What are Duluth Public Records?
According to the Minnesota Data Practices Act, Duluth public records are any written or digital information created, stored, or amended by public bodies at the state and local level. Under the Act, public records may exist as books, charts, maps, photographs, audio recordings, videotapes, SMS, or emails. However, not all Duluth public records are open to the public. The Data Practices Act restricts access to confidential documents. The following records are closed to the public:
- Information on domestic abuse records
- An educational record containing pre-kindergarten to grade 12 information
- Federal contracts data
- Personal information that may violate personal privacy
- Information on a prospective law enforcement proceeding
- Some medical records
- Records that reveal information on a confidential source
Duluth Crime Statistics
The Duluth Police Department is responsible for generating and recording all reported crimes in the city. It also creates a yearly crime statistics report, which is included in the FBI Uniform Crime Report. Per the FBI UCR for 2019, Duluth County recorded a total of 3,962 index crimes, including 292 violent crimes and 3,670 property crimes. Recorded violent crimes include 2 murders, 37 rapes, 69 robberies, and 184 aggravated assaults. In contrast, the listed property crimes included: 484 burglaries, 2,977 larceny-thefts, 212 motor vehicle thefts, and 16 arsons.
Compared with the 2016 report, crime rates reduced slightly by 4 percent. Overall, violent index crimes in Duluth fell by 6 percent, while property crimes reduced by 4 percent. Larceny-thefts, the largest property crime, decreased by 5 percent. On the other hand, aggravated assaults, the most-committed violent crime, reduced by 6 percent.
Are Duluth Criminal Records Public?
Under Minnesota’s Data Practices Act, Duluth criminal records are not public records. According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), criminal records in Duluth are only public for 15 years after the completion of a sentence. Criminal records containing confidential data, such as juvenile criminal offenses, are also restricted from public disclosure. In addition, Minnesota Statute §13.87, subdivision 3(f), prevents requesters from using criminal records for housing, credit, and employment purposes, without notifying the applicants.
All Duluth criminal records are maintained at the state level by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA provides public members with access to non-confidential criminal records in the state. Hence, city residents and non-residents can request their criminal records as well as the records of other individuals.
Individuals requesting personal records must submit written requests containing a full name with the correct spelling, maiden and former married names where applicable, and a birth date. Parties must date, sign and notarize the signatures on the requests before sending them to:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
Each criminal history report costs $8, payable by money order or a personal, business, certified, or cashier’s check. The money order or check should be made out to the BCA. The request should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
Also, the BCA accepts in-person requests for criminal history reports at the above address. Walk-in requesters may visit the agency anytime from Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m, excluding public holidays. These requests require valid government-issued photo IDs along with the required fee. Citizens looking for public criminal history records on other individuals may also visit this office or use the Minnesota Public Criminal History Search website.
Individuals requesting their criminal records will receive both public and private criminal history data. It is also possible to obtain a complete (public and private data) criminal history report on another person if the person signs and notarizes an informed consent form. To obtain a criminal record, the interested party can send the completed form with a written request and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The request should also include a money order or personal, business, certified, or cashier’s check for $15, made payable to the BCA. Requests should be sent to the:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
On the other hand, requesters can also submit the documents and search fees in-person at the BCA Office.
How to Obtain Duluth Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Duluth Police Department serves as the custodian of all arrest records and police reports documented in the city. Arrest records and police reports in Duluth City are obtainable through the Duluth Police Department’s online request platform.
Access Duluth police reports and arrest records on the platform by inputting the name on the record, ICR number, incident type, incident date range, and location. The requestor should also include personal details, including a name and an address, and submit the completed form.
On the other hand, request Duluth arrest records and police reports in-person at the address below.
Duluth Police Department
Records Division
2030 North Arlington Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: (218) 730-5590
policerecords@duluthmn.gov
The Records Division of the St. Louis County Sheriff Department is also a repository of all arrest records or police reports in the city of Duluth. Contact the Sheriff Department’s Records Division at any of these addresses.
Central Records Division
Public Safety Building
2030 North Arlington Avenue.
Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: (218) 336-4360
Hibbing CourtHouse
1810 12th Avenue East
Hibbing, MN 55746
Virginia Court House
300 South 5th Avenue
Virginia, MN 55792
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Duluth
Duluth sex offender information is obtainable through the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MDC). The MDC maintains an online database of all registered and absconded sex offenders in the state. Search for sex offenders in Duluth via the online database. Select “St. Louis County” on the list of Minnesota counties to see a current list of registered sex offenders living in Duluth.
