Beltrami County Public Records /Beltrami County Inmate Search

Beltrami County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Beltrami County?

Inmate records in Beltrami County are official documents created and maintained by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office and the Beltrami County Jail to document individuals who are or have been held in county custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Beltrami County District Court maintains case files related to criminal proceedings, the jail and sheriff's office maintain custody records that track an individual's physical detention status, booking details, and incarceration history.

The record creation process begins at the moment of booking or intake, when a person is first received into custody. Records are continuously updated throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in charges, housing assignments, disciplinary actions, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access requests under applicable state law. Under Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain arrest and booking data as public government data, establishing the legal foundation for inmate record-keeping in Beltrami County.

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 615 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-4189 Sheriff's Office - Beltrami County

Are Inmate Records Public In Beltrami County?

Inmate records in Beltrami County are generally public under Minnesota state law. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 13.82, arrest data, booking information, and other law enforcement records are classified as public government data and must be made available to members of the public upon request. This statute specifically governs law enforcement data and defines which categories of information are accessible without restriction.

The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public:

Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held in the Beltrami County Jail
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and circumstances of intake
Charges filed — criminal charges associated with the individual's detention
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — financial conditions of release set by the court
Expected release dates — projected or scheduled release information where available
Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is held

Certain categories of data may be restricted where disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger a third party, consistent with exemptions outlined under Minnesota's Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes § 13.01 et seq.

What's Included Inmate Records in Beltrami County

Inmate records maintained by the Beltrami County Jail contain multiple categories of information compiled from the point of booking through release. The following breakdown reflects the standard data fields included in a complete custody record:

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Gender
Race and physical description
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Minnesota Identification (MNI) number

Custody Information:

Booking number
Intake date and time
Current housing unit or cell assignment
Custody status (in custody, released, transferred)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges
Statute citations for each charge
Charge level (felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor)

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set by the court
Bond type (cash, surety, conditional release)
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date
Presiding court and case number
Attorney of record (where applicable)

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length
Sentence start date
Credit for time served
Projected release or end-of-sentence date

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond posted, sentence served, transfer, court order)
Conditions of release, if any

Beltrami County Prison System

Beltrami County operates a local jail system designed to house individuals awaiting trial, those serving sentences of up to one year, and individuals held on civil or immigration detainers. The county jail is distinct from Minnesota state prisons, which are administered by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and house individuals convicted of felony offenses carrying sentences exceeding one year. The Beltrami County Jail functions as the primary short-term detention facility for the county and is operated under the authority of the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.

As noted on the county's official website, the Adult Corrections Center is licensed by the State of Minnesota and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, ensuring compliance with state standards for inmate health, safety, and programming.

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office 615 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-4189 Sheriff's Office - Beltrami County

Types of Correctional Facilities In Beltrami County

Beltrami County currently operates one primary correctional facility serving the county's detention needs.

Beltrami County Jail (Adult Corrections Center) The Beltrami County Jail serves as the county's sole detention facility for adult offenders. It houses pre-trial detainees, individuals serving misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor sentences, and those awaiting transfer to state correctional facilities. The facility is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Corrections and subject to regular state inspections.

Beltrami County Adult Corrections Center 616 America Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 333-4189 Adult Corrections Center | Beltrami County

Individuals convicted of felony offenses and sentenced to terms exceeding one year are transferred to facilities operated by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Members of the public seeking to locate individuals held in state custody may use the Minnesota DOC offender locator maintained by the state agency.

Who's in Prison In Beltrami County

The Beltrami County Jail houses several categories of individuals at any given time. Members of the public may review the current custody list for Beltrami County to identify who is presently in custody. The following populations are typically held at the county facility:

Pre-trial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are presumed innocent under law
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals serving court-imposed sentences of up to one year for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor convictions
Probation and parole violators — individuals held pending a hearing on alleged violations of supervision conditions
Civil detainees — individuals held pursuant to civil court orders
Federal or immigration detainees — individuals held under agreements with federal agencies, where applicable
Individuals awaiting transfer — those convicted of felony offenses awaiting placement in a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility

It is important to note that the presence of an individual in the jail's booking records does not establish guilt or conviction of any offense, consistent with the disclaimer maintained by the county's inmate locator system.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Beltrami County in 2026

Members of the public may access Beltrami County inmate records through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods for conducting an inmate records search:

Online Search:

Visit the official Beltrami County Inmate Locator portal.
Enter the individual's first name, last name, or booking number in the available search fields.
Review the results, which display current custody status, booking number, intake date, and charges.
For individuals no longer in county custody, results may be limited or unavailable through the online portal.

