About Ramsey County
Ramsey County, Minnesota, is located in the east-central part of the state and serves as one of the core counties of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Ramsey County Seat is Saint Paul, which is also the state capital of Minnesota. Ramsey County was established in 1849 and named after Alexander Ramsey, the first governor of the Minnesota Territory and second governor of the state. Ramsey County covers approximately 170 square miles, making it one of the smallest counties in Minnesota by land area, yet it is among the most densely populated with an estimated population exceeding 550,000 residents.
Major landmarks include the Minnesota State Capitol, the Saint Paul Cathedral, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, and the historic Summit Avenue, known for its Victorian mansions. Ramsey County is home to diverse neighborhoods and communities including Saint Paul, Maplewood, Roseville, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, North Saint Paul, Vadnais Heights, Little Canada, and portions of Arden Hills. Ramsey County government operates from several locations, with the main Government Center located at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard in downtown Saint Paul.
Ramsey County Recorder's Office, County Clerk's Office, and County Assessor's Office all serve residents from this central location and various satellite facilities. Ramsey County is distinguished by its role as the state capital location, its rich cultural diversity, and its position as a major economic and governmental hub for Minnesota.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement services in Ramsey County, particularly in areas not covered by municipal police departments. It operates Ramsey County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in various community programs and initiatives meant to crime prevention and public safety. Notable divisions within the Sheriff's Office include the Patrol Division, which provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas, and the Detention Services Division, which manages Ramsey County jail facilities.
Police Departments
Ramsey County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Saint Paul Police Department, Maplewood Police Department, and Roseville Police Department. Each city department is responsible for law enforcement within its respective city limits, while the Sheriff's Office provides services to unincorporated areas and assists with major crimes. Coordination between these agencies is common, especially for large-scale investigations or regional crime issues.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Ramsey County is provided by Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at the Law Enforcement Center at 425 Grove Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101. The agency operates Ramsey County Adult Detention Center, which houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Inmate lookup is available through the Sheriff's Office website via the online inmate roster, which provides current custody information, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the online inmate roster or by submitting a formal data practices request to the Sheriff's Office.
- Processing times vary, and some records may be classified as private or confidential under Minnesota law depending on the status of the case.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by police departments in Saint Paul (the largest department in Ramsey County), Maplewood, Roseville, White Bear Lake, Shoreview, North Saint Paul, Vadnais Heights, Little Canada, and Arden Hills. The Saint Paul Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the capital city and can be contacted through the office’s website. Arrest records in Ramsey County are public records under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13). Ramsey County does not have tribal police jurisdiction, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within Ramsey County boundaries.
The Metro Transit Police also have jurisdiction on public transportation systems throughout Ramsey County.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Ramsey County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the BCA, which provides full criminal history information. The BCA's online system allows for easy access to public criminal records, subject to certain restrictions and privacy laws.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Ramsey County are maintained by Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and the various city police departments within Ramsey County. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through these agencies, often requiring a formal request or application. Arrest records typically include information such as the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, these records are accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.
Jail & Inmate Records
Ramsey County Adult Detention Center is the primary jail facility in Ramsey County. It handles the booking and detention of individuals arrested within Ramsey County. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information. Inmate lookup services are available online, allowing the public to search for people currently held in the facility. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and regulations that must be adhered to by visitors.
- The bond and bail process follows Minnesota state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Ramsey County are taken and retained by Ramsey County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. While Minnesota does not have specific laws for mugshot removal, individuals may petition for removal or sealing of records under certain circumstances. Mugshots may also be available through third-party websites, although accuracy and availability can vary.
Courts & Case Records
Ramsey County is served by the Second Judicial District Court of Minnesota, which handles all district court matters for Ramsey County. Ramsey County Courthouse is located at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Ramsey County Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $15,000, family law cases including divorce and child custody, probate matters, juvenile delinquency and child protection cases, and appeals from administrative agencies.
- Conciliation Court, Minnesota's small claims court, handles civil disputes up to $15,000 and is also located at Ramsey County Courthouse.
