What Are Minneapolis Public Records?
In accordance with the GDPA, all government data that is received, created, maintained, or disseminated by a government entity is to be classified as public. In some instances, some records may be expressly restricted by state laws, federal laws, or temporarily restricted in compliance with section 13.06 of the GDPA.
Minneapolis Crime Statistics
The Minneapolis Police Department provides online access to crime data within the city. Crime within the city is classified into two categories; violent crimes and property crimes. Prior to 2018, the city of Minneapolis maintained crime statistics through monthly neighborhood crime statistics reports. A National Incident-Based Reporting System has replaced this format and came into force in June 2018. Between 1/1/2020 and 1/11/2020, the city recorded 70 homicides, 378 rape cases, 1,551 incidences of robbery, 2532 aggravated assault cases, and 748 cases of domestic aggravated assault. Overall, the city recorded a total of 4,531 violent crime incidences. The city also recorded 3,354 burglaries, 10,259 larcenies, 4,968 thefts from a motor vehicle, 3,528 auto thefts, and 126 arsons. There were a total of 16,997 property crimes within the same period. In comparison to the year 2019, the city experienced a 4.8% increase in violent crimes and a 13.7% decrease in property crimes.
Are Minneapolis Criminal Records Public?
In accordance with the MGDP, all criminal records are public documents unless expressly restricted by statute or the application of the temporary classification exception in s 13.06. Minneapolis criminal records accessible to the public do not include non-public information or juvenile records. Any interested party may make a request to the Minneapolis Police Department online or by filling out a paper form that may be gotten at the front of room 31 at the City Hall.
How to Obtain Minneapolis Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Minneapolis Police Department grants public access to its records in accordance with the provisions of the MGDP. A set scale of fees is charged to conduct searches, certify records, retrieve or copy records. An individual may request a police report or arrest record via the online platform, by filling out a physical form which may be gotten at City Hall. The requester will be required to register on the portal and can keep track of the progress of open requests as well as closed requests. As an alternative, the requester could call 311 for assistance.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Minneapolis
The Minnesota Department of Corrections provides an online Public Registrant Search online tool in compliance with Minnesota state law. Sec 243.166 requires that certain crimes including sexual offenders be registered and a register of offenders be made available to the public. Searches may be carried out by providing the zip code, county, city, or name. Under the Community Notification Act, felony sex offenders must be registered and law enforcement must inform the public of the presence of a sex offender in a community.
In Minnesota, sex offenders are classified into three categories - level one to level three. The Minneapolis Police Department will send out flyers within a three-block radius if a level three sex offender moves into a neighborhood.
How to Find Minneapolis Inmate Records
The Hennepin County Sheriff maintains a roster of inmates within the county jails. The roster includes current inmates as well as inmates released within the seven days preceding the search. Searchers may obtain information on the name, charges, court dates, and bail of inmates. The sheriff’s jail roster includes information on inmates that have been held, simply received, or recently released from jail. These records are kept for 90 days.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Minneapolis Jail?
Visits to inmates in the Hennepin County Jail are regulated based on the purpose of the visit. Social visits are limited to visiting days and are granted on a first-come-first-served basis. Social visits are not granted to inmates as a matter of right but only as a privilege. Inmates are granted two 20 minute slots per visiting day. The county does not permit visitors to wear revealing clothing in the jail. intending visitors must present a valid government identification and items which are considered contraband will not be permitted into the jail.
Court Records
The Minnesota Judicial Branch regulates the courts within the state. The state of Minneapolis has four courts that serve different criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases. Records of the court include dockets, transcripts, case files, etc. Minneapolis houses the 4th District Court which is the largest trial court within the state.
Locations of Courts in Minneapolis
Minnesota 4th District Court
300 South 6th St, Minneapolis,
MN 55487
Hennepin County Family Court
110 S 4th St, Minneapolis,
MN 55401
Juvenile Court
590 Park Ave, Minneapolis,
MN 55415
Hennepin County Suburban Court
6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy #200, Brooklyn Center,
MN 55430
Are Minneapolis Court Records Public?
Minneapolis court records are accessible to the public, in accordance with Minnesota's Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Records may be obtained either online, through the mail, or in person. Some exceptions may apply to juvenile records and other similar records restricted either by statute or by the courts. Courthouses within the city have public service counters which the members of the public may access for inquiries on any of the records housed within that court.
How to Obtain Minneapolis Civil Court Case Records
Hennepin’s centralized Record Centre enables the public access court records either in person, online or by mail. Individuals may access court records online through the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) Remote portal. A copy of a request form may also be downloaded, filled, and sent to the address of the District Court below.
