Hennepin County Background Check Records
Hennepin County background check searches pull from more sources than almost any other county in Minnesota. The county is the largest in the state, covering Minneapolis and dozens of surrounding cities. You have access to the BCA statewide database, the MCRO court system, the Hennepin County Attorney's public case search, the sheriff's jail roster, and in-person records at the Minneapolis courthouse. This guide covers each of those sources so you know exactly where to look and what each one provides.
Hennepin County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The BCA Criminal History Search is the starting point for any Hennepin County background check. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains this free statewide database. Search by first name, last name, and date of birth. Results show conviction records from all Minnesota counties, including Hennepin, for up to 15 years after the sentence discharge date. No account or payment is needed.
Statute 13.87 sets the parameters. Only convictions within the 15-year post-discharge window are public in this database. Arrests without convictions are not shown. A clean result confirms no public conviction in Minnesota within the time range, not that the person has had no contact with law enforcement. In a county as large as Hennepin, cross-referencing with court and sheriff records gives a more complete picture.
Certified mail-in requests go to 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include a notarized consent form and $15. Allow two weeks. Call 651-793-2400 with questions. Records requests by fax can also be directed to the BCA through the Hennepin County Sheriff at 612-596-8120 for certain law-enforcement-related checks.
The DPS BCA background check information page explains the scope of the public system and how to request certified results.
The screenshot shows the DPS BCA background check page, which covers what data is available, how the public system works, and how certified requests are handled for Hennepin County and all Minnesota counties.
Hennepin County District Court
Hennepin County is in the Fourth Judicial District. The courthouse in downtown Minneapolis is one of the busiest in Minnesota, handling thousands of criminal and civil filings each year. Criminal records here include complaints, plea records, jury verdicts, sentencing orders, and probation documents. The records office is on the B-Level of the Hennepin County Government Center. Certified copies cost $14 per document.
| Address | 300 S 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 612-348-6000 |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Hennepin |
Walk-in access is available during courthouse hours. Bring photo ID. Given the high volume of filings, some requests take time even at the counter. The MCRO online system handles most recent records searches before you need to make a trip. For certified copies or older records not in the digital system, the B-Level records office is the right place. Call ahead for complex or bulk records requests.
Visit the Hennepin County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website for hours and case search links.
The screenshot shows the Hennepin County court listing on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site, with address, hours, and links to case search and court services.
Hennepin County Attorney Case Search
Hennepin County has a unique additional resource: the Hennepin County Attorney's public case search. This is a public version of the MNCIS system focused on adult felony cases filed in Hennepin County. You can search by defendant name, case number, attorney name, or citation number. Results show adult felony case information including charges, case status, and court dates.
This tool is specific to Hennepin County and goes beyond what the general MCRO system shows for active cases. It is particularly useful for checking whether a felony case is pending or how a felony charge was resolved in the county. The attorney's office makes this available as part of its public transparency effort. No account or fee is required.
This tool covers adult felony cases only. For misdemeanor cases, civil records, or family court cases, use MCRO or visit the courthouse directly. The case search is updated regularly but may not reflect same-day filings or the most recent case developments.
Note: The Hennepin County Attorney case search covers adult felonies only. For misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and non-criminal cases, use MCRO or contact the court clerk directly at 612-348-6000.
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is at 350 S 5th Street in Minneapolis, across the street from the Government Center. The sheriff operates one of the largest county jail systems in Minnesota and provides a range of public record services. The office runs a public jail roster search online, where you can look up whether someone is currently held in Hennepin County custody. The roster is updated frequently and shows booking date, charges, and bail information.
| Address | 350 S 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 612-348-3744 |
| Records Fax | 612-596-8120 |
| Website | hennepinsheriff.org |
The sheriff also handles gun permit background checks and processes criminal history arrest reports. Under Statute 299C.10, everyone arrested for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or targeted misdemeanor is fingerprinted, with prints going to the BCA. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82 and covers the time and place of arrest, charges, arresting officer, and case disposition. Data requests can go to the records division directly or via fax to 612-596-8120.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website has links to the jail roster, records services, and department contact information.
The screenshot shows the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website, with links to the jail roster, records services, and department information for the Minneapolis office.
Hennepin County Jail Roster
The Hennepin County jail roster is a free, publicly accessible online tool at jailroster.hennepin.us. It shows people currently held in Hennepin County jail. Search by name to see booking date, charges, and current custody status. This is the fastest way to check whether someone is currently in Hennepin County custody without calling the jail.
The roster reflects current bookings. It does not show historical jail stays or prior arrests. For past booking history or arrest records, you need to contact the sheriff's records division or search through the MCRO court system for case filings that came out of an arrest. The jail roster is updated throughout the day, so there may be a short lag after a recent booking.
Check the Hennepin County jail roster to see current bookings in the county's jail system.
The screenshot shows the Hennepin County jail roster search page, where you can look up current bookings by name and see charges, bail, and custody status in real time.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
The Minnesota Court Records Online system covers all 87 counties, and Hennepin is by far the highest-volume county in the database. Search by party name, case number, attorney, or judge. Documents from July 2015 forward are downloadable. Earlier cases may have docket entries only.
MCRO provides access to actual court filings. For Hennepin County cases, you can pull criminal complaints, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and more. Filter by county to focus on Hennepin. The system handles criminal, civil, probate, and family cases. Given the high case volume from Hennepin, results may return many entries. Narrowing by case type or date helps.
The Minnesota Public Access Remote system covers docket data for cases before MCRO's document range. It shows older case information without full documents. Use both together for the widest coverage of Hennepin County court history.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota DOC maintains the free Offender Locator. Search by name, date of birth, or offender ID to check whether someone is in state custody, on supervised release, or on DOC-supervised probation. The tool shows current DOC status only, not full criminal history.
Hennepin County residents in state prison appear in this database. County jail inmates are not included. Use the jail roster for current Hennepin County jail status. The DOC system updates frequently, with minor delays after recent status changes possible.
Minnesota Data Practices and Public Access
All Hennepin County government records follow the Government Data Practices Act at Statute Chapter 13. The law's default is public access. Restrictions require a specific statutory basis. You do not need to state a reason to request public data, and agencies cannot require one.
Conviction records are public for 15 years under Statute 13.87. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. Agencies can charge copy fees but cannot restrict access without legal authority. Expungement under Statute 609A seals records from public view. Sealed records are not visible in public searches, though courts and law enforcement retain access. In a county as active as Hennepin, expungement petitions are filed regularly, so some records that existed previously may no longer be visible in public searches.
Cities in Hennepin County
Hennepin County has more qualifying cities than any other county in Minnesota. Each of the following cities has a dedicated background check page with specific information on local records access.
Nearby Counties
Hennepin County borders several other Minnesota counties. Each has its own district court and handles records independently through the same statewide systems.