Ramsey County Residents Directory

Ramsey County holds a large set of public records that are open to search. The county seat is Saint Paul, which is also the state capital. This makes Ramsey County a hub for both local and state-level records. You can look up court case files, property tax data, vital records, and more through county and state databases. The 2nd Judicial District serves the area, and the courthouse sits in downtown Saint Paul. Ramsey County is the smallest county in Minnesota by land but has over 536,000 people. Whether you need to pull a deed, check a court case, or get a birth certificate, this residents directory guide walks you through where to go and how to search.

Ramsey County Residents Directory for Courts

The District Court in Ramsey County is part of the 2nd Judicial District. It handles all civil, criminal, and family cases for the county. The courthouse is in Saint Paul City Hall at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. You can visit the records office on the ground floor to look up case files or ask for copies. Staff are there from 8 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Call (651) 266-8237 if you have questions before you go.

Ramsey County is the second most active court system in Minnesota. It processes tens of thousands of cases each year. The residents directory for court data starts with Minnesota Court Records Online, which is free. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. Guest access shows basic case info. A registered account lets you see more documents and save your searches. Most records filed after July 2021 are available as full documents. Older cases still show docket entries and party names. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 13.03, you have the right to inspect public government data at no charge.

The court also runs specialty programs. Drug court, mental health court, and veterans court all operate in Ramsey County. These focus on treatment over jail time for people who qualify. The 2nd Judicial District was one of the first in the state to set up these programs.

You can see the Ramsey County District Court page on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site for more details on services and court calendars.

The court page lists self-help resources, forms, and info on how to file or respond to a case. Interpreter services are free for anyone who needs them.

Ramsey County Residents Directory for Property

Property records are a big part of what people look for in the Ramsey County residents directory. The county keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, tax data, and assessment values. All of these are public under Minnesota Statutes Section 507.01 and the Data Practices Act. You can search them online or go to the county office in person.

The Ramsey County property search portal lets you look up any parcel in the county by address or property ID. You can see the assessed value, tax amount, homestead status, and owner name. Tax statements are also available to download. The county assessor sets values each year based on market conditions. If you think your assessment is wrong, you can appeal it through the county board of appeal. The property tax office is at 15 W. Kellogg Blvd in Saint Paul, inside the courthouse building.

Ramsey County also runs the Torrens system for registered land. This is a title registration method where the county issues a Certificate of Title. The Examiner of Titles handles these cases. Not all land in the county is on the Torrens system, but a good chunk of it is. If you are buying or selling property, it helps to know which system applies to your parcel. The recorder's office can tell you.

The county offers a free property fraud alert service. Sign up on the Ramsey County property page and you get a notice any time a document is recorded against your name. This is a good way to catch fraud early.

The property portal also connects to GIS maps that show parcel lines, zoning, and land use data for any spot in the county.

Ramsey County Vital Records Directory

Ramsey County has some of the oldest vital records in the state. Marriage records go back to 1850. Birth and death records start around 1870. The Vital Records Office is at 555 Cedar St in Saint Paul. It is part of the St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health department. Call 651-266-1333 to set up a visit. Walk-ins are not accepted right now. You need an appointment for all vital record requests.

Fees are set by the county. A birth certificate costs $26. A death certificate is $13. Marriage records run $9 per copy. You can request them in person with your appointment, by mail, or through VitalChek online. Mail requests need a notarized application form and a check or money order. In-person requests are usually done the same day. Mail takes about 2 to 4 weeks. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225, only people with a tangible interest can get certified birth records. That includes the person named, parents, legal guardians, a spouse, or grandparents.

Death records are more open. Anyone can buy a non-certified copy.

The Ramsey County marriage records page has full details on how to get a license or a copy of a past record.

Marriage licenses in Ramsey County cost $115. If both parties complete a 12-hour premarital education course, the fee drops to $40. Both people must show up in person with valid photo ID. The license is good for six months after it is issued.

Criminal Records in the Ramsey Directory

Criminal cases in Ramsey County go through the 2nd Judicial District Court. You can search them on Minnesota Court Records Online by name or case number. The system shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and documents for most cases. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 13.04, individuals also have the right to see data about themselves and challenge anything that is wrong.

Ramsey County has a criminal record sealing program that is worth knowing about. If you have certain past convictions, you may be able to get them sealed so they don't show up on background checks. Eligible offenses include fifth-degree drug possession or sale, theft, receiving stolen goods, damage to property, forgery, possession or sale of stolen or counterfeit checks, mail theft, and dishonored checks. You apply through the County Attorney's Office. Not everyone qualifies, but it is a real option for people who have stayed out of trouble and want a clean start.

The county also posts warrant and arrest information. You can check active warrants and recent bookings on the Ramsey County public safety page.

This page shows current warrant data and recent arrest records for the county. It is updated on a regular basis by local law enforcement.

Search the Ramsey County Residents Directory

There are a few ways to search the Ramsey County residents directory. The method you pick depends on what type of record you need and how fast you want it. Online tools are the quickest for basic lookups. In-person visits work best when you need certified copies or want to see a full file.

For court records, start at Minnesota Court Records Online through the Judicial Branch site. It is free for basic searches. Enter a name or case number. The system pulls results from the Ramsey County District Court along with all other Minnesota courts. You do not need to create an account for simple lookups, but registering gives you access to more documents and saved searches. Standard copies of court documents cost $0.25 per page under Minnesota Statutes Section 357.021. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $5 for each page after that. You can also use public terminals at the courthouse for free.

For property, go to the Ramsey County website. The property search tool lets you look up any parcel. For vital records, call 651-266-1333 to book an appointment at the Cedar Street office. Each type of record has its own office and process, but they all fall under the same data practices rules. Under Chapter 13 of Minnesota law, you can inspect public data for free at any government office during business hours.

Ramsey County Historical Directory Records

Ramsey County was formed in 1849, which makes it one of the oldest counties in the state. Historical records go deep here. The Minnesota Historical Society holds civil case files from 1858 to 1902 (file numbers 1 through 78,050). Pre-1953 criminal files are also at the Historical Society. Call (651) 259-3300 to ask about what they have or to set up a research visit.

These old records can be useful for many things. Genealogy research, property disputes, and title work all benefit from access to historical files. The courthouse itself does not hold records that old. They were transferred to the state archives for preservation. If you need something from the early days of Ramsey County, the Historical Society is the place to start. Their staff can help you find specific files and make copies.

• Civil case files from 1858 to 1902 at Minnesota Historical Society
• Pre-1953 criminal files at the state archives
• Marriage records from 1850 at the Vital Records Office
• Birth and death records from about 1870 at the county
• Contact the Historical Society at (651) 259-3300

Cities in Ramsey County

Ramsey County has several cities and suburbs. All public records for these areas go through the Ramsey County offices in Saint Paul. Pick a city below to find local resources and directory info for that area.

All six cities file their records through the Ramsey County District Court and the county recorder's office. Saint Paul is the largest city and serves as both the county seat and the state capital.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ramsey County. If you are not sure which county covers your address, check the county map or call the Ramsey County office at (651) 266-8237. You must search records in the right county.