Swift County Background Check and Public Records
Swift County background check records can be found through the BCA's statewide criminal history database, the Swift County District Court in Benson, and the Swift County Sheriff's Office. Swift County sits in west-central Minnesota and is part of the 8th Judicial District. The county maintains public records on arrests, criminal cases, and corrections supervision in line with Minnesota law. Whether you are doing a quick online search or need certified documentation, this page walks through each resource, how to use it, and what to expect when you submit a request.
Swift County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension runs Minnesota's central criminal history database, which is free to search at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions in Swift County are reported into this system by the Sheriff's Office and courts as they occur. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records stay public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest records are public under Statute 13.82. The search is free, runs by name and date of birth, and covers all 87 Minnesota counties at once. No account is needed.
Records sealed under Statute 609A will not appear in public results. Certified copies cost $15 and must be ordered by mail from the BCA.
The BCA search portal is shown below and is the standard starting point for any Minnesota criminal history search, including Swift County records.
Results come back quickly. Mail requests take about two weeks for certified responses.
Swift County Sheriff's Office
The Swift County Sheriff's Office is at 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215. The main number is 320-843-3133. The Sheriff's website at swiftcounty.com/departments/sheriff provides contact information and department details. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of Swift County and runs the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff fingerprints qualifying arrestees and reports that data to the BCA. This ensures Swift County arrest records appear in the statewide criminal history system promptly.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215 |
| Phone | 320-843-3133 |
| Website | swiftcounty.com/departments/sheriff |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
The Swift County Sheriff's website is shown below. It is a starting point for local record request procedures and department contact information.
Some records may require a written Data Practices Act request. Call the Sheriff's Office to confirm the process before submitting.
Swift County District Court
Swift County District Court is at 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215, sharing an address with the Sheriff's Office. The clerk's office number is 320-843-3434. The court is part of the 8th Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court records are public unless sealed by a judge. You can review files in person, get copy fees quoted by staff, and confirm case status for any Swift County case. Call ahead to confirm current office hours before making the drive to Benson.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 301 14th Street N, Benson, MN 56215 |
| Phone | 320-843-3434 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Swift.aspx |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory page for Swift County confirms current hours and contact details.
In-person visits give the most complete access to case files. Staff can help locate records by name or case number.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro gives free remote access to Swift County court records. You can search by name or case number. The system shows case status, charges, and dispositions for criminal and civil cases. Juvenile records and sealed matters do not appear in public MCRO results. For a rural county like Swift, remote access is especially useful since the courthouse is not easy to reach for people who live outside the Benson area. No login is needed for basic searches.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second Minnesota court record system that covers calendars and case searches. Checking both MCRO and MPA Remote for Swift County cases gives a more complete picture. MPA Remote can surface scheduled hearings and active calendar entries that may not be as visible in MCRO. Both are free public tools.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator is free and available at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer. It lets you search for anyone currently under DOC custody or supervision in Minnesota, including those from Swift County. Results show facility, supervision type, and current status. Under Minnesota Statute 243.166, predatory offenders must register their address with local law enforcement. This registration requirement helps keep public records current and accurate for counties across the state, including Swift.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act entitles the public to request records from government agencies. Criminal justice records, including arrests and court dispositions, are public by default. To request records from Swift County, contact the Sheriff's Office or court clerk and submit a written data request. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Certain records, such as juvenile cases or materials tied to ongoing investigations, are private and cannot be disclosed. If a public record request is improperly denied, you can file an appeal with the Office of Administrative Hearings.
BCA Mail Requests
For certified criminal history records from the BCA, send a written request to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include the full name and date of birth of the subject. Enclose a $15 check or money order payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 with any questions. Processing takes about two weeks. Certified BCA records are appropriate when you need official documentation rather than a free online result. The BCA is the only agency that can certify a statewide criminal history for Minnesota.
Communities in Swift County
Swift County includes Benson, Kerkhoven, and Appleton among its communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Use the county and state tools on this page to search records for any Swift County community or address.
Nearby Counties
Swift County shares borders with several west-central Minnesota counties, each with their own court and law enforcement records systems.