA database.
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 frequent searchers use it more than the free MCRO portal. For a one-time background check, start with MCRO.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections maintains a free public Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. This shows people currently in a Minnesota prison or under active DOC supervision such as probation or supervised release. It does not show people who have completed their sentence. If you need to verify whether a person is currently incarcerated or under state supervision in Minnesota, this tool is the right starting point.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act sets the rules for what public agencies must release. For background checks, the key statutes are Statute 13.82 for arrest data and Statute 13.87 for conviction data. Both apply in Woodbury. Arrest data becomes public from the moment of booking. Conviction data is public for 15 years. When you request records from the Woodbury Police or Washington County, these statutes guide what gets released.
Some data is protected by law. Active investigation files, victim information, certain juvenile records, and records sealed by court order are not available. Expungement under Statute 609A allows a court to seal records from all agencies that participated in a case. After expungement, the records no longer appear in standard searches, including the BCA database. This is a legal protection that removes past records from public view by court order.
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 made out to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Processing takes about two weeks. Call 651-793-2400 with questions.
DHS Background Studies
Licensed care programs in Minnesota require DHS background studies under Statute 245C. These studies apply to people who work directly with children or vulnerable adults in licensed settings. They are separate from the public BCA search and use a broader list of disqualifying offenses. If a DHS study is required for a specific role or facility, it must go through the DHS submission process rather than the general public tool.
Nearby Cities
Woodbury is in the east metro, close to the Ramsey and Dakota County borders. These nearby qualifying cities have their own local record sources.