How to Search Dakota County Warrants
Dakota County's warrant search is published at the Dakota County Warrant Search page. The form takes a last name (required), a first name, and a date of birth. The county's overview at co.dakota.mn.us/LawJustice/Warrants describes the types of warrants and the resolution paths. The Sheriff's Office also runs a tips line at 651-438-TIPS for the public to report warrant information.
The public search has displayed a service-unavailable message during recent inspections. That is a portal status point, not a permanent condition. If the warrant search is unavailable, call Dakota County District Court at 651-377-7180 to confirm a warrant. Law-enforcement users must run NCIC confirmation in any case before taking enforcement action.
The county warrants overview page explains the types of warrants issued in Dakota County and the steps to resolve one. Read it before assuming a particular result from the search form.
Dakota County Warrant Search Fields
The county warrant search uses a small set of identifiers. The page validates the last name and the date-of-birth format, and a search must include at least the last name. Results are presented in a separate window with print and close controls.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Name | Text | Yes | Page validation: "Please enter a last name." |
| First Name | Text | Optional | Narrowing field. |
| Date of Birth | Date | Optional | Format validated: "Invalid date of birth." |
| Processing | Status | n/a | Search processing indicator. |
| Print / Close | Button | n/a | Result-window controls. |
The county warrant search form sits inside the Dakota County Law & Justice section. The form's small footprint reflects that warrant data is a quick name lookup, not a deep records search.
Types of Dakota County Warrants
Dakota County uses two main warrant categories: criminal arrest warrants and civil warrants. Criminal warrants are issued in connection with a criminal case. Civil warrants are issued for non-criminal reasons such as contempt of court, housing or family court reasons, business reasons, or collection reasons. The county states that most active warrants are because a person failed to appear at a scheduled court date.
- Bench warrant - issued by a judge for failure to appear, pretrial release violation, or violation of court orders.
- Complaint warrant - issued as part of a criminal complaint when the Dakota County Attorney's Office or a city attorney charges a case.
- Probation or parole violation warrant - issued for people under Dakota County Community Corrections or Minnesota DOC supervision who violate conditions.
- Civil warrant - issued for non-criminal reasons (contempt, housing/family, business, collection).
- Body-only warrant - no bail is set; the person must be taken into custody before the court reviews the matter.
What a Dakota County Warrant Record Shows
A public Dakota County warrant result generally lists the subject's name and the warrant identifiers, along with the bail amount where one is set. The county's bail and bonds page describes the warrant search result as a "rap sheet" with the bail amount displayed. If the amount reads "Body Only," no bail is set and the person must be arrested. Warrant records are law-enforcement data under Minn. Stat. 13.82; some warrant fields are public, while active investigative material is not.
- Name - subject's last/first name.
- Date of birth - used in the search and likely as a result identifier.
- Warrant type - bench, complaint, probation/parole, civil/body-only where public.
- Case or court reference - District Court warrant reason or case.
- Bail amount - dollar amount or "Body Only."
- Status - active until deactivated or resolved.
- Warnings - enforcement must confirm through NCIC; public tips go to 651-438-TIPS.
How to Resolve an Outstanding Dakota County Warrant
Dakota County's bail and bonds page sets out the resolution path. The person with the warrant does not need to appear in person to pay an eligible bail or bond; anyone can pay on the person's behalf. Once eligible bail or bond is paid, the warrant is deactivated and a new court date is issued. For a body-only warrant, the person must be arrested and held until the court reviews the matter within legal time limits. The Law Enforcement Center in Hastings has 24/7 lobby kiosks that accept cash bail or bond.
- Search the Dakota County Warrant Search by last name, first name, and date of birth.
- If the search is unavailable or ambiguous, confirm by calling District Court at 651-377-7180.
- If the warrant has an eligible bail or bond amount, pay at a District Court Administration window during business hours: Judicial Center, Northern Service Center, or Western Service Center.
- Bring cash or a bonding-agent bond. Court windows do not accept electronic payment.
- For a Body Only warrant, plan to be taken into custody; bench-warrant surrender is available weekday 6:00 a.m. at the Law Enforcement Center in Hastings.
- The Law Enforcement Center lobby kiosk accepts cash bail or bond 24 hours per day for eligible warrants.
- Out-of-county warrants follow the other jurisdiction's process; Dakota Court Administration cannot accept payment for them.
The Dakota County bail and bonds page explains the bail vs bond distinction, body-only handling, and the payment locations and methods. Read it before going to a court window or kiosk.
Dakota County Bail and Bond Payment Locations
Court Administration windows accept cash and bonding-agent bonds for eligible warrant payments during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Law Enforcement Center lobby kiosk is open 24/7 and accepts cash or credit cards for bail or inmate-account deposits. The county notes that bonds posted by a licensed bail bond company are a common path for higher amounts.
Judicial Center
1560 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
651-377-7180
Court Administration windows
Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Ave. West
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-247-7099
Court Administration window
Northern Service Center
1 West Mendota Rd., Suite 140
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-377-7190
Court Administration window
Law Enforcement Center
1580 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
651-438-4800
Lobby kiosk open 24 hours
Out-of-County Warrants and Dakota Custody
The Dakota County out-of-county warrants page explains how the county handles warrants from other jurisdictions. A person arrested in Dakota County on an out-of-county warrant may be booked into the Law Enforcement Center and then given an opportunity to pay bail, post bond, or pay a fine according to the issuing jurisdiction's process. Dakota County Court Administration cannot accept payment for out-of-county warrants. For an out-of-county warrant tied to a Minnesota case, the issuing District Court is the right contact.
The out-of-county warrants page sets expectations for travelers and for residents who may be on hold for another jurisdiction's case. Confirm the issuing court before paying anything.
Public Search vs Law-Enforcement Confirmation
The Dakota County warrant search publishes a public lookup, but the page tells law-enforcement users not to act on website information alone. Enforcement agencies must confirm every warrant through the NCIC process on contact. The public is asked to call the Sheriff's tips line at 651-438-TIPS rather than approach a person believed to have a warrant. These warnings are intended to protect the subject, witnesses, and officers from acting on stale data.
Note: A warrant result is a starting point, not a verified record; confirm with District Court or NCIC before relying on it for any enforcement or legal action.