Yellow Medicine County Background Check Records
Yellow Medicine County background check records are accessible through the BCA's statewide criminal history database, the Yellow Medicine County District Court in Granite Falls, and the county Sheriff's Office. Yellow Medicine County sits in southwestern Minnesota and is part of the 8th Judicial District. Public records on arrests, criminal cases, and corrections supervision are all open to the public through Minnesota's standard state and county systems. This guide explains each record source, how to use it, and what steps to follow when you need certified records or in-person courthouse access.
Yellow Medicine County Overview
BCA Criminal History Search
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides a free criminal history search at chs.state.mn.us. Arrests and convictions in Yellow Medicine County are reported into this statewide system by the Sheriff's Office and District Court. Under Minnesota Statute 13.87, conviction records are public for 15 years after discharge. Arrest data is public under Statute 13.82. Searches use name and date of birth and cover all 87 Minnesota counties. No account is needed. This is the standard first stop for any Minnesota background check search, including Yellow Medicine County.
Records sealed by court order under Statute 609A expungement procedures will not appear in public results. For certified documentation, a mail request to the BCA costs $15 and takes about two weeks.
The BCA Public Criminal History portal is shown below. It covers Yellow Medicine County along with every other county in the state.
Searches are instant. For certified records, use the BCA mail request process described later on this page.
Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office
The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office is at 415 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241. The main number is 320-564-2130. The Sheriff's website is at co.ym.mn.gov/departments/sheriff. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for 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 ensures Yellow Medicine County arrests are reflected in the statewide criminal history database promptly. For local record requests, contact the Sheriff's Office and ask about their Data Practices Act request process.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241 |
| Phone | 320-564-2130 |
| Website | co.ym.mn.gov/departments/sheriff |
| BCA Reporting | Required under Statute 299C.10 |
The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office website is shown below and provides contact information and department details for record requests.
Call ahead before visiting to confirm what is needed and how long a response will take. Some records require a written formal request.
Yellow Medicine County District Court
Yellow Medicine County District Court is at 415 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241, sharing an address with the Sheriff's Office. The clerk's number is 320-564-3325. The court is part of the 8th 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 full case files, docket entries, and supporting documents. Copy fees apply for printed records. Staff can locate cases by name or case number and confirm current case status. Call ahead to confirm hours before traveling to Granite Falls.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 9th Avenue, Granite Falls, MN 56241 |
| Phone | 320-564-3325 |
| Website | mncourts.gov/Find-Courts/YellowMedicine.aspx |
| Judicial District | 8th Judicial District |
| Case Types | Criminal, civil, family, probate |
The Minnesota Judicial Branch directory for Yellow Medicine County confirms current contact details and court hours.
In-person visits remain the most complete way to access full Yellow Medicine County case files and courthouse records.
Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)
MCRO at mncourts.gov/access-case-records/mcro gives free remote access to Yellow Medicine County court records. You can search criminal and civil cases by name or case number without making the trip to Granite Falls. Results show case status, charges, and disposition data. Sealed records and juvenile matters are excluded from public results. MCRO is a practical option for remote research, particularly for a rural county like Yellow Medicine where the courthouse may be a long drive away. Searches are free and instant. No login is required.
MPA Remote Access
MPA Remote at pa.courts.state.mn.us is a second statewide court system covering calendars and case records. For Yellow Medicine County, checking both MPA Remote and MCRO gives the most thorough remote picture of court activity. Both tools are free and do not require login for public searches. MPA Remote is especially useful for checking scheduled hearing dates and active court calendar entries in the county.
DOC Offender Locator
The Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer is free and open to the public. It shows the current custody and supervision status of anyone under DOC oversight in Minnesota, including individuals with ties to Yellow Medicine County. Search by name or DOC number. Results show facility, supervision type, and current status. Under Minnesota Statute 243.166, predatory offenders must register with local law enforcement and keep their address current. The DOC locator is a key supplement to the BCA for checking someone's full criminal justice status in the state.
Minnesota Data Practices Act
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act requires government agencies to make most records available to the public on request. Criminal justice data, including arrests and court dispositions, is public by default in Minnesota. To request records from Yellow Medicine 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 files or materials tied to active investigations, cannot be released. If you believe a denial is improper, you may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings in St. Paul.
BCA Mail Requests
Certified criminal history records from the BCA can be 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. For questions, call 651-793-2400. Processing typically 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 Minnesota agency authorized to issue certified statewide criminal history records.
Communities in Yellow Medicine County
Yellow Medicine County includes Granite Falls, Canby, and Clarkfield among its communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Records for any Yellow Medicine County community or individual can be found using the county and state tools described above.
Nearby Counties
Yellow Medicine County borders several southwestern Minnesota counties, each with their own court and law enforcement record systems.