SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: all Brown County record-source URLs verified against the official local and Minnesota state publishers on the review date. 6 primary .gov / official sources cited below.
Brown County — Key Numbers (2026)
Population, demographics, and county-seat data for Brown County, Minnesota — verified against U.S. Census 2024 estimates.
25,710
Population
Census estimate
10,926
Households
Census estimate
$67,038
Median income
Annual household
$165,200
Median home value
Census ACS
New Ulm
County seat
In Minnesota
Criminal records
1 source
Court records
3 sources
Wants & warrants
2 sources
Property records
2 sources
Vital records
1 source
Voter records
2 sources
Professional licenses
see state portal
Recorded documents
see state portal
Count of verified official sources per record type. Multiple sources One source Use state portal
Brown County Records at a Glance
| Record type | Brown County verified sources |
|---|---|
| Court records | Minnesota Judicial Branch Homepage Recorder | Brown County, MN |
| Criminal records | Inmates |
| Wants & warrants | Outstanding Warrants | Brown County, MN Name DOB Abbott, Michael David May 10 1965 Warrant Nr Issued… |
| Property records | Beacon - Search Maps & GIS | Brown County, MN |
| Vital records | Minnesota Vital Records and Certificates - MN Dept. of Healt… |
| Voter records | Elections | Brown County, MN County Election Resources/Wards & Precincts | Brown Coun… |
| Professional licenses | No verified source — see Brown County state portal below |
| Recorded documents | No verified source — see Brown County state portal below |
Count of officially verified .gov / .us record sources cataloged for Brown County. Data verified June 04, 2026.
What Changed in 2026 — Brown County Records
2026
Brown County official government portal active
The official Brown County government website at www.co.brown.mn.us continues to serve as the canonical local source.
2026
Brown County court records portal verified
State court system links for Brown County verified against the Minnesota judiciary portal in 2026.
2026
Brown County criminal records access
State criminal records repository for Brown County (statewide system, not county-specific) confirmed active in 2026.
2026
Brown County property records online
Brown County property assessment and recorder office online portal active in 2026.
The 4-Step Brown County Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Start at the Brown County clerk/courthouse
For most local records (court cases, property deeds, marriage licenses), the Brown County clerk's office is the first stop.
2
Step 2 — Use the Minnesota statewide systems
Criminal background, court case search, voter registration, and professional licensing are all run at the Minnesota state level — not by the county.
3
Step 3 — Federal sources for federal records
Federal court cases (PACER), federal tax liens (IRS), military records (NPRC), and immigration data (ICE) are all federal — not held by the county.
4
Step 4 — Cross-check before relying on data
Most county portals lag 24-48 hours behind the courthouse. For time-sensitive verification, call the clerk directly.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Brown County Records
❌ Myth: "Brown County maintains all criminal records."
✓ Truth: False. Criminal records for Brown County are held by the Minnesota state repository, NOT the county. The county sheriff has only the local arrest log.
❌ Myth: "Records sealed in Brown County are gone everywhere."
✓ Truth: False. Sealing removes records from public search but they still exist at the courthouse and may appear in FBI records (Identity History Summary).
❌ Myth: "Free 'instant background' sites have Brown County data."
✓ Truth: False. Only the official Minnesota state repository has verified, current Brown County data. Free sites often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "The Brown County assessor's value is what I'll sell my home for."
✓ Truth: False. The Brown County assessor's value is for property tax purposes only — usually below market value.
❌ Myth: "All county records older than 50 years are public."
✓ Truth: Partially false. Public-records rules vary by record type AND state. Court records and deeds are usually older-public; vital records remain restricted longer (often 75-125 years).
Primary Sources (All Verified)
- www.co.brown.mn.us — Official Brown County government website
- mncourts.gov — Court records — official source
- gis.browncountymn.gov — Criminal records — official source
- www.browncountymn.gov — Wants & warrants — official source
- www.health.state.mn.us — Vital records — official source
- fbi.gov — FBI Identity History Summary (federal record)
Related — Brown County & Minnesota Records
For records not specific to Brown County, use Minnesota's statewide system or the national hub.
📍 Minnesota statewide record systems:
- Minnesota Court Records →
- Minnesota Criminal Records →
- Minnesota Property Records →
- Minnesota Vital Records →
- Minnesota Voter Records →
- Minnesota Wants & Warrants →
- Minnesota Licenses →
- Minnesota Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 National hubs:
Related Public Records
Minnesota statewide records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National directories: Court records · Criminal records · Property records · Vital records · Federal databases
About Brown County, Minnesota
Brown County is located in south-central Minnesota. The county seat is New Ulm (official site: http://www.co.brown.mn.us/).
- Population: 25,710
- Households: 10,926
- Median household income: $67,038
- Median home value: $165,200
- Below poverty line: 7.7%
- Land area: 611.1 sq mi
- Population density: 42.1 people / sq mi
- Public libraries indexed: 5
- NCES schools indexed: 12
Minnesota Judicial Branch Homepage
Official Free
The Minnesota Judicial Branch is "self-represented" or "pro se." Pro se is a Latin term that means "for oneself." Read More · Calendars and case summaries are available each month of the term
Recorder | Brown County, MN
Official Free
The Mission of the Brown County Recorder's Office is to preserve and provide for the public a true and reliable, readily accessible, permanent account of real property and other official records and vital human events, both historic and current, and to do so with commitment, courtesy, and ...
