Search Missouri Police Records
Missouri police records are public documents under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Anyone can request these records from law enforcement agencies across the state. The records include incident reports, arrest records, booking logs, and crash reports maintained by county sheriff offices and city police departments. You can search police records in Missouri through multiple channels, including the Missouri Automated Criminal History System and Missouri Case.net. This guide covers how to find and access police records from all 114 Missouri counties and major cities.
Missouri Police Records Quick Facts
Missouri Police Records Overview
Police records in Missouri cover a wide range of documents. Incident reports describe what happened when law enforcement responded to a call. Arrest records show who was taken into custody and the reason for the arrest. Booking logs list people held in county jails. Crash reports document traffic accidents investigated by officers or sheriff deputies. All of these fall under the umbrella of law enforcement records in the state.
Section 610.100 RSMo addresses law enforcement records directly. It states that all arrest reports and incident reports of law enforcement agencies are public records once an investigation becomes inactive. This means you have the right to request these records from any agency in Missouri. The law also notes that certain details may be withheld, including information that would endanger a victim, witness, or undercover officer, or that would compromise an active investigation.
Each county in Missouri has a sheriff's office that handles records for incidents in unincorporated areas. Cities run their own police departments. Both are subject to the same Sunshine Law rules. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains separate records for accidents and incidents on state highways and manages the state's criminal history database.
The Missouri Attorney General's Office offers guidance on Sunshine Law requests and provides sample forms for submitting records requests. If an agency fails to respond or denies access without proper justification, you can file a complaint with the AG for review. The AG cannot act as your attorney but can pursue enforcement on behalf of the public interest.
How to Request Missouri Police Records
Submit your request in writing to the agency that holds the records. You do not need to explain why you want them. Include as much detail as possible: full names, dates, incident locations, case numbers, and the type of record you need. Under Section 610.023 RSMo, the agency must respond within three business days. They may ask for more time if the request is complex, but they must explain the reason for any delay.
You can submit records requests in person, by mail, by fax, or by email depending on the agency. Some offices have online portals. The Missouri State Highway Patrol services page lists options for requesting MSHP records online, including patrol records, accident reports, and criminal history information. Local sheriff's offices have their own procedures, listed on their county websites or at the courthouse.
Fees are set by law. Section 610.026 RSMo says copy fees cannot exceed $0.10 per page for standard paper copies. Research fees must use the lowest-paid staff who can do the work. The first 30 minutes of search time is often free at many agencies. Clay County charges $5 per incident report plus $0.10 per additional page. Greene County charges $5 to $10 per report. Adair County charges $5 per report for the first 20 pages. Always call ahead to confirm the current fee before mailing a payment.
Note: The Missouri Sunshine Law does not require requests to follow a specific format, but written requests are strongly recommended so both parties have a clear record of what was asked and when.
Missouri Criminal History Records
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site, known as MACHS, is the state portal for criminal history searches. Managed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, MACHS lets you search criminal history by name or register for fingerprinting appointments. Access it at machs.mo.gov.
Two types of searches are available. A name-based search uses a person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. It costs $15 per request plus a convenience fee. Name-based searches only return open records: convictions, arrests from the last 30 days, charges awaiting final disposition, and suspended imposition of sentence cases still on probation. Results are limited to what the law defines as publicly available.
A fingerprint-based search costs $20 plus vendor fees between $11.50 and $24.75 depending on the provider. Fingerprint searches return complete criminal history records, including closed records such as non-conviction data, dismissed charges, and expunged records. The state allows individuals to request a full copy of their own record, including closed records, through CJIS. The CJIS Division at mshp.dps.missouri.gov serves as Missouri's central repository and exchanges data with the FBI on criminal history records.
Court Records Through Missouri Case.net
Missouri Case.net is the official online system for court records, run by the Missouri Judiciary. It covers circuit courts across the state and allows searching by party name, case number, or filing date. The system is free to use for basic searches. Access it through courts.mo.gov/casenet.
