Missouri Public Records – Yay or Nay?

Missouri is the state of the United States of America. It is located in the Midwestern part of the U.S, with more than six million populations.

In this article, we are going to tell you everything about Missouri Public Records and also about Vital, Court, and Inmate Records.

Missouri Public Records
Missouri Public Records

Missouri has so much for everyone, food, culture, cities, rural areas, nature, sports, and much more. 

It has a much-diversified economy. It provides jobs and income resources than any other state.

Getting Public Records in any state is not easy, but thanks to the Missouri sunshine law, Public data is accessible for people.

The state’s government expects transparency from the Record-holding agencies so people can access the information easily.


What does the law of Missouri Public Records say? 

When the freedom of information act was declared, Missouri was the first state which creates its open Record act. 

Missouri Sunshine law states that votes, meetings, Records, deliberations, and actions should be open to the public. Anyone can see these documents, and they don’t have to explain why they need them.

Read: Mississippi Public Records – Should you trust it?

Read: Oklahoma Public Records – Is it Legit or a Scam?


How can I get Public Records in Missouri? 

The National Freedom of Information provides a sample request letter for a Public Record available openly, and anyone can download and use it. 

You can get Public Records in Missouri by downloading the sample letter, putting your information in these boxes, and then sending it by mail or email.

You will need to include the following information in your letter:

  • Your personal information such as name, phone number, email, and address.
  • The name of the document that you want to access, along with as many details of that document as possible.
  • Few sentences about fees in case you are a member of media, mention it, in this way, accessing the document will become completely free for you. You also need to research fees and include the required amount along with your letter.

The Missouri sunshine requires agencies to respond to requests with three business days. 


Criminal Records 

Out of all the states, Missouri is the best in terms of Public Records. Accessing Public Records in Missouri is easy and affordable.

Whether you are an employer who wants to do Criminal background screening of your potential employee or are worried about the suspicious activities of the person living in your neighborhood now, you can easily trace their Criminal Record in Missouri.

What’s included in the Missouri Criminal Record?  

A Criminal Record, also known as the “rap sheet,” is the summary of any person’s criminal history.

It includes the details about the person’s interaction with the law enforcement agencies such as police and Court.

Though you want to be able to access some of the data because of security and privacy reasons, here is the list of information that is publicly available for people:

  • Personal information of a person such as his name, gender, date of birth, and nationality
  • A list of his unique features such as tattoo 
  • A mug shot
  • Type of crime that he has committed along with the description of the crime.
  • An arrest report

Where can I get Missouri Criminal Record? 

You can get Missouri Criminal Record from MACHS (The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site)

It allows you to access Criminal history in two ways: Searching a person’s Criminal data by entering his name and the method is through his fingerprints. The first method is easy, non-formal, but less accurate. 

If you want to know just the Criminal Record of a person for hiring purposes searching by name will reveal much useful information.

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If you’re going to track the data for some professional purpose, then use the fingerprint method.

Searching out by name will reveal the following information to you:

  • Any sex offenses even that person has committed a crime out of the state
  • Pending charges
  • Convictions
  • Suspending imposition of sentences during probation 
  • Arrest within 30 days

To search out a Criminal Record by fingerprint, visit IdentoGO 

Name-based search charges are $14. Any additional processing will cost you extra charges along with fees.


Court Records 

Missouri Court Records are available and are easily accessible for the people.

The information in these Records is from Missouri Supreme Court, Western Appellate, Eastern Appellate, Southern Appellate, and other individual circuit Courts.

 What is in the Missouri Court Records? 

Criminal history: Attorney, charges, future pending calendar dates, bond amount, defendant name and address, date of birth, case number, violation code, docket entries, etc.

Civil cases: A person’s full name, address, date of birth, judgment decision, and date, case number, type of case, file date,  docket entries, etc.

Adult and Child protection cases reveal the same kind of information like civil cases but do not reveal the person’s name, address, and other personal details.

Paternity cases: It includes name, address, judgments, party name, and type of attorney’s

Where can I get Missouri Court Records? 

You can get Missouri Court Records through the Case.net website. On this website, you can search by using various methods such as entering a name, case number, file date, etc.

Read: Tennessee Public Records – Is it Legit?

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Inmate Records 

These include the details of the prisoners. Missouri supervises more than 27000 people.

What is in the Missouri Inmate Record? 

  • Inmate’s details include name, date of birth, gender, weight, height, and height.
  • A mug shot
  • DOC Id
  • Type of offense he has committed along with its details
  • Inmate location

Where can I get a Missouri Inmate Record? 

You can get these Records from the official website of the Missouri Department of Corrections offender Search.


Vital Records 

Missouri Vital Records are not available for everyone; however, they are granted only to the interested people to prevent scams and protect people’s identities.

Missouri Vital Records include birth certificates, divorce licenses, death certificates, and marriage licenses.

What is the requirement to get Missouri Vital Records? 

  • State issued driving license or an Id card copy
  • Passport or military Id
  • The date of the event
  • Full name of document owner, including his maiden name
  • Reason for obtaining the document

Where can I get Missouri Vital Records? 

You can order your Vital Record certificate online through the Missouri Vital Check website.

You can also get a hard copy of your certificate by visiting the Department of Health and Services in Jefferson City.

Still, due to Covid-19, offices are either closed or have restricted working hours, so it’s better to call before you go.

Read: Pennsylvania Public Records – Tested And Reviewed

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I access public records for free?

Many jurisdictions are making their recent public records accessible for free on the Internet.

You may be able to find free public records at the website of the clerk of the court, sheriff’s office, registrar of deeds, and department of vital records.

How do you obtain copy of death certificate in Missouri?

You can make an in-person request for Missouri Death Records by visiting a local vital records office, completing the Application for Copy of Death certificate, and paying the relevant fee. The fee for Missouri Death Records is $13.

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