St. Louis County Public Records
What Are Public Records in St. Louis County?
Public records in St. Louis County are defined under the Missouri Sunshine Law, specifically pursuant to § 610.010-610.035 RSMo. These records encompass any document, report, map, photograph, or other material, regardless of physical form, created, used, or maintained by a public governmental body in the course of its official functions.
St. Louis County maintains numerous categories of public records accessible to citizens:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court proceedings maintained by the St. Louis County Circuit Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (limited to recent years), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale information
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Council meetings, board proceedings, and commission hearings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audit information
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans
The St. Louis County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian for many county records, while specialized departments maintain their respective documents. The St. Louis County Sunshine Requests portal provides a centralized system for requesting various public records from county departments.
Is St. Louis County an Open Records County?
St. Louis County adheres to Missouri's open records laws as established in the Missouri Sunshine Law. Under § 610.011 RSMo, "It is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law."
This statute establishes a presumption of openness for government records, with the law explicitly stating that it "shall be liberally construed" to promote this policy of transparency. St. Louis County has implemented this mandate through its comprehensive records management program and public access policies.
The County's compliance with state sunshine laws is further reinforced by County Ordinance 107.600, which designates custodians of records for various county departments and establishes procedures for record requests. The St. Louis County Counselor's Office provides guidance to county departments regarding compliance with open records requirements.
St. Louis County has developed specific policies to facilitate public access, including the implementation of an online request portal that streamlines the process for obtaining public documents from county agencies.
How to Find Public Records in St. Louis County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records from St. Louis County may utilize several methods to access information:
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Online Request Portal: The St. Louis County Sunshine Requests portal serves as the primary method for submitting formal records requests to county departments. Users may:
- Create an account
- Submit specific requests
- Track request status
- Receive electronic documents
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In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours:
St. Louis County Government Center
41 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-5000
St. Louis County Government -
Department-Specific Records:
- Property Records: Available through the Recorder of Deeds office
- Court Records: Accessible via Missouri Case.net or in person at the courthouse
- Vital Records: Birth and death certificates available through the Department of Public Health
- Tax Records: Searchable through the St. Louis County Revenue Department
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Written Requests: Submit formal written requests to the specific custodian of records for the department holding the desired information. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
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Missouri State Archives: For historical St. Louis County records, the Missouri State Archives maintains collections of county documents dating back to its formation.
When requesting records, individuals should be as specific as possible about the information sought to expedite processing and minimize potential fees.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Louis County?
St. Louis County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 610.026 RSMo, which permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for providing access to and copies of public records. Current fee structures include:
- Standard Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
- Oversized Documents: $1.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
- Electronic Records: $0.10 per page for scanned documents; no charge for records already in electronic format
- Research and Retrieval Time: $20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes (which are provided at no cost)
- Programming/IT Services: Actual cost of staff time for electronic record extraction requiring specialized programming
- Media Costs: $1.00 for CD/DVD; $5.00 for USB drive (when electronic delivery is not feasible)
Specialized record types carry specific fees:
- Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$5.00 certification fee
- Maps and Plats: $5.00-$25.00 depending on size and complexity
- Photographs: $5.00-$10.00 per image
- Audio/Video Recordings: $10.00-$25.00 per recording
Payment methods accepted include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
- Online payments through the county portal
The county provides a fee estimate prior to fulfilling requests that may exceed $100. Requestors must provide payment before records will be released. Fees may be reduced or waived if the custodian determines the request is in the public interest and not for commercial purposes.
Does St. Louis County Have Free Public Records?
St. Louis County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost:
Free In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 610.011 RSMo, all citizens have the right to inspect public records without charge during normal business hours. Individuals may:
- Review documents on-site at the appropriate county office
- Take notes from records without incurring fees
- Use personal devices to photograph documents (where permitted)
Free Online Resources:
- St. Louis County Property Information Portal - Property tax and assessment information
- St. Louis County Council Records - Meeting agendas, minutes, and legislation
- St. Louis County Financial Reports - Budget documents and financial statements
- Missouri Case.net - Basic court case information
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals available at:
- County Government Center
- County Library branches
- Circuit Clerk's Office
Free Records for Specific Purposes:
- Veterans seeking records for benefits claims
- Individuals with demonstrated indigence
- Certain governmental agencies
- Nonprofit organizations for educational purposes
While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, research time beyond 30 minutes may incur hourly fees even if the records themselves are provided at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in St. Louis County?
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, specifically § 610.010-610.035 RSMo, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from St. Louis County governmental bodies. The law defines "any person" broadly, encompassing:
- Individual citizens
- Media representatives
- Businesses and corporations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Non-Missouri residents
- Foreign nationals
Requestors are generally not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State the purpose of their request
- Explain how the information will be used
- Sign any forms beyond basic contact information
However, specific record types may have additional requirements:
Restricted Access Records:
- Criminal History Records: Require proper identification and may be limited to the subject of the record or authorized representatives
- Medical Examiner Reports: Full reports may be restricted to next of kin or those with legitimate interest
- Juvenile Records: Access is limited by § 211.321 RSMo
- Personnel Records: Access to certain information is restricted by § 610.021(13) RSMo
Requesting Your Own Records: When requesting records about yourself, you may need to:
- Provide government-issued photo identification
- Submit notarized authorization forms
- Appear in person for certain sensitive records
Requesting Records on Behalf of Others: Requires:
- Written authorization from the subject
- Legal documentation of authority (power of attorney, court order)
- Proof of relationship for vital records (birth/death certificates)
St. Louis County processes all legitimate requests regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose, provided they comply with procedural requirements and applicable laws.
What Records Are Confidential in St. Louis County?
St. Louis County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with § 610.021 RSMo, which establishes 24 specific exemptions to the Missouri Sunshine Law. Records exempt from public disclosure include:
Legal and Investigative Records:
- Legal actions, causes of action, and litigation involving public governmental bodies
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Law enforcement investigative reports during active investigations
- Records relating to nonjudicial mental or physical health proceedings
- Juvenile court records as protected by § 211.321 RSMo
Personal and Private Information:
- Social Security numbers, financial account information, and credit card numbers
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Individually identifiable personnel records (except for names, positions, salaries, and lengths of service)
- Scholastic probation, expulsion, or graduation data linked to individually identifiable students
- Welfare cases of identifiable individuals
Security and Safety Information:
- Operational guidelines, policies, or plans for responding to terrorist incidents
- Security systems and structural plans for public facilities
- Software codes for electronic data processing
- Systems security information
- Records relating to scientific and technological innovations in which the owner has a proprietary interest
Business and Economic Records:
- Proprietary business information and trade secrets submitted by private entities
- Sealed bids and related documents until contract award or all bids are rejected
- Preparation, modification, or negotiation of contracts until execution
- Real estate transactions until transactions are executed
The County applies a "balancing test" when records contain both exempt and non-exempt information, redacting protected information while releasing the remainder. This approach follows the statutory requirement that exemptions be "strictly construed" to promote the public policy of openness.
St. Louis County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
41 South Central Avenue, 5th Floor
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-7039
St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds
Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage license applications and issuance
- Military discharge recording
- Certified copies of recorded documents
- Document research assistance
Remote Access Options:
- Phone inquiries during business hours
- Email requests to recorder@stlouiscountymo.gov
- Online marriage license pre-application
- Electronic recording for authorized submitters
Document Standards:
- 8.5" x 11" page size
- Minimum 10-point font
- 3" top margin on first page
- Minimum 3/4" margins on all other sides
- Black or dark blue ink for signatures
The Recorder's Office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1804. Historical records may require advance notice for retrieval from archives. Research assistance is available for in-person visitors, though staff cannot provide legal advice regarding documents.
Lookup Public Records in St. Louis County
St. Louis County Sunshine Requests