Search the Chisago County Inmate Locator First, Then Verify Court, Bail and Release Separately
Chisago County provides its own inmate locator for people housed in the county jail. Start with the official locator, match more than the name, and remember that a person still going through booking may have incomplete or missing charge details. Use Minnesota court records and the jail directly before relying on a bail figure, court date, release date or payment request.
Use the Source That Owns the Question
The jail locator answers a custody question. Court records, warrants, records requests, commissary, phone accounts and state custody each have separate official routes.
| What you need | Official starting point | What it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Current Chisago County jail custody | Chisago County Inmate Locator | Public booking/custody information for people housed in the Chisago County Jail. |
| Court case, hearing or disposition | Chisago County District Court / Minnesota court records | Court-controlled case information and court records. |
| Warrant question | Court Administration or Sheriff’s Office | Chisago County Community Corrections directs warrant questions to Court Administration at 651-213-7010 or the Sheriff’s Office. |
| Sheriff incident, audio, photo or identified report | Records Management Division | Public-data requests under Minnesota’s Government Data Practices Act and current Sheriff fee schedule. |
| Commissary funds | InmateCanteen / Turnkey kiosk | The jail’s current commissary-funding route. |
| Calls, texts or remote video | Reliance Telephone / Reliance Connect | Communication account, texting and video-call funding. |
| Minnesota state custody | Minnesota DOC search | People committed to the Commissioner of Corrections who remain under DOC jurisdiction. |
| Federal prison custody | Federal BOP Inmate Locator | Federal Bureau of Prisons records from 1982 to present. |
How to Search the Chisago County Jail Roster
- Open the county inmate locator. Use Chisago County’s own search page rather than a copied roster or paid people-search page.
- Start broad. The locator provides Last Name, First Name, Gender and birth-year search fields. Start with the last name and add more filters only when needed.
- Try legitimate name variations. If there is no result, remove an unnecessary first-name filter or try a verified maiden, former or hyphenated surname.
- Match several identifying details. The results can show booking number, SPN number, birth month/year, age, sex and physical-description fields. Do not identify someone from name alone.
- Open the inmate detail. The detail area can display bail amount, custody date, release date, booking status, court date and court-branch information when available.
- Recheck before acting. The locator itself says information should not be relied upon for legal action. Refresh the record and use the court or jail directly before paying, visiting, arranging pickup or sharing a legal conclusion.
What Chisago County Roster Fields Mean
| Field | Useful meaning | What to verify separately |
|---|---|---|
| Booking Number | Identifies a particular jail booking event. | Court case number and later case disposition. |
| SPN Number | Helps distinguish a person in the jail system. | Do not treat it as a court file number. |
| Birth / age / physical details | Helps avoid a false match when names are similar. | Identity if key details still conflict. |
| Bail Amount | A jail-side snapshot of bail information available to the locator. | Current amount, conditions, other holds and official payment route. |
| Custody Date | Provides custody-timing context. | Complete arrest chronology and court history. |
| Eligible Release Date / Release Date | Can provide a release-related date when one exists. | Actual departure time, holds and later court action. |
| Booking Status | Helps explain where the record is in the jail process. | Current custody immediately before taking action. |
| Court Date / Court Branch | A clue connecting the booking to a court matter. | Use Minnesota court records for current hearing information and legal outcome. |
The locator may also display an inmate image. A booking image is an identity clue tied to a booking event; it is not proof of guilt, conviction or present custody after a later release.
What to Do When the Inmate Is Not Found
Chisago County’s own FAQ also directs users who cannot find someone in the jail locator to Minnesota or national VINE resources because the person may be housed somewhere else.
Verify Court Dates and Documents With Chisago County District Court
Chisago County District Court is part of Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District and has original jurisdiction over civil, family, probate, juvenile, criminal and traffic cases filed in Chisago County.
District Court contact
Chisago County Courthouse
313 N. Main Street
Center City, MN 55012
Phone: 651-213-7010
Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Court record copies
Most public court records can be viewed on a courthouse terminal. Minnesota Judicial Branch currently lists plain Chisago County court-document copies as no-cost, while certified copies carry a fee. Mail requests should identify the case and specific document and include a daytime phone number.
