Search Washington County Background Check Records
Washington County background check records are available through the BCA criminal history database, the Washington County District Court in Stillwater, and the Sheriff's Office, which provides several useful online tools for public record access. Washington County is a suburban county east of the Twin Cities and includes the city of Woodbury, one of Minnesota's larger cities. The county's Sheriff's Office publishes a daily inmate book-in report and a live inmate roster online, making it one of the more transparent counties in the state for real-time jail data. This page covers each resource and explains how to use it.
Washington County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains Minnesota's statewide criminal history database, free to search at chs.state.mn.us. Washington County arrests and convictions are reported into this system by the Sheriff's Office and courts. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest records are public under Statute 13.82. Searches use name and date of birth and cover all 87 Minnesota counties in one query. No account is required. Given Washington County's large suburban population, the BCA database holds a substantial number of records tied to the county.
Records sealed under Statute 609A do not appear in public results. For certified copies, mail a request with a $15 fee to the BCA at 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Processing takes about two weeks.
The BCA Public Criminal History portal covers Washington County and the rest of the state in a single search.
Results come back instantly. The BCA mail option is the only route to certified records.
Washington County Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is at 15015 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082. The main number is 651-430-7900. The Sheriff's website at co.washington.mn.us/1253/Sheriffs-Office provides contact details and links to public record tools. The office publishes two key documents online: an adult daily book-in report in PDF format and an adult inmate roster in PDF format. The live inmate roster is available directly at web1.co.washington.mn.us/WCInmateRoster/InmateRosterReport.pdf. This makes it easy to check who is currently held in the county jail without making a phone call.
Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff fingerprints qualifying arrestees and forwards that data to the BCA, keeping the statewide database current with Washington County arrest activity. For other types of record requests, contact the Sheriff's Office to ask about their Data Practices Act process.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 15015 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | 651-430-7900 |
| Website | co.washington.mn.us/1253/Sheriffs-Office |
| Inmate Roster | Live Inmate Roster PDF |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
The live inmate roster is one of the most useful local tools available for checking who is currently in the Washington County jail.
Washington County District Court
Washington County District Court is at 14949 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082. The clerk's number is 651-430-6263. The court is part of the 10th Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate cases. Washington County's suburban population means a high volume of court filings relative to most outstate counties. Court records are public by default. Staff can help locate case files, confirm docket entries, and check case status. Copy fees apply for printed records. In-person access is available during normal business hours.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 14949 62nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 |
| Phone | 651-430-6263 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Washington.aspx |
| Judicial District | 10th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory confirms current Washington County court contact details and hours.
Call ahead to confirm hours. In-person access provides the most complete view of full case files and documents.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro provides free remote access to Washington County court case data. Given the county's large case volume, MCRO is particularly useful here. You can search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show case status, charges, and disposition information for criminal and civil matters. Sealed records and juvenile cases are excluded from public MCRO results. No account is required. Searches are instant and free, making this the go-to remote option for court research in Washington County.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second statewide court system with calendar and case search features. For Washington County, using both MPA Remote and MCRO is the most thorough approach. MPA Remote shows hearing schedules and active court calendars that MCRO may not surface as clearly. Both tools are free and do not require login for public searches.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer is free and available to the public. It shows current custody and supervision status for anyone under DOC oversight in Minnesota, including Washington County residents. Search by name or DOC number. Results show facility location and supervision type. Minnesota Statute 243.166 requires predatory offenders to register and keep their address current with local law enforcement. The DOC locator is a useful addition to the BCA and court record tools for a complete background check picture.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act entitles the public to request records from government agencies in the state. Criminal justice data, including arrests and court dispositions, is public by default. To request records from Washington 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 files or materials related to active investigations, are private and cannot be disclosed. If a denial is improper, you may challenge it through the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified criminal history records from the BCA are available by mail. Write to Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, 1430 Maryland Avenue E, St. Paul, MN 55106. Include the subject's full name and date of birth. Attach a $15 check or money order payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 for current process details. Processing takes about two weeks. Certified records from the BCA are the only way to get official statewide criminal history documentation in Minnesota. This is the right route when you need something more formal than a free online search result.
Communities in Washington County
Washington County includes Woodbury, which has a dedicated background check page. Other communities in the county, including Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo, and Oakdale, do not currently have dedicated city pages. Use county and state tools for those areas.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several Twin Cities metro and eastern Minnesota counties with their own record systems.