4th District Civil Court
Hennepin County Govt. Ctr.
300 South 6th Street, C-332
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Phone: (612) 348-6000
Fax: (612) 348-5215
Mail Requests should be accompanied by a check or money order for the sum of $8(for plain copies) or $14(for certified copies). In the alternative, requests could be made in person by visiting the court.
How to Obtain Minneapolis Criminal Court Records
Criminal Records are available to the public online, in person, or by mail. The Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) Remote grants online access to cases from across all courts in the Minnesota Court Information System (MNCIS). Searches may be filtered by location. Criminal records may also be accessed by completing a record request form and sending it alongside a money order or check to the criminal court.
4th District Criminal Court
Hennepin County Govt. Ctr.
300 South 6th Street, C-11
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Individuals may also visit the court in person and access records through the public access terminals or the in-person counter access on the court’s premises.
What are Minneapolis Vital Records?
Minneapolis’s vital records consist of recorded life events such as births, deaths, and marriages. The Minnesota State Department of Health keeps records of births and deaths that occurred within the state providing online access to the births from 2001 and deaths from 1997. Marriage records are maintained by the counties and records of marriages within each county may be obtained from the county clerk where the license was obtained. Divorce decrees are available at the District Court office where the divorce was granted.
Where and How to Obtain Minneapolis Divorce Records
Minneapolis divorce records may be obtained from the District Court office in the court where the divorce decree was granted. A completed request form could be sent to
4th District Court Records Center
300 South 6th Street, #B-100
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0332
Individuals may use the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) Remote portal to locate divorce records where the case number of the divorce decree being searched for is known.
Where and How to Get Public Minneapolis Marriage Records
The state of Minnesota maintains an online Official Marriage System where searches can be conducted for marriages in participating counties. Marriages in Hennepin County may be accessed through this portal. A searcher may provide the first name, middle name, or last name of any of the parties to the marriage as well as the date range when the marriage is to have occurred. Copies of the marriage records may also be requested via this medium and will attract a fee of $9. Copies of the marriage certificate that may be obtained by this version do not serve as certified copies and requests for certified copies must be made to the county clerk directly.
Requests may be made to the Hennepin county clerk in person or via mail to the county clerk at:
Hennepin County Vital Records
300 S. 6TH Street - Suite A025
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Minneapolis
All marriage records are considered public in the state of Minnesota. The Marriage records in Minnesota are maintained by the county clerk where the marriage license was obtained. Where the license was obtained in Minneapolis, marriage records will be maintained by the Hennepin county clerk. Requests for Hennepin marriage records may be made in person or by mail. Applicants can send a completed marriage record application form and mail the application to
VITAL RECORDS - DIRECTOR OF LICENSING
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St, Suite A025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026
Phone: (612) 348-8240
In-person applications will require the applicant to download and complete the application form before scheduling an appointment.
Where and How to Find Minneapolis Birth Records
Birth records in Minneapolis may be accessed by visiting the Vital Records office of the county. Birth certificates may be obtained immediately if no change is required on the record. Birth certificates may only be obtained by the registrant or any other person with a legal interest. According to section 144.225 of the Minnesota statute, records of a child born to unmarried parents is confidential. Note that the mother may at the time of birth choose to have the record set down as public. Where the birth is confidential, only the following may be granted access:
- The owner of the record if 16 or above
- The mother or father of the person who had been named on the record
- A legal guardian who has certified evidence of the status as guardian
- An individual who has a court order granting the release of the record
- The commissioner of Human Services or representative
Applications in person for a confidential birth record must be accompanied by a valid government ID while applications by mail must have the form duly notarized.
Where and How to Find Minneapolis Death Records
The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a record of deaths that occur within the state and maintains an online index for deaths recorded from 1997 till the present day. Requesters must provide the dead person’s first and last name and either the social security number or date of birth of the person. The records of the index will show the dead person as well as the time and place of death.
A certified death certificate may be obtained from the county vital records office by filling out an application form, completing the application process online, or by mail. Applicants for a certified copy of the death certificate must have a legal right. These persons may include:
- A child of the deceased
- The parent of the deceased
- The official spouse of the deceased
- The party with the responsibility of filing the death record
- Attorney
- Local, state, or federal agent
- Adoption agency
- Trustee
- The personal representative of the deceased
- Grandparent of the deceased
- The grandchild of the deceased
- Siblings of the deceased
In-person applicants must go along with a valid government ID while mail applications must be notarized. Certified copies will cost an initial $13 and $6 for extra copies. Non-certified copies of the death certificate are also available via the Department of Health and may be obtained by anybody.
