Scott County Background Check Records
Scott County background check resources cover criminal history, court filings, and public records maintained at the county and state level. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Scott County District Court, and the county Sheriff's Office each hold distinct sets of records that can help you find information on individuals with ties to Shakopee and the surrounding communities. This page explains where each record type lives, how to search online, and what steps to take when you need certified copies or in-person requests.
Scott County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension operates the state's central criminal history database. Any person can search this database free of charge at chs.state.mn.us. The search covers arrests, charges, and convictions reported from law enforcement and courts across all 87 Minnesota counties, including Scott. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data stays public for 15 years after discharge from sentence. Arrest records are public under Minnesota Statute 13.82. Results are not instant background check certifications; they reflect self-reported data from agencies statewide.
The BCA public search is a good first stop. It is free, requires no account, and covers the full state. You can search by name and date of birth. Keep in mind that not every record appears here. Expunged cases under Minnesota Statute 609A are sealed and will not show in public results. If you need a certified record, contact the BCA directly.
The BCA Criminal History Search portal gives residents a quick way to start.
Most searches return results in seconds. For certified copies, the BCA charges a fee and requires a written request.
Scott County District Court
Scott County District Court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases for the county. Court records are public unless sealed by a judge. The courthouse is located at 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379. You can reach the clerk's office at 952-496-8200. Court staff can help you locate case files, docket entries, and judgment records. In-person access is available during normal business hours. Some records require a written request or a copy fee.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 4th Avenue W, Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | 952-496-8200 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Scott.aspx |
| Jurisdiction | 1st Judicial District |
| Record Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Scott County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site provides contact details and court hours.
You can confirm case status, filing dates, and disposition information by calling the clerk or visiting in person.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
The Minnesota Court Records Online system gives remote access to public court case information statewide. MCRO is available at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro. The system covers criminal cases, civil filings, and some family law matters. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. MCRO shows case status, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Not all documents are viewable online; some require a courthouse visit. Confidential cases, sealed records, and juvenile matters do not appear in public search results.
MCRO is useful for checking whether a case is pending, what charges were filed, or how a matter was resolved. The system covers Scott County along with all other Minnesota counties. Access is free for basic searches.
MPA Remote Access
Minnesota's Publicly Accessible Court System, known as MPA Remote, provides another layer of remote court access. The system is available at pa.courts.state.mn.us. MPA Remote allows users to search case records and calendars for Scott County and other counties across the state. It supplements MCRO with additional case detail in some jurisdictions. Both tools are worth checking when researching a specific individual's court history in Scott County.
Scott County Sheriff's Office
The Scott County Sheriff's Office is located at 301 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379. The main line is 952-496-8300. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of Scott County and operates the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, sheriffs are required to fingerprint individuals arrested for certain offenses and submit that data to the BCA. This keeps the BCA criminal history database current with local arrest activity.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 Fuller Street S, Shakopee, MN 55379 |
| Phone | 952-496-8300 |
| Jurisdiction | Scott County unincorporated areas and county jail |
| Fingerprint Submission | Sent to BCA per Statute 299C.10 |
To request records from the Sheriff's Office, contact them directly. Some records may require a formal Data Practices Act request. Response times vary depending on the type and volume of records requested.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections runs a public offender locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. This tool shows the current status of individuals under DOC supervision, including those on probation, parole, or incarcerated. Predatory offender registration records are maintained under Minnesota Statute 243.166. Registered offenders must keep their address current with local law enforcement. The DOC locator and BCA together give a strong picture of an individual's supervision status.
The DOC Offender Locator is free and open to the public.
Search by name or DOC number to find current custody and supervision records.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act gives the public the right to request government records. Most criminal justice data, including arrests and convictions, is public under this law. You can submit a data request to the Scott County Sheriff's Office, the District Court clerk, or any other county agency. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Some records are classified as private or confidential and cannot be released. If you believe a record is public and have been denied, you can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
BCA Mail Requests
If you need a certified criminal history from the BCA, you can submit a request by mail. Send your written request to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include the subject's full name, date of birth, and a check or money order for $15 made payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 for current instructions. Processing typically takes about two weeks. Certified records are useful when you need official documentation rather than a public online search result.
Communities in Scott County
Scott County includes cities such as Shakopee, Prior Lake, Savage, and Jordan. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. You can search records for all Scott County communities through the county-level and state-level resources listed above.
Nearby Counties
Scott County borders several other Minnesota counties, each with their own court and sheriff resources.