Traverse County Criminal Records and Background Checks
Traverse County background check records are available through the BCA criminal history database, the Traverse County District Court in Wheaton, and the Traverse County Sheriff's Office. Traverse is one of Minnesota's smallest and most rural counties, located along the South Dakota border in the far west of the state. Despite its size, it participates in all statewide public record systems. Criminal history, court case data, and corrections supervision information are all open to the public. This page explains each source, how to use it, and how to request records when you need them.
Traverse County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides a free statewide criminal history search at chs.state.mn.us. Traverse County arrests and convictions are included in this system as they are reported by the Sheriff's Office and courts. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public for 15 years after discharge from sentence. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. Searches are free and use name and date of birth. No login is required. The database covers all 87 Minnesota counties, which is useful when looking up individuals with ties to multiple counties.
Expunged records under Statute 609A do not appear. For certified criminal history documentation, a mail request to the BCA costs $15 and takes about two weeks to process.
The BCA criminal history portal is shown below. It is the main starting point for statewide background check searches, including Traverse County records.
Results return instantly. Mail requests for certified copies take about two weeks.
Traverse County Sheriff's Office
The Traverse County Sheriff's Office is at 202 8th Street N, Wheaton, MN 56296. The main number is 320-422-7800. The Sheriff's website is at co.traverse.mn.us/departments/sheriff. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated Traverse County and operates the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff must fingerprint qualifying arrestees and forward that data to the BCA. In a county this small, the Sheriff's Office is often the primary law enforcement contact for any record request related to criminal activity in the county.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 202 8th Street N, Wheaton, MN 56296 |
| Phone | 320-422-7800 |
| Website | co.traverse.mn.us/departments/sheriff |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
The Traverse County Sheriff's Office website is shown below and provides contact details for record requests and department information.
Some records require a written Data Practices Act request. Call ahead to confirm what documentation is needed before visiting.
Traverse County District Court
Traverse County District Court is located at 702 2nd Avenue N, Wheaton, MN 56296. The clerk's number is 320-422-7751. The court is part of the 8th Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases for the county. Court records are public by default. You can review case files in person, get copy fee quotes from staff, and confirm case status for any Traverse County matter. For small counties like Traverse, the clerk's office typically has a small staff, so calling ahead to confirm hours and availability is a good idea before making the trip to Wheaton.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 702 2nd Avenue N, Wheaton, MN 56296 |
| Phone | 320-422-7751 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Traverse.aspx |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory for Traverse County is shown below and confirms current contact information and hours.
In-person access remains the most thorough way to review full case files at the Traverse County courthouse.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro provides free remote access to Traverse County court records. This is especially useful given the county's remote location. You can search by name or case number for criminal and civil cases. Results show case status, charges, and disposition information. Sealed records and juvenile matters do not appear in public results. MCRO is often the most practical first option for people who need Traverse County court information but cannot travel to Wheaton. Searches are free and instant.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second statewide court system that covers calendars and case records. Checking both MPA Remote and MCRO for Traverse County gives a more complete picture of court activity. Both tools are free. MPA Remote can surface hearing schedules and active calendar entries. No login is required for public searches.
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 in Minnesota. It is free and open to the public. Search by name or DOC number to find out whether someone from Traverse County is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation. Under Minnesota Statute 243.166, predatory offenders must register with local law enforcement and keep their address current. The DOC locator helps you check whether someone is in the system and where they are currently supervised.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act entitles the public to request records held by government agencies. Criminal justice records, including arrests and court dispositions, are public by default. To request records from Traverse County, contact the Sheriff's Office or court clerk and submit a written data request. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Some records, including juvenile files and materials related to active investigations, are classified as private. If a denial seems improper, you can challenge it through the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified criminal history records from the BCA must be ordered by mail. Send your 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. Attach a $15 check or money order made payable to the BCA. For questions, call 651-793-2400. Processing typically takes about two weeks. Certified records from the BCA are the appropriate documentation when you need official confirmation of a criminal history search rather than a free public online result. This is the only way to get a certified statewide Minnesota criminal history.
Communities in Traverse County
Traverse County includes Wheaton, Browns Valley, and a handful of small townships. 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 Traverse County location or individual.
Nearby Counties
Traverse County borders a small number of Minnesota counties along the western edge of the state.