Criminal Court Records - Criminal & Traffic Division - Hennepin County District Court
Official Free
Minnesota Court Records Online - MCRO is the public, online version of the MN Court Information System (MNCIS), where you can search court records online. NOTE: There are limits to case information online which are described in the MN Rules of Public Access to Records of the Judicial Branch. Online records do NOT include street addresses for parties, or information on pre-conviction criminal, traffic, and petty misdemeanor cases.
Outstanding Warrants | Brown County, MN
Official Free
Warning! Please do not attempt to confront or apprehend any wanted individuals, some may be armed and extremely dangerous
Name DOB Abbott, Michael David May 10 1965 Warrant Nr Issued Date Comments
Official Free
Abbott, Michael David · FTA, DWI, DAC, No Current Registration
Warrants | Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
Official Free
See the county’s most wanted fugitives and how you can report their whereabouts.
Elections | Brown County, MN
Official Free
Access information on elections in Brown County, including voting procedures, candidate details, and election results to ensure informed participation.
County Election Resources/Wards & Precincts | Brown County, MN
Official Free
Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more · Commitment to Excellence through Leadership, Teamwork, and Education
Register to Vote or Update Your Registration - MNVotes
Official Free
This form is for eligible Minnesota residents to register to vote. Learn about your eligibility to vote · If you are a participant in Minnesota's Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program, do not use this form. Contact Safe at Home at 1-866-723-3035
Beacon - Search
Official Free
Disclaimer: Map graphic and text data in a web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) are representations or copies of original data sources, and are provided to users as is with no expressed or implied warranty of accuracy, quality, or completeness for any specific purpose or use.
Maps & GIS | Brown County, MN
Official Free
Maps & GIS · New Informational and Exploratory GIS Applications for County and Community Members: Brown County (PDF) Brown County Cemetery Map (PDF) Brown County General Location Map (PDF) Brown County Road Map (PDF) Brown County School Districts (PDF) Brown County Zipcode (PDF) Brown County Zoning Map (PDF) County Landfill Location Map (PDF) Albin Township (PDF) Bashaw Township (PDF) Burnstown Township (PDF) Cottonwood Township (PDF) Eden Township (PDF) Home Township (PDF) Lake Hanska Township (PDF) Leavenworth Township (PDF) Linden Township (PDF) Milford Township (PDF) Mulligan Township (PD
Rosterwarrant Roster Internet
Official Free
Log in to the federal Judiciary’s electronic public access services. Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account
Service Provider Directory | VINE by Equifax
Official Free
The VINE Service Provider Directory helps to make it easier for victims to locate assistance. Review your state’s requirements to join.
Minnesota Vital Records and Certificates - MN Dept. of Health
Official Free
If the birth or death did not occur in Minnesota, see Where to Write for Vital Records on the CDC website. For fastest service, request your records in person at a county vital records office - find one near you using the Directory of County Offices. Most of the time, you can receive your order ...
Minnesota Official Marriage System - MACO/MOMS®
Official Free
Apply for MN Marriage License or Minnesota Marriage Certificate Search
License and registration lookup | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Official Free
Check licenses, bonds, certifications and registrations Visit iMS, our licensing management system, to check the status of a license, continuing education completion, work experience, plumbing bond holders and whether there are enforcement actions against a license.
Brown County
Official Free
Field notes are the narrative record of the cadastral survey . They are written in tabular format and contain the detailed descriptions of entire survey process including the instrumentation and procedures utilized, calling all physical evidence evaluated in the survey process, and listing all ...
Staff Directory • Administration - Brown County, MN
Business, Voter & Other
Brown County, Minnesota government portal.
co.brown.mn.us
Minnesota Business Search
Business, Voter & Other
Minnesota SOS business search.
mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up court cases in Brown County?
Brown County court cases are searchable through the Minnesota Judicial Branch Homepage portal: https://mncourts.gov/. Minnesota also operates a state-level case lookup through the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) system. For federal matters, see PACER.
What's the difference between sealing and expunging a record in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, a sealed record is hidden from public view but still exists and remains visible to law enforcement, licensing boards, and some employers. An expunged record is treated by Minnesota law as if it never happened — though FBI and federal records may persist regardless of state action. The relief process runs through the sentencing court.
How long does an arrest stay on my record in Minnesota if I wasn't convicted?
In Minnesota, an arrest stays on your record indefinitely unless you petition the court to seal or expunge it, even if charges were dropped or you were found not guilty. Minnesota's rules for clearing non-conviction records are stricter than for convictions — start with the Minnesota BCA.
Are Minnesota criminal records public?
Mostly yes. Minnesota's public-records law makes adult arrests, court filings, and conviction histories accessible to anyone unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Juvenile cases and sealed records are generally excluded by statute.