Access St. Joseph Police Records
St. Joseph police records are maintained by the St. Joseph Police Department and are available to the public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. This page explains how to request incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports from the SJPD Records Unit, what fees apply, and how to access Buchanan County resources for broader criminal records searches.
St. Joseph Police Records Quick Facts
St. Joseph Police Department Records Unit
The St. Joseph Police Department is located at 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. The non-emergency and records line is 816-271-4777. The Records Unit shares the building with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. The department is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-in requests are accepted at headquarters during those hours.
St. Joseph is the county seat of Buchanan County. The city police handle incidents within city limits, while the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office handles matters in unincorporated parts of the county. For county-level records and booking information, also check the Buchanan County police records page. Criminal court cases are handled in the 5th Judicial Circuit at 411 Jules Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501, phone 816-271-1462.
How to Request St. Joseph Police Records
To get records from the St. Joseph Police Department, visit the Records Unit at 501 Faraon Street during business hours. Complete the department's records request form, specify the type of record you need, and present your identification. Allow three to five business days for processing. Paying the applicable fees is required before records are released.
Requests can also be submitted by mail to the St. Joseph Police Department Records Unit at 501 Faraon Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501. Include a written description of the records you need, relevant names and dates, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment by money order or check works for mail requests. For more complex requests, the department may contact you for additional information before processing begins.
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, also at 501 Faraon Street, maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at 816-236-8845, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If your incident involved county jurisdiction rather than city, the Sheriff's Office is the right starting point.
Fee Schedule for St. Joseph Police Records
Per Buchanan County and St. Joseph standards, a record search costs $5.00. Standard copy fees are $0.10 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 per document. Research time exceeding 15 minutes is billed at $30.00 per hour under County Ordinance 2-1306. These fees apply to both city police department records and Buchanan County Sheriff's Office records.
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, make your check payable to the St. Joseph Police Department or Buchanan County, depending on which agency you are contacting. For questions about specific fees, call 816-271-4777 before submitting your request.
Note: Fees are charged in accordance with Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo 610.026). Research exceeding 15 minutes is billed at the actual hourly cost of the lowest-paid staff member capable of the work, as set by the county ordinance.
Types of Records Available
St. Joseph Police records include police reports, accident reports, arrest records, incident reports, booking information, and investigation files. Investigation files are closed under Section 610.100 RSMo while a case is active. Once the investigation becomes inactive, those files become public. Booking records from the county jail are also accessible through the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office.
To check for active warrants in St. Joseph or Buchanan County, contact the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office at 816-236-8845 or the Buchanan County Circuit Court at 816-271-1462. The circuit court handles warrant records for the 5th Judicial Circuit. The St. Joseph Public Library at 927 Felix Street also offers genealogy services and historical records that can supplement your search.
Missouri Sunshine Law in St. Joseph
The St. Joseph Police Department complies with RSMo Chapter 610. Under the Sunshine Law, all public records are presumed open. Agencies must respond within three business days. Complex requests may take longer, but the department must provide written notice explaining the delay. Active investigation records may be withheld. Requesters can contact the Missouri Attorney General's Office to appeal any denial they believe is improper.
Online Resources for St. Joseph Criminal Records
Missouri Case.net covers the 5th Judicial Circuit, which handles Buchanan County cases including those from St. Joseph. Searches are free by name or case number. The MACHS system provides statewide criminal background checks for $15 (name) or $20 (fingerprint). The Missouri Sex Offender Registry and DOC offender search are both free.
Nearby Cities
St. Joseph does not have nearby qualifying cities in this directory. View all Missouri cities for more options.