Criminal records in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, are available through several channels. KandiyohiCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official Minnesota state court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the district court clerk's office in Willmar. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to search, understand, and obtain certified criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kandiyohi
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Start with what you know — the person's full name, date of birth, or case number.
Online Search
- KandiyohiCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view publicly available information about county criminal cases.
- Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) — the official portal of the Minnesota court system. Select "Kandiyohi" from the list of counties and search by party name or case number. Note: MCRO does not display all documents — confidential cases and cases with limited remote access under Minn. R. Pub. Access 8, subd. 2 are not published.
- Custody List — the county sheriff's office publishes a current list of individuals in custody, including charges and status.
- Sheriff's Office Records Division — for police report requests and other law enforcement records, contact via email at KSD-records@kcmn.us.
What You Need for the Search
- Full name of the person (preferably exact spelling)
- Date of birth (not mandatory, but narrows results)
- Court case number, if known
In-Person Visit
Public access terminals in the courthouse provide the most comprehensive access to electronic records of the district court. Some documents unavailable through MCRO remotely can be viewed at these terminals. The court is located in Willmar.
Written Request
You can send a request by mail to the district court clerk's office at the address above. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and case number (if available). For an official statewide criminal history, the request is submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Search Kandiyohi Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number in Minnesota has a standard format, and each part carries specific information.
Typical format: 34-CR-25-00123
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | County code (Kandiyohi — 34) | 34 |
| CR | Case type: CR — criminal, TR — traffic, CV — civil | CR |
| 25 | Year the case was filed (last two digits) | 2025 |
| 00123 | Sequential case number within the year | 123 |
If you have this number, the search will take a few seconds — just enter it in the appropriate field on the MCRO portal or at the court terminal. This is the most accurate way to find a specific case, as name searches sometimes return multiple results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kandiyohi
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Understanding their meaning will help correctly interpret the records.
Charges
- Statute Code — for example, 609.345.1(c) indicates a specific subdivision of the Minnesota criminal code
- Severity Level: Felony, Gross Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, Petty Misdemeanor
- Amended Charges — the prosecutor may change the initial charge during the case, and the record will reflect both the original and updated wording
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | The case is open, and a decision has not yet been made |
| Active | The case is under consideration |
| Disposed | The court has made a final decision |
| Closed | The case is completed, and all obligations are fulfilled |
Hearings
The weekly public hearing calendar for the Kandiyohi district court is available online. Main types of hearings:
- Arraignment — the first court session where charges are read to the accused
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — procedural meeting before the trial
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review — checking compliance with sentence conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court decision |
| Continued for Dismissal | The case is postponed with the possibility of dismissal if conditions are met |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kandiyohi
Certified copies are officially certified court documents accepted by other institutions. A regular printout from MCRO is not certified.
District Court Clerk's Office
To obtain certified copies of court documents, contact the Kandiyohi County Court Administration. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
When contacting, provide the case number, full name of the party, and the type of document you need. Be prepared to show photo identification.
Statewide Criminal History
A complete criminal history check is conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The request is submitted online through the Criminal History Search system on the BCA website or by mail. Checking a third party usually requires written consent from that person.
Law Enforcement Records
Police reports and other sheriff's records are requested separately through the sheriff's office records division via email at KSD-records@kcmn.us.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kandiyohi
Fees for copies and certification are set according to Minn. Stat. § 357.021 and Minnesota court system rules.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $8.00 for the first document | According to the Minnesota Courts fee schedule |
| Document certification | $14.00 | Per certified document |
| MCRO search (online) | Free | Viewing basic case information |
| Criminal history check through BCA | $15.00 | Online request; may be higher for fingerprint requests |
Processing Times
- MCRO online search — results appear instantly
- Certified copies from the court clerk's office — usually 3 to 7 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take longer
- BCA online check — results within minutes for electronic requests
- Sheriff's office requests — processing times depend on the request volume; contact the records division for details
Payment at the court clerk's office is accepted in cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Confirm current fees directly with the Kandiyohi County Court, as fee amounts are periodically reviewed.