What are Brown County Public Records?
Public records in Minnesota include a wide range of documents and information created or maintained by state and local government agencies. This includes everything from birth and death certificates to property tax records and court documents. While some public records are available online, others must be requested through the appropriate government agency.
In Minnesota, the Data Practices Act governs access to public records. This law gives county residents the right to inspect or receive copies of most government data, with some exceptions. The law also establishes rules for how government data must be safeguarded and destroyed.
Records that are generally exempt from public disclosure include:
- Data that would reveal personal information about an individual, such as Social Security numbers, addresses, or medical records
- Data that is protected by trade secrets or other confidential business information laws
- Data that is part of an ongoing criminal investigation
- Data that is subject to attorney-client privilege
To request public records from a Minnesota government agency, contact the agency directly. The agency will likely have a specific process in place for handling requests. Generally speaking, requestors will need to provide their names and contact information as well as describe the records sought. The agency may charge a fee for copies of public records.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Are Brown County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Brown county criminal records are public information. However, the information made accessible to the public is typically restricted and excludes information that is deemed confidential per state public record laws.
The Brown County Sheriff's office is tasked with maintaining and providing public access to public Brown county criminal records. These records are typically about criminal activity within county limits. Similarly, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety serves as the state's central repository of criminal history information and processes requests for criminal history record checks in the state. County-specific criminal information may be obtained by querying the county sheriff's office at:
Brown County Law Enforcement Center
15 S Washington St
P.O. Box 877
New Ulm MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6700
At the state level, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension of the Minnesota DPS is maintaining criminal history information of persons within state limits. Interested members of the public may request a criminal history record check to obtain all arrest, misdemeanor, and felony information.
To request a record, the requestor must submit a written request along with a General Consent Form completed and notarized by the subject of the record. Requests must be submitted along with a cheque or money order payment of $15 via mail or in-person to:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Minnesota Justice Information Services
1430 Maryland Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone: (651) 793-2400
Requestors may also search for public criminal history information using the MN Public Criminal History Database. The requesting party will be required to provide the first and last name of the record's subject and their date of birth. However, if the information is required for official purposes such as credit, employment, and housing, the applicant must be notified per Minnesota Statutes §13.87, subdivision 3(f).
How to Find Brown County Arrest Records and Police Reports
Interested members of the public may obtain Brown county police reports and arrest records by querying the county Sheriff's office. Typically, the requesting party will be required to provide information to facilitate the record search in addition to the payment to cover the cost of research and copying of the documents of interest.
In most cases, arrest records and police reports are categorized by incident number.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Brown County
In Brown county, sex offender information can be obtained by querying the county Sheriff's office in person or via mail. Sex offender information is also maintained by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, which is charged with overseeing offenders resident within state limits.
To obtain sex offender information, interested Brown County residents utilize the Offender Locator operated by the Department of Corrections. Using the locator, members of the public may get offenders' addresses and compliance status by searching their offender's first or last name, location, or age.
How to Find Brown County Inmate Records
The County Sheriff's Office oversees the operations of the Brown county jail.
All jail and inmate-related information can be viewed on the Sheriff's Jail Information Page. However, detailed information, including details of the inmates visiting days, their charges, and crediting their commissary, can be obtained by querying the Sheriff's Office at (651) 430-7900.
Interested persons can also obtain arrest and detention data by sending a written request to the Sheriff's office. It must be submitted in person or via mail to:
15 S Washington St
P.O. Box 877
New Ulm, MN 56073
Sheriff's Office: (507) 233-6700
County Jail: (507) 233-6775
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Brown County Jail?
To visit an inmate in Brown county Jail, interested and eligible persons may follow the steps below:
- Review the visitation rules and schedule.
- Submit a visitation request form.
- Upon approval, visit during the scheduled time slot.
Visitation Rules and Schedule
All visitors must submit a Visitor Request Form prior to their first visit and be approved by the Jail Administration. Approved visitors will be placed on an inmate's visitor list and will be allowed to visit during designated time slots only. Visitors who have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude are not eligible to visit inmates housed in the Brown County Jail.
Submitting a Visitor Request Form
All visitors must submit a Visitor Request Form before their first visit and be approved by the Jail Administration. The form can be obtained from the jail's website or at the visitor entrance on the day of your visit.
Upon Approval
Once approved to visit an inmate, the visitor must bring a valid photo ID to the visitor entrance on the day of the visit. They will also be required to pass through a metal detector and may be searched before entering the visiting area.
Brown County Court Records
The Brown County Minnesota Court System is composed of the district court, which exercises general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases.
Location of Courts in Brown County, Minnesota
The address and contact information of the Brown County, Minnesota courthouse is:
Brown County Courthouse
14 South State Street,
P.O. Box 248,
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6670
Fax: (507) 359-9562
Are Brown County Court Records Public?
The Brown County District Court is tasked with hearing cases pertaining to criminal, traffic, family, probate, and juvenile matters within the county's judicial district.
Per state law, interested members of the public may query the district court clerk's office to obtain non-confidential court records. Requests for Brown county court records may be made in person or via mail.
Requests may be made to the court house address at:
14 S State St
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6600
Brown County Vital Records
In Minnesota, the state's vital records are maintained and disseminated by the Minnesota Department of Health Vital Records Unit.
In Brown county, this information is maintained by the Brown County Recorder's office. Per state law, interested and eligible persons may request these records from the recorder's office.
Where and How to Get Brown County Divorce Records
Following a divorce in Brown county, divorce court records are generated and maintained by the district court clerk's office. To obtain Brown county divorce records, interested persons may query the court clerk's office in person or via mail at:
Brown County Courthouse
14 South State Street,
P.O. Box 248,
New Ulm, MN 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6670
Fax: (507) 359-9562
Where and How to Get Brown County Marriage Records
The Brown county recorder's office maintains and provides public access to marriage records of marriages whose licenses it issues. To obtain a Brown county marriage record, interested members of the public may download and complete the Request for a certified copy of the marriage certificate form.
The forms must be completed and submitted along with a $9 to:
Brown County Courthouse
14 South State,
P.O. Box 248
New Ulm, Minnesota 56073
Phone: (507) 233-6653
Fax: (507) 233-6668
Email: recorder@co.brown.mn.us
Where and How to Get Brown County Birth and Death Records
The records of births and deaths in Brown County are generated and maintained by the county recorder's office. Per state law, only persons who can prove tangible interests in these records are eligible to request and obtain them.
To obtain these records, interested and eligible persons may download and complete the Birth Certificate Application or the Death Certificate Application. The appropriate form should be downloaded and submitted along with a $26 fee for birth records or a $13 for death records.
All Applications must be accompanied by the necessary ID and supporting documentation proving the requestor's relationship with the subject of the record. Applications may be submitted in person or via mail to the county recorder's office.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
