How to Look Up Eviction Records in Minnesota 2026

Where to Search Minnesota Eviction Records

In Minnesota, an eviction case lives in the District Court for the county where the rental property sits, and it is unusually reachable: the state runs a single statewide search tool, Minnesota Courts Public Access (MNCIS), so you do not have to drive to a courthouse or guess which county holds the file. From that one portal you can search a party name across the whole state, find the case number, and see whether an eviction (the statute calls it an "eviction action") was filed and how it ended. For paper you can use in a screening file or a court matter, certified copies run $0.50 per page from the clerk.

The other thing that sets Minnesota apart is sealing. Eviction court records here can be expunged by court order, and once a record is sealed, state law sharply limits what a tenant screening company may report. That combination, statewide online access plus a real expungement path, means a record you find today may not be one you are legally allowed to act on tomorrow.

How to look up a Minnesota eviction record

Start at Minnesota Courts Public Access (MNCIS), the state's free, statewide case-search tool. Because access is statewide, a single name search covers every county's District Court at once, so you can find a record whether the tenancy was in Hennepin, Ramsey, St. Louis, or a rural county. Search by the tenant's name or, if you have it, the case number, then open the case to view the parties, the filing date, the case type (look for "eviction" or "unlawful detainer"), and the register of actions.

If you need a copy that carries weight, to attach to a court filing or to document a screening decision, request a certified copy from the clerk of District Court in the county that handled the case. Certified copies are $0.50 per page. Online viewing is free; the fee applies only when you ask the clerk to certify pages.

How to read the result: a filing is not a judgment

The single most common mistake is treating any hit as a loss. A filing is not a judgment, it only shows a landlord started an eviction action, not that the tenant did anything wrong or that the court ruled against them. To know what actually happened, read the case's disposition in the register of actions. Cases are dismissed, settled, or decided for the tenant all the time; some are filed and then dropped after the rent is paid.

Look for the outcome line: a dismissal or a judgment for the defendant means the tenant prevailed or the matter ended without a ruling against them. A judgment for the plaintiff (the landlord) and a writ of recovery indicate the landlord won possession. Note the date, too, an old, resolved case carries far less weight than a recent unpaid judgment, and an open case has no outcome at all yet.

Expungement and what it means for screening

Minnesota allows eviction records to be expunged by court order. Under Minn. Stat. § 504B.345 Subd. 1a, a court may order an eviction case record sealed, and Minn. Stat. § 504B.421 restricts a tenant screening company from reporting an eviction record that has been expunged. So a sealed Minnesota case should drop out of compliant screening reports.

For landlords, the caution is twofold. First, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how you use any consumer report and requires adverse-action notice when you deny based on one. Second, state sealing law sits on top of that: do not base a decision on a record that has been expunged. If MNCIS shows a case but your screening vendor does not, or vice versa, confirm the disposition and sealing status before you act, and rely on the certified court record rather than a stale third-party database.

The tenant's side: getting a record sealed

If you are a Minnesota tenant with an eviction on your record, expungement is a genuine option, not a long shot. Minn. Stat. § 504B.345 Subd. 1a lets you ask the District Court that handled the case to seal it by order, for example where the case was dismissed, decided in your favor, or settled, or where sealing is otherwise in the interests of justice. You file a motion or expungement request in that same court and serve the landlord, who can respond.

Once a court grants the order, Minn. Stat. § 504B.421 limits screening companies from reporting the expunged eviction, which is the practical payoff: future landlords pulling a compliant report should not see it. Pull your own MNCIS record first so you know exactly what is showing, and keep a copy of the signed expungement order in case a database is slow to update.

Step-by-Step: How to Search Minnesota Eviction Records

1. Go to Minnesota Courts Public Access (MNCIS). Open https://publicaccess.courts.state.mn.us in your browser.
2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
5. Check the filing date. Important: Minnesota has eviction record protections, Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.345 Subd. 1a, 504B.421. Do not make adverse screening decisions on sealed, expunged, or protected records.
6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the District Court clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $0.50/page.

Eviction Record Expungement in Minnesota

Landlords and screening companies may not use sealed or expunged eviction records as a basis for adverse tenant-screening decisions in Minnesota. Tenants who believe their records have been improperly used may have a civil claim under the applicable statute. If a tenant discloses an expunged eviction, you may ask for context but cannot deny housing based solely on the expunged record.

This page was researched by the Eviction Risk Map research team using the Minnesota Judicial Branch's State Court Administrator's Office and Minnesota Courts Public Access (MNCIS) as the source for District Court records, and the Minnesota eviction-expungement statutes at Minn. Stat. §§ 504B.345 Subd. 1a and 504B.421. Last reviewed June 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; for a specific case, consult a licensed Minnesota attorney or the clerk of District Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up an eviction record in Minnesota?

Use Minnesota Courts Public Access (MNCIS), the free statewide online portal. Search by the tenant's name or case number; because access is statewide, one search covers every county's District Court. Open the case to see the parties, filing date, case type, and disposition. For a copy you can rely on, request a certified copy from the clerk of District Court at $0.50 per page.

Are Minnesota eviction records public?

Yes. Eviction (unlawful detainer) cases are heard in District Court and are generally public, and Minnesota makes them searchable statewide online through MNCIS at no charge to view. The important exception is sealing: once a court expunges an eviction record under Minn. Stat. § 504B.345, state law restricts screening companies from reporting it, so an expunged case should no longer surface in a compliant tenant report.

Can a tenant expunge an eviction in Minnesota?

Yes. Minn. Stat. § 504B.345 Subd. 1a lets a court expunge (seal) an eviction case record by order, for instance when the case was dismissed, decided for the tenant, settled, or where sealing serves the interests of justice. You file the request in the District Court that handled the case. After expungement, Minn. Stat. § 504B.421 limits tenant screening companies from reporting the sealed record.

How much does a certified copy of a Minnesota eviction record cost?

Certified copies cost $0.50 per page from the clerk of District Court in the county that handled the case. Viewing the record online through MNCIS is free; the fee applies only when you ask the clerk to certify pages for use in court or in a documented screening file.

Related Minnesota Landlord Guides

Court portal information sourced from the Minnesota court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published Minnesota statutes (see citations above). Last updated August 28, 2026. For informational purposes only, not legal advice.