Minnesota became the 32nd state in the Union on May 11, 1858. Today, the state is home to approximately 5.3 million residents, ranking 21st in population and 12th in land area with nearly 87,000 square miles. Originally established with 57 counties, Minnesota reached its current total of 87 counties in 1923 with the formation of Lake of the Woods County. These counties, along with numerous cities and municipalities, serve as local branches of government, each with elected officials, agencies, and administrative offices.
The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act—the state’s version of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—grants access to public records for both residents and non-residents. Under this law, any person can request government records without stating a reason. Each state agency assigns a data practices officer or records custodian to handle these requests, ensuring transparency across all branches of state and local government.
Minnesota public records are commonly used for:
Background checks for employment or personal investigation
Real estate ownership and property valuation
Business verification and corporate data
Court case searches including civil, criminal, and family matters
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
These records are requested by journalists, businesses, researchers, and private individuals alike, for purposes ranging from investigative reporting to due diligence and personal safety.
Background checks in Minnesota often include:
Criminal court records from the Minnesota Judicial Branch, including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies
Statewide criminal history from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
Divorce records, civil lawsuits, judgments, and juvenile cases
Employers and individuals can also access real-time verification of driver’s license status through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). Court records can be used to uncover litigation history, including outcomes of trials, liens, and financial judgments.
To search for assets or business ownership in Minnesota:
Use county assessor offices to search real estate ownership, values, and property tax data
Look up business entity records through the Minnesota Secretary of State, including filings, ownership, registration status, and entity type
Access bankruptcy records through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system to view filings that may reveal personal or business assets and liabilities
Verify vehicle title and registration information through the DVS database
The Minnesota Department of Health provides access to:
Birth and death certificates
Marriage and divorce records
Additionally, person and address locator tools help identify past and current residences, both within Minnesota and in other states. These are particularly helpful for comprehensive background investigations or finding individuals who have moved.
Finding Minnesota public records can be difficult without the right tools. A centralized public record directory simplifies the process by pointing you to:
The correct government agency or department
Descriptions of available records
Instructions and downloadable forms for submitting official requests
These directories are valuable resources for researchers, legal professionals, and anyone trying to navigate public record systems efficiently.
