Missouri became a state in 1821 after the US purchased the land from France in 1809. The state's major industries are agriculture, food, manufacturing, aerospace and transportation. Missouri ranks 19th in size with 69,697 miles of territory and a population of almost 6 million people. It's centralized location and proximity to the Mississippi river played a big role in the Missouri's early economic growth. The state is the eight ranked in the U.S. for non-fuel mineral production.
Missouri has of 3 branches of government. The executive branch is comprised of elected officials such as the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, treasurer, lieutenant governor and the state's individual departments. The legislative branch consists of the state's senate and its house of representatives. The judicial branch is the state's courts system.
There are 114 counties, one independent city (St Louis) and 946 municipalities. County governments have elected officials such as the sheriff, commissioners, administrator, prosecutor, assessor, treasurer, revenue collector and coroner. Missouri was the first state to grant cities home rule in the U.S., where they can hold local elections for their mayor and council.
Missouri statutes adopted privacy laws in 1973. The state's Sunshine Law is similar to the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) passed in 1966. Missourians are assured transparency and access to public records, operations, budgeting, elections and any other information that is in the custody of the state, county or local governments. This law also provides for government meetings to be open to the public. Open governments allows the residents of Missouri to obtain records for any purpose and does not bar anyone or entity with the exception of few restrictions. Guidelines vary from agency to agency, however, departments generally have the burden of showing why a certain record is not available to the public. These claims are challenged by reporters, private entities and in some cases individuals looking to uncover information held by agencies.
Missourians request records for reasons other than government scrutiny. As state and local governments are the custodian of records held in many of its agencies, their information is available for residents to request, view and copy. Documents such as birth, death, marriage and divorce information can be ordered from the Missouri department of health and human services. Anyone can conduct a background check by requesting a report from the state highway patrol's criminal justice information services division. Cases and court proceedings, including criminal filings, lawsuits, judgments and liens can be obtained from the Missouri courts. State issued licenses to professionals such as medical personnel, accountants and contractors are searched by residents regularly to verify validity and status of good standing. Access to county records are also essential to residents such as assessors offices records. Property addresses, valuations, ownerships as well as other details are available to the general public from county to county. Locals can see government employee salaries such as city manager's and council members' pay.
Criminal records can be obtained by the general public from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. Obtain records of convictions, information of arrests within 30 days, charges filed by prosecutor pending final disposition from the courts and suspended imposition of sentence during probation. Criminal past of an individual is vital to pre employment screening or anyone looking to conduct background checks. Employers may require a history search as a condition to employment of new incoming personnel. Individuals also order background checks of themselves to see the information that can be found by others prior to applying for employment.
Public record requests by individuals in Missouri looking to uncover background information often begin with a people finder address query. Addresses, names and aliases are essential in finding out where to locate information under a person's different names or businesses. List of residences located outside Missouri can point your investigation to look for records in other states necessary for a more complete background history report.
The Missouri municipal court has jurisdiction over municipal traffic and ordinance violations. The Missouri circuit court has exclusive civil jurisdiction (including civil appeals) ($0/no maximum; associate division $0/$25,000). The circuit court also hears small claims matters of up to $3,000. The Missouri circuit court has exclusive domestic relations jurisdiction, exclusive criminal jurisdiction, and exclusive juvenile jurisdiction. The circuit court also hears traffic/other violation. The circuit court handles preliminary hearings. The Missouri court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases. The court of appeals has no discretionary jurisdiction. The Missouri supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, criminal, and original proceeding cases. The Missouri supreme court has discretionary jurisdiction in civil, noncapital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, and original proceeding cases.
Search state repository for criminal records in Missouri.
- Missouri Criminal Records
Access to complete and accurate criminal history records.- Missouri Offender Data Files
View a listing of all offenders that have been or are currently under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Corrections.- Missouri Inmate Offender Search
Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Missouri Dept. of Corrections.- Missouri's Most Wanted Fugitives
Search for fugitives and most wanted by law enforcement.- Missouri Sex Offenders
Search the MO Dept. of Corrections database of registered offenders.- Missouri Public Record Expungements
Information and resources to assist in expunging criminal records state and nationwide.
Access arrest records directly from Missouri law enforcement agencies individually. Request information of incidents, charges and details from state and local police departments. Records division contact information and requirements to order official reports.
- Missouri Police Records Request
Request Missouri state police reports of arrests, incidents and auto accidents.- Missouri State Police
Access public records for incident and arrest reports and criminal background checks.- Missouri State Highway Patrol
Law enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more.- Missouri Department of Conservation
Licenses, permits, information and more.- Missouri Attorney General
Civil, criminal and appellate courts.- Missouri Capitol Police
Law enforcement, security, reports and more.- Missouri County Sheriff Arrest Reports
Directory to county Sheriff offices and reports in Missouri.
