Missouri public records
Use Missouri Case.net for available case information, county offices for property documents and the Secretary of State for business filings. A state marriage or divorce statement is different from the complete county record. Sunshine Law requests address agency records beyond these published databases.
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Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsMissouri Courts Case.net | Search Case.net for available public case information and documents. | Public case access and certified-copy requests differ. Remote document access and protected-case exclusions depend on court rules and filing dates. |
| Property and land recordsMissouri State Tax Commission directories | Choose the county assessor for assessments and recorder for deeds. | Local document and certification charges vary. Tax valuation does not establish a property's full ownership or lien history. |
| Business recordsMissouri Secretary of State | Follow the corporation/business search to registered entities and filings. | Search and certificate services have different charges. A corporation record and a fictitious-name registration have different legal significance. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce statement instructions. | Certificate and statement searches carry fees. Marriage and divorce statements are not the full county marriage record or court decree. |
| Criminal-history checksMissouri State Highway Patrol | Choose a name-based or fingerprint-based criminal-record check. | The Patrol publishes different check fees. Open-record information and authorized closed-record access have different scope. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in Missouri
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Missouri's Sunshine Law opens public governmental-body records to the public, subject to closed-record exceptions. Address the request to the records custodian.
- How to submit
- Identify the Missouri agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- A request generally must be acted on within three business days. If records cannot be supplied then, the custodian must explain the delay and earliest availability.
- Fees and estimates
- Ordinary paper copies and staff search time have statutory limits. Ask for an estimate; a public-interest reduction or waiver may be available.
- If access is denied
- Request the precise statutory reason for closing records. A complaint may go to the Attorney General or local prosecutor; courts can enforce the law.
Missouri records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: Missouri public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 610.010–610.035), I request electronic copies of the city's executed contract and final payment ledger for [project] covering [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
Missouri public records FAQ
Where can I find Missouri court records?
Search Case.net for available public case information and documents. Remote document access and protected-case exclusions depend on court rules and filing dates.
Sources: Missouri Courts Case.netAre Missouri public records free?
Ordinary paper copies and staff search time have statutory limits. Ask for an estimate; a public-interest reduction or waiver may be available. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: Missouri official public-records guidance; Missouri Courts Case.net; Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in Missouri?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce statement instructions. Marriage and divorce statements are not the full county marriage record or court decree.
Sources: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; Missouri Courts Case.netIs a Missouri court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. Open-record information and authorized closed-record access have different scope. Choose a name-based or fingerprint-based criminal-record check.
Sources: Missouri State Highway Patrol; Missouri Courts Case.netSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- Missouri official public-records guidance — checked
- Missouri Courts Case.net — checked
- Missouri State Tax Commission directories — checked
- Missouri Secretary of State — checked
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — checked
- Missouri State Highway Patrol — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions