You may request a printed copy of your own criminal history record by writing or visiting the BCA office. You will receive both public and private data. Written requests must include: full name with correct spelling, date of birth, and any other names used, including maiden and former married names. Your request must be signed, dated, and your signature notarized by a notary public. If your request is for immigration purposes or for use outside of the United States, please indicate that in your request. Enclose a personal check, money order, cashier’s check, certified or business check, for $8.00 made payable to the BCA. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Response time for mail requests is approximately two weeks. Our mailing address is:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
If you wish to view your criminal history record the lobby hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on holidays. You will need to provide an acceptable form of government-issued photo identification, e.g. valid driver's license. Fingerprints may be required to verify your identity. There is no fee charged to view your record, however there is an $8.00 fee for a printed copy.
To obtain a public criminal history record, you may do one of the following:
1) Access it via the Internet – The Minnesota Public Criminal History Record Search Website allows access to public criminal history information. A first and last name and date of birth are required for this search. Click here to access Internet site.
2) Visit the BCA office in person – You can check names and look at the records for no charge at a public terminal located in our lobby area. Our office is located on the corner of Maryland Avenue and Phalen Blvd. in St. Paul.
To obtain a full (public and private) criminal history record, you may do one of the following:
1) Request it via U.S. Mail – Your request must include a notarized Informed Consent Form signed by the subject of the record. The form must include the complete, correct spelling of the first and last names, middle name, other names used and date of birth. Enclose a personal check, money order, cashier’s check, certified or business check, for $15.00 made payable to the BCA. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Response time for mail requests is approximately two weeks. Our mailing address is:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
2) Visit the BCA office in person – Bring a notarized Informed Consent Form signed by the subject of the record along with a money order or check for $15.00** made payable to the BCA and a large manila envelope of self-addressed stamped envelope. The BCA will process up to three requests while you wait, you may pick up the completed criminal history record at the BCA in three working days or we will mail them in the self-addressed stamped envelope.
**Fee for Charitable Nonprofit Organizations:Fee for Charitable Nonprofit Organizations:
The fee for charitable nonprofits is $8.00. To qualify for the reduced fee you must provide a copy of the form issued by the IRS that designates your organization as a 501(c) 3 organization. This form should be sent to the BCA, Attn: CHA Unit/Non-profit account, 1430 Maryland Ave. E., St. Paul, MN 55106. The BCA will then assign an account number to you (those of you with accounts, your account number will remain the same). All subsequent submissions must contain the account number and “Nonprofit Organization” on the consent form. You will be eligible for the reduced rate upon receipt of the above documentation.
For a full criminal record you must have an informed consent document including the notarized signature of the individual on whom the check is being run and you must correspond by mail to get the information. You must also include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The cost for this service is $15.00 per inquiry. Payment for criminal records searches is accepted through cash, personal checks, money orders, certified checks or business checks. Checks must be made out to the BCA. Mailing address is:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
ATTN: CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
Seals and expungement process
Call the BCA at 651-793-2400 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., if you need additional information.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106
