Wright County Background Check Records
Wright County background check records are available through the BCA's statewide criminal history system, the Wright County District Court in Buffalo, and the Sheriff's Office. Wright County is a growing suburban and exurban county west of the Twin Cities metro, and it sees a moderate volume of court filings relative to its size. Criminal history data, court case information, and DOC supervision records are all public under Minnesota law. This page explains each resource, how to search it, and what to do when you need certified documentation or in-person access to full case files.
Wright County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintains Minnesota's central criminal history database, free to search at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions in Wright County are reported into this system by the Sheriff's Office and courts as they occur. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are 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 at once. No account is required. Given Wright County's growing population, the BCA database holds a substantial number of records tied to the county.
Expunged records under Statute 609A will not appear. Certified copies require a mail request to the BCA with a $15 fee. Processing takes about two weeks.
The BCA Public Criminal History portal is shown below and is the standard starting point for any Minnesota criminal history search.
Search results appear instantly. For certified records, use the BCA mail request process described below.
Wright County District Court
Wright County District Court is at 10 2nd Street NW, Buffalo, MN 55313. The clerk's number is 763-682-7539. The court is part of the 10th Judicial District and handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Court records are public by default. In-person visits give the most complete access to case files and supporting documents. Staff can help you locate cases by name or case number, pull docket entries, and confirm case status and hearing dates. Copy fees apply for printed records. Call ahead to confirm current hours before making the trip to Buffalo.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 10 2nd Street NW, Buffalo, MN 55313 |
| Phone | 763-682-7539 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/Wright.aspx |
| Judicial District | 10th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory confirms Wright County court contact information and current hours.
In-person visits provide the most thorough access to full case files. Staff can answer questions about specific cases and copy procedures.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro provides free remote access to Wright County court records. You can search criminal and civil cases by name or case number without traveling to Buffalo. Results show case status, charges, and disposition information. Sealed records and juvenile matters are excluded from public search results. MCRO is a practical option for anyone who needs Wright County court information but lives outside the Buffalo area. Searches are free and instant. No account is required for 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 records that supplement MCRO. For Wright County research, using both systems gives the most complete view of court activity. Both are free and require no login for public searches. MPA Remote is especially helpful for checking upcoming hearing dates and active case calendar entries for Wright County cases.
Wright County Sheriff's Office
The Wright County Sheriff's Office is at 3800 Braddock Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN 55313. The main number is 763-682-1162. The Sheriff handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county and operates the county jail. Under Minnesota Statute 299C.10, the Sheriff must fingerprint qualifying arrestees and send that data to the BCA. This keeps the statewide criminal history database current with Wright County arrest activity. For local record requests, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. Some records require a formal written Data Practices Act request before they can be released.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3800 Braddock Avenue NE, Buffalo, MN 55313 |
| Phone | 763-682-1162 |
| Jurisdiction | Unincorporated Wright County and county jail |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
Call the Sheriff's Office before submitting a record request to confirm what documentation is needed and how long responses take.
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 in Minnesota, including individuals from Wright County. Search by name or DOC number. Results show facility location and supervision type. Minnesota Statute 243.166 requires predatory offenders to register with local law enforcement and keep their address current. Using the DOC locator alongside BCA data gives the most complete view of someone's criminal justice status in Minnesota.
The DOC Offender Locator updates regularly and is a useful companion to the BCA criminal history system.
Both name and DOC number searches are available. Results are updated by DOC staff on an ongoing basis.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act gives the public the right to request records from state and county government agencies. Criminal justice records, including arrests and court dispositions, are public by default in Minnesota. To request records from Wright County, contact the Sheriff's Office or court clerk and submit a written data request. Agencies must respond within ten business days. Records classified as private, such as juvenile case files or materials tied to active investigations, cannot be released. If you believe a denial is improper, you may appeal through the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified criminal history records from the BCA are obtained by mailing 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. Attach a $15 check or money order payable to the BCA. Call 651-793-2400 for current process details or to ask questions. Processing takes about two weeks. Certified records are the right option when you need official documentation of a criminal history search. The BCA is the only agency authorized to issue certified statewide Minnesota criminal history records.
Communities in Wright County
Wright County includes Buffalo, Monticello, Delano, and St. Michael among its communities. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Use the county and state tools on this page to search records for any Wright County community or address.
Nearby Counties
Wright County borders several Twin Cities metro and central Minnesota counties, each with their own court and sheriff record systems.