Find Redwood County Background Check Records
Redwood County background check records are accessible through a combination of state and local sources. The BCA's free online tool is the fastest way to check statewide conviction history. The Redwood County District Court in Redwood Falls holds all case filings for the county, and the sheriff's office keeps arrest records for incidents outside city limits. This guide covers each source and what it provides so you can run a thorough Redwood County public records search.
Redwood County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The BCA Criminal History Search is the primary free tool for looking up criminal convictions connected to Redwood County. Run by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, it covers conviction records from courts statewide. Enter a name and date of birth to get results. The system shows convictions going back 15 years from the discharge date. Arrests without a conviction are not shown.
Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data is public for 15 years after discharge. No login is required. The search is free. Because the BCA covers all Minnesota counties in one database, Redwood County records appear here alongside records from across the state. This is the right first step for any background check in Redwood County. If you need more detail on a specific case, follow up with MCRO for the actual court documents.
Mail requests for certified results cost $15. Include a notarized consent form and send to 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Allow two weeks. Call 651-793-2400 if you have questions.
Redwood County District Court
The Redwood County District Court in Redwood Falls is part of Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District. It handles criminal, civil, family, and probate filings for the county. Records include criminal charges and dispositions, sentencing orders, civil judgments, and more. Both the court and the sheriff's office share the same address at 303 E 3rd Street.
| Address | 303 E 3rd Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 507-637-4022 |
| Website | mncourts.gov - Redwood |
The clerk's office can search by case number or party name. In-person access is available during business hours. Certified copies carry a per-page fee. Bring photo ID. Because the court and sheriff share a building, it's easy to visit both in a single trip if you need records from each office.
Older case records that predate the electronic filing system exist as paper files at the courthouse. For those, you need to contact the clerk directly. For more recent filings, MCRO provides online document access without requiring a visit to Redwood Falls.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
The Minnesota Court Records Online system covers all Minnesota county courts including Redwood. You can search by party name, case number, attorney, or judge. Documents filed from July 2015 forward are viewable and downloadable. Older records may show as docket entries without attached files.
MCRO is the best online tool for accessing actual court documents from Redwood County without making the drive to Redwood Falls. Criminal, civil, and probate cases all appear. The system is free and needs no registration. Name searches work well for smaller counties like Redwood, where the number of results is usually manageable without extra filters. For cases you find in MCRO, you can download the actual filed documents to review them.
The Redwood County court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website has contact details, hours, and links to case records tools.
The screenshot above shows the Redwood County court listing on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site, where you can find contact information and access links for case records.
Redwood County Sheriff's Office
The Redwood County Sheriff's Office is located at the same address as the district court in Redwood Falls. The sheriff handles law enforcement in the rural parts of the county and maintains arrest records for incidents handled by county deputies. Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, arrest data is public, covering the time and place of an arrest, the charges, and the case outcome.
| Address | 303 E 3rd Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 507-637-4036 |
Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Redwood County Sheriff must fingerprint those arrested for felonies, gross misdemeanors, and certain misdemeanors. Prints go to the BCA and become part of the statewide criminal history record. This is how local arrests in Redwood County connect to the state database. When you run a BCA search, you're pulling from data that was originally submitted by agencies like the Redwood County Sheriff.
For records requests, contact the sheriff's office by phone at 507-637-4036. Knowing the subject's name and the date of the incident helps staff identify the right records and process your request more efficiently.
The Minnesota DPS background check page describes how sheriff arrest data flows into the BCA's statewide criminal history system.
The screenshot above shows the DPS background check overview, which explains the relationship between county sheriffs and the BCA statewide records system.
MPA Remote and Older Court Records
The Minnesota Public Access Remote (MPA Remote) system shows docket-level information for older court cases. No documents are downloadable, but you can confirm whether a case exists before making a formal request. MPA Remote is most useful for cases filed before MCRO's July 2015 start date.
Using MPA Remote alongside MCRO gives you the widest coverage of Redwood County court history. MCRO is better for recent cases and document downloads. MPA Remote fills in the older coverage gap. For matters predating both systems, contact the Redwood County District Court clerk at 507-637-4022.
DOC Offender Locator
The DOC Offender Locator, run by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, lets you check the current supervision status of people in the state corrections system. Search by name, date of birth, or offender ID. Results show whether someone is in state prison, on supervised release, or under DOC probation. Full criminal history is not included. County jail is not reflected here.
Redwood County residents sentenced to state prison appear in this system. The data is updated regularly. It's a fast public check before you contact the court or sheriff. If you need to know whether someone is currently under state supervision, this is the fastest way to find out.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Data Practices Act at Statute Chapter 13 governs how government data is classified and who can access it. The default rule is that government data is public unless a statute specifically limits access. You do not need to explain your reason for requesting public records. Agencies cannot withhold public data without citing the specific statute that authorizes the restriction.
Under the Act, conviction records are public for 15 years after discharge (Statute 13.87). Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. Juvenile records are not public. Records sealed through expungement under Statute 609A are removed from public view, though law enforcement agencies retain access. Predatory offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements under Statute 243.166 are listed publicly. These rules apply throughout Redwood County.
Requesting Records by Mail
To request a certified BCA criminal history result by mail, send $15 and a notarized consent form to 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Plan for two weeks to receive results. Call 651-793-2400 with any questions before you mail your request.
For court records from Redwood County by mail, contact the District Court clerk at 507-637-4022. The clerk can explain what written requests need to include and what fees apply for document copies. For sheriff records, call 507-637-4036. Both offices share a building at 303 E 3rd Street, which simplifies any in-person follow-up.
Additional State Resources
The DPS background check information page provides a complete overview of how Minnesota's criminal history system works, what data it covers, and how to submit requests. It's a useful first read for anyone navigating the state's public records tools for the first time.
The Minnesota Court Directory has contact information and hours for every county court in the state. From there you can navigate directly to the Redwood County court page or find courts in nearby counties.
Communities in Redwood County
Criminal and civil cases from communities throughout Redwood County, including Redwood Falls and surrounding areas, are filed at the District Court in Redwood Falls. No cities in this county currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated background check page.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Redwood County and have their own district court and background check pages.