What are St. Cloud City Public Records?
The Minnesota Data Practices Act defines St. Cloud City public records as all data produced, collected, maintained, or received by public entities in the city. Members of the general public can obtain these data regardless of storage media, conditions of use, or physical form. According to the Data Practices Act, all government entities must entertain requests and may require the requestor to pay certain fees for onsite or remote access. Regardless, Minnesota law exempts some records from public access. Examples include the following:
- All records exempt by any state or federal law
- Real estate appraisals concerning prospective government purchases or sales
- Consumer complaints produced, received, or maintained by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.
- Records that contain certain personal details of individuals applying for government aid
- Records containing domestic abuse data according to the Minnesota Domestic Abuse Act, created, collected, or maintained by clerks of court or law enforcement agencies
- Examination records, such as test questions and scoring keys, prepared or maintained for licensing or academic examinations
- Some criminal history information
- Students' personal records
- Personal data on employees, except their names, job titles, employment dates, complaints, disciplinary actions, work location, and information on dispute resolution
- Records identifying or providing other information on undercover agents
Government entities can deny access to records specifically exempt from disclosure by law, or otherwise considered confidential. However, the law states that the custodian or designee in charge must inform the requester and cite the law or statute that supports such denial.
In addition to official sources, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may either opt to use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- 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.
St. Cloud City Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes annual crime statistics through its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. According to figures published in 2019, St. Cloud City reported 298 violent crimes, including 73 rape cases, 50 robberies, and 175 aggravated assault cases. Other reported figures were 2,443 property crimes, including 225 burglary incidents, 174 motor-vehicle thefts, and 2,044 larceny-theft cases. Including 10 arson incidents, the total number of reported crimes in 2019 was 2,751.
In 2018, the UCR's figures showed a total of 2,847 reported crimes, including 262 violent crimes, 2,575 property crimes, and 10 arsons. This represents a 3.3% decrease in crime activity between both years.
Are St. Cloud City Criminal Records Public?
St. Cloud City criminal records are not primarily public. According to state law (Minn. Stat. § 13.87, subd.1(b)), record seekers may obtain public criminal history information on the following, for 15 years from the record subject's sentence completion date:
- Identifying information on the subject
- Offense details, including relevant dates
- Conviction date
- Court details
- Sentencing details
- Controlling agency, including housing facility and probation agency
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains statewide criminal history information. Record seekers can use the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search to access public St. Cloud criminal records. Each search requires the subject's last name, first name, and date of birth. Parties should note that Minnesota law considers the following information private and makes them unavailable on the public search:
- Arrest information
- Federal data
- Juvenile records
- Criminal history information where 15 years have passed since the end of the subject's sentence
Minnesota law restricts access to private or full criminal records to the party named on the record. However, third-party requestors may obtain St. Cloud criminal records by submitting a notarized Informed Consent Form along with a notarized written request. The request should include the subject's exact and correctly-spelled full name, date of birth, and other known names, such as former married names or maiden names. Record seekers should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope, and an $8 check or money order made out to the BCA. Interested persons should note that mail requests take approximately two weeks. Requestors should mail applications to the:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue E
St. Paul, MN 55106
How to Obtain St. Cloud City Police Reports and Arrest Records
The St. Cloud City Police Department provides police reports and arrest records to interested persons. Anyone seeking these records should fill the Police Department's Data Request Form with all known details, including the names of involved persons, relevant dates, and incident descriptions. The record seeker should also state the number of copies required or specify an inspection request. Interested persons should note that while record inspections are free, physical copies cost 25 cents per page. Parties should submit request forms using the following details:
St. Cloud City Police Department
101 11th Avenue N.
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Phone: (320) 345-4444
Fax: (320) 650-3839
How to Find Sex Offender Information in St. Cloud City?
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains an online database that contains statewide records of registered sex offenders. Using the BCA's Predatory Offender Search, members of the general public can search for non-compliant predatory offenders by providing the offender's last name, first name, age (within 5 years), and zip code. Searchers can also select St. Cloud from the city list, and Stearns from the county list. Details in the database include the offender's name, age, gender, physical description, last known address, supervision details, and a photograph.
How to Find St. Cloud City Inmate Records
Anyone can find St. Cloud City inmate records using the Jail Inmate Search provided by the Stearns County Sheriff's Office. Searchers can view a list of inmates with last names arranged in alphabetical order. Available information includes the inmate's full name, gender, physical description, address, booking details, and facility. Public details also include the controlling agency, arresting agency, charge details, court docket number, bail information, sentencing details, and a booking photograph. There are also separate lists for past inmates, current inmates, most wanted offenders, and outstanding warrants.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in St. Cloud City Jail?
Family and friends may visit St. Cloud City inmates at the Stearns County Jail. All visitation takes place from 6:45 pm to 9:45 pm on Mondays through Thursdays, and 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturdays. However, the jail may allow professional visits at any time. Prospective visitors should note that the visitation schedule does not change even on public holidays.
