Searching Hennepin County Court Records
How do I search Hennepin County court records online?
Use MCRO Case Search. Pick Name, Case Number, Citation Number, or Attorney. For Hennepin-only results, open Additional Search Options and select Hennepin in the county list. MCRO results are not certified; use the Records Center for official copies. See the court records page for the full walkthrough.
Are MCRO records official court records?
No. MCRO terms state that the information is a service and is not the official court case record. The Minnesota Judicial Branch does not certify MCRO records or search results. Certified copies of court documents and civil judgment search results come from local court administration. In Hennepin, request certified copies through the District Court Records Center.
Why can't I find a pending criminal case by name?
MCRO terms state that pending criminal, traffic, and petty misdemeanor cases with no conviction will not return in Case Search or Hearing Search by defendant name. They may return by case number. Search by case number, citation number, or contact court administration if you are a party. See the arrest records page for related searches.
What is the difference between MCRO Case Search and Document Search?
Case Search is the broad lookup tool. It finds a case by person, business, attorney, case number, citation number, or attorney license number. Document Search is narrower: it asks for a case number and returns public documents available online for that case. Use Case Search first when the case number is unknown; use Document Search when you already have the exact case number.
Can I search Hennepin court records by business name?
Yes. MCRO Case Search has a Name tab with a Select Name Type control for Person or Business. Business-name searches are useful for civil cases, judgments, contracts, landlord-tenant matters, and probate or trust matters involving entities. Remote-access cautions still apply. For Hennepin-only business searches, expand Additional Search Options and select Hennepin in the county list.
Hennepin County Records Center
Where is the Hennepin District Court Records Center?
The Records Center is in the Hennepin County Government Center, Room A250 on the Skyway Level in the Administration Tower behind security screening. The main court address is 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. The Court Contact Center is 612-348-6000, staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See the Court Administrator page.
What does a certified court copy cost?
The Hennepin Records Center and Copy Request Form list a $14 fee for each certified copy. Plain copies are listed as no fee on the Hennepin copy request form where available. Other fees may apply, such as $40 for a transcript of judgment or $5 for a certified judgment search per name. Pay by check or money order; checks go with mailed requests or in the Skyway Level drop box.
What if the online record is wrong?
MCRO terms say users should notify local court administration if they see errors with case information or documents. For Hennepin, contact the Court Contact Center at 612-348-6000 or the appropriate division or Records Center. Provide the case number, the field that looks wrong, and what you believe is correct. Court administration reviews and updates the record when warranted.
Hennepin County Jail and Inmate Records
How do I find an inmate in Hennepin County Jail?
Use the official sheriff jail roster at jailroster.hennepin.us. The roster is updated hourly and shows people currently in the jail and those recently released. Search by name, custody status, arresting agency, received date, or released date. The roster includes booking number, name, age, custody status, arresting agency, dates, charges, bail, and court dates. See the inmate records page.
Why is someone not showing on the jail roster after arrest?
The jail roster app says people may be in intake and not listed until assigned a booking number. If the arrest is recent, wait an hour and search again, or call jail information at 612-348-5112. The roster updates hourly, but intake and booking status can cause delays. The system publishes records once a booking number is in the database.
How do I post bail for someone in Hennepin County Jail?
Cash bail or bond can be posted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Public Safety Facility, 401 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis. Bring the case or warrant number and exact cash. The jail cannot give change, has no cash machine, and does not accept checks, debit cards, or credit cards for cash bail. Bonding agencies handle bond paperwork outside the jail.
How do I check if someone was released?
Search the jail roster and choose Released from Custody in the Custody Status dropdown. Results include Released Date. The Sheriff landing page says the roster shows those released in the last 7 days, while the app keeps records for today and the prior 90 days. See the released inmates page for VINE notifications.
What information is in a jail roster record?
Hennepin jail roster details include booking number, inmate number, full name, age, custody status, housing facility, received date and time, arrested-by agency, release date and time if released, case type, MNCIS case number, bail options, court appearance, charge description, severity, statute, and charge status. Booking photos may appear when the photo service is active.
Hennepin County Warrants
How do I clear a Hennepin warrant?
Use the Hennepin Criminal Court warrant helpline. Some warrants can be addressed by scheduling a hearing through the helpline, but warrants for missing trial, certain probation violations, complaint warrants, and workhouse or ACF failure-to-appear warrants are not eligible. Other options include posting bail or bond, or turning yourself in. See the warrant records page for the full process.
Criminal History and Background Checks
Can I use MCRO for a background check?
No. MCRO specifically says it should not be used for background checks. Use the Minnesota BCA Public Criminal History Search at chs.state.mn.us for official public criminal history. BCA CHS requires complete name and date of birth. The search shows public conviction data linked by fingerprint, governed by Minn. Stat. § 13.87.
How do I look up a Minnesota prison inmate?
Use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator at coms.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer. It covers adults committed to the Commissioner of Corrections who are still under DOC jurisdiction, including prison and supervised release. Search by name or six-digit MNDOC Offender ID. The Name tab uses prefix matching and includes AKA names.
Is the Minnesota sex offender registry fully public?
