How to Register for Minnesota VINE to Track Someone in Dakota County Jail

Minnesota VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is the statewide automated system for custody notifications. Dakota County's inmate-search page directs you here when you want updates about someone's custody status, location, or release. Looking for the "alerts" option on the county site? This is it - you register through Minnesota VINE.

If you're a victim of a violent crime in Minnesota, you have the right to be notified about pretrial release from a county jail or local detention facility - no special request needed. That said, the state still recommends registering with Minnesota VINE for timely, reliable notifications. After a conviction, the process works differently. You'll need to request custody status notifications directly from the jail or facility where the person is housed. Either way, Minnesota law gives crime victims the right to know about custody status changes for people held in jails and prisons.

1. Start from the Dakota County inmate-search page (optional) - If you’re already on Dakota County’s inmate-search page, use the victim-notification direction there to get to Minnesota VINE registration.
2. Go to Minnesota VINE registration - Minnesota VINE is the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s automated service for notifications about changes in status, location, or release.
3. Create your notification setup inside VINE - Follow the prompts on the Minnesota VINE site to register so you can receive notifications tied to the person you’re tracking.
4. Double-check that your registration is complete - Minnesota specifically recommends registering with VINE to help ensure timely and reliable notification, so it’s worth confirming you finished all steps before you close out.

Minnesota law gives crime victims the right to be notified when someone's custody status changes at a jail or prison. Victims of violent crime get an extra layer of protection: you'll automatically receive notice of pretrial release from a county jail or local detention facility without having to ask. Even with these protections, the state's advice is straightforward - register with Minnesota VINE. It's the automated service Minnesota points to for timely, reliable updates.

After a conviction, you'll need to request custody status notifications directly from the jail or facility where the person is housed. Dakota County's inmate-search page points you to Minnesota VINE for custody checks and notification registration - it's the right starting point for tracking status, location, or release.

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• ✓ Confirm you registered through Minnesota VINE (not just checked the Dakota County inmate-search page).
• ✓ Make sure the registration you set up in VINE is fully completed so notifications can be delivered.
• ✓ If you’re a victim of a violent crime and you’re expecting a pretrial release notice, rely on Minnesota VINE registration to help ensure timely and reliable notification.
• ✓ If you’re trying to receive custody status change notifications after a conviction, submit the required request to the jail or facility where the person is housed.