What are Bloomington City Public Records?
Minnesota law defines public records as government data created, received, collected, or maintained by a government entity. The definition specifies that public records include data in all forms, including photographic and microfilmed information regardless of the record’s size. However, not all Bloomington City government records are public. Minnesota law contains the following exemptions:
- All information considered private by any statute
- Students’ personal information
- Examination data, including materials and scoring keys used for an academic or licensing examination
- Criminal history data except for records that identify a convicted person, the offense committed, court disposition, sentence information, and confinement details. However, the information may become private 15 years after the sentence discharge
- Appraisal records for potential government purchases or sales
- All domestic abuse data created or maintained by law enforcement agencies or clerks of court, pursuant to the Minnesota Domestic Abuse Act
- Consumer complaint records created, maintained, or collected by the Attorney General’s Office
- Employees’ personal data, excluding names, employment dates, job titles, disciplinary actions, complaints, dispute resolution information, work location, and records of undercover agents
- Records that identify individuals or corporations seeking government aid, except names and addresses
Bloomington City Crime Statistics
The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) publishes annual reports containing crime statistics recorded in the city. In 2019, the BPD reported a total of 3,214 Part 1 crimes. The report listed 4 homicides, 53 rape incidents, 61 robberies, 86 aggravated assaults, and 180 burglaries. Other published crimes include 17 arsons, 166 vehicle thefts, and 1,647 larceny thefts, the city's most committed crime. Compared with the 2,775 total reported in 2018, the 2019 total represents a 15.8% increase in criminal activity.
Are Bloomington City Criminal Records Public?
Minnesota law restricts public access to Bloomington City criminal records (Minn. Stat. § 13.87, subd.1(b)). The law states that members of the general public may request and obtain public information on the following information for 15 years after the subject completes their sentence:
- The offense
- Offense date
- Court of conviction
- Conviction date
- Sentencing information
- Conviction level
- Probation agency or place of incarceration
Bloomington criminal records considered private are only available to the persons named on the records or to third-party requesters with the subject’s consent provided on a notarized Informed Consent to Release form. The following details are considered private:
- All arrest information
- All court information
- All juvenile records
- All conviction information more than 15 years old
Interested persons may obtain Bloomington criminal records by filling out a request for police data. The Bloomington police department typically fulfills requests for personal records within 10 business days. Third-party requests may require longer processing periods.
How to Obtain Bloomington City Police Reports and Arrest Records
Interested persons can obtain copies of arrest records and police reports online. The BPD provides a public records requests page for Bloomington City arrest records and police reports where parties specify record types and provide detailed descriptions. Record seekers may enter a report or case file number, incident date, name and birthdate of the person listed in the report, incident type, and incident location. If the desired information is for private details, the requester must submit an Informed Consent to Release form completed by the person named on the record.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bloomington City
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) provides public access to statewide information on registered sex offenders. Persons seeking Bloomington City sex offender information can use the predatory offender search by providing the offender’s last name, first name, age (within 5 years), and zip code. The database contains each offender’s photograph, last known address, and physical description.
How to Find Bloomington City Inmate Records
Bloomington City inmate records are accessible via the jail roster provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. The registry contains details of inmates currently in jail or released from jail within the past 90 days. Record seekers may search the Sheriff’s database by name or by custody status. Available details include the person’s full name, booking number, age, PAK number, housing location, and current custody status. Other information includes charge description, arrest reason, arresting agency, bail information, and release date where applicable.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Hennepin County Jail?
The Sheriff’s Office allows family and friends to visit inmates at the Hennepin County Jail. The Adult Detention Division consists of the Public Safety Facility and the City Hall building, both accessible to visitors depending on the inmate’s housing location. Each inmate may receive a maximum of two social visits per day. However, attorney visits are allowed all day, every day.
The facility allows social visits on a first-come, first-served basis. The jail considers social visits a privilege and may shorten or discontinue any such visit without notice. All eligible visitors must be on the inmate’s visiting list and must receive approval before entering the facility. Each person is subject to a search and must also walk through a metal detector. Authorities will prosecute anyone who tries to enter with a contraband item.
All visitors must dress and act appropriately. Persons with revealing or otherwise inappropriate clothing will be denied entry. Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will also be asked to leave, along with persons who show any signs of illness.
Visitors should be at least 18 years old and must provide valid government-issued ID at the visiting desk. Younger persons may only visit with a parent or legal guardian. Eligible minors should also be on the inmate’s approved visiting list. Prospective visitors should note that the facility has a secured area designated for all social visits and does not permit physical contact between inmates and visitors.
The Hennepin County Jail also offers a video visitation system that facilitates remote visits. Interested persons must schedule visits 24 hours in advance via the jail’s third-party visitation vendor. An inmate may have one visit per day and a maximum of three each week. Each visit lasts 20 minutes and costs $4. Video visits are allowed as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 10:30 am to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
What are Bloomington City Vital Records?
Bloomington City vital records contain government-generated information on life events that happen in the county. These events include marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Bloomington vital records are created by different agencies that grant requests for inspection and copying. Under Minnesota law, vital records are considered public records. However, access to certified records or confidential information is restricted to certain eligible parties.