For a mailed Chisago court-copy request, send it to Chisago County Court Administration, Chisago County Government Center, 313 North Main Street #358, Center City, MN 55012. Minnesota Courts asks users to allow about five days for mailed processing.
Treat the Bail Field as a Verification Starting Point—and Ignore Unsolicited Payment Calls
The inmate locator can show a Bail Amount, but the live amount, conditions and other holds should be verified before anyone pays. Chisago County’s official locator specifically warns that jail staff do not call family or friends asking for bail or electronic-monitoring payments.
Before paying bail
- Confirm the person is still in custody.
- Match the correct booking number and identity.
- Identify every active charge or hold.
- Verify the controlling court.
- Verify the current amount and bond conditions.
- Ask for the official payment location/method.
- Keep the receipt and verify actual release separately.
Safe verification script
“I am checking the current bail information for [full legal name]. The locator displayed [amount/status]. Can you confirm the current amount, the controlling court, any other hold, and the official payment route?”
Never pay a caller who claims the jail requires gift cards, cryptocurrency or an improvised electronic-monitoring fee.
On-Site Video Visitation Depends on the Inmate’s Security Classification
Chisago County provides free on-site video visits from the jail lobby. Each inmate is currently limited to one free 20-minute lobby visit per day, and the schedule differs between minimum/medium and maximum security.
| Classification | Day | Published lobby hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum / Medium | Sunday | 8:00 a.m.–Noon and 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
| Minimum / Medium | Wednesday | 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. |
| Minimum / Medium | Friday | 8:00 a.m.–Noon |
| Maximum | Sunday | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Maximum | Wednesday | 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Maximum | Friday | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. |
Visitor rules
- Valid government-issued photo ID required.
- Visitors generally must be 18+, except a child of the inmate accompanied by the other parent or legal guardian.
- Children cannot be left unattended in the lobby.
- Maximum two visitors at one time.
- Cell-phone use during the visit is prohibited.
- Co-defendants need prior authorization.
- Visits can be refused or ended for disciplinary, safety or conduct reasons.
Remote video
Remote video uses Reliance Connect. Chisago County currently lists video calling at $0.25 per minute, funded from the inmate communication Wallet. Video calling is unavailable during scheduled lobby visitation hours.
Check the live jail page before travel because housing classification or operations can change.
Inmates Cannot Receive Ordinary Incoming Calls, but They Do Have a Voicemail Line
Chisago County contracts with Reliance Telephone for collect calls, phone-card calls, texting and video. The jail’s FAQ says family and friends can leave a short voicemail for an inmate by calling 651-237-3112 and following the prompts.
Reliance communication Wallet
Use the Reliance service for supported collect-call accounts, phone-card support or the communication Wallet used for texting and video calling. Video uses the Reliance Connect app.
Privacy distinction
The county Services page states that calls and texts are tracked/recorded except verified attorney calls. Another county public-information page contains broader wording about calls/video not being monitored, so do not assume an ordinary family call is confidential. Verified legal-representation calls are expressly treated as private.
Mail Uses the Jail’s Per Road Address; Commissary Uses InmateCanteen or the Turnkey Kiosk
Personal mail format
[Inmate Name] – Chisago County Jail
15230 Per Road
Center City, MN 55012
Incoming mail must include the sender’s full name and complete return address. The jail scans and inspects mail for criminal activity and compliance with court orders.
Commissary
Turnkey Corrections provides commissary. Chisago County directs families to InmateCanteen for online deposits or the Turnkey kiosk in the jail lobby.
Trust-account balances are private data, and jail staff says it cannot disclose the inmate’s account balance.
If you mail funds instead of using the kiosk or online account
- Do not send a personal check.
- The county lists money orders, certified bank checks, teller checks and cash as accepted forms, but specifically discourages mailing cash.
- Money orders, certified checks or teller checks above $350 may be held for up to 10 business days while funds clear.
