Winona County

Winona County is located in southeastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River, bordered by Wisconsin to the east. Established in 1854, Winona County spans approximately 642 square miles and serves a population of around 50,000 residents. Winona County Seat is the city of Winona, a historic river town known for its striking bluff-lined scene and well-preserved Victorian architecture. Major municipalities include Winona, Goodview, St. Charles, Lewiston, and Altura.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Winona County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Winona County. It operates Winona County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is committed to public safety through various programs, including community policing initiatives and crime prevention strategies.

Police Departments

Winona County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Winona County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments in cities like Winona, Goodview, and St. Charles. The Winona Police Department handles law enforcement within the city limits of Winona, while the Goodview and St. Charles Police Departments serve their respective communities. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives to ensure a unified approach to law enforcement across Winona County.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Winona County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 165 West Third Street in Winona, Minnesota 55987, is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including civil process, court security, and jail operations. Winona County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same address, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.

• The facility provides custody information including booking dates, charges, and bond amounts as permitted under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13.
• Arrest records in Winona County are considered public data under Minnesota Statutes Section 13.82, and requests can be made to the respective law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
• Written requests should specify the individual's name, date of birth, and approximate date of incident.
• Booking photographs and mugshots are generally accessible through direct requests to the Sheriff's Office, though some restrictions apply for juvenile records and certain ongoing investigations.
• Processing fees for copies of arrest records typically apply, and requesters may be required to provide valid identification.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Winona County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry information. Background checks can be conducted through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which provides full criminal history reports for residents. The bureau's services are essential for employers and individuals seeking detailed background information.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Winona County are maintained by Winona County Sheriff's Office. These records provide detailed information about the arrest, including the charges, arresting officer, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, arrest records are considered public information, though certain details may be restricted to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.

Jail & Inmate Records

Winona County Jail, located in the city of Winona, is the primary detention facility for Winona County. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting individuals upon arrest, and inmates can be located through the jail's online inmate lookup system. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, with scheduled times and required identification for visitors. The bond and bail process in Minnesota allows for the release of inmates pending trial, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained through the jail's administrative office.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Mugshots in Winona County are taken and retained by Winona County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These images are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Minnesota does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals can petition for removal if the charges are dismissed or if they are found not guilty. Third-party websites may also host these images, though their removal policies vary.

Winona County is served by Minnesota's Third Judicial District Court, with Winona County Courthouse located at 171 West Third Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987. The court can be reached at and handles all civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters for Winona County. Minnesota has a unified court system, so the District Court serves as both the trial court of general jurisdiction and handles matters that would be considered municipal or justice court functions in other states.

• Remote access is free for basic searches, though detailed documents may require in-person requests.

Winona County Recorder's Office, located at 202 West Third Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987, is the official repository for land records and maintains documents dating back to Winona County's founding in 1854. The office can be reached at and operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The Recorder maintains and indexes all real property documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, mechanic's liens, easements, plat maps, and uniform commercial code (UCC) financing statements.

• Recording fees are established by Minnesota Statutes Section 357.18, with standard documents costing $46 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $2 for additional pages.

Vital records for Winona County are managed through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates occurring in Winona County can be requested from Winona County Recorder's Office at 202 West Third Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987 Birth certificates cost $26 for the first copy and $19 for additional copies requested at the same time; death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $6 for additional copies. Processing typically takes 5-10 business days for in-person or mail requests.

• Paul provides statewide access; their website at www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords offers online ordering with credit card payment and faster processing.
• The marriage license fee is $115 and there is no waiting period in Minnesota; licenses are valid for six months.
• Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $14 each.
• Divorce records (Dissolution of Marriage decrees) are maintained by the District Court and requests must be made through the Clerk of Court at the courthouse.

Business and licensing records in Winona County are maintained through several offices depending on the business activity type. Winona County Recorder's Office at 202 West Third Street handles filing of assumed business names (DBA - Doing Business As) and certificates of assumed name under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333. These filings cost approximately $50 and must be renewed periodically. The Recorder's Office can be contacted through the office’s website. assistance with business name registrations.

• The Winona area Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 902 East Second Street in Winona area, provides business development resources and maintains a directory of local businesses at www.Winona Countychamber.com.
• Sales tax permits and employer tax accounts are registered through the Minnesota Department of Revenue, not county offices.

Elections in Winona County are administered by Winona County Auditor-Treasurer's Office, Elections Division, located at 202 West Third Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987. The elections office can be reached at and provides information about registration, polling places, and election results at www.co.Winona County.mn.us/auditor. Minnesota offers Election Day voter registration, allowing residents to register at their polling place on Election Day with proper proof of residence, though pre-registration is encouraged.

• Voters can also register by mail or in-person at the County Auditor's office.
• Absentee voting in Winona County is available starting 46 days before any election; voters can request absentee ballots online at mnvotes.org, by mail, email, fax, or in person at the Auditor-Treasurer's office.
• Winona County provides full election results on election night and maintains historical results accessible to the public.

Winona County's economy reflects a diverse mix of manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, and tourism sectors with an estimated median household income around $59,000 as of recent census data. Winona County's largest employers include Fastenal Company, a multinational industrial and construction supplies distributor headquartered in Winona with over 2,000 local employees; Winona Health, Winona Countyal medical center and healthcare system; and the city's two universities, Winona County State University (a public full university with approximately 7,500 students) and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (a private Catholic institution).

Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free GIS/Recorder Search | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person Required | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State Portal) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7.5/10, Winona County provides strong online access to property, court, and election records with GIS mapping, though jail rosters and vital records require direct contact.

Explore public records for 12 cities and communities in Winona County, Minnesota.