Steele County Criminal Records and Background Checks
Steele County background check records include criminal history data held by the BCA, court case files at the Steele County District Court in Owatonna, and law enforcement records maintained by the county Sheriff's Office. Steele County is a mid-sized county in southern Minnesota, and its public records are accessible through a mix of online and in-person channels. Whether you need to look up a court case, check on someone's criminal history, or find out about a person's corrections supervision status, this guide covers each resource and what you can expect when you make a request.
Steele County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides a free public criminal history search at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions tied to Steele County are reported into this system by the Sheriff's Office and District Court. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction data remains public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest records are public under Statute 13.82. The search uses name and date of birth. No account is required. You can search across all 87 counties in a single query, which is useful if a person has records in multiple Minnesota counties.
Expunged records under Statute 609A will not appear in public results. Certified copies require a mail request to the BCA and a $15 fee.
The BCA search portal provides access to statewide criminal history data, including Steele County cases.
Results display quickly. Certified responses take roughly two weeks by mail.
Steele County Sheriff's Office
The Steele County Sheriff's Office is located at 204 E Pearl Street, Owatonna, MN 55060. The main number is 507-444-3800. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas of Steele County and operates the county jail. You can visit the Sheriff's website at co.steele.mn.us/departments/sheriff for contact information and public record request procedures. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff must fingerprint arrestees for qualifying offenses and send that data to the BCA, which ensures Steele County arrests appear in the statewide system.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 E Pearl Street, Owatonna, MN 55060 |
| Phone | 507-444-3800 |
| Website | co.steele.mn.us/departments/sheriff |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
The Steele County Sheriff's Office website is a useful starting point for local record requests and department contact details.
Written Data Practices Act requests may be required for some records. Call ahead to confirm the process.
Steele County District Court
Steele County District Court is at 111 E Main Street, Owatonna, MN 55060. Reach the clerk's office at 507-444-7700. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate filings. Court records are public by default. In-person visits allow you to review case files, confirm hearing dates, and pull docket entries. Copy fees apply for printed records. Court staff can help you locate case information using a name or case number. For active cases, the clerk can confirm current status and scheduled hearings.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 E Main Street, Owatonna, MN 55060 |
| Phone | 507-444-7700 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Steele.aspx |
| Judicial District | 3rd Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Steele County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website confirms contact info and hours.
Visiting in person is the most direct way to review full case files. Call before you go to confirm current hours.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro offers free online access to Steele County court records. You can search criminal and civil cases by name or case number. The system shows charges, case status, and outcome data. Records sealed under court order and juvenile matters do not appear in public results. MCRO is a practical option for remote research when you cannot travel to Owatonna. Searches are instant and no account is needed for basic public access.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us supplements MCRO with court calendar and case search features. Both tools cover Steele County along with all other Minnesota counties. Using both gives a more thorough view of any person's court history in the county. No account is required for public searches. Both systems are free to use for general public access.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer shows current custody and supervision status for anyone under DOC oversight, including individuals from Steele County. The tool is free and open to the public. Search by name or DOC number to find out whether someone is currently incarcerated, on probation, or on parole. Predatory offender registration data is governed by Minnesota Statute 243.166, which requires registered offenders to keep their address current with local law enforcement.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requires government agencies to make most records available to the public on request. Criminal justice records, including arrests and convictions, are public by default. You can request records from Steele County agencies by submitting a written data request to the Sheriff's Office or court clerk. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Records classified as private, such as juvenile case files or ongoing investigation materials, cannot be released. If you are denied a record you believe is public, you can file an appeal with the Office of Administrative Hearings.
BCA Mail Requests
To request a certified criminal history from the BCA, send a written request to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include the subject's full name and date of birth. Enclose a $15 check or money order made payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 for current instructions. Certified records typically take about two weeks to process and mail back. This is the appropriate route when you need an official documented criminal history rather than a free online search result.
Communities in Steele County
Steele County includes Owatonna, Blooming Prairie, and Medford among its communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Use the county and state resources on this page to search records for any Steele County address or community.
Nearby Counties
Steele County shares borders with surrounding southern Minnesota counties that maintain their own public record systems.