How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?

Minnesota Department of Corrections - DOC (state prisons) / County Sheriff's Office (county jails - 87 counties)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Online searches free; certified records requests may involve fees ONLINE OPTION: Yes - DOC Offender Search at doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer; county Sheriff websites for local jails WHERE TO GO: Minnesota DOC (state prisons); County Sheriff's Office or jail (county inmates)

Online Option

Yes - DOC Offender Search at doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer; county Sheriff websites for local jails

Where to Go

Minnesota DOC (state prisons); County Sheriff's Office or jail (county inmates)

County-specific variations apply

Minnesota's 87 county Sheriffs each operate their own jail facilities. Online inmate search capabilities vary. Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Anoka County, and St. Louis County have good online access. Smaller and more rural counties (e.g., Lake, Cook, Clearwater, Traverse) may have very limited online presence - call the Sheriff's Office directly.

Minnesota Notes

Important state-specific details

Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) manages all state prisons and community supervision centers; Offender Search at doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer covers currently incarcerated state inmates and those on active supervised release.
County jails operated by County Sheriffs - separate from DOC; recent arrests will NOT appear in DOC database.
Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry (sex offenders): bca.mn.gov/POR - searchable online by name or location.
Minnesota MCRO (publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us): useful for finding charges and case information even when no direct jail roster is available online.
For visitation, phone calls, sending money, commissary, or mailing to a Minnesota inmate: inmateaid.com has DOC and county jail facility details.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Minnesota Department of Corrections - doc.state.mn.us | (651) 361-7200; Offender Search: doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer