St. Paul Residents Directory
The St. Paul residents directory covers public records held across Ramsey County and state offices based in the capital city. St. Paul is home to about 308,000 people. It sits in Ramsey County, which is the smallest county in Minnesota by land but one of the most dense. As the state capital, St. Paul also hosts the Minnesota Department of Health, the Secretary of State, and the state court system. You can search court cases, property files, vital records, and business filings from local and state offices all in one city. This guide shows you how to find and pull those records.
St. Paul Overview
St. Paul Residents Directory and Public Records
All public records in St. Paul fall under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). The law says government data is public unless a statute makes it private or confidential. You do not need to give a reason when you ask for records. Just ask. Inspection is free at every government office in the city.
Under Section 13.03, you can inspect and copy public data at reasonable times and places. Paper copies usually cost $0.25 per page. If an office denies your request and you think the data should be open, you can take the matter to court. The law allows you to recover costs and up to $1,000 in civil penalties if a judge sides with you. That applies to every county and city office in St. Paul, from the courthouse to the tax counter to the vital records window.
St. Paul has a unique spot in the residents directory. Because it is the state capital, several state-level record offices sit right in the city. The Minnesota Department of Health handles vital records at 625 Robert Street North. The Secretary of State runs business filings from 332 Minnesota Street. And the state court system is based here too. That means St. Paul residents can visit state and county offices without leaving town.
Search St. Paul Court Records
Court cases for St. Paul go through the Ramsey County District Court in the 2nd Judicial District. The courthouse is at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul. The phone number is (651) 266-8237. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. You can walk in and look up case files at public terminals for free.
The St. Paul city government works with Ramsey County on many public safety and court matters. But the district court is the main place to search case records. Civil cases, criminal charges, family court, probate, and traffic cases all run through this building. The court handles thousands of new filings each year across all case types.
You can also search St. Paul court records online. Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) covers all 87 counties, including Ramsey. Search by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows case registers, docket entries, hearing dates, and documents filed since July 2021. Guest access is free. A registered account gives you more features and saved searches.
| Court | Ramsey County District Court, 2nd Judicial District |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102 |
| Phone | (651) 266-8237 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Standard copies at the courthouse cost $0.25 per page under Minnesota Statutes Section 357.021. Certified copies run $10 for the first page and $5 for each page after that. You can pay with cash, check, or card. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks.
St. Paul Property Records
Property records for St. Paul are held by Ramsey County. The Ramsey County property portal lets you search by address, owner name, or property ID number. You can pull up tax data, assessment values, lot info, and sales history for any parcel in the city. All of this data is public under Minnesota Statutes Section 507.01.
The St. Paul Department of Revenue runs the city's property tax division. They handle exemptions, special assessments, and tax payment plans. But the base property data, deeds, and liens are all at the county level. The Ramsey County Recorder's Office files and stores land documents. You can search recent recordings online or visit the office in person for older files.
St. Paul has over 70,000 residential parcels. The city is split into 17 planning districts. Property values vary a lot from one end of the city to the other. The county assessor sets market values each year, and the data shows up in the online search tool shortly after. If you think your assessment is wrong, you can appeal through the county.
Note: Ramsey County updates property tax data each year after assessments are finalized, usually by late spring.
St. Paul Residents Directory Vital Records
St. Paul has two places to get vital records. The Ramsey County office handles local events. The state office handles everything statewide. Both are in the city.
Ramsey County vital records are at 555 Cedar Street in St. Paul. The phone number is (651) 266-1333. They process birth and death certificates for events in the county. Marriage records in Ramsey County go back to 1850, making them the earliest marriage records in Minnesota. That is a big deal for people doing family research. Access rules for all vital records fall under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225. Death records are open to anyone. Birth records require a direct connection to the person named.
The Minnesota Department of Health vital records office is at 625 Robert Street North in St. Paul. They keep records for events across the whole state going back to about 1900. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. Fees are $26 for a birth certificate, $13 for a death record, $9 for marriage, and $10 for a divorce verification. In-person requests at the MDH office are usually done the same day.
Having both the county and state vital records offices in the same city is a real advantage for St. Paul residents. If the county office does not have what you need, you can drive a few blocks to the state office and try there.
Business Records in St. Paul
The Minnesota Secretary of State office is at 332 Minnesota Street, Suite N201, in St. Paul. This is where business entity filings, UCC liens, and trade name registrations are stored. You can search the online database by entity name or file number for free. The results show filing status, registered agent, office address, and history.
Business records are a key part of the St. Paul residents directory because so many companies file here. The state capital draws a high number of businesses that need to register or renew. UCC file number searches are free online. Debtor name searches need an account. You can also visit in person and search at public terminals. Staff can help with complex lookups. For phone help, call (651) 296-2803.
If you want to look up a specific business tied to a St. Paul address, start with the Secretary of State search. Then check Ramsey County property records for the business location. You can often piece together ownership, lease info, and tax status by combining these two sources.
How to Access St. Paul Residents Directory Records
There are three main ways to get records in St. Paul. Online is the fastest. In person gives you the most access. Mail works but takes time.
Online, you have several tools. MCRO covers court cases. The Ramsey County property portal covers tax and assessment data. The Secretary of State site covers business filings. The MDH site handles vital record requests. Each one works a bit differently, but they all let you search from home. Most basic searches are free. Copies and certified documents cost money.
In person, start at the Ramsey County Courthouse at 15 West Kellogg Boulevard for court records. Go to 555 Cedar Street for county vital records. Visit 625 Robert Street North for state vital records. The Secretary of State is at 332 Minnesota Street. All of these offices are within a few blocks of each other in downtown St. Paul. You can hit all of them in one trip.
- Court copies: $0.25 per page, certified $10 first page
- Vital records: $26 birth, $13 death, $9 marriage
- Property data inspection: free at county office
- Business entity search: free online
Mail requests go to the specific office that holds the record. Include as much detail as you can, such as full names, dates, and case or file numbers. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and prepayment. Most mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks to process. Large or complex requests can take longer, but the office must respond within a reasonable time under Chapter 13 of the Data Practices Act.
Ramsey County Residents Directory
St. Paul is the county seat of Ramsey County. All property records, court filings, and vital records for St. Paul residents go through Ramsey County offices. For a full look at county resources, databases, and contact info, visit the Ramsey County residents directory page.