How to Request Arrest Records in Saint Paul

Public Safety Minnesota 4 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of Minnesota

This guide explains how to request arrest records for incidents handled by the Saint Paul Police Department and related local agencies in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Start with the Saint Paul Police Department Records Unit for city-held incident and arrest reports; the Records Unit describes the request process and record types available online or by mail. Saint Paul Police Records[1] If the arrest involved jail booking or custody at the Ramsey County Jail, consult Ramsey County booking and inmate records for county-held information. Ramsey County Jail information[2] For statewide criminal-history background checks and fingerprint-based records, the Minnesota BCA provides official background-check services and instructions. Minnesota BCA background checks[3]

Request early — processing may take days to weeks.

What records are available

Police-maintained arrest reports, incident reports, citations, and related investigative reports may be available as public data or protected by Minnesota law. Some records contain private or confidential details and may be redacted under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

How to submit a request

  • Use the Saint Paul Police Records request page for written requests or to download forms.
  • Mail or deliver requests to the Records Unit address listed on the Saint Paul site; phone contacts are available for status inquiries.
  • Provide incident date, names, report number (if known), and a government ID for identity verification when required.
  • Expect copy fees or processing fees if applicable; the Records Unit page lists fee procedures or states that fees may apply.

Penalties & Enforcement

The Saint Paul Police Department Records Unit administers release of local arrest and incident records and enforces data access rules for city-held records. Specific penalties or fines for unlawful access, misuse, or improper dissemination of records are not specified on the Saint Paul Police Records page cited here; statutory remedies and penalties for misuse of government data are governed by Minnesota law and related statutes. Current enforcement, inspection, and complaint pathways for records issues generally route through the Police Records Unit and the city open-data or public-records contact points. Saint Paul Police Records[1]

If you need sealed or expunged records, follow Minnesota statutory procedures rather than a standard records request.
  • Fines or statutory penalties: not specified on the cited city page.
  • Appeals and review: not specified on the cited city page; state procedures may apply.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to redact, withholding of confidential data, or court action are possible under Minnesota law.

Applications & Forms

The Saint Paul Police Records page provides instructions and a records request form or portal for obtaining copies; the exact form name and any published fee amounts are not specified on the cited page. For fingerprint-based criminal-history checks or FBI background checks, use the Minnesota BCA process and forms. Minnesota BCA background checks[3]

Processing times and fees

  • Processing times vary by workload; the city page does not give a fixed turnaround—current as of February 2026.
  • Copy or administrative fees: check the Records Unit or ask by phone; specific dollar amounts are not specified on the city page.

Privacy, redaction, and sealed records

Some arrest-related data may be classified as private, nonpublic, or confidential under Minnesota statutes; redactions are applied when required. For records sealed or expunged under state law you must follow statutory petition procedures rather than a routine records request. For county jail data, consult Ramsey County for booking disclosures. Ramsey County Jail information[2]

County custody records and city police reports are maintained by different agencies; request each where the record is held.

FAQ

Who holds arrest records for incidents in Saint Paul?
City arrest and police reports are held by the Saint Paul Police Department Records Unit; custody and jail booking records are held by Ramsey County where applicable.
Is there a fee to get arrest records?
Fees may apply for copies or certified records; the Saint Paul Records page indicates fees may be charged but does not list exact amounts.
How long does a request take?
Processing times vary with workload; the city page does not give a guaranteed turnaround time.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the record is city-held (Saint Paul Police) or county-held (Ramsey County jail) and gather incident details and identification.
  2. Use the Saint Paul Police Records request page or form to submit a written request, or contact the Records Unit by phone for guidance. Saint Paul Police Records[1]
  3. If you need fingerprint-based criminal-history, follow Minnesota BCA background-check instructions and submit required forms and payment. Minnesota BCA background checks[3]
  4. If the record is sealed, expunged, or withheld, consult Minnesota statutes and file any required petitions or appeals as directed by statute or the Records Unit.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with the Saint Paul Police Records Unit for city reports.
  • County custody records are through Ramsey County; statewide checks go through Minnesota BCA.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Saint Paul Police Department - Records
  2. [2] Ramsey County - Jail & inmate information
  3. [3] Minnesota BCA - Background checks

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