- Do not send pre-stamped return envelopes or postage stamps.
Medical, Mental-Health and PREA Reporting Routes
Medical and mental-health care
Chisago County says it contracts with Advanced Correctional Healthcare to provide medical and mental-health care. For time-sensitive medical information, call the jail at 651-257-2931 and ask for the current medical-information route rather than mailing medication without approval.
The jail’s published medical staff number used for PREA reporting is 651-213-6476.
PREA sexual-abuse or harassment report
The Sheriff has a zero-tolerance PREA policy and says reports can be verbal or written to staff/volunteers, medical or mental-health staff, Human Resources or the PREA Coordinator. Reports may be anonymous.
Jail staff: 651-257-2931
Medical staff: 651-213-6476
Human Resources: 651-213-8868
PREA Coordinator: 651-213-5765
The county also lists The Refuge at 800-338-7233 or 651-257-2890 for support services. Use emergency services for an immediate emergency.
Not-in-Custody Booking Orders and Walk-In Warrants Have Different Procedures
Appointment required
The jail processes not-in-custody booking orders by appointment only. Call 651-257-2931 to schedule. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. A juvenile without valid ID must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has valid ID.
County recommends arriving by 6:00 a.m.
Chisago County accepts walk-in warrants and advises arriving at the Public Safety Center lobby by 6:00 a.m. to allow enough time for booking and a possible same-day court appearance. Valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Huber / Work Release Requires Both Judicial Eligibility and Jail Approval
Chisago County describes Huber / Work Release as a privilege allowing an inmate to leave for approved employment and return immediately after work hours. The judge must grant Huber eligibility at sentencing, but that alone does not guarantee the jail will approve work release.
What the jail verifies
- Employment and program requirements.
- Whether the applicant meets jail approval conditions.
- Clean/negative urinalysis requirements described in the current packet.
- Medical/medication review when relevant.
Current program contact
Program Coordinator Kayla Fox: 651-213-6461.
The current packet says medical items, including medication, must be approved by the jail’s Medical Provider and tells applicants to call 651-213-6476 before the turn-in date when medical-item approval is needed.
2026 Booking and Pay-for-Stay Fees—and the 30-Day Waiver Deadline
Chisago County’s 2026 fee schedule lists a $25 booking fee and $25 per day Pay-for-Stay fee. These are county fee-schedule amounts, not a statement that every reader automatically owes every listed fee.
Financial-hardship waiver
People assessed Pay-for-Stay may request a full or partial waiver based on financial hardship or other circumstances permitted under Minnesota law. The county says a completed waiver application—or a written request for a reasonable extension—must be received within 30 days of receiving the Pay-for-Stay invoice.
Where to send the waiver
Chisago County Sheriff’s Office – Jail Administration
15230 Per Road
Center City, MN 55012
Questions about the fee calculation or waiver process: 651-213-5765.
Submitting a waiver application does not guarantee approval; the county says requests are reviewed individually with supporting documentation.
Request Sheriff Records Through the Records Management Division
A jail roster is not an incident report, 911 transcript, criminal complaint, investigative file or complete court record. Chisago County directs public-data requests to the Sheriff’s Records Management Division using its Information Disclosure Request Form.
Records contact
Records Management Division
Phone: 651-213-6384
If the document you need is a criminal complaint, the Sheriff page says it may need to come from the County Attorney’s Office at 651-213-8400.
Useful request wording
“I am requesting access to public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. I am requesting the specific existing [report/photo/audio/document] connected with [incident number, date, person or location if known]. Please advise me of applicable copying or processing fees before completing the request.”
Selected 2026 Sheriff record fees
| Item | 2026 county-listed fee |
|---|---|
| Records under 19 pages | $0 |
| 20–39 pages | $5 |
| 40–59 pages | $10 |
| 60–79 pages | $15 |
| 80–99 pages | $20 |
| 100+ pages | $25 plus $20/hour |
| Photo | $1 per photo |
| CD/DVD of audio/photos/records | $20 |
| 911 / non-emergency call transcript | $20/hour |
Online payment surcharges can apply to eligible Sheriff record fees. Always recheck the current fee schedule before paying because annual county schedules can change.