In-Person Request:

Visit the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office at 615 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
Submit a written public records request identifying the individual by full name and date of birth.
Staff will process the request in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 13.82 governing law enforcement data.

Telephone Inquiry:

Call the Beltrami County Jail directly at (218) 333-4189.
Provide the full name and date of birth of the individual being sought.
Staff will confirm current custody status and may provide basic booking information.

State-Level Search: For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, members of the public may use the Minnesota Department of Corrections' offender search tool to locate individuals in state custody.

How To Find an Inmate in Beltrami County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Beltrami County. The county and state provide free online tools to assist members of the public in identifying the custody status of individuals.

Beltrami County Inmate Locator — The county maintains a free, publicly accessible inmate locator that allows searches by name or booking number at no charge.
County Custody List — The Beltrami County custody page provides a current list of individuals in custody, including booking number, intake date, and charges.
Minnesota DOC Offender Locator — For individuals transferred to state custody, the Minnesota Department of Corrections provides a free public offender locator tool.
Search for Individuals and Fugitives — The Minnesota DOC also maintains a dedicated page for searching individuals and fugitives, which is accessible to the public at no cost.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Beltrami County Jail at (218) 333-4189 to request basic custody information at no charge.

How To Visit an Inmate In Beltrami County

Visitation at the Beltrami County Jail is governed by facility rules established by the Sheriff's Office and must comply with applicable state correctional standards. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual should review the following guidelines prior to scheduling a visit.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by the facility before a visit is permitted. Visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visits may be denied if the visitor is not on the inmate's approved visitor list or if the visitor has a pending criminal matter.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Beltrami County Jail administration and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (218) 333-4189 to confirm current visitation hours and scheduling procedures.

What to Bring

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)

What NOT to Bring

Weapons, controlled substances, or alcohol
Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
Unauthorized packages or items for the inmate

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles correctional officer uniforms or that is deemed inappropriate by facility staff may result in denial of entry.

Visit Types The Beltrami County Jail may offer in-person contact visits, non-contact visits through a partition, and video visitation, depending on the inmate's classification and facility availability.

Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or at the discretion of jail administration. Individuals on probation or parole may require prior approval from their supervising officer before visiting.

How To Send Money to a Beltrami County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's account to allow the individual to purchase approved items from the jail commissary. Members of the public should contact the Beltrami County Jail at (218) 333-4189 or visit the Adult Corrections Center page for current procedures, as accepted methods and service providers are subject to change.

Accepted Methods:

Deposits through the facility's approved third-party payment service (kiosk or online platform designated by the jail)
Money orders mailed to the facility, made payable to the inmate's full name and booking number

Amount Limits: Specific deposit limits are set by the facility and may vary by inmate classification. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the jail.

Fees: Third-party payment processors typically charge a transaction fee. The amount varies by provider and payment method.

What You Cannot Send:

Cash sent directly through the mail
Personal checks
Funds from unverified or anonymous sources

What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Inmate account funds may be used to purchase commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and approved personal items. Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the inmate account unless authorized by a court order.

How To Send Jail Mail In Beltrami County

Members of the public may send written correspondence to individuals incarcerated at the Beltrami County Jail. All incoming mail is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with jail policy and applicable state law.

Mailing Address: All mail should be addressed to the inmate using the following format:

Inmate Full Name / Booking Number Beltrami County Jail 616 America Ave NW Bemidji, MN 56601

Rules for Sending Mail:

All envelopes must include the sender's full return address; anonymous mail will not be delivered
Letters must be written on plain white paper; cards with glitter, stickers, or embellishments may be rejected
Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; Polaroid or instant-print photographs are typically prohibited
Publications such as books and magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual
Mail containing contraband, coded language, or content that threatens facility security will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action
Legal mail from attorneys is handled separately and is subject to different inspection procedures to protect attorney-client privilege under applicable law

Members of the public seeking to send publications or packages should confirm current policies with the Beltrami County Jail at (218) 333-4189 prior to mailing, as policies are subject to revision by facility administration.