Where and How to Obtain Bloomington City Divorce Records
The Hennepin County District Court keeps records of all divorces finalized in the county. Interested persons may obtain Bloomington City divorce records by mail after submitting a completed copy request form. Required information includes the names of both divorced parties, a court file number if known, the requester's contact details, and a photo ID if requesting confidential documents, such as paternity records. While requesters can choose to receive plain copies remotely, confidential documents are not available by fax or email.
Record seekers may obtain various related divorce documents, including a Bloomington divorce decree, certificate of dissolution, child support order, visitation/custody order, or a plea petition. Plain and certified copies cost $8 and $14, respectively. Mail requests require checks or money orders made out to "District Court Administrator." For records of divorces filed before 1970, the requester must specify a 5-year date range. Mail requests should be submitted to:
Records Center
Hennepin County Government Center
Room A260 Skyway Level
Administration (A) Tower
300 South Sixth Street
#B100
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0332
Phone: (612) 348-3170
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Interested parties may also search Bloomington City divorce records via the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) or Minnesota Public Access (MPA) Remote platforms. Users should note that online records are not considered official records and may contain limited information.
Where and How to Get Public Bloomington City Marriage Records
Record seekers may obtain Bloomington City marriage records from the Hennepin County government. Records are requestable by mail, fax, and in person, and are only available if the couple originally applied in Hennepin County. To order by mail, requesters should complete the marriage record application with details of the record. The form requires the full names of both parties to the marriage, marriage date, and the requester’s contact information. If the parties’ names or correct marriage date is unknown, the county will search for $20 per hour ($10 minimum), in addition to the applicable request fee of $9 per copy.
Hennepin County provides access to marriage applications and Bloomington City marriage certificates. Mail requests must specify at least one type. All orders are payable by checks made out to the Hennepin County Treasurer and should be submitted to:
Vital Records
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St
Suite A025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
Phone: (612) 348-8240
Fax orders are also possible by submitting completed copies of the marriage record application and Fax Cover Sheet to (612) 348-2010. For in-person orders, parties should also fill the application, sign it, and then schedule an appointment. Orders are processed within 2 - 3 weeks of receipt. An expedited option processes orders between 5 - 7 days and costs an additional $20.
Another option for access to Bloomington marriage records is to search the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). Record seekers may select Hennepin from the county drop-down menu and provide a party’s full name and marriage date range. Users may also request physical copies from the search results.
Where and How to Find Bloomington City Birth Records
Residents may obtain Bloomington City birth records from the Hennepin County Vital Records Office. The office maintains certified and non-certified copies with different eligibility requirements. For instance, any interested person may request a non-certified birth record printed on plain paper. These copies are only available for informational use only.
Bloomington City birth certificates are also available as certified copies. These copies are further categorized as public and nonpublic. Persons interested in certified public copies may submit a certified birth certificate application with details of the subject and the requester. The Vital Records Office issues copies of certified public records to a restricted group of eligible requesters as stated on the application. Some authorized persons include:
- The subject named on the record
- A parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent
- A child, grandchild, or great-grandchild
- A current spouse
- A legal custodian, guardian, or conservator
- A health care agent with power of attorney
- A personal representative
- Anyone with a valid U.S. court order (not a subpoena)
Some Bloomington birth records, including records of children born to single mothers, are confidential. This type of birth record is only available to:
- The subject of the record if at least 16 years old
- A legal custodian, conservator, or guardian
- A representative of a Minnesota program that provides medical assistance, child support, and MinnesotaCare
- Persons with certified copies of U.S. court orders allowing access.
Public non-certified copies are open to public disclosure. However, non-certified copies with confidential information also have the same restrictions as certified confidential copies. Persons seeking these records must complete a non-certified birth certificate application.
Record seekers ordering certified copies must not sign the request form. Each certified record costs $26 for the first copy and $19 for each additional copy. All non-certified copies cost $13. Requesters should attach checks for the applicable amount, payable to the Hennepin County Treasurer. All mail and fax requests should be submitted using the following information:
Vital Records
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St
Suite A025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
Phone: (612) 348-8240
Requesters may also visit the above address for in-person and drop-off requests. Visitors must provide acceptable identification, such as a state ID, driver’s license, or passport.
Where and How to Find Bloomington City Death Records
Bloomington City death records are available as certified and non-certified records. While all persons may obtain non-certified copies, certified Bloomington City death certificates are restricted to persons with tangible interest. Interested persons should complete a death certificate application with the decedent's full name, date of death, county of death, age, and parents' names. The first copy of a certified death record costs $13, while additional copies of the same record cost $6. Each non-certified copy costs $13. Checks should be made out to the Hennepin County Treasurer and attached to the completed application. Persons requesting certified copies should not sign the completed form. Mail, in-person, and drop-off requesters may submit requests at the following address:
Vital Records
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St
Suite A025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
Phone: (612) 348-8240
Email: rres.vitalrecords@hennepin.us
Orders are usually processed within three weeks of receipt. Requesters may also have their orders processed in 5 - 7 business days by writing "Expedite" on the application envelope and including an additional $20.
