Missouri Criminal History Records
Missouri criminal history records are held by state and county agencies across all 114 counties. The Missouri State Highway Patrol runs the main criminal records database through its MACHS portal. You can also look up court cases on CaseNet for free. County circuit courts keep criminal case files that go back decades, and most searches start from home with just a name or case number. Some records need a trip to the courthouse or a mail request. This guide walks through each way to search for criminal history records in Missouri, from online tools to in-person visits at the CJIS Division in Jefferson City.
Missouri Criminal History Quick Facts
Missouri Criminal History Search Options
The state of Missouri offers two main ways to check criminal history through its official MACHS system. Name-based searches pull records that match the name you type in. These results are not a sure match. They show open records like convictions, arrests less than 30 days old, charges still pending, and suspended sentences during probation. A name-based search costs $15 plus a small service fee. Results come back in five to seven business days, though some show up right away.
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site is the main portal for running these checks. You need to set up an account first. After you pay and send in a request, results go straight to your MACHS account. The system keeps results for 30 days before they get archived. After that, you have to pay again for a new search.
MACHS uses your name, date of birth, and Social Security number to look up records. Make sure you type these in right. You can't change them later.
Fingerprint-based searches give a stronger result. These are what Missouri calls a "positive match" since fingerprints link to one specific person. A fingerprint check costs $20 for the state search. If you also want an FBI search, that adds $13.25. The total comes to about $43.30 after vendor fees. You place the request on MACHS first, then go to an IdentoGO fingerprint location to have your prints scanned. IdentoGO uses live scan machines to capture prints in digital form.
People who lack internet access can call IdentoGO at 844-543-9712 toll-free. A rep can key the request into MACHS on their behalf. You can also get results notarized for $2 to $5 extra if you need a certified copy.
Search Criminal History on CaseNet
Missouri CaseNet is the free online court records system run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. It holds more than 45 million case records from all 114 counties. The records go back to the 1980s in some areas. You do not need to sign up or pay anything for basic searches. CaseNet was set up under Section 476.055 RSMo to give the public safe and open access to court data.
The portal at courts.mo.gov/casenet gives you four ways to search. Litigant name search is the most used. Case number search is the fastest and most exact. You can also search by filing date or by scheduled hearings. Filters let you narrow results by case status, county, and court type.
Each case listing shows the parties involved, docket entries, motions, judgments, and hearing dates. Criminal case types on CaseNet cover misdemeanors, felonies, and probation violations. You can click "Track This Case" to get alerts when new filings or docket changes happen. The system sends updates to your email after you verify it.
Most courts upload new docket entries once per business day. High-volume courts may update more often. Small counties sometimes update once a week. If you need help, the OSCA help desk is at 888-541-4894 toll-free.
Note: CaseNet shows court records only, not full criminal history reports from the Highway Patrol database.
Missouri Criminal History by Mail
The Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol is the central repository for all criminal records in the state. The CJIS Division collects data from every law enforcement agency in Missouri. This includes arrests, charges, court dispositions, and sentences. Under Section 43.503 RSMo, all arrest and charge info for misdemeanors and felonies must be sent to the Highway Patrol.
To request a criminal history check by mail, fill out Form SHP-158. Mail it to Missouri State Highway Patrol, CJIS Division, Post Office Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Include a check or money order to "State of Missouri - Criminal Record System Fund." Mail requests take four to six weeks to process.
Walk-in service is also an option. Visit the public access window at the Annex Building, 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Name checks at the window take about 30 minutes. You can reach the CJIS Division by phone at (573) 526-6153 for questions about your request.
The CJIS Division is not just for law enforcement. Criminal records from this office are available to non-criminal justice requesters as well, following the rules in Section 43.507 RSMo. The cost is set by Section 43.530 RSMo, and fees go into the Criminal Record System Fund.
Criminal History Laws in Missouri
Missouri's criminal history system is governed mainly by Chapter 43 of the Revised Statutes. Section 43.500 RSMo defines key terms like "central repository" and "criminal history information." Section 43.503 requires courts and law enforcement to report all felony and misdemeanor arrest and disposition data to the Highway Patrol. This keeps the central database current.