No. The BCA FAQ says Predatory Offender Registry information is not public under Minnesota law, with limited exceptions. The DOC Public Registrant Search shows individuals subject to public notification under Minn. Stat. § 244.052; the full registry is for law enforcement. See the released inmates page for the public-notification search.
Are juvenile records public?
Most juvenile delinquency cases are not viewable by the public in Minnesota. CHIPS and Juvenile Delinquency Felony 16 case types are not available through MCRO remote access. Access may require party status, attorney status, statute, or court order. Contact Juvenile Court at the Juvenile Justice Center, 590 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis, for procedural questions.
Who prosecutes felony cases in Hennepin County?
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office prosecutes felony-level offenses committed by adults and all juvenile offenses. The elected county attorney is Mary F. Moriarty. City attorneys may handle some misdemeanors and ordinance matters depending on charge and jurisdiction. The HCAO Civil Division represents the county in non-criminal matters.
How do I get a public defender?
Minnesota public defense is handled by the state Board of Public Defense. Hennepin is served by the Fourth District Public Defender. Defendants generally request counsel at first appearance or through court procedure, and eligibility depends on indigency and case type. The Fourth District office is online at pubdef.state.mn.us.
Family, Marriage, and Probate Records
Where are Family Court divorce records?
Divorce cases are in Hennepin Family Court at the Family Justice Center, 110 South 4th Street. Search case information in MCRO, but family remote documents are limited; only court-prepared orders, opinions, and notices typically appear. Certified divorce decrees should be requested from the District Court Records Center. See the marriage and divorce records page.
Where are marriage records?
Marriage licenses and marriage records are handled by Hennepin County Service Centers and Vital Records, not by the court. Hennepin can issue certified copies if Hennepin issued the original license. The certified copy fee is $9, and regular processing is listed as within three weeks of receipt. Fax options include VitalChek and a hand-completed application sent to 612-348-2010.
Where are probate records?
Probate records are in the Probate / Mental Health Division of Hennepin County District Court at the Government Center, floors C4 and C5. Search MCRO by name or case number and select Probate or Mental Health as the case category. Formal probate and guardianship or conservatorship documents may be available remotely if public and filed after July 1, 2015. See the probate records page.
How do I find a Hennepin judgment?
Use MCRO Judgment Search. It searches docketed money judgment details by debtor person name or debtor business name and includes judgment status filters for All, Active, or Inactive. Select Hennepin in the county list. Certified civil judgment search results and certified copies must be requested from local court administration; MCRO judgment search results are not certified.
Going to Court
What should I bring to court?
Bring the hearing notice, case number, photo ID, your documents, and enough time for parking, security, and finding the courtroom. The court says Government Center C-Tower security can be busy; visitors may use the A-Tower security checkpoint and bridge floors to cross back to C-Tower courtrooms. Free parking is available at suburban courts.
Can I record in court?
Rule 4 of the Minnesota Rules of General Practice restricts pictures and voice recordings in courtrooms and courthouse areas with courtrooms, unless authorized. Press credentials and official-record exceptions exist. Posting recordings or photos taken in violation of Rule 4 can lead to contempt findings or denial of future access.
How do I find a Hennepin court hearing?
Use MCRO Hearing Search or the Hennepin daily Court Calendar linked from the Going to Court page. Hearing Search supports name, case number, judicial officer, or attorney name. Name searches require a hearing date or date range. Court buildings also have display monitors with daily party names, courtrooms, and judges.
What if I am late to court?
The Going to Court page tells visitors to give themselves enough time to park, pass weapons screening, and find the courtroom. It warns that if a person is late or misses a hearing, they may not be allowed to reschedule. In criminal and traffic matters, missing court can lead to a warrant or failure-to-appear consequence. Call court administration or the warrant helpline if a missed hearing has already happened.
How do I find which Hennepin courthouse my case is in?
Check the hearing notice, MCRO Hearing Search, daily Court Calendar, or courtroom display monitors. The court uses Government Center, Public Safety Facility, Family Justice Center, Juvenile Justice Center, Brookdale Regional Center, and Ridgedale Regional Center. The jail roster maps next-court categories to DOWNTOWN, RIDGEDALE, or BROOKDALE. Call 612-348-6000 if unsure.
How do I request an interpreter?
The Hennepin Going to Court page includes Request an Interpreter in its quick links, and the Minnesota Judicial Branch site has language access information. Request interpreter services before the hearing when possible. The site includes language links for Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and others. The Court Contact Center also notes Spanish-speaking service.
County Data and Federal Records
How do I request county government data?
Use Hennepin County's data practices request portal for county government data. Court records use court administration and Judicial Branch public access rules, not the county portal. Sheriff data not displayed in the jail roster may be requested through the Sheriff's Office Data Practice Request Unit. See the public records page for the full path.
How do I find a federal case from Hennepin County?
Federal cases are not in MCRO. Search PACER for U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota cases, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for bankruptcy cases, and the Eighth Circuit for federal appeals. CourtListener can be a free supplemental source for some opinions and dockets. PACER charges fees per page unless waived or exempt.