Look up a Minnesota court case
Minnesota Judicial Branch public access (district courts)
Statewide case and calendar lookup; contact the specific court clerk for documents or certified copies.
Where To Start In Minnesota
Pick the record type first, then go to the agency that actually holds it.
Order a birth or death certificate
Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, or the county vital records office
These offices issue certified vital records and provide application requirements and eligibility rules.
Find property ownership or recorded deeds
County Recorder or Registrar of Titles, and the County Assessor for parcel data
Real estate documents are recorded by county; assessors provide parcel details and valuation.
Check Minnesota criminal history
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension public criminal history search
Official statewide name-based conviction checks are available from the BCA.
Verify a business or search liens
Minnesota Secretary of State business and UCC search
Statewide registry for corporate filings, assumed names, and UCC liens.
Minnesota Record Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Judicial Branch (District Courts) | Case lookup, dockets, filings, judgments | Party name, attorney name, case number | Online public access, courthouse terminals, records request to court clerk | Statewide search covers most case types; some records are restricted or available only at the courthouse. |
| Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records | Certified birth and death certificates; marriage and divorce record indexes | Full name, date of event, place of event, parents' names (births) | Mail or in person through MDH or county vital records offices; some applications start online | Eligibility and ID required for certified copies; some records limited to qualified applicants. |
| County Recorder or Registrar of Titles | Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, Torrens certificates | Grantor/grantee name, property address, legal description, document number | County online index, in-person counter search, copy requests by mail or online | Real estate records are recorded at the county level; certified copies available from the county. |
| County Assessor | Parcel data, property characteristics, value and tax classification | Parcel ID, situs address, owner name | County property search sites or assessor office request | Assessment data is not a deed; confirm ownership through the Recorder when needed. |
| Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) | Public criminal history checks on Minnesota convictions | Full name, date of birth | Online public criminal history search or mail request | Returns Minnesota publicly available conviction data; sealed or juvenile records are not included. |
| Minnesota Secretary of State | Business filings, UCC liens, notary commissions | Business name, filing number, debtor name (UCC) | Online entity/UCC search; certified copies by order | Business registration and UCC are statewide; certificates and plain copies available. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth or age range
- Case number or citation number
- Property address or parcel ID
- Grantor/grantee or seller/buyer names
- Business or organization name
- Document number or recording date
- City or county where the event occurred
Record Type Shortcuts
Court Records
Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic dockets and filings
- Where To Start
- Minnesota Judicial Branch district court search; contact the court clerk for full files or certified copies
- Best Search Input
- Case number or party name with county
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies come from the specific district court clerk; online printouts are not certified.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates; marriage and divorce records are recorded at county level and reported to the state
- Where To Start
- Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records or the county vital records office where the event occurred
- Best Search Input
- Full name, date and place of event; parents' names for births
- Official Copy Note
- Certified copies require ID and eligibility; informational copies may be limited or unavailable depending on record type.
Property and Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, Torrens certificates; parcel assessment data
- Where To Start
- County Recorder or Registrar of Titles for recorded documents; County Assessor for parcel data
- Best Search Input
- Parcel ID or legal description; grantor/grantee names; property address
- Official Copy Note
- Certified deed copies and tract index pages are issued by the county Recorder/Registrar.
Criminal History and Inmates
Public Minnesota conviction history; Department of Corrections custody status and facility information
- Where To Start
- BCA Public Criminal History for name-based checks; Department of Corrections offender locator for custody status
- Best Search Input
- Full name and date of birth
- Official Copy Note
- BCA results reflect public conviction data and are separate from fingerprint-based checks.
Business and Liens
Business registrations, assumed names, corporate filings, and UCC liens
- Where To Start
- Minnesota Secretary of State business and UCC search
- Best Search Input
- Business name or filing number; UCC debtor name
- Official Copy Note
- Order certified filings or certificates of status from the Secretary of State when required.
Official Records vs Background Services
Official Minnesota sources are best when you need certified copies, court filings, deeds, vital records, or agency-held documents tied to a specific case, property, or event. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searches across many data types, but they may omit recent updates, sealed items, or county-only records. Use background tools to explore leads, then confirm details with the court, recorder, or vital records office.
How To Request Official Copies
- Identify the exact record type and the state or county office that holds it.
- Gather key details such as names, dates, case number, parcel ID, or document number.
- Review the agency’s application form, ID requirements, eligibility rules, and fees.
- Choose a request method offered by that office: online portal, mail, or in person.
- Submit your request and payment; keep any confirmation or tracking information.
- Receive the record; request a certified copy if you need it for legal or official use.
Limits and Accuracy Notes
- Statewide searches may not reflect the very latest county updates; confirm at the holding court or county office.
- Some records are confidential, sealed, expunged, or restricted and will not appear in public results.
- Names are not unique; include date of birth, middle name, or a case/file number to reduce false matches.
- Online calendars and summaries are not the official court file; orders and filings may require a clerk request.
- Assessment data shows value and characteristics, not chain of title; verify ownership with the Recorder or Registrar of Titles.
Minnesota Public Records FAQs
How do I look up Minnesota court cases online?
Use the Minnesota Judicial Branch public access by case number or name; for documents or certified copies, contact the specific district court clerk.
Where can I get a certified birth or death certificate in Minnesota?
Request through the Minnesota Department of Health or a county vital records office. Eligibility and identification are required for certified copies.
Which office holds property deeds?
The County Recorder or Registrar of Titles in the property’s county maintains deeds, mortgages, and liens and can issue certified copies.
How can I find my case number?
Search by name in the judicial branch system, review court notices, or call the court clerk with party details to locate the file number.
How do I check Minnesota criminal history?
Use the BCA Public Criminal History search with name and date of birth. For custody status information, search the Department of Corrections offender database.
Do I need a certified copy?
Certified copies are typically required for legal filings, government use, and real estate transactions; for personal research, plain copies or printouts may be sufficient.