Clinton County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Clinton County in 2026
ClintonCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Clinton County, Missouri. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find data pertaining to a range of record categories, including court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the request, and applicable state law.
Records in Clinton County may be searched through official court resources, county clerk offices, public access terminals located at government facilities, and authorized online tools.
Online Access:
- The Missouri State Archives maintains digitized county and municipal records, land records, and legislative documents accessible to the public online.
- The Missouri Casenet system provides online access to circuit court case information, including civil, criminal, and probate filings.
- Property assessment data may be searched through the Clinton County Assessor's online portal.
- Some records require account registration or identity verification prior to access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clinton County Clerk's Office, located at 207 N Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; staff will direct the request to the appropriate custodian.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Clinton County Clerk at 207 N Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023, the custodian must acknowledge a request within three business days and provide access or a written explanation of denial within that period.
Phone/Email:
- Clinton County Clerk: (816) 539-3713
- Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official website contact form.
What Are Public Records in Clinton County?
Public records in Clinton County are defined under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.010 as any record retained by or of any public governmental body, regardless of physical form or characteristic. The statute broadly encompasses documents, meetings, votes, actions, and other official activities of government entities.
The following record types are maintained by various Clinton County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Birth and death certificates | Missouri Bureau of Vital Records |
| Marriage and divorce records | Circuit Court Clerk / Recorder |
| Business licenses and fictitious name registrations | County Clerk |
| Property tax and assessment records | Assessor / Collector |
| Voting and election records | County Clerk |
| Commission meeting minutes and agendas | County Clerk |
| Budget and financial documents | County Commission |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Clinton County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Office |
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records maintains statewide birth, death, marriage, and divorce records and processes certified copy requests for events occurring in Missouri. Historical county and municipal records of archival value are preserved through the Missouri State Archives.
Is Clinton County an Open Records County?
Clinton County operates in full compliance with Missouri's open records framework. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified at § 610.011 through § 610.200 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, all public governmental bodies are required to make their records available for inspection and copying by members of the public.
The Missouri Sunshine Law states: "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 Clinton County Commission and County Clerk audit report issued by the Missouri State Auditor's Office confirms that the county is subject to standard Missouri government records guidelines and accountability requirements. The audit underscores the county's obligation to maintain transparent financial and administrative records accessible to the public.
County-specific policies align with state sunshine law requirements. No separate county ordinance restricts access beyond the exemptions enumerated in state statute. The Missouri Attorney General's office provides guidance to public bodies and requestors on compliance with open records obligations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clinton County?
The fee structure for public records in Clinton County follows the limits established under Missouri Sunshine Law. Current fees applicable to records requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.10 per page |
| Certification of records | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of duplication |
| Search/research fees | Actual cost if search exceeds standard time |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Fees for certified copies of vital records are set by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; birth and death certificate copies are currently $15.00 per certified copy.
- The Circuit Court Clerk may assess separate filing and copy fees governed by Missouri court rules.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Under Missouri Sunshine Law, a public body may not charge a fee for the inspection of records, only for copies or for research time that exceeds the standard threshold.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests determined to serve a significant public interest, at the discretion of the custodian.
Does Clinton County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices of the maintaining agency during regular business hours. Missouri law requires that no fee be charged for the act of inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to certain Clinton County records:
- Missouri Casenet — Free online access to circuit court case information, including case history, party names, charges, and dispositions.
- Missouri State Archives online databases — Free access to digitized historical county records, land records, and legislative documents through the Missouri State Archives research portal.
- Clinton County Assessor's Office — Free in-person and online access to property assessment and tax records.
- Missouri Secretary of State — Free online access to business entity filings and registered agent information.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is material: members of the public may review original records at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Missouri residents seeking information about available government services, including vital records access, may consult the Missouri residents information portal maintained by the state.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clinton County?
Any person may request public records maintained by Clinton County government offices. Missouri Sunshine Law does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Requestors are not required to be Missouri residents, and the law does not mandate that a requestor explain the reason for the request.
Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect most public records. Certain offices may request identification for administrative purposes when processing certified copies.
- Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for standard public records requests under Missouri law.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Missouri retain the same rights of access as residents under the Sunshine Law.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as personal court filings or vital records, follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional identity verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain categories of records, including juvenile court records, sealed case files, and adoption records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity or purpose.
What Records Are Confidential in Clinton County?
Not all records maintained by Clinton County government offices are subject to public disclosure. Missouri Sunshine Law enumerates specific categories of records that are closed to public inspection. The following record types are exempt from disclosure under Missouri law:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to persons under 17 years of age in delinquency or status offense proceedings are confidential under Missouri statute.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records that would impede an active law enforcement investigation are exempt from disclosure.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers embedded in otherwise public records are redacted prior to release.
- Medical and health records — Protected under both Missouri law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records — Closed by statute; access is restricted to parties with a direct legal interest.
- Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Missouri Department of Social Services.
- Personnel records — Employee performance evaluations and certain disciplinary records are exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government bodies under confidentiality agreements are protected from disclosure.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.021 enumerates the full list of closed record categories applicable to all public governmental bodies in the state. Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Clinton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clinton County Recorder of Deeds
207 N Main Street
Plattsburg, MO 64477
(816) 539-3713
Clinton County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays.
Clinton County Clerk's Office
207 N Main Street
Plattsburg, MO 64477
(816) 539-3713
Clinton County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk
207 N Main Street, Courthouse
Plattsburg, MO 64477
(816) 539-3726
Missouri Courts – Clinton County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Clinton County Assessor's Office
207 N Main Street
Plattsburg, MO 64477
(816) 539-3716
Clinton County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Missouri Bureau of Vital Records
912 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 751-6387
Bureau of Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM