Missouri Public Record Law

Missouri's public records law, known as Missouri Sunshine Law, ensures that the government remains transparent and accountable by granting residents the right to inspect, search, and copy public government records. Per the law, governmental bodies in Missouri must make their meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations available to the public unless a specific exemption applies. Missouri Sunshine law mirrors the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs federal agencies.

Where Do I Submit a Public Record Request in Missouri?

All state agencies in Missouri have their own designated record custodian responsible for attending to public record requests. Therefore, all submissions for public records should be directed to the custodian of records for the specific Missouri public agency holding the document you seek. However, persons unsure about which agency has the records desired may contact the Missouri Attorney General's Office for guidance at:

How Do I Request Public Records in Missouri?

All Missouri citizens may request public records by following these steps:

• Identify the agency holding the record desired.
• Submit a request to the agency. Missouri law requires all requests to be in writing. Completed documents may be submitted by mail, fax, email, in person, or through an online portal.
• Provide identification. Some record custodians require proof of identification, especially for records with sensitive or personal information.
• Pay the fees. Agencies require an advanced payment to cover the search and copying fees.

While record seekers may request public records directly from public agencies, some public records are accessible online using third-party websites. However, third-party platforms may not be updated regularly and require a fee to view detailed information.

What Records are Public in Missouri?

Missouri public records law makes available for public inspection the following records:

• Vital Records: Birth records, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and death certificates. While the state grants public access to vital records, it does restrict access to specific individuals, including the record holder, family members, legal representatives, and persons with a court order.
• Property Records: Public property records include deeds, property tax assessments, survey maps, zoning and land use permits, and mortgages and liens.
• Judicial/Court Records: The Missouri trial court system comprises Circuit Courts, which include Associate Circuit Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Traffic Court, Small Claims Court, and Municipal Courts. Within judicial records, the public may access civil case files, criminal case files, probate records, and limited family court records.
• Law Enforcement Records: Public law enforcement records include arrest reports, police reports, accident reports, inmate records, certain investigative reports, and sex offender information.
• Government Financial Records: These include budgets and expenditure records, contract and procurement records, audit reports, tax credits, and fiscal documents.

Who Can Request Public Records in Missouri?

Under Missouri public records law, any person has the right to inspect, examine, and obtain public records from governmental bodies. Persons in this context include individuals, private citizens, business entities such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, unincorporated associations, and all government entities.

What Is the Response Time for Public Records Requests in Missouri?

Per Section 610.023 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, the record custodian is required to respond to records requests within three business days from the date the request is received. However, the law requires that if the actual production of records may take longer than the allowed period by the state law, such as a high volume of records, the agency may inform the request about the delay and provide the estimated completion date.

What Is the Fee Charged for Providing Copies of Public Records?

Missouri law, specifically Section 610.026 of the Missouri Revised Code, requires record custodians to charge a fee for copying the records and staff time used for locating the records. Generally, the fees may not exceed $0.10 per page for standard-sized paper copies.

What Records Are Exempted Under the Missouri Public Law?

While Missouri Sunshine law supports open records to the public, several exemptions permit public bodies from withholding certain records as outlined in Section 610.021 of the state code. These exempted records include:

• Juvenile records
• Medical and patient records
• Some law enforcement records, such as undercover officers and records from ongoing investigations
• Trade secrets and proprietary information
• Closed meetings involving personnel matters, legal strategy, and confidential negotiations
• Sensitive security and public safety information
• Personnel records, including performance evaluations and disciplinary actions
• Negotiations and business transactions
• Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account information