Visitors to the Stearns County Jail do not require pre-approval for visitation lists. However, all interested persons must provide valid identification, such as a valid driver's license, state ID card, or other official ID that clearly shows the visitor's signature, physical description, and picture.
Inmates sentenced to less than three days are not eligible for visitations. All other persons may receive one visit per visiting day. Each visit may last up to 20 minutes, except on busy days where the jail may shorten the duration to 15 minutes. All visits are non-contact.
Visitors younger than 15 may only visit accompanied by parents or guardians. Older visitors under 18 years old may visit alone with written permission from their parents or guardians. However, the parent or guardian must physically sign a permission slip at the jail on the first visit. Interested persons should note that visitors reserve the right to refuse any visitor.
Visitors must not bring food, drinks, purses, phones, and other personal items into the visiting room. The jail provides coin lockers for 25 cents each, where guests may keep these items. Furthermore, visitors may not pass non-legal materials to the inmate. Legal materials intended for inmates should first undergo review by a Corrections Officer.
Inmates who violate visitation rules may lose their privileges. Visitors who violate these rules may be removed from the facility and also risk permanent loss of visitation privileges.
What are St. Cloud City Vital Records?
St. Cloud City vital records contain details of life events, including divorces, marriages, births, and deaths. Requestors can submit in-person or mail requests to the respective record custodians and pay applicable fees in each case. Members of the general public may obtain non-certified copies of St. Cloud vital records. However, certified copies are only available to a restricted group of requestors.
Where and How to Obtain St. Cloud City Divorce Records
The Stearns County District Court maintains St. Cloud City divorce records and issues copies to interested persons. To obtain court records, applicants may send written requests containing the names of both parties, the divorce date, case or court file number, and other known details. Applicants may also include personal contact details. Requests for confidential records may require additional identification documents, such as a photo ID.
The Stearns County District Court charges $8 for plain St. Cloud City divorce decrees and $14 for certified copies. Mail requests require checks or money orders payable to the District Court Administrator.
Parties may also request in person by visiting the county courthouse and using public terminals available at the Service Center. Interested persons may also request physical copies and pay applicable service fees. Residents should submit all in-person and mail requests to:
Stearns County Courthouse
Room 134
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Alternatively, searchers may find records online through the Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote service or the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) platform.
Where and How to Get Public St. Cloud City Marriage Records
St. Cloud City marriage records are obtainable from the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's Office. Each requestor must complete the request form with each party's full name and marriage date. The form should also include the requestor's name and complete mailing address. All St. Cloud City marriage certificates cost $9 and may take up to three weeks for processing. Payment requires checks or money orders made out to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer. Parties should mail requests to the address below:
Stearns County License Center
Administration Center Room 130
705 Courthouse Square
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Alternatively, requestors can use the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) to search for St. Cloud marriage records.
Where and How to Find St. Cloud City Birth Records
The Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's Office maintains St. Cloud City birth records as certified and non-certified copies. All interested persons may request non-certified copies of St. Cloud City birth certificates by completing the non-certified birth record application with the subject's full name, sex, date of birth, and both parents' full names. However, non-certified copies are not available to the public if the subject is a child born to unmarried parents. Unless the child's birth mother makes the record public at birth, non-certified confidential birth records are only accessible by the record's subject if at least 16 years old, a parent or guardian, or anyone with a certified copy of a court order granting access.
To access certified copies of St. Cloud birth certificates, requestors should complete the birth certificate application with required information and submit it with a valid ID. Under Minnesota law, only persons with a tangible interest can obtain birth certificates. Examples include the following:
- The record's subject
- The subject's parent, grandparent, great grandparent, great grandchild, legal custodian, guardian, or conservator
- The subject's health care agent
- The subject's personal representative
- The subject's successor if deceased
- An attorney representing the subject
- Anyone with a signed statement from an eligible person
- Anyone that can prove that the record determines or protects a property or personal right
The first certified copy costs $26, while each additional copy costs $19. All checks and money orders should be payable to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer. Interested persons should mail requests to the address below:
Stearns County License Center
Administration Center Room 130
705 Courthouse Square
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Where and How to Find St. Cloud City Death Records
St. Cloud City death records are available at the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's Office. Interested persons may complete and submit the non-certified death record application or the certified death record application for non-certified and certified copies, respectively. Record seekers should note that while all applicants can obtain non-certified copies, only the following persons can request certified copies:
- The record subject's child, parent, sibling, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, or attorney
- The subject's personal representative or successor if required for the administration of the estate
- The trustee of a trust
- A requester with a valid and certified copy of a court order granting access
- An attorney representing any of the above eligible persons
- Any person that can prove a personal or property right interest in the record
All parties should submit completed forms with checks and money orders made out to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer. Persons requesting certified copies must include valid identification. Applicants should submit requests to the address below:
Stearns County License Center
Administration Center Room 130
705 Courthouse Square
St. Cloud, MN 56303