- The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides online case lookup through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system at www.mncourts.gov/Access-Case-Records.
- There is no fee to search court records online, though certified copies and detailed documents require payment.
- Fees for certified copies are typically $14 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.
- Remote hearings have become more common, and the court provides electronic filing through the Minnesota Judicial Branch eFiling system for registered attorneys and self-represented litigants.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Ramsey County are maintained by Ramsey County Recorder's Office, located at 90 Plato Boulevard West, Saint Paul, MN 55107. The Recorder's Office can be reached at and operates a full website at www.ramseycounty.us/residents/property records/property-records-search. The office maintains documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, mechanic's liens, judgment liens, easements, covenants, plat maps, and various other instruments affecting real property.
- Documents can be viewed online at no cost, and copies can be printed or downloaded.
- For certified copies, the fee is $46 for the first page and $2 for each additional page, payable by cash, check, or credit card.
- This system provides access to current and prior year property tax statements, assessed values, property characteristics, and sales history.
Ramsey County offers free online property record searches through Ramsey County Property Records Search portal, which allows users to search by name, document type, date range, or legal description. Records date back several decades and are continuously updated. Property tax information is maintained by Ramsey County Property Records and Revenue Department, also located at 90 Plato Boulevard West, and can be searched online through Ramsey County's Property Information Search tool at www.ramseycounty.us.
Ramsey County Assessor's Office determines property valuations for tax purposes and can be contacted through the office’s website. Ramsey County also maintains an online Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping portal that provides interactive parcel maps, zoning information, flood plains, and other geographic data layers. All recording and property tax services are available in person during regular business hours.
Vital Records
Vital records for Ramsey County are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type. Birth and death certificates occurring in Ramsey County can be obtained from Ramsey County Public Health Department, Vital Records Unit, located at 2785 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109 Birth certificates cost $26 for the first certified copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $13 for the first certified copy and $6 for each additional copy.
- Processing time is typically 5-10 business days for mail requests and immediate for in-person requests if records are available.
- Photo identification is required when requesting vital records.
- The marriage license fee is $115, and there is no waiting period in Minnesota.
- Marriage certificates can be obtained from the same office for $9 per copy.
- Divorce records are court records maintained by Ramsey County District Court at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, and must be requested through Court Administration.
Minnesota birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 30 years under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225, with access limited to eligible individuals including the subject of the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives. Marriage licenses are issued by Ramsey County Vital Records Office, and applications must be made in person by both parties at 2785 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109. For vital records occurring outside Ramsey County or for older records, the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records at 600 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, MN 55164, is the state repository and can be contacted through the office’s website. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.health.state.mn.us for both county and state vital records with additional service fees.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Ramsey County are accessible through multiple county and state offices. Ramsey County Clerk's Office does not handle business filings; instead, business entity registrations including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and assumed names (DBAs) are managed by the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. The Minnesota Secretary of State maintains a free online Business Information Search at www.sos.state.mn.us where users can search for business entities, view registration status, registered agents, and filing history.
Business licenses at the local level vary by city within Ramsey County. The City of Saint Paul requires business licenses for many types of businesses, and applications are processed through the Department of Safety and Inspections, License, Inspections and Environmental Protection Division at 375 Jackson Street, Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55101 Other municipalities including Maplewood, Roseville, and White Bear Lake maintain their own business licensing requirements through their respective city clerk or community development offices.
Professional and occupational licenses such as contractors, real estate agents, healthcare providers, and cosmetologists are regulated by state licensing boards under the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other state agencies. Sales tax permits are issued by the Minnesota Department of Revenue and can be applied for online at www.revenue.state.mn.us. Building permits and zoning approvals are handled at the municipal level by each city's planning and building department.