How to Find Duluth Inmate Information
The St. Louis County Sheriff and Jail Administrator oversee the detention facility and provide a Jail Roster with details of currently incarcerated persons. Available details include each inmate’s full name, birth date, age, booking date, inmate number, and projected release date.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in St. Louis County Jail
All Duluth inmates are held at the St. Louis County jail, which is the main detention facility in the county. It is located at:
4334 Haines Road
Duluth, MN 55811
Court Records
As part of the Minnesota Sixth Judicial District, the Duluth City and St. Louis court systems handle cases, such as civil, criminal, family, small claims, probate, and traffic cases. Furthermore, Clerks of the District Courts are responsible for generating court records during judicial proceedings. Court records in Duluth comprise affidavits, party pleadings, motions, and filed appeals.
Location of Courts in Duluth
Duluth City and St. Louis County’s court system comprises three district courts occupying different cities in the county. The location and contact details of St. Louis County District Courts are listed below.
St. Louis County District Court - Duluth
Duluth Courthouse
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2460
Phone: (800) 450-9777 ext. 2460
St. Louis County District Court - Hibbing
Hibbing Courthouse
1810 East 12th Avenue
Hibbing, MN 55746
Phone: (218) 262-0105
Phone: (800) 450-9777 ext. 8105
St. Louis County District Court - Virginia
Virginia Courthouse
300 5th Avenue South
Virginia, MN 55792
Phone: (218) 749-7106
Phone: (800) 450-9777 ext. 7106
Are Duluth Court Records Public?
Under the Minnesota Data Practices Act, most Duluth court records are open to members of the public. As a result, any interested person can access court documents, such as decisions and orders of the court, trial transcripts, docket information, and other court-related documents.
However, not all court records in Duluth are open to the public. Confidential court records, such as child adoption cases and juvenile court records, are closed to the public.
Can You Look Up a Duluth Court Record Online?
The Minnesota Judicial Branch, via the Minnesota Public Access (MPA), offers online access to copies of St. Louis County court records. Through the online searchable platform, record seekers can access court records of criminal, civil, probate, family, small claims, and traffic court cases. Search for the desired court record using the case number, case status, and the case filing date.
How to Obtain Duluth Civil Court Case Records
Civil court cases in Duluth are accessible via the Sixth Judicial Copy Center in Lake County. An interested party may access copies of civil court records by completing a Copies Request Form for Agencies or a Copy Request Form for individuals. The Copy Center charges $8 per document for plain copies and $14 per document for certified copies of St. Louis civil court case records.
Requests for copies can be sent by email or mail. For the email option, requesting parties may send completed request forms to 6thcentralcopy@courts.state.mn.us. The Sixth District’s Copy Center will only send copies of the requested records to the email address provided after receiving the applicable service fee. Only plain and non-confidential documents are sent through email.
Interested persons can also send the completed request form via mail to the address below.
Lake County Court Administration
Attn: 6th District Copy Center
6013th Avenue
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Record seekers may also obtain copies of Duluth civil court case records online via the Minnesota Judicial Branch’s online searchable platform. Residents may find records using the case number, case status, and the case filing date.
How to Obtain Duluth Criminal Court Case Records
Interested members of the public can get copies of Duluth criminal court case records via the Sixth District Copy Center. Criminal court case records are obtainable through mail or email requests to the Sixth District Copy Center. Regardless of request type, interested persons must complete a Copies Request Form for Agencies or a Copy Request Form, respectively. The Copy Center charges $8 per document for plain copies and $14 per document for certified copies.
Interested persons can also obtain copies of Duluth criminal court case records through mail or email requests. To request by email, the interested party should send a request to 6thcentralcopy@courts.state.mn.us. Once the requester pays for the service fee, the Sixth District's Copy Center will send the requested criminal record to the provided email address.
Interested persons can also send the completed request form via mail to the address below.
Lake County Court Administration
Attn: 6th District Copy Center
6013th Avenue
Two Harbors, MN 55616
On the other hand, record seekers can access Duluth criminal court case records online through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Residents may search for Duluth criminal court records on the online platform using the case number, case status, and the case filing date.
What are Duluth Vital Records?
