Missouri Felony Records
Missouri felony records are kept by Circuit Courts in each of the state's 114 counties plus the independent City of St. Louis. You can search these records through Case.net, the free court records portal run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also holds criminal history data through its MACHS system. Whether you need to look up a specific case, check charges, or find court dates, Missouri gives the public several ways to access felony records. This page covers the main tools and steps for searching felony records across the state.
Missouri Felony Records Quick Facts
Where to Search Missouri Felony Records
Missouri has a split system for felony records. Circuit Courts in each county handle case filings, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol keeps a central database of criminal history. Both sources are open to the public, but they hold different types of data. The courts have full case files with charges, motions, and judgments. The Highway Patrol has a statewide index of arrests and convictions tied to a person's name or prints.
The Missouri Case.net system is the main free tool for court record searches. It covers all 45 judicial circuits. You can look up a case by name, case number, or date. The system shows charges, court dates, and case status for felony, civil, traffic, and probate cases. It does not show the full text of filed documents. For those, you need to go to the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the case was filed. Case.net is run by the Office of State Courts Administrator and is free to use at any time.
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site, known as MACHS, is the other main source for felony records in Missouri. It is run by the Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. MACHS offers two types of searches. A name-based search costs $15 and returns open records like convictions, recent arrests, and pending charges. A fingerprint-based search costs $20 and gives a full criminal history including dismissed cases.
Note: MACHS name-based results are labeled "possible match" and include only open records, while fingerprint searches give "positive match" results with the full history.
How to Look Up Felony Records in Missouri
Start with Case.net if you know the name of the person or the case number. Go to the site and pick a county or search all courts at once. Type in the last name and first name, then hit search. The system will pull up matching cases. Click on a case to see the charges, hearing dates, and how the case ended. This works well for recent felony cases. Older cases filed before July 2023 may not be in the system yet.
For a formal background check, use MACHS. You can run a name-based search on the MACHS portal for $15 per request. This search uses name, date of birth, and Social Security number. It returns open felony records including convictions and arrests within the last 30 days. If you need a full record that includes dismissed charges and old cases, you will need a fingerprint-based search at $20. Under RSMo Chapter 43, Section 43.530 sets these fees as the state maximum.
You can also search in person at any Circuit Clerk's office in Missouri. Bring the name of the person and any case details you have. The clerk can look up felony cases and make copies. Most offices charge $0.25 per page for plain copies and $1.00 for certified copies. Call ahead to check hours and confirm the records you need are on file. Each county keeps its own records, so you need to search in the right county.
Missouri Felony Records Access Rules
Missouri law draws a clear line between open and closed felony records. Open records are available to anyone. Closed records are not. The Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo, sets the rules for what the public can and cannot see.
Open felony records include any arrest in the last 30 days, convictions, and cases where the person is still on probation. These records show up on name-based searches through MACHS and are part of the public court file at the Circuit Clerk's office. Anyone can request them. You do not need to give a reason. The Missouri Attorney General's office publishes guides on how to make Sunshine Law requests. Agencies must respond within three business days.
Closed felony records include cases that ended in not guilty verdicts, dismissed charges, and completed suspended sentences. These are only available to the person named in the record (or someone with a notarized release), certain criminal justice agencies, and specific types of authorized entities. Under Section 610.120 RSMo, the Highway Patrol keeps these records sealed from the general public. If you need your own closed records, you can request them directly from the CJIS Division with proper identification.
Note: Sealed and expunged felony records in Missouri will not appear on any public search, whether through Case.net or MACHS.
Missouri Corrections Felony Records
The Missouri Department of Corrections runs an online search tool for active offenders. This database covers people who are currently in prison, on probation, or on parole. It is updated daily. You search by first and last name, and the system checks aliases too. The DOC is based at 2729 Plaza Drive in Jefferson City and can be reached at 573-751-2389.
The DOC search has limits. It does not show people who have been released or discharged from supervision. If someone served their full sentence and is no longer under DOC oversight, they will not come up in this search. For historical felony records on released offenders, you need to use Case.net or MACHS instead. Some offenders may also be excluded from the public search for safety reasons. Under RSMo Chapter 217, Section 217.075 covers the rules for offender records and what the public can access.
Sex Offender Felony Records in Missouri
Missouri keeps a separate registry for sex offenders. The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is run by the Highway Patrol under Sections 589.400 through 589.425 RSMo. The registry lets you search by name, date of birth, tier level, or location. You can also use a map search with a distance radius from 500 feet to 15 miles.
The registry shows the offender's name, aliases, date of birth, photo, address, vehicle, offense details, and tier level. Offenders are classified by compliance status. "Compliant" means they are registering as required. "Non-Compliant" means they have not kept their information current. "Absconder" means their location is unknown. The registry has been in place since 1995. You can also call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-767-6747 for sex offender information in Missouri.
Missouri Felony Records Expungement
Missouri allows certain felony records to be expunged. Under RSMo 610.140, you can petition the court to seal or destroy eligible felony records. The law was updated effective January 1, 2025. Not all felonies qualify. Class A felonies, dangerous felonies, offenses that require sex offender registration, and cases where death was involved are not eligible.
For eligible felony records, you must wait three years after completing your sentence before you can file. The lifetime limit is two felony expungements. You file the petition in the court where the original charges were brought. The prosecuting attorney can object, and the judge holds a hearing to decide. If granted, the felony record is sealed from public view. The person can then say "no" when asked about that conviction in most situations, though some professional licenses still require disclosure.
More Missouri Felony Records Resources
The Missouri Department of Public Safety oversees several agencies tied to felony records. The Highway Patrol, which runs MACHS and the sex offender registry, falls under DPS. So does the Department of Corrections. DPS also handles crime victim assistance and law enforcement training across the state.
The Missouri State Archives holds historical court records including old felony case files, criminal court dockets, prison records, and pardon files. These go back to statehood in 1821. The Archives is at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City and can be reached at 573-751-3280. If you need very old felony records that predate the digital systems, this is where to look.
The Missouri Family Care Safety Registry pulls from multiple databases including Highway Patrol criminal records. It is used to screen people who work with children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. You can reach the registry at 866-422-6872.
For legal help with felony records in Missouri, Legal Services of Missouri provides free assistance to qualifying residents. The Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service, and Missouri Legal Help has self-help guides for people dealing with criminal records. The Missouri Courts website has forms and information on court procedures across the state.
Browse Missouri Felony Records by County
Each county in Missouri has a Circuit Clerk who maintains felony case records. Pick a county below to find local court contacts and resources for felony records in that area.
Felony Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of major cities in Missouri file felony cases at their county Circuit Court. Pick a city below to learn about felony records in that area.