For county-level development, Ramsey County Community and Economic Development Department at 121 East Seventh Place, Suite 2300, Saint Paul, can be contacted through the office’s website. The Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 600 NCE Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite W1080, Saint Paul, MN 55101, website www.saintpaulchamber.com, provides business resources and networking opportunities for Ramsey County businesses.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Ramsey County are administered by Ramsey County Elections Office, which operates under the direction of Ramsey County Manager. The Elections Office is located at 90 Plato Boulevard West, Saint Paul, MN 55107, and can be contacted through the office’s website. The office website at www.ramseycounty.us/residents/elections-voting provides full election information including voter registration, polling place lookup, sample ballots, and election results.
- Voter registration in Minnesota is available online through the Minnesota Secretary of State at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us, by mail, in person at the Elections Office, or at the polling place on Election Day.
- Minnesota allows Election Day registration, though voters can also register up to 21 days before an election during the pre-registration period.
- To register, voters must provide proof of residence such as a Minnesota driver's license, current utility bill, or other acceptable documents as specified in Minnesota Statutes Section 201.061.
- In the November 2024 general election, Ramsey County recorded a turnout of approximately 78% of registered voters, reflecting strong civic engagement typical of Minnesota elections.
- Absentee voting in Ramsey County can be requested online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website, by mail, in person at the Elections Office, or by email/fax for voters meeting specific criteria.
Polling place locations can be found using the Polling Place Finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us by entering your residential address. Ramsey County operates approximately 170 precincts across its municipalities. Election records that are public include the voter registration roster (with certain private data redacted), campaign finance disclosure reports filed by candidates and committees available through the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board, candidate filings, precinct-level election results, and absentee ballot statistics.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring federal midterm elections for U.S. House of Representatives and one U.S. Senate seat, along with Minnesota state constitutional offices including Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, plus all Minnesota House seats and half of the Minnesota Senate.
Absentee ballots can be requested beginning 46 days before any election, and completed ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Minnesota Statutes Chapter 206 and 204B govern election administration and public access to election records, for public access in the electoral process. Citizens can request copies of election materials including pollbooks, absentee ballot logs, and detailed precinct results through data practices requests to the Elections Office, though some voter information is classified as private under Minnesota Statutes Section 201.091.
Economy & Demographics
Ramsey County's economy is diverse and strong, anchored by its position as home to Minnesota's state capital and a major metropolitan center. Major employers in Ramsey County include the State of Minnesota government complex, which employs thousands in Saint Paul; HealthEast Care System and Regions Hospital, major healthcare providers; 3M Company, the multinational conglomerate with significant operations in Maplewood; Securian Financial Group headquartered in Saint Paul; and numerous federal government offices.
- The median household income in Ramsey County is approximately $68,000, slightly below the state median but reflecting Ramsey County's urban diversity.
Key economic sectors include government and public administration, healthcare and social assistance, educational services including higher education institutions like the University of Minnesota Saint Paul campus, Hamline University, and Macalester College, professional and business services, manufacturing particularly in advanced materials and medical devices, and retail trade. Ramsey County benefits from excellent transportation infrastructure including Interstate 35E and 94, Union Depot transit hub, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in adjacent Hennepin County. Tourism and hospitality contribute significantly, with attractions like the Minnesota State Fair held annually in Falcon Heights, Xcel Energy Center hosting NHL hockey and concerts, and the vibrant Summit Avenue and Grand Avenue commercial districts.
Recent economic development projects include the redevelopment of the former Ford Motor Company plant site in Highland Park into a mixed-use community, expansion of light rail transit connections, and revitalization of the downtown Saint Paul riverfront. Ramsey County unemployment rate typically tracks close to the state average, ranging between 3-4% in recent years. Ramsey County's economic development efforts are coordinated through the Greater MSP economic development partnership and individual municipal economic development authorities that work to attract and retain businesses across all sectors.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Roster | Vital Records: Yes: In-Person & Online | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 9/10, Ramsey County provides excellent digital access to most public records with online portals, inmate lookup systems, and strong election transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How do I get a criminal background check in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How can I look up sex offenders in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How do I register to vote in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How do I look up property records in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
How do I find business license records in Ramsey County, Minnesota?
Cities & Towns in Ramsey County
Explore public records for 16 cities and communities in Ramsey County, Minnesota.