Minnesota Public Records: How to Find Public Records in Minnesota

Public records search in Minnesota recently became more accessible with the introduction of online databases and top third-party websites like truepeoplesearch.io. Before, it was tough to access these records; you had to visit the physical addresses of various state agencies to find specific non-confidential information about a person. 

Today, you only need to have the person's basic details to run a search virtually. Although we have it good now, it still helps to know the basics about finding public records in Minnesota. This article summarizes the different ways you can access much-needed public records, especially for those seeking to reconfirm the details they obtain from various sources.

Available Public Data in Minnesota

The Minnesota Data Practices Act considers all records created, used, stored, and disseminated by any government-controlled organization public data. It could be photostatic, photographic, microfilm, or microphotographic. Minnesota's public records act defines some records as non-public when they contain confidential or sensitive information. 

Some forms of public data in Minnesota include:

● Marriage records
● Divorce records
● Arrest records
● Property records
● Inmate records
● Bankruptcy records
● Birth and death records
● Sex offense register

Accessing Minnesota Public Records 

Under Minnesota Statute 13.03(3a), the Minnesota Government Data Act allows individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, business trusts, and legal representatives of organizations, collectively referred to as "persons," to request government data from a government entity. The person may be a resident or non-resident of the state.

Upon request, non-exempt records must be made available for inspection or copying at reasonable times and locations. If the data contains technical terms, acronyms, or abbreviations, the record creator must explain them upon request. The government can not create non-existent data or provide data in a specific medium unless the data is already stored in that form.

Exemptions Under Minnesota's Public Records Laws

Requesters must be familiar with the relevant laws and regulations, especially the exempted documents in each jurisdiction. Some generally exempted records include personnel data of government employees, personal medical and health data, and information on minors in foster care. 

Security details that could jeopardize life, information, or property are exempted. as are employment and training data for state-funded programs. Domestic abuse data and consumer complaint data are also considered confidential.

Possibility of Looking up Minnesota Public Records for Free

The accessibility of Minnesota public records for free is contingent on the specific record and the responsible agency. Minnesota has many public records available for free online, such as court records, property records, and business filings. However, most records require a fee or may only be accessible through a request or in-person visit. 

Step-by-Step Process to Obtain Common Public Records Online in Minnesota 

To access public records in Minnesota, search on the Minnesota government website or the specific agency or department that maintains the record. 

Public Vital Records in Minnesota 

1. Determine which type of vital record you need: Minnesota offers three kinds of vital records: birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates. Determine which kind of record you need before proceeding.

2. Visit the Minnesota Department of Health website: Go to the Minnesota Department of Health website. Click on "certificates and records" from the menu at the top of the page.

3. Select the appropriate application form: From the Vital Records page, select the appropriate one for the type of record you need. There are separate forms for birth, death, and marriage records.

4. Fill out the application form: Complete the application form, providing all required information. 

5. Pay the fee: There is a fee for obtaining vital records in Minnesota. You can pay $26 online using a credit or debit card.

6. Apply: Once you have completed the application and paid the fee, apply online and wait for processing.

7. Receive the record: Once the record has been processed, you will receive the record via mail or email, depending on your preference.

Obtaining Minnesota court records

1. Determine which court to request records from: Minnesota has several different courts, including district courts, appellate courts, and the Minnesota Supreme Court. Determine which court you need to request records from.

2. Visit the Minnesota Judicial Branch website: Go to the Minnesota Judicial Branch website. Click on "Access Case Records" from the menu at the top of the page.

3. Search for the case: From the Access Case Records page, select the appropriate court and search for the record that interests you. You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name.

4. Submit an access request: If the record you are interested in is not public, you must request access. You can do this online by completing the Request for Access to Court Records form.

5. Wait for processing: Once you have submitted your request for access and any fees have been paid, you will need to wait for processing. 

6. Receive the record: Once the record has been processed, you will receive the record via mail or email, depending on your preference. If the document is not public, you will be notified whether your access request was granted or denied.

Obtaining Minnesota criminal records 

1. Visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website: Go to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.

2. Select "Criminal History": From the BCA home page, select "Criminal History" from the menu at the top of the page.

3. Click on the appropriate form: On the Criminal History page, choose the appropriate format for the type of criminal record you need. 

4. Fill out the application form: Complete the application form, providing all required information. 

5. Apply: After completing the application and paying the required fee, apply online.

6. Receive the record: Once the record has been processed, you will receive it via mail or email, depending on your preference. Certain criminal records may be restricted or confidential and require additional documentation to be released.

I've been denied my public records request. What can I do?

If you've been informed that your request has been denied and you are not satisfied with the reasons highlighted, you can:

● Pay $200 to contact the Minnesota Commissioner of Administration for a written opinion on the requested information.
● File a complaint at the Office of Administrative Hearings to compel compliance from the record custodian.

You Have an Alternative: The Best Third-Party Public Record Search Engine

In Minnesota, no government office can provide you with various public records at once; however, a third-party website can. Truepeoplesearch.io displays accurate and credible answers to all your search requests in seconds.