Find Winona County Background Check Records
Winona County background check records are maintained through the BCA's statewide criminal history database, the Winona County District Court, and the Sheriff's Office in the city of Winona. This southeastern Minnesota county sits along the Mississippi River and is part of the 3rd Judicial District. Criminal history data, court case information, and DOC supervision records are all accessible to the public. Whether you need a free online search or certified documentation, this page explains where each type of record is held and how to access it.
Winona County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains Minnesota's statewide criminal history database at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions in Winona County are reported into this system by the Sheriff's Office and courts. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records remain public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. Searches are free, use name and date of birth, and cover all 87 Minnesota counties in one query. No login is required. Records sealed under Statute 609A do not appear in public search results.
Certified copies require a mail request and a $15 fee. The BCA processes mail requests in about two weeks. The BCA database is the standard first stop for any Winona County criminal history search.
The BCA public criminal history search portal is available at no cost and covers Winona County along with the full state.
Searches return results instantly. For certified documentation, use the BCA mail request process.
Winona County District Court
Winona County District Court is at 171 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987. The clerk's number is 507-457-6380. The court is part of the 3rd Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters for the county. Court records are public by default unless sealed by court order. In-person visits allow you to review full case files, pull docket entries, and confirm case status. Copy fees apply for printed records. Staff can locate cases by name or case number. For active cases, the clerk can confirm current hearing schedules and pending motions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 171 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987 |
| Phone | 507-457-6380 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Winona.aspx |
| Judicial District | 3rd Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory for Winona County confirms current contact details and court hours.
Call ahead before visiting. Hours can change. In-person access gives the most complete view of case files.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro gives free remote access to Winona County court records. You can search criminal and civil cases by name or case number. The system returns case status, charges, and disposition data. Sealed records and juvenile matters are excluded from public results. MCRO is practical for anyone who needs Winona County court information but cannot make the trip to the courthouse. Searches are instant and free. No account is required for basic public access.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second statewide court access tool. It covers court calendars and case record searches that supplement MCRO. For Winona County, using both tools gives the most complete picture of court activity. Both are free. MPA Remote is useful for checking upcoming hearing dates and active calendar entries. No login is needed for basic public searches.
Winona County Sheriff's Office
The Winona County Sheriff's Office is at 201 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987, just around the corner from the courthouse. The main number is 507-457-6508. The Sheriff handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas of Winona County and operates the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff must fingerprint qualifying arrestees and forward that data to the BCA. This ensures Winona County arrests appear in the statewide criminal history database. For local record requests, contact the Sheriff's Office and ask about their Data Practices Act request process.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 W 3rd Street, Winona, MN 55987 |
| Phone | 507-457-6508 |
| Jurisdiction | Unincorporated Winona County and county jail |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
Call the Sheriff's Office before submitting a record request. Some records require a written Data Practices Act request before they can be released.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer is free and publicly accessible. It shows current custody and supervision status for anyone under DOC oversight statewide, including those from Winona County. Search by name or DOC number. Results show facility, supervision type, and current status. Minnesota Statute 243.166 requires predatory offenders to register with local law enforcement and keep their address current. Using the DOC locator alongside the BCA gives the most complete view of a person's criminal justice status in Minnesota.
The DOC Offender Locator is a key tool for checking active supervision or incarceration status.
Results are updated regularly. Both name and DOC number searches are available.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act gives the public the right to request records held by government agencies. Criminal justice records, including arrest data and court dispositions, are public in Minnesota by default. To request records from Winona County, contact the Sheriff's Office or court clerk and submit a written data request. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Some records, such as juvenile case files or materials tied to active investigations, are classified as private and cannot be released. If a public records request is improperly denied, you can appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified criminal history records from the BCA can be obtained 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, and enclose a $15 check or money order made payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 for current instructions. Processing takes about two weeks. Certified BCA records are appropriate when you need official documentation rather than a free public online search result. The BCA is the only Minnesota agency that can certify a statewide criminal history record.
Communities in Winona County
Winona County includes the city of Winona, Goodview, and St. Charles. The city of Winona does not currently meet the threshold for a dedicated city page. Use the county and state resources above to search records for any Winona County community or individual.
Nearby Counties
Winona County borders southeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin counties. Minnesota-side neighbors include the following.