Minnesota VINE Is Useful for Custody Alerts, but It Should Not Be Your Only Safety Plan
Chisago County and Minnesota DOC both direct users to Minnesota VINE for supported county-jail custody notifications. The toll-free Minnesota VINE number is 877-664-8463.
When VINE helps
Use it to search supported custody information and register for telephone/email notifications when custody status changes.
Important limitation
Chisago County explicitly says not to depend solely on VINE for personal protection. If safety is at risk, act as though release may already have occurred and use an appropriate safety or law-enforcement plan.
When to Search Another County, Minnesota DOC or Federal Custody
Minnesota DOC
Use Minnesota DOC’s incarcerated-individual search when the person has been committed to the Commissioner of Corrections and remains under DOC jurisdiction, either in prison or released from prison while still under supervision.
Federal custody
Use BOP for federal prison custody. A pretrial federal defendant may be held under another detention arrangement before appearing as a BOP prisoner, so federal court or U.S. Marshals information can also matter.
Nearby county possibility
Move to another county only when the arresting agency, court, warrant or confirmed transfer points there. Verified site guides include Anoka County and Hennepin County.
Chisago County Jail, Sheriff and Court Contacts
| Office | Verified contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Chisago County Jail | 15230 Per Road, Center City, MN 55012 651-257-2931 | Current custody, booking orders, visitation, mail, money and jail procedures. |
| Jail Administration | 651-213-5765 | Jail administration, Pay-for-Stay questions and PREA Coordinator routing. |
| Sheriff Administration | 15230 Per Road, Center City, MN 55012 651-213-6300 | Sheriff administration and general routing. |
| Records Management Division | 651-213-6384 | Sheriff public-data requests and records questions. |
| Chisago County District Court | 313 N. Main Street, Center City, MN 55012 651-213-7010 | Court dates, warrants, court records and legal case routing. |
| County Attorney’s Office | 651-213-8400 | Criminal complaint routing when the Sheriff’s Records page directs the requester there. |
| Jail Programs | 651-213-6461 | Huber/work release, STS, volunteer and jail-program questions. |
Chisago County Jail and Public Safety Center Location
The Chisago County Jail is inside the Public Safety Center at 15230 Per Road in Center City. County directions from I-35 use the US-8 exit, continue east about 14.2 miles to County Road 26 / Pleasant Valley Road, turn onto Per Road and follow it to the parking lot.
Use Chisago County Booking Information Responsibly
- An arrest is not a conviction.
- A booking charge can be incomplete while booking is still in progress.
- A warrant does not prove present custody.
- A bail amount can change and does not guarantee immediate release.
- An eligible-release date is not a guaranteed departure time.
- Do not use an old booking photo as proof of current custody.
- Do not harass, threaten, stalk, shame or unlawfully discriminate against someone because of a jail record.
- Use court records for legal outcomes and a licensed attorney for legal advice.
Chisago County Jail Roster FAQs
How do I search the Chisago County jail roster?
Use the official Chisago County Inmate Locator. Start with a last name, then add first name, gender or birth year only if needed. Compare multiple booking and identity details before relying on a match.
Why are charges missing from a Chisago County inmate record?
Chisago County states that people still going through the booking process may have incomplete or missing charge details until booking is completed.
Does a Chisago County booking record prove guilt?
No. The official locator says booking into the Chisago County Jail does not establish guilt or conviction. Use Minnesota court records for legal outcomes.
What should I do if I cannot find an inmate?
Try controlled name variations and fewer search filters, allow for recent booking, and check Minnesota VINE, another county, Minnesota DOC or federal custody when the facts point there. For time-sensitive custody, call the jail at 651-257-2931.
What are the Chisago County Jail visiting hours?
Free lobby video-visitation hours depend on security classification. Minimum/medium and maximum-security inmates have separate Sunday, Wednesday and Friday windows, and each inmate is limited to one free 20-minute lobby visit per day.
