Search Stearns County Jail Mugshots

Stearns County jail mugshots and inmate booking records are available through a searchable web database run by the Stearns County Sheriff's Office in St. Cloud. The database covers current inmates, past inmates, outstanding warrants, and the county's most wanted list. The jail is located at the Stearns County Courthouse at 807 Courthouse Square in St. Cloud, the county seat and the largest city in central Minnesota. This page explains how to search the database, how to request booking photos, and what rights Minnesota law gives you to access this public data.

Stearns County Jail and Sheriff's Office

The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is at 807 Courthouse Square, Room S100, in St. Cloud, MN 56303. The jail phone numbers are (320) 259-3760 and (320) 259-3750. The main Sheriff's Office number is (320) 259-3700. The fax number is (320) 259-3786. Records Division hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The current jail facility was built in 1986 and has been renovated several times since. It has a rated capacity of 151 beds, with 135 beds currently operational. The county has been spending over $500,000 per year to house inmates out of county due to overcrowding, and plans are in progress for a new Justice Center facility to address the capacity issue. In the meantime, the existing facility continues to handle all county bookings. The county also maintains a most wanted list and outstanding warrants list on its website.

The Stearns County Correctional Jail page has full facility information. For contact options, visit the Sheriff's Contact page on the county website.

Stearns County Jail Mugshots Search

The Stearns County Sheriff maintains a searchable online database through the county website at co.stearns.mn.us. The database lets you search for both current and past inmates. You can search by name or by booking number. Optional filters help narrow results. The system is updated daily and shows booking dates, charges, and custody status.

The database also includes outstanding warrants and a most wanted section. This is more comprehensive than most county jail databases in Minnesota. If you are trying to find someone who may have an active warrant in Stearns County, the warrant search is a good starting point. For general inmate lookups, the name search is the fastest method.

For a statewide search, the VINE inmate locator includes Stearns County and updates in real time. State prison records are available through the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator. Court records for Stearns County cases can be accessed through the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access portal.

Requesting Booking Photos from Stearns County

For official copies of Stearns County jail mugshots, contact the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Copy fees apply. Call (320) 259-3700 to ask about the current fee schedule and request process.

Under Minnesota Statute 13.82, booking photos are classified as public data. You do not need to provide a reason for your request. The county has 10 business days to respond under Minnesota Statute 13.03. For written requests, mail to: Stearns County Sheriff's Office, 807 Courthouse Square, Room S100, St. Cloud, MN 56303. Include the full name of the person you are requesting records for, the approximate booking date, and note "Attention: Records Division - Mugshot Request" on your letter.

Minnesota Law and Stearns County Jail Records

Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act creates a strong public right to access government data. For jail records, Minnesota Statute 13.82 defines what is public. That list includes names, arrest dates, booking dates, charges, and booking photos. Stearns County must follow these rules. The only exception is if releasing a photo would compromise an active investigation, and that exception must meet specific legal standards.

The sheriff's duties come partly from Minnesota Statute 641.05, which requires maintaining a jail register for every person in custody. That register is public. Minnesota Statute 641.08 defines what information can be accessed from that register. These two statutes give you a clear legal right to request booking records from the Stearns County Jail.

Once a person moves from Stearns County Jail to state prison, their records fall under Minnesota Statute 13.85, which governs correctional data held by the Minnesota DOC. Criminal history checks go through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at chs.state.mn.us for $8.

Stearns County Jail Images and Resources

The screenshot below was captured from the Stearns County Sheriff's Office jail information page, showing the inmate search and correctional facility details.

Visit the Stearns County Correctional Jail page for inmate search access, facility information, and current jail services.

The image below shows the Stearns County Sheriff's Office main page with contact information and department resources.

The Stearns County Sheriff contact page at (320) 259-3700 is the right starting point for records requests and mugshot inquiries.

The St. Cloud Police Department website below is a city-level resource for St. Cloud police records. For county jail mugshots, contact the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

The St. Cloud Police Department handles city arrests, but all county jail booking records are maintained by the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Cities in Stearns County

Stearns County is home to St. Cloud, the county seat and the largest city in central Minnesota. St. Cloud is a qualifying city for this site. Other communities in the county use the Stearns County Jail for all booking and detention services.

Nearby Counties

Look up jail mugshot records in counties near Stearns County in central Minnesota.