About Northfield

Northfield, Minnesota is known for its historic downtown, its two colleges (Carleton College and St. Olaf College), and its annual Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration. m. In the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Northfield

Northfield Police Department

It was established in 2014 by the Rice County Sheriff’s Office, and Faribault and Northfield Police departments. Northfield Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer discusses this weekend’s winter storm, a new officer being sworn in this week and more positions open, April being Distracted Driving Month, and more. Northfield Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer discusses winter weather reminders, information rega

https://www.northfieldmn.gov/263/Police-Department

Rice County Sheriff's Office

The mission of the Rice County Sheriff's Office is to proactively protect the residents of Rice County through empathetic service that preserves public trust. In Minnesota, the sheriff is elected every four years, maintaining a direct connection between the populace and the chief law officer of the county.

https://www.ricecountymn.gov/208/Sheriffs-Office

⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Northfield

Case Search - Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO)

Certified copies of court documents and civil judgment search results may be obtained from local court administration. 2. LIMITED CASE RECORD INFORMATION AVAILABLE. Case records are displayed for all Minnesota district (trial) courts.

🔗 https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us/CaseSearch

🏠 Property & Public Records in Northfield

City Records/Requesting Information | Northfield, MN - Official Website

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) provides everyone the right to look through the office request copies of public data that the City of Northfield maintains. Many public records are accessible online. If you would like a document that is not accessible through online public records, please complete the Data Request Form or contact the City Clerk.

🔗 https://www.northfieldmn.gov/146/City-RecordsRequesting-Information

Public Records & Services in Northfield

Public Schools

Official source: NCES Public School District Search
  • 🎓Public schools are administered by local school districts under state Department of Education oversight.
  • 📊School performance data, enrollment, and district boundaries are published by the state Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).
  • 📞Contact the local district office for enrollment, transcripts, or attendance records.
Public schools in Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Rice County school administration or the Minnesota Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.

Crime Data & Statistics

Official source: FBI Crime Data Explorer Crime data for Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Rice County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Northfield police department or the Rice County Sheriff's Office.

Public Library Records Access

Official source: IMLS Library Search & Compare
  • 📚Public libraries provide free access to online databases, historical archives, and government-document collections.
  • 🔎Many libraries offer remote access to property records, court records, and genealogy resources with a valid library card.
  • 👤Reference librarians can assist with research, document retrieval, and government-records lookups.
The Northfield Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Rice County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.

Fingerprinting Services

Official source: FBI Identity History Summary Checks
  • 👆Fingerprinting for background checks, professional licensing, and employment screening is offered by local police and authorized providers.
  • 📅Most agencies require appointments; walk-in hours and fees vary by location.
  • 🪪Bring valid government-issued photo ID; some agencies accept fingerprint cards mailed in for processing.
Fingerprinting services for Northfield, Minnesota residents are available through local police (where present) and authorized third-party providers in Rice County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact local police (where present) or the Rice County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Minnesota Attorney General or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.

About Northfield — In Depth

Jail & Inmate Records

Rice County operates its jail in Faribault, where arrestees from across the county are booked and detained. The facility processes individuals through standard booking procedures and holds them according to court orders and bail conditions. An inmate lookup service is available through Rice County's official website, giving the public a way to search for current detainees. Visitors must schedule appointments and follow strict guidelines established by the facility.

Arrest Records

The Rice County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records documenting each individual's arrest details, including charges, booking information, and which agency made the arrest. Residents and attorneys seeking these records can request them by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act governs public access to arrest records, balancing transparency with protection of sensitive information.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Rice County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which provides criminal history information. The Bureau offers services to Rice County residents, including fingerprinting and access to statewide criminal records databases.

Vital Records

Vital records for Northfield, Minnesota, including birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be obtained through the Rice County Recorder's Office. The county's website at https://www.co.rice.mn.us/150/Recorder provides information on how to request these records. Residents can also access birth and death records through the Minnesota Department of Health's website at https://www.health.state.mn.us/data/mchs/index.html.

Business & Licensing Records

Business records for Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota are available through the City of Northfield's website at https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/, where information on business licenses, permits, and commercial activities within city limits can be found. For broader searches covering registered businesses, corporations, and other entities operating statewide, the Minnesota Secretary of State's website at https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/ provides access to business registration data.

Economy & Demographics

Economic data and records for Northfield, Minnesota can be found through the city's website at https://www.ci.northfield.mn.us/. This includes information on local businesses, employment statistics, and economic development initiatives. Residents can also access information on the city's tax rates, budget, and financial reports through this portal.

Elections & Voter Records

The Rice County Elections Office handles election administration for Northfield voters from its location within the Rice County Recorder's Office at 320 Third Street NW, Faribault, MN 55021 (phone: 507-332-6104, website: https://www.co.rice.mn.us/248/Elections). Minnesota voters can register online at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us through the Secretary of State's website up to 21 days before an election, though same-day registration remains available at the Rice County elections office, deputy registrar locations, or polling places on Election Day with proper proof of residence.
Acceptable documents include a Minnesota driver's license, state ID, current utility bill, or having another registered voter from the precinct vouch for residence. Operating as a statutory city, Northfield holds municipal elections for mayor (four-year term) and city council members representing five wards, typically in November of odd-numbered years. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by entering their address at https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us or contacting the Rice County elections office. The city maintains multiple polling locations including Northfield Middle School, Northfield Community Resource Center, and other public facilities depending on ward boundaries. Election records available under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board at https://cfb.mn.gov, candidate filing information, precinct-level results, and absentee ballot statistics. Local voters will also decide any ballot questions, school board races for ISD 659, and special district positions. Absentee ballots can be requested online at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us starting 46 days before any election and returned by mail (must be received by Election Day) or delivered in person to the Rice County elections office or designated drop sites through 3 p.m. On Election Day. Minnesota permits no-excuse absentee voting, and voters can track their absentee ballot status online.
City Info
StateMinnesota
CountyRice
Population20,678

Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote in Northfield, Minnesota, residents can register online through the Minnesota Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Rice County elections office. Minnesota requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Minnesota Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Northfield, contact the Rice County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Northfield, Minnesota are maintained by the Rice County Assessor's Office and the Rice County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Rice County, including parcels in Northfield. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Rice County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Minnesota counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Rice County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Northfield, Minnesota residents are available through both county and state offices. The Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, located in Saint Paul, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Minnesota. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Rice County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Rice County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.