- Missouri Asset Search
Search government agencies open to the public to find assets of companies, corporations, or individuals.- Missouri Business & Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Missouri Secretary of State.- Missouri Driving Records
Access online state DMV forms; request a drivers license, registration, more.- Missouri Death Row
Information from a non-profit resource about Missouri death row inmates.- Missouri Fictitious Business Names Filings
Find general info and check name availability with the Missouri Secretary of State.- Missouri Genealogy Records
Browse state archives, historical records, and online databases, search Missouri census records to find info about ancestors, family tree and more.- Missouri Judgments and Liens
Find judgments, liens and UCC filings of any individual in Missouri.- Missouri Lawyer Lookup
Verify an attorney's licensing status with the State Bar.- Missouri Missing Children
Search the Missouri postings of children reported missing in the state.- Missouri Missing Persons
Search the state database of missing people my name, location, suspects, and more.- Missouri Property Records
Obtain property tax info by contacting the county assessor.- Missouri Unclaimed Property
Search property and claim status by individual name or business thru the state treasurer.- Missouri Teacher Certification Search
Verify a public school teachers credentials with the MO teacher credentials commission.- Missouri Vital Records
Request birth and death certificates, marriage records and divorce filings in Missouri.- Missouri Land Records
Past property ownerships to 1969.- Missouri Statewide Professional Registration
Information on obtaining a professional license.- Missouri Professional Licensee Search
Obtain information on licensed professionals.- Missouri Notaries and Commissions
Find information on finding or becoming a notary public.- Missouri Elections and Voter Information
Voter data statewide.- Missouri Business Forms
Free downloadable forms from the business programs division.- Missouri Tax Information
State tax links and resources.- Missouri Public Safety Department
Review criminal history records and more.- Search For State Employees
Employee name search.- Missouri Statutes Constitution Search
Lookup Missouri statutes, codes and laws.- Directory of Arts and Culture
Find information on parks, theatres, museums and more.- Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration
Information about insurance and financial institutions for consumers.- Missouri Census Data Center
Missouri latest available data from the ACS (American Community Survey).- Missouri State Archives
Lookup state archives and historical information.- Missouri State Historical Society
Find historical and genealogical information.- Missouri Education and Schools
Missouri Department of Education.- Missouri Colleges and Universities
Information on colleges or universities.- Missouri Library for Blind and Physically Handicapped
Free library for those unable to use standard print materials.- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Find information, help and support for seniors.- Missouri Airports
Find an airports in Missouri.- Missouri State Library
Services for the public, teachers, students and libraries.- Missouri State Research Records
Repository for state records.- Missouri Department of Transportation
Find information on state transportation services.- Missouri Energy Center
Providing information and research on energy issues.- Missouri State Division of Fire Safety
Information to protect the property and resources of Missouri.- Missouri Visitors' Information
Guide to the state of Missouri- Missouri Maps, Government and Population
Information on Missouri; economy, government, culture and more
The Missouri Supreme Court and three appellate regional districts have state level jurisdiction hearing cases from the lower circuit courts. State courts have authority over and rule on procedural and trial practices. Oral arguments, dockets, publications and administrative information is readily available to the general public.
- Missouri Court Directory
Find a court in Missouri.- Supreme Court of Missouri
Calendar and case information.- Missouri Court Staff
Information on court officials.- Missouri Federal Cases
Search the Missouri Court system, find info and public records of federal case filings.- Missouri Law
View the Missouri revised statutes, Sunshine law, bill tracking and disability rights.- Missouri Supreme Court Law Library
Law library reference service and publications.- Legal Services of Missouri
Legal services for low income and elderly people.- Missouri Circuit Courts
Courts of original civil and criminal jurisdiction.- Missouri Pending Cases and Decisions
Track cases, dockets and oral arguments.- Missouri Municipal Court
Find a municipal court in Missouri.- Search for Judgments and Liens
Missouri public access to court records and information.- Missouri Marriages and Divorces
Marriage licenses and divorce decrees.- Missouri Mental Health Divisions
Regional facilities, services, treatment service locator and public services.- Missouri District Court:
District of Eastern Missouri
Information on Eastern District Courts.
District of Western Missouri
Information on Western District Courts.- Missouri Appeals Courts
Handles appeals from the circuit courts.- Missouri Bankruptcy Search
Conduct a bankruptcy search through public records to find individual or corporate bankruptcy filings.- Missouri Jury Service
Juror basics, employer information, trial process and local jury offices.- Find Missouri Prosecutors
Search and find prosecutors in Missouri.- Missouri Court Self Help
Resources for representing yourself in court.