Skip to main content
 Criminal Records, BCI, FBI UCR, NSOPW

Minnesota Criminal Records

A full U.S. criminal-history picture needs three layers: the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Identification (fingerprint record), the FBI Interstate Identification Index (III) for multi-state history, and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) for registry status.

Sponsored

Minnesota Criminal Records at a Glance

Minnesota criminal records are maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) under the Department of Public Safety. The Minnesota Public Criminal History Search (CHS) is a free service for searching public criminal history. Court records are accessible through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO). The Minnesota DOC maintains a public registrant search for sex offende

1Minnesota Statewide Criminal Search Resources

2Minnesota County Sheriff Reports & Criminal Records

Minnesota’s Public Criminal History Search (CHS) is a free service from the Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Most states charge a fee for criminal history searches. Minnesota provides this service at no cost to the public.

3Federal & National Authoritative Sources

These federal and national sources complement Minnesota's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when Minnesota state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.

NSOPW, National Sex Offender Public Website
The Department of Justice's single national search across every state, territory, and tribal registry. Authoritative for offender status but does not include every historical conviction.
https://www.nsopw.gov/ (nsopw.gov)
FBI, Identity History Summary Check
How to request your own FBI rap sheet (CJIS Identity History Summary) under Title 28 CFR § 16.30, 16.34. $18 fee, fingerprint submission required.
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/need-an-fbi-service-or-more-information/identity-history-summary-checks (fbi.gov)
FBI UCR, Uniform Crime Reporting
The FBI's aggregate crime statistics program. Useful for context on offense frequency but not a record of individual persons.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/ (ucr.fbi.gov)
 Frequently Asked Questions

Minnesota Criminal Records, FAQ

Is there a single nationwide criminal record search?

No public one. The FBI's Interstate Identification Index (III) is nationwide but is only accessible to law enforcement agencies and approved employers under Public Law 92-544. Individuals can order their own rap sheet through the CJIS Identity History Summary service.

What is the difference between state and FBI record checks?

A state check searches one state's conviction database. The FBI III check searches every state that participates in III. Both are fingerprint-based.

Can arrests without conviction appear on a background check?

Yes, on some. State BCI responses vary, a few states return arrests without disposition for up to seven years, others redact non-conviction arrests. The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681c) caps non-conviction arrests on consumer reports at 7 years.

How long does an expungement take?

It is a court process governed by state statute, typically 60 - 180 days from petition to order, plus another 60 - 90 days for agency updates.

 Last reviewed: April 2026  Updated: April 2026