Uses of a criminal history record

There are many purposes for obtaining a criminal history record. Those purposes may include personal use, housing, employment, licensing or international travel. To request a copy of your criminal history record for personal use, see “Obtaining my own criminal history record for my own use” below.  To request a copy of your criminal history record (background check) for housing, employment, licensing, name change or international travel, see “Obtaining my criminal history record for use by others” below.

To access public criminal history records go to the Minnesota Public Criminal History website.

Obtaining my own criminal history record for my own use

You may request a criminal history record on yourself by submitting a data request. Additional information about how to submit a data request can be found on our data requests page. 

If you need a criminal history record (background check) for employment purposes, see "Obtaining my criminal history record for use by others" below.

Obtaining my own criminal history record for use by others

When requesting a criminal history record (background check) for housing, employment, licensing, name change or international travel, you may request that the criminal history record be returned to you or to someone else. 

1.    Someone asked you to obtain your criminal history record yourself to provide to them.
2.    Someone asked you to obtain your criminal history record to be sent directly to them by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). 

They may provide you with a form to submit to the BCA and instructions for returning the record to them. If you were not provided with a form, the BCA has forms. If you are requesting that the criminal history record be returned to you, complete the personal request form. If you want the BCA to send your criminal history record to someone else, complete an informed consent form.  In either case, do the following:

•    Sign the form in the presence of a notary.
•    The form must include the correct spelling of the your first and last name, middle name if available, and date of birth. 
•    Submit the form to the BCA by U.S. Postal Service or in person at BCA headquarters.
•    Pay the applicable fee.

Payment may be made by check, money order or cash.  

Where do I submit a background check request?

Requests for background checks may be made by mail or in person:

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106

Reading a RAP sheet

Watch this video or read this document for a high-level overview of the information you will receive from a Minnesota criminal history background check.

What if I see my name on someone else’s record?

If you believe your name has been used by another person in their interactions with a criminal justice agency, you may want to view Questioned Identity Information for the steps you can take.

Accessing your own records sealed by the Adult Use Cannabis Act or Clean Slate Act

If your criminal history record was impacted by the Adult Use Cannabis Act or the Clean Slate Act you may request your complete criminal history record, which will include sealed offenses. To request your criminal history record,  submit a data request. Additional information about how to submit a data request can be found on our data requests page.