Free links to official Missouri state and county government records — courts, criminal histories, vital records, property, voter, business, and licenses across all 115 counties.
How to Search Missouri Criminal Records (Start Here)
Missouri criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: Missouri state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Missouri repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
Missouri Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) — name search portal for public; fingerprint also available.
$13 name / $14 fingerprint + $12 vendor (from 4/5/2026)
Public access fee
Per state-only check
Online via MACHS name-ba
Primary method
How to submit
Missouri State Highway P
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
RSMo §43.500
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
What a state criminal-history check actually covers
State-only check (State Identification Bureau): Returns arrests, dispositions and convictions reported to that one state's repository. It does not include arrests from other states or most federal cases. See the FBI's directory of state agencies: State Identification Bureau Listing.
What state repositories miss: The FBI's national survey of state criminal-history information systems documents known reporting gaps (missing dispositions, delayed updates, sealed/expunged handling). See BJS: Survey of State Criminal History Information Systems.
What Changed in 2026 — Missouri Criminal Records
2026
Missouri state-only check active
The Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS continues to process state criminal history checks via www.machs.mo.gov.
✓ Truth: False. The Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS check covers ONLY Missouri arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only www.machs.mo.gov (the official Missouri repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under Missouri law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most Missouri public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The Missouri state check shows Missouri-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
The Appellate Judicial Commission on April 21 nominated Judge Joshua Christensen, Judge Joseph Hensley, and Commissioner Amy Westermann for the Burrell vacancy on the Southern District appeals court. Visit the Remote Public Access website to learn about expanded public access to case documents via Case.net and redaction requirements. Read more in the Missouri Judiciary's announcement or watch a short video.
Information on this site is preliminary information relating to arrests performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. (Arrests investigated by agencies outside the Missouri State Highway Patrol are not included.) They are posted here automatically and remain online for 5 days.
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is Missouri's one-stop website for all criminal background check needs . This site is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the central repository for all Missouri criminal history ...
Open record information includes ... of sentence (SIS) during the probation period. A request for personal identifier search may be completed online through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). A Fingerprint Based Search requires a completed applicant ...
Office for Victims of Crime Home Page Juvenile Justice Protections Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Crime Victim Rights MOVANS (Missouri Victim Automated Notification System) Resources for Crime Victims Human Trafficking Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights
fee from available inmate account funds · for offenders that are incarcerated. ♦Pay online at www.modocfees.com. ♦Pay by phone. Call 1-855-DOC-IFEE · (1-855-362-4333) ♦ · Send a payment voucher along with a · money order/cashiers check to: Missouri Department of Corrections ·
The Platte County Detention Center is a modern 180-bed facility that houses local, state and federal detainees at various stages of the criminal justice process . The Detention Division is collaterally responsible for inmate medical care, food services and transportation.
MobilePatrol St. Francois County Sheriff's Department is now using Mobile Patrol to provide information about inmates and bookings. MobilePatrol connects you to important safety information, news, and critical alerts for places you care about. We partner with public safety and law enforcement agencies nationwide
Cass County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement, by keeping the peace and protecting life and property, by being the servant of the courts, by maintaining custody and control of our prisoners, in and out of the jail.
MO Sex Offender Registry · MO Amber Alert · MO Amber Alert Forms · Wireless Amber Alert · MO Crime Prevention · MO Road Work Zones · Ready in 3 · AARP Driver Safety · DPS News Releases · State & Federal Grants · Sunshine Requests · UCR - Law Enforcement ·
Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office handle its violent crime case backlog. ... St. Louis jury convicts 21-year-old Azavian Royal of murder, robbery, and assault charges in connection to a 2023 fatal shooting in the Gravois Park neighborhood .
Official websites use .gov A .gov ... Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Multi-court Voice Case Information System: 866-222-8029 ext. ...
How do I run an official Missouri background check?▼
Missouri's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS. Begin the request at www.machs.mo.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by Missouri statute.
Are Missouri criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in Missouri is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS explains who can request what at www.machs.mo.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in Missouri?▼
A state check from the Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS (www.machs.mo.gov) covers only criminal activity within Missouri. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's Missouri criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS. The Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS documentation at www.machs.mo.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a Missouri criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your Missouri criminal history, the Missouri State Highway Patrol - MACHS offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at www.machs.mo.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.