Case.net includes records going back to the mid-1990s. Criminal case information shows charge details, case dispositions, sentencing records, and docket history. Civil cases are also searchable. The "Track This Case" feature sends email or text alerts when entries are added or hearings are scheduled, which can be useful when monitoring an ongoing case.
Court records in Case.net cover all circuit courts that have adopted Missouri's automated case management system. Most counties participate. For older records or counties with limited integration, an in-person visit to the courthouse may be necessary.
Missouri Sex Offender Registry
The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the statewide Sex Offender Registry under Missouri Revised Statutes 589.400 through 589.425. The registry is free and open to the public. Search by name, date of birth, or address to find registered offenders within a set distance. You can also sign up for email alerts when a registered offender moves near your address or workplace.
Each listing includes the offender's name, address, date of birth, photo, and details about the offense. Access the registry at mshp.dps.missouri.gov. For phone inquiries, call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-SOR-MSHP (1-888-767-6747). County-specific contacts include Jackson County at 816-524-4302, Platte County at 816-858-2424, Cass County at 816-380-5200, and Clay County at 816-792-7614.
Department of Corrections Offender Records
The Missouri Department of Corrections maintains an online searchable database for inmates and those under DOC supervision. Search by name or DOC ID number at doc.mo.gov. The database shows offender location, sentence details, and release information for people in state prison or on supervision.
For Sunshine Law records requests from the DOC, email OD.SunshineRequest@doc.mo.gov. Parole Board records go to ParoleBoard.SunshineRequest@doc.mo.gov. The DOC only covers people in the state corrections system. County jail records are held separately by the sheriff's office in each county. If you are unsure which system holds the records you need, check both.
Missouri Crime Statistics and UCR Data
Every law enforcement agency in Missouri must report monthly crime data to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The MSHP compiles this into the Uniform Crime Reporting program. Crime data goes to the FBI for national statistics and is published for public use. Find statewide crime data at the MSHP statistics page.
UCR data separates crimes into violent and property categories. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes cover burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Missouri reports by county and city, so you can look up local crime patterns for any part of the state. The data is useful for understanding crime trends but is not a substitute for specific records requests.
Missouri Sunshine Law and Police Records
Missouri's Sunshine Law appears in Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes. Section 610.011 declares that "it is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law." Courts have interpreted this to mean the law must be read in favor of disclosure. When a record fits two possible provisions equally, the one that favors openness applies.
The Missouri Supreme Court in Guyer v. City of Kirkwood held that the Sunshine Law must be construed liberally in favor of open government. This precedent strengthens your right to access police records. Agencies cannot deny requests based on vague claims. They must cite the specific exemption in the law that applies to the withheld material.
If you have trouble getting records, contact the Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law unit. You can file a complaint at SunshineComplaint@ago.mo.gov or by mail to P.O. Box 899, Jefferson City, MO 65102. The AG phone number for Sunshine Law matters is 573-751-8905. Sample request language is available on the AG website to help you draft an effective written request.
The Missouri Department of Revenue provides a public model for how agencies should handle records requests. Their online form demonstrates how to write a clear, detailed request that is more likely to receive a timely response. Most law enforcement agencies follow a similar process.
Crime Victims and Additional Resources
Crime victims in Missouri can access records related to their cases and get support through state programs. The Missouri Crime Victims Compensation program helps cover costs tied to violent crimes, including medical bills and lost wages in some cases. Applications go through the Department of Public Safety.
Local victim services are available through county sheriff's offices and nonprofit organizations. The state's Victim Services Unit maintains county-specific contacts. The Missouri Sheriffs' Association at mosheriffs.com lists member agencies and leadership contacts for all 114 counties. County sheriffs across the state serve as the primary law enforcement and records contact for unincorporated areas.
Note: For records about incidents at the state Department of Revenue, submit Sunshine requests directly to DOR through their online form, as the AG's office does not hold records from other agencies.
Browse Missouri Police Records by County
Each county sheriff handles police records for unincorporated areas. Select a county below to find local contact information, records request procedures, and resources.
View All 114 Missouri Counties
Missouri Police Records by City
Major cities maintain their own police departments and records offices. Select a city to find local procedures, fees, and contact information.