Minnesota Background Check & Apostille Guide

Issuing agency

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

Steps to request and apostille your record

1. STEP 1Request Your Background Check

   • Minnesota background checks are handled by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), a division of the Department of Public Safety.
   • Online (free): Search the Minnesota Public Criminal History (CHS) system at chs.state.mn.us. This is a free, public name-based search requiring a first name, last name, and date of birth. Fingerprints are not required.
   • In person or by mail ($15): Submit a notarized Informed Consent Form with a $15 check or money order payable to "BCA" and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Visit or mail to: BCA, 1430 Maryland Avenue East, St. Paul, MN 55106.
   • For immigration use, indicate "immigration" as the purpose on your request. If you have expunged records, note that they may still need to be disclosed for immigration benefits — consult an immigration attorney.

2. STEP 2Receive Your Results

   • Online CHS results are returned instantly as a printable report.
   • In-person and mail requests typically take 3 to 10 business days.
   • Your report will show any Minnesota criminal history on file or confirm no record exists.

3. STEP 3Apostille Your Background Check

   • Submit your background check report to the Minnesota Secretary of State for an apostille.
   • By appointment: Schedule an in-person appointment via Microsoft Bookings. Appointments are available up to 14 days in advance. Processing takes 2 business days.
   • By mail: Send the document with a $5 check or money order payable to "Secretary of State" and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing takes 3-6 weeks.
   • The apostille fee is $5 per document.

4. STEP 4Translate via EcuadorTranslations.com

   • Upload your apostilled background check to EcuadorTranslations.com for certified Spanish translation.
   • Cost: $150 per document ($130 each for 3 or more documents).
   • Turnaround: 3 business days. Your translation is certified and notarized, ready for submission to Ecuador immigration.

Apostille authority

Key notes

• The free online CHS search is convenient, but the printed report may need to be notarized before it can be apostilled. Confirm with the Secretary of State's office.
• Minnesota expunged records may still need to be reported for immigration purposes (visas, naturalization, work authorization). Consult an immigration attorney if this applies to you.
• Mail-in apostille processing in Minnesota can take up to 6 weeks — plan ahead and request your background check early.
• Contact the BCA at (651) 793-2400 or the Secretary of State at (651) 296-2803 for current processing times.

Sources and verification