Are Hennepin County Records Public?

Yes. Most of the records maintained by government agencies in Hennepin County are available to members of the public under various rules, Statutes, and regulations— primarily the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. These include Hennepin County court records, vital records, criminal records, and property records.

The Data Practices Act contained in Chapter 13 of the Minnesota Statutes defines "government data" as any data received, created, transmitted, sourced, or maintained by government entities irrespective of its physical form, storage medium, or condition of use. Under the Data Practices Act, all government data are presumably open for public inspection and copying unless other federal or state laws state otherwise. All government agencies in Hennepin County and Minnesota (except the Legislature and courts) are governed and regulated by the Data Practices Act.

In addition to the Data Practices Act, other legislation that regulates access to public records in Hennepin County, depending on the custodial agency, include the Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch, the Minnesota Official Records Act, and the Record Management Statutes.

What is Exempted Under the Minnesota Public Records Act?

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act governs public access to public records (also known as government data). The State laws classify data into different categories to be able to regulate access to them. These exemptions and restrictions contained in the act primarily function as a bridge between the government's need to maintain transparency and the need to protect the privacy rights of individuals who may be subjects of government records.

The act broadly categorizes data into public data, private/ nonpublic data, and confidential/protected nonpublic data. Public data are usually publicly available while private data is accessible only to record subjects. Confidential data, on the other hand, may only be obtained by specific government entities for official purposes. Some common records that are exempt from the public include:

• Records of court proceedings related to domestic assaults, adoption, and child custody
• Reports of psychological or mental health assessments
• Data on witnesses and crime victims
• All data classified as confidential under federal or state laws
• Social security numbers and residential addresses of record subjects
• Sealed or expunged records
• Trades secrets and other confidential information submitted to government agencies under trust
• Notes and drafts of court officials created during a decision-making or trial process
• Records and data submitted to a government entity in the course of an audit or investigation as stipulated in sections 80A.66(d) and 80A.79.

Hennepin County Public Record Search

A Hennepin County Public records search best begins with identifying the record custodian as the process for record requests varies by the agency in charge. Public agencies typically maintain records that align with their official duties and functions. For instance, Hennepin County vital records are obtainable at the County Vital Records office while criminal records are usually preserved by the Sheriff's Office.

Upon determining the record custodian, the next step will be to submit record requests to the appropriate record custodian. In general, most agencies will require record requests to:

• Be sent using the provided request form or a handwritten request letter
• Contain descriptions of the requested record
• Be precise, specific, and unambiguous
• Be submitted either in-person, online, via mail, or other electronic means specified
• Include requirements such as valid identification and documentation.

While inspection is generally free of charge in most public agencies, duplication or certification of requested records typically attracts extra charges. Requestors are to note that it is advisable to contact the record custodian before sending in record requests to ascertain the availability of the desired records and their eligibility to access such records.

Additionally, some public agencies may provide online repositories for public access to the records in their custody. For example, members of the public may find information on Hennepin County properties by address, property ID, addition name, or property interactive map using the various portals provided by the record custodian.

Find Public Records For Free in Hennepin County

One way to access public records for free in Hennepin County is by inspecting the desired records at the custodial office within official hours or utilizing the free public access options provided by the record custodian. Another alternative is to engage the services of third-party websites or aggregators.

Third-party websites or aggregators are suitable for a wide range of searches as they contain information collected from different sources, including government agencies. They are also convenient and easy to use as an internet-enabled device, and basic search criteria(a first or last name) are all one needs to begin a search. However, concerned persons should note that these sites are not supported or endorsed by government entities; hence, they cannot be considered official sources for obtaining public records.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

There is no standard procedure for removing information from public records in Hennepin County. Most agencies have downloadable record redaction forms or formats for submitting redaction requests. Record subjects may need to contact the agency in charge of the record to obtain appropriate information on how to remove information from public records.

However, persons with criminal records may opt to seal or expunge them under the Minnesota Expungement Statute. Interested persons may need to review the list of eligible offenses to verify their eligibility for an expungement or sealing. Additional information on how to complete the required application forms, fees, and procedures for submitting applications for sealing or expungement may be obtained from the judicial branch's website.

Who Can Access Hennepin County Public Records in Minnesota?

Chapter 13.03 of the Minnesota Revised Statutes, the Data Practices Act, allows anyone to inspect and copy government data maintained by public bodies. The State laws do not require a requester to be a resident of Hennepin County. However certain records may only be accessed by record subjects and other authorized government entities. To verify eligibility to access a public record, requesters may visit the record custodian with valid identification

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

While Hennepin County records are generally presumed open to the public, a record custodian may deny requests for exempt data, non-existent records, or private data on individuals. Persons who wish to challenge a denial may file a Mandamus with a court of jurisdiction or appeal to the Minnesota Commissioner of Administration as stated in Minnesota Statutes Section 13.04 Subd. 4.

The process for submitting an appeal to the Commissioner of Administration is as follows:

1. Obtain the Data appeal form and fill accordingly, providing all the required information. Alternatively, one may submit a self-developed appeal letter that contains:
   • The name and mailing information of the requester
   • Adequate information describing the desired records
   • The reason for the appeal
   • A statement validating that the appeal is a result of a record request denial from the record custodian
   • The expected outcome of the appeal.
2. Affix copies of the request letter, the agency's denial in writing, and other necessary correspondence.
3. Submit the appeal letter via mail or email to:

   Commissioner of Administration
   c/o Data Practices Office
   200 Administration Building
   50 Sherburne Avenue
   St. Paul, MN 55155
   Email: info.dpo@state.mn.us