Minnesota, county records

Stearns County, Minnesota Public Records

Find the right office in Stearns County. Court cases, deeds and parcels, sheriff and jail records, vital records and county filings, each linked to the office that keeps them, with addresses and phone numbers.

Official sources first Free directory Links checked Sep. 13, 2026 Mobile friendly

Start here

Most requested Stearns County records

Every card below goes to the government office responsible for that record. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.

Filter by type

Showing 5 official sources

Local record guide

About public records in Stearns County

Useful local context without burying the official record links above.

County profile

Stearns County at a glance

State
Minnesota
County seat
St. Cloud
Population
161,075
Area
1,390 sq mi
Founded
1855
Cities and towns
24

Stearns County offices and records

Sheriff & Law Enforcement. Stearns County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Stearns County.

Police Departments. In addition to Stearns County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Stearns County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests. Stearns County Sheriff's Office, located at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 (phone: 320-251-4240), is the primary law enforcement agency serving unincorporated areas and providing countywide services. Inmates housed at Stearns County Jail can be located through the jail roster available on the Sheriff's Office website, which provides booking information, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates. Arrest records in Stearns County are public under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13), which classifies arrest data as public information once an arrest has been made.

Arrest Records. Arrest records in Stearns County are maintained by Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos. Mugshots in Stearns County are taken and retained by Stearns County Sheriff's Office during the booking process.

Stearns County Assessor's Office, located at the same Government Center (phone: 320-656-3240), maintains property tax records, assessed valuations, and parcel information. Stearns County is served by the Seventh Judicial District Court of Minnesota, with Stearns County Courthouse located at 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 (phone: 320-656-3500). Zoning permits and land use approvals for businesses in unincorporated areas are handled by Stearns County Planning and Zoning Department (phone: 320-656-3858).

Straight answers

Stearns County public-records FAQs

Open only the answer you need.

Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Stearns County, Minnesota?

Mugshots or booking photos in Stearns County, Minnesota, can be obtained from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to these photos through their official website or in person at their office located at 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN. It's important to note that availability may vary, and there might be restrictions on accessing certain images online.

How do I get a criminal background check in Stearns County, Minnesota?

To obtain a criminal background check in Stearns County, Minnesota, you should contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA provides statewide background checks, which can be requested online through their website or by mail.

How can I look up sex offenders in Stearns County, Minnesota?

You can look up sex offenders in Stearns County, Minnesota, by using the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and provides public access to information about registered sex offenders. The registry can be accessed online, allowing you to search by name, location, or proximity to a specific address.

How do I register to vote in Stearns County, Minnesota?

You can register to vote in Stearns County through the County Elections Office at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, or online at mnvotes.org. Minnesota offers same-day voter registration at the polls on Election Day, or you can register in advance with the deadline being 21 days before Election Day for online and mail registration. The Stearns County Elections Office (320) 656-3920) can assist with registration questions and provide information about absentee ballot requests, which are available to all voters without requiring an excuse.

How do I look up property records in Stearns County, Minnesota?

Property records in Stearns County can be searched through the Stearns County Recorder's Office website at www.co.stearns.mn.us/recorder for recorded documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens. The region Assessor's Office provides a free online property search tool with GIS mapping at www.co.Stearns.mn.us that allows you to search by address or parcel number to view assessment values, property characteristics, tax history, and aerial imagery. Both offices are located at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303, and viewing records online is free, though certified copies require fees of $10 for the first page and $2 for additional pages.

How do I get a birth or death certificate in Stearns County, Minnesota?

Birth and death certificates for events in Stearns County are available from the Stearns County Recorder's Office at 705 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 (phone: 320-656-3920). The fee is $26 for the first certified copy and $19 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Walk-in requests are processed immediately during business hours, while mail requests take approximately one to two weeks. You can also order online through the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us/vitalrecords using VitalChek for an additional service fee, and you must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct interest in the record.

How do I find business license records in Stearns County, Minnesota?

Business records in Stearns County can be searched through multiple sources depending on the business type. The Stearns County Recorder's Office maintains DBA (Doing Business As) and assumed name registrations searchable online at www.co.stearns.mn.us/recorder. For formal business entities like corporations and LLCs, use the Minnesota Secretary of State's free online database at www.sos.state.mn.us to search by business name or file number. Local business licenses issued by cities within Stearns County must be verified through individual municipal clerk offices, with St. Cloud being the largest licensing jurisdiction in the county.

Same county

Cities, towns and neighboring counties

Use the city page when a record was created by a municipal police department or city office; use the county page for courts, deeds, vital records and jail custody.