Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, warrants are classified as public records in Minnesota. The Minnesota Data Practices Act establishes that most government records, including warrants, are presumptively public unless specifically classified as private or confidential by statute. This classification supports the state's commitment to governmental transparency and judicial accountability.
The public nature of warrant records serves multiple public interests, including:
Members of the public may access warrant information through various county sheriff's offices and court administration offices throughout Minnesota. The Minnesota Judicial Branch maintains a centralized system that contains warrant information that can be accessed by the public, though some limitations may apply to certain sensitive cases.
Minnesota Judicial Branch
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-2581
Minnesota Judicial Branch
Warrant records in Minnesota typically contain specific information as required under Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure. Standard information found in public warrant records includes:
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, subdivision 2, certain identifying information in law enforcement data is public, including "the charge, arrest or search warrants, or other legal basis for the action." However, some sensitive information may be redacted from public warrant records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations as specified in § 13.82, subdivisions 7 and 17.
Minnesota residents and other interested parties may check for warrant information at no cost through several official channels. The Minnesota Public Criminal History Search provides limited access to public criminal history information, though complete warrant information may require additional steps.
Free warrant verification methods include:
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
425 Grove Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 266-9333
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Ramsey County Arrest Warrant Search
Anoka County Sheriff's Office
13301 Hanson Blvd NW
Andover, MN 55304
(763) 422-7500
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Anoka County Online Warrant Search
Individuals seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide proper identification when making inquiries in person. Per Minnesota court procedures, verification of identity is required to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
As of 2025, Minnesota has expanded digital access to warrant information while maintaining traditional verification methods. Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant may utilize the following procedures:
Washington County Sheriff's Office
15015 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 430-7900
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Washington County Warrant Search
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
100 North 5th Avenue West
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 726-2340
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
St. Louis County Warrant Division
Pursuant to Minnesota court procedures, individuals may also request warrant information by providing their full legal name and date of birth. However, authorities may only confirm warrant information to the individual for whom the warrant is issued, as noted in county policies such as those of Anoka County.
Minnesota residents and other interested parties may verify outstanding warrant status through several official channels. The process for checking outstanding warrants involves:
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office
401 Carver Road
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 304-4800
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Blue Earth County Active Arrest Warrants
Dakota County Sheriff's Office
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
(651) 438-4700
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Dakota County Warrant Search
When checking for outstanding warrants, individuals should be aware that Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 classifies warrant information as public data. However, pursuant to county policies, verification of identity may be required when making in-person inquiries to ensure information is provided to authorized individuals.
Federal warrants differ from state and local warrants in Minnesota and require specific procedures for verification. Federal warrants are issued by United States District Courts rather than state courts. To check for federal warrants:
United States District Court - District of Minnesota
300 South Fourth Street, Suite 202
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 664-5000
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
U.S. District Court - Minnesota
United States Marshals Service - District of Minnesota
300 South Fourth Street, Suite 406
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 664-5900
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Federal warrant information may be more restricted than state warrant information. Under federal court procedures, certain warrant information may be sealed by court order, particularly in ongoing investigations. The public accessibility of federal warrant information is governed by federal rules rather than Minnesota state law.