Duluth vital records are official records of life events within the city. Vital records in Duluth contain information about birth, life, death, and divorce events documented in the county. Interested persons can send requests to custodian agencies.
However, not all vital records are open to the public. As a result, agencies restrict access to named persons and others that meet certain requirements. Consequently, interested persons must apply to the relevant agency to obtain desired records.
The St. Louis County Recorder’s Office is the custodian of vital records at the county level. Furthermore, it provides access to the documents through mail, fax, and in-person requests. At the state level, the Minnesota Department of Health, via the Vital Records Office, keeps records of all life events.
Where and How to Obtain Duluth Divorce Records
Duluth divorce records are under the St. Louis County District Court’s jurisdiction. Residents may contact the St. Louis County District Court’s Office at the address below.
Virginia Courthouse
300 5th Avenue South
Virginia, MN 55792-2666
Phone: (218) 749-7106
Phone: (800) 450-9777 Ext 7106
Where and How to Obtain Duluth Marriage Records
Interested persons may access copies of marriage records from the St. Louis County Recorder’s Office. An applicant may download and print out the request form, or write a request providing full names, the marriage date, place and county where the marriage occurred, and the purpose of the request. Requestors may send completed forms with payment confirmation by email to birthdeathmarriage@stlouiscountymn.gov or fax to (218) 725-5052.
The St. Louis County Recorder’s Office also entertains mail requests at the following address:
St. Louis County Recorder
P.O. Box 157
Duluth, MN 55801-0157
Similarly, interested persons can access online copies of Duluth marriage records from the Minnesota Official Marriage System. Users must select the county where the marriage event occurred and input the record bearer’s name and the event’s date range.
Where and How to Find Duluth Birth Records
The St. Louis County Recorder’s Office maintains records of all birth events in the city of Duluth. Duluth birth records are confidential records, only accessible by the:
- Subject of the record
- An immediate family member (children, grandchildren, parents)
- A legal guardian
- The subject’s health care agents
- Adoption agencies
- Government entities
- Legal representatives
- Applicants with a court order for the release of the birth record.
In Duluth City, birth records are accessible to requesters through mail, fax, emails, and in-person requests. An interested party may submit a completed request form in person to:
St. Louis County District Court - Duluth
Duluth Courthouse
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2460
Phone: (800) 450-9777 ext. 2460
Residents may also submit completed request forms with payment by mail to the:
St. Louis County Recorder’s Office
Attention: Vital Records Division
P.O. Box 157
Duluth, MN 55801-0157
The processing time for mail requests is between one to two weeks. The first certified birth record costs $26, while a non-certified birth record costs $13 for the first copy. Each additional copy of certified and non-certified birth records costs $19 and $6, respectively.
Interested persons may email request forms along with payment confirmation form to birthdeathmarriage@stlouiscountymn.gov or fax to (218) 725-5052. The Recorder’s Office allows requesters to pay online via credit cards. On the official payment website, requesters may use the marriage date as the document number to get faster responses.
Similarly, the Minnesota Department of Health provides access to copies of Duluth birth records through mail and email requests. To access a birth record, an applicant must complete the birth record request form and send it to the Office of Vital Records at:
Minnesota Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
Where and How to Obtain Duluth Death Records
The St. Louis County Recorder’s Office maintains records of all death events in the county. Death records in Duluth are only available to the following persons:
- The deceased’s immediate family members
- Legal representatives
- Beneficiaries of the deceased’s insurance policy or will
Residents may access Duluth death records via mail requests by filling out the death request form. The completed form should be enclosed with the applicable fee and sent to the:
St. Louis County Recorder’s Office
Attention: Vital Records Division
P.O. Box 157
Duluth, MN 55801-0157
To obtain death records in-person, eligible persons must print out and complete the request form and visit any of the locations below:
St. Louis County Courthouse
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2000
Phone: (800) 450-9777
St. Louis County District Court - Duluth
Duluth Courthouse
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 726-2460
Phone: (800) 450-9777 ext. 2460
Government Service Center
Vital Records Division
201 South Third Avenue West
Virginia, MN 55792
Phone: (218) 749-0673
Certified or non-certified death records cost $13 for the first copy, while additional copies cost $6. Copies of Duluth death records are available at the MDH’s Vital Records Office. To obtain certified or non-certified copies of Duluth death records, applicants must complete the death record application form and send it to the Office of Vital Records at:
Minnesota Department of Health
Office of Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St. Paul, MN 55164-0499
