St. Charles County Public Records

What Are Public Records in St. Charles County?

Public records in St. Charles County are defined under the Missouri Sunshine Law, § 610.010-610.035 RSMo, as any record retained by a governmental body, regardless of physical form or characteristics. These records document the business, activities, and transactions of government and are generally accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

St. Charles County maintains numerous categories of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the St. Charles County Circuit Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (limited access), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax statements, assessment records, and tax sale information
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Council meetings, board proceedings, and commission hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs (with restrictions on ongoing investigations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning and zoning applications, permits, and variance requests

The St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds maintains property records, marriage licenses, and military discharge documents. The Circuit Clerk's office houses court records, while the County Assessor maintains property assessment records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are available through the St. Charles County Department of Public Health.

St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds
201 N. Second Street, Suite 338
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 949-7505
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds

Is St. Charles County an Open Records County?

St. Charles County fully complies with the Missouri Sunshine Law, which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under § 610.011 RSMo, the law explicitly states that "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."

The Missouri Sunshine Law establishes a presumption of openness, declaring that records shall be open to the public unless closure is specifically authorized by law. Section 610.011.2 RSMo further emphasizes that these provisions "shall be liberally construed and their exceptions strictly construed to promote this public policy."

St. Charles County has adopted specific policies to implement the state's open records requirements. The county maintains a dedicated Records Request Center on its official website to facilitate public access to government information. Each county department has designated custodians responsible for responding to records requests in accordance with state law.

The county follows the statutory response timelines established in § 610.023 RSMo, which requires that requests for access to public records be acted upon as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the third business day following the date the request is received by the custodian.

How to Find Public Records in St. Charles County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in St. Charles County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. The St. Charles County Records Request Center provides a centralized portal for submitting requests electronically. Property records can be searched through the Recorder of Deeds online database, while court records are accessible via Case.net, Missouri's statewide court records system.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to request records in person:
- For property records: Visit the Recorder of Deeds office
- For court records: Visit the Circuit Clerk's office
- For tax records: Visit the Collector of Revenue
- For assessment information: Visit the Assessor's office
Written Requests: Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Records Request Form: The county provides a standardized Sunshine Law Request Form that may be submitted to any county department.

For specialized records, contact the appropriate department directly:

St. Charles County Circuit Clerk
300 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 949-3080
St. Charles County Circuit Clerk

St. Charles County Assessor
201 N. Second Street, Suite 247
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 949-7420
St. Charles County Assessor

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in St. Charles County?

St. Charles County establishes 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 standard fees include:

Paper Copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Electronic Copies: Actual cost of staff time and electronic media (if provided on physical media)
Certified Copies: Additional $1.00 per document for certification
Research and Retrieval: $20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes (which are provided at no cost)
Specialized Documents: Maps, plats, and oversized documents have varying fees based on size and complexity

Specific record types may have statutorily established fees:

Marriage License: $51.00
Certified Copy of Marriage License: $9.00
Recording of Deeds and Documents: $24.00 for first page, $3.00 for each additional page
Certified Copies of Recorded Documents: $5.00 for first page, $1.00 for each additional page
Birth/Death Certificates: $15.00 for first copy, $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) at most county offices. Electronic payments may be available for online requests.

The county may require advance payment before processing requests that exceed $100.00 in estimated costs. Fee waivers may be granted when the county determines that waiver is in the public interest, particularly for requests from news media or nonprofit organizations serving a public purpose.

Does St. Charles County Have Free Public Records?

St. Charles County provides free access to certain public records as required by Missouri law. Under § 610.011 RSMo, public governmental bodies must allow access to public records for inspection at no charge during regular business hours. The following free services are available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-exempt public records at no cost during normal business hours. Appointments may be recommended for extensive research or to ensure record availability.
Online Resources: The county provides free access to several online databases:
- Property tax information through the Collector of Revenue
- Property assessment data via the Assessor's Office
- County Council agendas and minutes on the County Council website
- Election results through the Election Authority
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use in searching electronic records, including:
- The Recorder of Deeds office for property records
- The Circuit Clerk's office for court records
- The Law Library for legal research

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. The first 30 minutes of research and retrieval time are provided at no cost, after which hourly fees may apply as permitted by state law.

Who Can Request Public Records in St. Charles County?

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records maintained by St. Charles County. Section 610.010(4) RSMo defines a "public record" as any record retained by a governmental body, regardless of physical form, and makes no distinction regarding who may access these records.

Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:

No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be residents of St. Charles County or Missouri to obtain public records.
Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking vital records (birth/death certificates)
- Requesting records with restricted access
Purpose Statement: Generally, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. Section 610.011 RSMo establishes that the purpose for which records are requested is irrelevant to the duty of the custodian to comply with the request.
Special Categories: Certain records have specific eligibility requirements:
- Vital Records: Only authorized individuals may obtain birth certificates (subject, parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives)
- Juvenile Court Records: Access is restricted to parties to the case and their legal representatives
- Medical Records: Access is limited to the subject or their authorized representative
Commercial Use: While commercial use of public records is permitted, the county may inquire about intended use when determining whether a fee waiver serves the public interest.

Government agencies, law enforcement entities, and authorized researchers may have expanded access to certain records that are otherwise restricted from general public access.

What Records Are Confidential in St. Charles County?

While St. Charles County operates under the presumption of openness established by the Missouri Sunshine Law, certain records are exempt from disclosure under § 610.021 RSMo, which enumerates specific exceptions to the general rule of public access. Records that are confidential or have restricted access include:

Legal and Investigative Records:
- Records relating to litigation involving the county
- Legal work product prepared by attorneys
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Ongoing law enforcement investigations
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under § 211.321 RSMo)
Personal and Private Information:
- Social Security numbers, financial account information, and credit card numbers
- Personnel records, including performance evaluations and disciplinary actions
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Individual tax returns and financial information
- Records containing information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Security and Safety Information:
- Emergency response plans and security procedures
- Critical infrastructure details and vulnerability assessments
- Computer security information and access codes
- Records related to security systems and structural plans
Specialized Records:
- Adoption records (access restricted by § 453.121 RSMo)
- Child abuse and neglect records (confidential under § 210.150 RSMo)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Certain public assistance and welfare records
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Deliberative Process Materials:
- Preliminary drafts and notes not retained in the ordinary course of business
- Confidential communications between public governmental bodies and their auditors

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, § 610.024 RSMo requires that the exempt portions be redacted and the remainder of the record be made available for public inspection and copying.

The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to disclose records that may fall under discretionary exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and other protected values.

St. Charles County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds
201 N. Second Street, Suite 338
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 949-7505
St. Charles County Recorder of Deeds

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Recording of military discharge documents (DD-214)
Certified copies of recorded documents
Public access terminals for record searches
Online access to recorded documents (subscription service)

Marriage License Requirements:

Both applicants must appear in person
Valid government-issued photo identification
$51.00 fee (cash, check, or money order)
No blood test required
3-day waiting period unless waived by court order

The Recorder's Office maintains land records dating back to 1804, when St. Charles County was established. Historical records are available for research purposes, with older records maintained on microfilm and more recent records accessible through electronic databases.