Big Stone County Booking Reports Search
Big Stone County Booking Reports are public records created by the Big Stone County Sheriff's Office in Ortonville, Minnesota, each time someone is arrested and processed into custody. This page explains how to find current booking records, contact the sheriff's office, and use statewide Minnesota tools for broader inmate and arrest history searches. Big Stone County sits on the South Dakota border in west-central Minnesota.
Big Stone County Booking Reports
Big Stone County Sheriff's Office
The Big Stone County Sheriff's Office is based at 20 Second St. SE in Ortonville. The sheriff oversees patrol, civil process, and jail operations for the county. All booking records for Big Stone County are maintained at this office. For current custody checks or booking record requests, the sheriff is the right point of contact.
| Website | bigstonecounty.gov |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 Second St. SE, Ortonville, MN 56278 |
| Phone | 320-839-3558 |
| Judicial District | 8th |
The sheriff's department page at bigstonecounty.gov provides contact information, department details, and links to county resources. If you need to verify someone's custody status or request a booking record, start here. Staff can confirm whether someone is currently held and direct you to the right process for a formal data request.
About Big Stone County Booking Records
Big Stone County is one of Minnesota's least populous counties, with around 5,000 residents. The sheriff's office handles a lower volume of bookings than urban counties, but the same rules apply. Booking reports are public records under Minnesota Statute 13.82, which classifies arrest data as public and requires agencies to make it available upon request.
Each booking report documents the arrest event. It includes the person's name, date of birth, arrest date and time, the charges, and bail information. This data is created at the time of booking and held by the sheriff's office. For recent arrests, calling the office at 320-839-3558 is the quickest way to get current custody status.
Big Stone County does not currently publish a live online jail roster in the way some larger counties do. If you cannot confirm custody status by phone, a written request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act is the formal path. The office must respond within a reasonable time and provide public arrest data at no charge.
Note: For those transferred to a neighboring county jail, check Traverse, Stevens, or Lac qui Parle counties, as Big Stone may send longer-term detainees to facilities in adjacent jurisdictions.
Requesting Booking Records
To request booking records in writing, submit your request under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The governing statute is Minnesota Statute Chapter 13. Section 13.82 specifically covers arrest data. Address your request to the Big Stone County Sheriff, 20 Second St. SE, Ortonville, MN 56278.
Your request should include the person's full name, approximate date of arrest if known, and your contact information. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Basic booking data is public. The agency can withhold data only when a specific exception applies, such as active investigative data protected under Section 13.87.
If your request is denied and you believe the denial is improper, you can seek guidance from the Information Policy Analysis Division at the Minnesota Department of Administration. They handle data practices disputes and can advise on your options. Most denial challenges are resolved without formal proceedings.
Minnesota BCA Criminal History Records
Because Big Stone County does not maintain a public online roster, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is a valuable alternative for researching arrest history. The BCA collects criminal history data from all 87 Minnesota counties, including Big Stone. The database includes arrests, charges filed, and case dispositions.
You can search the BCA at Minnesota BCA Criminal History Search. A fee applies for public record searches. The BCA is more comprehensive than a single county roster because it aggregates records across jurisdictions and covers past history, not just current custody. This makes it useful for research that goes beyond a single arrest.
There may be a short lag between a Big Stone County booking and when that data shows in the BCA system. Agencies submit records on their own schedules. For the most current data, contact the sheriff's office directly. The BCA is best for historical records and multi-county research.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator
If someone arrested in Big Stone County was convicted and sentenced to a state prison term, they leave the county jail system and enter the Minnesota Department of Corrections. At that point, the county roster will no longer show them. Use the Minnesota DOC Offender Locator to find state prison inmates.
The DOC tool is free and searches by name or DOC number. It shows current facility, sentence details, and supervised release status. County jail records and DOC records are entirely separate systems. You may need to check both to get a complete picture of where someone is and what their status is.
Court Records for Big Stone County Cases
Criminal cases arising from Big Stone County arrests are handled by the 8th Judicial District. Court records are separate from booking reports and are held by the district court administrator, not the sheriff. Court records track the full case from filing through final disposition.
Search Big Stone County court cases at Minnesota Court Records Online. Basic lookups are free. Search by name or case number. You can see charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case status. For certified copies or full case files, contact the Big Stone County court administrator's office in Ortonville.
Booking records and court records serve different purposes. A booking report shows that an arrest happened. A court record shows what charges were pursued, how the case was handled, and what the outcome was. Together they tell the full story of a criminal matter.
VINE Custody Alerts
VINE provides free custody notifications for all Minnesota county jails and state correctional facilities. If you need to know when someone's custody status changes in Big Stone County or at any facility they may be transferred to, VINE handles that. Register at VINELink or call 1-877-MN-4-VINE (1-877-664-8463). Alerts are sent by phone, text, or email. The service runs 24 hours a day and is free to use.
Third-Party Search Resources
Sites like Minnesota Jail Roster compile publicly available booking data from counties across the state. Coverage for smaller counties like Big Stone can vary. These sites work best as a starting point for multi-county searches or when you are not sure which jurisdiction to check. For Big Stone County specifically, the official source is the sheriff's office. Always confirm data from aggregator sites with the sheriff before relying on it.
Nearby Counties
Big Stone County shares borders with several west-central Minnesota counties as well as South Dakota. Use these links to search booking records in neighboring jurisdictions.