How much does remote video visitation cost?
Chisago County currently lists Reliance Connect video calling at $0.25 per minute. Video calling is unavailable during scheduled lobby-visitation hours.
Can I call a Chisago County Jail inmate directly?
Inmates cannot receive ordinary incoming calls. Family or friends can leave a short voicemail through the dedicated inmate voicemail line at 651-237-3112.
How do I send money to an inmate?
For commissary, the county directs users to InmateCanteen or the Turnkey kiosk in the jail lobby. Mailed funds have separate rules: no personal checks, cash is discouraged, and money orders/certified or teller checks over $350 may be held up to 10 business days.
Will Chisago County Jail call me and ask me to pay bail?
The official inmate locator says jail staff do not call family or friends requesting payment for bail, electronic-monitoring setup or other services. Verify every unexpected payment request directly with the jail.
How do I handle a not-in-custody booking order or walk-in warrant?
Not-in-custody booking orders require an appointment by calling 651-257-2931 and valid government-issued ID. The jail accepts walk-in warrants and recommends arriving by 6:00 a.m. for enough time to book and potentially reach a same-day court appearance.
What is the Chisago County Pay-for-Stay fee?
The 2026 county fee schedule lists Pay-for-Stay at $25 per day and a booking fee of $25. People assessed Pay-for-Stay can request a hardship waiver, but the waiver application or extension request must generally be received within 30 days of the invoice.
When should I search Minnesota DOC instead of the county roster?
Use Minnesota DOC’s individual search when the person has been committed to the Commissioner of Corrections and remains under DOC jurisdiction. Use BOP for established federal prison custody and court/federal detention sources when a federal case is still pretrial.
Final Chisago County Verification Checklist
- You started with the official Chisago County Inmate Locator.
- You matched more than the person’s name.
- You did not treat missing booking charges as proof there are no charges.
- You checked Minnesota court records for current case status.
- You verified bail and every additional hold before paying.
- You rejected unsolicited bail or electronic-monitoring payment calls.
- You checked the inmate’s security classification before planning a lobby visit.
- You used Reliance for communication services and InmateCanteen/Turnkey for commissary.
- You used the Per Road address and a full return address for inmate mail.
- You considered the over-$350 mailed-funds clearing delay.
- You used the appointment process for a not-in-custody booking order.
- You understood that a walk-in warrant can result in custody.
- You checked Huber requirements instead of assuming judicial eligibility guarantees work release.
- You noted the 30-day Pay-for-Stay waiver deadline when applicable.
- You used the Sheriff Records Management Division for Sheriff records and Court Administration for court records.
- You used VINE as an alert tool, not your only safety plan.
- You checked Minnesota DOC or federal custody only when the facts point there.
- You did not treat a booking record or image as proof of guilt.
Official Sources Reviewed
These sources were reviewed for the October 3, 2026 refresh. Custody, classification, vendor rates, court schedules, fees and program rules can change, so reopen the relevant official source before taking action.
- Chisago County Inmate Locator — official search fields, booking details, booking-in-progress warning, disclaimer and scam alert.
- Chisago County Corrections / Jail Division — jail contacts, visitation, booking-order procedures and jail services.
- Public Need To Know Information — visitation rules, phone/voicemail, mailed money, PREA and VINE.
- Jail Services — banking, Turnkey commissary, healthcare, mail and Reliance communications.
- Jail Programs — Huber/work release, walk-in warrants, STS, support and education programs.
- Chisago County District Court — court address, jurisdiction, contact and hours.
- Tenth Judicial District court-record requests — Chisago copy and mail-request procedures.
- Sheriff Records Management Division — Information Disclosure Request route and record fees.
- 2026 Chisago County Fee Schedule — booking fee, Pay-for-Stay and Sheriff record fees.
- Minnesota DOC search — state custody/supervision lookup.
- Minnesota DOC custody-status notifications — Minnesota VINE and other custody-notification routes.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator — federal prison custody search.