Finding Missouri public records is relatively easier nowadays when you compare it with the system of searching from just one decade ago. Now, you can search for public records either by going online, sending a mail to the Bureau of Vital Records, calling the county clerk or going there in person.
Starting at Free Public Records Directory, you can find public records by county, by zip code, or by the category of the record. Some important categories you will find here are criminal records, court records, business licenses, sex offenders, employee directory and assessor property tax records. Below the main search tool, you can find another quick search bar where you can key in the name of the person, select the record type, and you're good to go.
State Archives and Libraries provide a much easier search- all you need to type is the first and last name, then hit "Search Records". Just below the quick search tool, you can read about how to get a copy of vital records (birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate).
If you still can't find the public record you are looking for on these websites, you can visit Public Records Sources for links to different public records arranged by county or by record type.
Another way to access and get a copy of a public record is by sending a request to the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Their mailing address is as follows:
Bureau of Vital Records
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
The state office has birth and death records dated January 1910 onwards. If you want a copy of a birth or a death record, you need to pay $10-15. The payment should be made payable Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. If what you're looking for has been recorded before 1910, you can check it out in the local county agency. Several county recorders include:
(573) 458-6010
(417) 581-7285
(816) 449-2602
(417) 451-8300
(314) 994-3300 ext. 208
According to the Missouri Sunshine Law or MSL, public records in this state include both written and electronically stored documents that do not have protected information for privacy purposes. Even the email correspondence between officials can be viewed by the public, as long as it does not have any protected information. Examples of records that cannot be accessed due to their personally identifying information are medical records and student records. To learn more about the types of public records, you can go to All Free Records.
As of April 7, 2006 public records in Missouri are accessible through an automated online database system known as Missouri CaseNet. The Missouri public records included in the system are civil records dating from 1978 through present day, criminal records from 1995 through present day, probate records dating back through 1977 and traffic records beginning in 1995.
Because this information is provided online, an individual seeing Missouri public records need not wait until standard week day business hours to access the information they seek, nor do they have to worry about contacting multiple circuit courts for information. The database contains information from all courts.
While the information contained in this online database of public records in Missouri is gleaned from official records, it is published as a public service and is not to be construed as being an official record itself. Certified copies of any official document are available through the records custodian at the applicable court house.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records