Section 43.531 makes criminal history data available to qualified persons and groups as the law defines them. Section 43.532 sets limits on how records can be used and creates penalties for getting records through fraud or misuse. Municipal and county governments can also run criminal record reviews under Section 43.535 with the right fees paid.
The Missouri Sunshine Law in Chapter 610 RSMo sets the broader rules for public records access. Section 610.011 says that records of public bodies should be open unless a law says otherwise. Section 610.023 requires each government body to respond to records requests within three business days. If they deny access, they must explain why in writing and cite the statute.
Section 610.100 has specific rules for law enforcement records. Incident reports, arrest reports, and records of closed cases all have their own access rules under this section. Fees for copies can not go past the real cost of searching for and copying the documents per Section 610.026.
Missouri Offender Search Database
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search tool lets you look up people under state supervision. This covers active offenders, those on probation, and parolees. You search by first and last name. Both fields are required. Results show the DOC ID, date of birth, race, height, weight, location, offense, sentence, and release date.
This tool does not include people who have already been discharged. Some offender data is also hidden for safety or security reasons. The Missouri Department of Corrections runs 21 offices across the state. Their main office is at 2729 Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 236, Jefferson City, MO 65102. You can call (573) 751-2389 for general questions.
The Missouri Sunshine Law lets any person request documents from government bodies in the state, and that includes the Department of Corrections. Historical criminal records are also available through the Missouri State Archives, which holds court cases and prison registers from earlier periods.
Missouri Criminal History Expungement
Missouri law allows certain criminal records to be expunged under Section 610.140 RSMo. Expungement means the record is closed and sealed from public view. After expungement, a name-based search will not show the record. However, fingerprint-based checks may still turn it up for authorized purposes.
To file for expungement, you submit a petition to the court where the offense took place. You can also file in the county where you live now. The waiting periods depend on the charge. For most misdemeanors, you must wait three years from when you finished your sentence, parole, or probation. For eligible felonies, the wait is seven years. Some marijuana-related offenses qualify for automatic expungement under newer Missouri law.
Not every crime qualifies. The statute lists which offenses are eligible. If your petition is granted, the court orders the record sealed. Law enforcement and courts must comply. Once sealed, the record should not show up in standard criminal history searches through MACHS or CaseNet.
Note: Expungement rules change over time, so check the current version of Section 610.140 or talk to a lawyer before filing.
Additional Criminal History Resources in Missouri
Missouri runs a sex offender registry through the State Highway Patrol. The registry is available to the public online at the MSHP sex offender search page. You can search by name, date of birth, or address. An interactive map search is also available. The toll-free info line is 888-767-6747. Section 43.650 RSMo requires the patrol to keep this internet site running with search functions. Juveniles are not listed.
The Family Care Safety Registry is run by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It cross-checks records from the state criminal history database, the sex offender registry, child abuse records, and other state lists. Registration costs a one-time fee of $15. The FCSR portal is at healthapps.dhss.mo.gov. You can reach them toll-free at 866-422-6872.
The FCSR only reports on charges that happened in Missouri. Out-of-state records are not included.
The Missouri Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division provides help if your criminal history records have been affected by identity theft. Their hotline is 800-392-8222. The AG's office also oversees the Sunshine Law and offers guidance on challenging wrong information in criminal records. The Missouri Courts county clerk directory lists contact info for all 114 circuit clerk offices if you need to reach a specific county.
For a full list of circuit court clerks by county and judicial circuit, visit the courts.mo.gov directory page. Each clerk maintains criminal, civil, traffic, and probate records for their area.
Browse Missouri Criminal History by County
Each of Missouri's 114 counties has its own circuit court clerk who keeps criminal case files. Pick a county below for local contact info and resources.
Criminal History in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of Missouri's largest cities can search for criminal history records through their local police department or the county circuit court. Pick a city below to find local resources.