St. Louis County Background Check Records
St. Louis County is the largest county in Minnesota by area, and its background check resources span the BCA criminal history database, the St. Louis County District Court in Duluth, and the county Sheriff's Office. The county covers a wide geographic area in northeastern Minnesota, including the city of Duluth. Criminal records, court case data, and corrections supervision information are all accessible to the public through state and county sources. This page details how to find each type of record, what it contains, and how to request certified copies when needed.
St. Louis County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains a statewide criminal history database that is free to search at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions from St. Louis County law enforcement and courts are reported to this system. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records remain public for 15 years after discharge from sentence. Arrest records are public under Statute 13.82. Given St. Louis County's large population and geographic size, the BCA database holds a substantial volume of records tied to the county.
Searches are done by name and date of birth. You do not need an account. Expunged records under Statute 609A do not show up in public results. For certified documents, contact the BCA by mail. The address is 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106, and the fee is $15.
The BCA public search portal is the primary starting point for statewide criminal history, including St. Louis County records.
Results appear immediately. Certified responses take roughly two weeks by mail.
St. Louis County District Court
St. Louis County District Court is headquartered at 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth, MN 55805. The clerk's line is 218-726-2460. The court is part of Minnesota's 6th Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for one of the state's most active court dockets. Because St. Louis County includes a major city, its court sees a higher volume of filings than most outstate Minnesota counties. Court records are public by default. Staff can help retrieve case files, confirm filing dates, and look up judgment information.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth, MN 55805 |
| Phone | 218-726-2460 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/StLouis.aspx |
| Judicial District | 6th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory page for St. Louis County shows the full address, hours, and contact information.
For records involving cases outside Duluth, the county has additional court locations. Check the directory page for details.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro provides free remote access to St. Louis County court records. You can search by person name, case number, or attorney. The system shows criminal charges, case status, court dates, and dispositions. Sealed records and juvenile matters are excluded from public search results. Given St. Louis County's volume of cases, MCRO is particularly useful here. It lets you check case history without traveling to the Duluth courthouse. Most basic searches return results immediately at no cost.
MCRO is the most convenient remote tool for court case research in St. Louis County.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second state court access system that covers calendars and case records. For St. Louis County research, it is worth checking alongside MCRO. MPA Remote can show hearing schedules, active case calendars, and some case details that MCRO may handle differently. Both tools are free and require no login for basic public access. Using both together gives the most complete picture of a person's St. Louis County court history.
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is located at 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth, MN 55805. The main line is 218-726-2222. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of St. Louis County and operates the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff is required to fingerprint arrestees for qualifying offenses and send that data to the BCA. Because St. Louis County is vast, with dozens of small communities spread across a large area, the Sheriff's Office plays a central role in rural law enforcement and record keeping.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1001 E Highway 2, Duluth, MN 55805 |
| Phone | 218-726-2222 |
| Jurisdiction | Unincorporated St. Louis County and county jail |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
Written Data Practices Act requests may be needed for some Sheriff's Office records. Call ahead to confirm the process before submitting.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections runs a free public offender locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. You can search for people currently incarcerated or under DOC supervision statewide, including those from St. Louis County. Results show facility, supervision type, and status. Minnesota Statute 243.166 requires predatory offenders to register and keep their address current. This registration information is also accessible through law enforcement channels. The DOC tool is especially useful when checking on individuals who may have moved between counties.
The DOC Offender Locator is free and updates regularly.
Search by name or DOC number to get current custody and supervision status for any person in the system.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes the public's right to access government records. Criminal justice records, including arrest data and court dispositions, are public by default in Minnesota. To request records from St. Louis County agencies, contact the relevant office and submit a written data request. The Sheriff's Office, District Court clerk, and other county offices must respond within ten business days. Records classified as private, such as juvenile files or certain investigative materials, cannot be released. If a request is denied improperly, you can appeal through the Office of Administrative Hearings.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified BCA criminal history records cost $15 and can be ordered by mail. Send your request to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include the subject's full legal name and date of birth. Enclose a check or money order payable to the BCA. For questions, call 651-793-2400. Processing typically takes about two weeks. Certified records are appropriate when you need an official documented response rather than the free online public search. This is especially useful for St. Louis County, which has a high volume of criminal court records.
Communities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County includes the city of Duluth, which has its own dedicated page. You can find Duluth-specific background check information at the link below. Other communities in the county, including Virginia, Hibbing, and Eveleth, do not currently have dedicated city pages. Use the county and state resources above for those areas.
Nearby Counties
St. Louis County borders several counties in northern Minnesota, each with their own record systems.