Platte County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Platte County?

Public records in Platte County are defined under Missouri's Sunshine Law, codified at § 610.010 RSMo, as any record, document, meeting, or vote of any public governmental body. This definition encompasses a broad range of materials created, received, or maintained by county offices in the course of official business. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these records subject to the limitations established by state law.

The following categories of records are currently available through various Platte County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Platte County Circuit Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Platte County Recorder of Deeds and the Assessor's Office
Vital records (marriage and divorce certificates) — issued and maintained by the Platte County Recorder of Deeds; birth and death records are held by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Business records (licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations) — maintained by the Platte County Clerk and the Missouri Secretary of State
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Platte County Collector and Assessor
Voting and election records — maintained by the Platte County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and boards) — maintained by the Platte County Clerk
Budget and financial documents — available through the Platte County Auditor and County Commission
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Platte County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Platte County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Platte County an Open Records County?

Platte County fully complies with Missouri's open records framework. Under § 610.011 RSMo, all public records of public governmental bodies in Missouri are presumed to be open to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This provision establishes a strong presumption of openness and places the burden of justifying any denial of access on the governmental body, not the requester.

Missouri's Sunshine Law requires that public governmental bodies respond to records requests within three business days, either by providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable statutory exemption, or notifying the requester that additional time is needed. Platte County offices are bound by these requirements and must process requests in a timely and transparent manner. The Missouri State Archives maintains additional guidance and historical county records accessible to the public. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the limitations already established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Platte County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Platte County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person: Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours. The Platte County Courthouse, located at 415 Third Street, Platte City, MO 64079, houses the Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, Assessor, Collector, and Circuit Court offices.
By mail: Submit a written request to the relevant office, including a description of the records sought, the preferred format for delivery, and return contact information.
Online: Many Platte County records are accessible through the county's official web portal. Property records, assessment data, and court case information may be searched electronically. Missouri residents may also access state-level records through the MO.gov residents portal.
By phone or email: Requesters may contact individual offices directly to inquire about record availability and submission procedures.
Criminal history records: Statewide criminal history background checks are available through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System, which provides fingerprint-based access to criminal history information maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Driver records: Driving history records are available through the Missouri Department of Revenue's driver license records division.
Personal records held by state agencies: Individuals seeking records about themselves held by Missouri state agencies may submit requests through the Division of Legal Services records request process.

No requester is required to state a reason for the request when seeking non-exempt public records under Missouri law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Platte County?

Current fees for public records in Platte County are governed by § 610.026 RSMo, which limits the fees a public governmental body may charge for providing records. Standard fees applicable to Platte County records requests include:

Photocopies: Typically $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified copies of recorded documents through the Recorder of Deeds are generally $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Research and staff time: Charges for staff time spent searching, retrieving, and preparing records may apply when the request requires more than one hour of work; the rate is limited to the actual cost of the staff member's time
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are limited to the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., USB drive or CD)
Vital records: Certified copies of marriage records obtained through the Recorder of Deeds carry a standard fee set by state statute

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Platte County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under Missouri's Sunshine Law, which guarantees the right to inspect records without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources currently provide free access to Platte County and Missouri public records:

Platte County Assessor's Office: Property assessment data and ownership information may be searched at no cost through the county's online property search tool
Platte County Circuit Court: Case index information may be reviewed in person at the courthouse without charge
Missouri State Archives: Historical county records, including deed books, probate records, and death certificates from 1910–1975, are available through the Missouri State Archives research portal at no cost
MODOC Offender Search: Members of the public may search for individuals currently supervised by the Missouri Department of Corrections through the MODOC offender search tool free of charge
Marriage and divorce information: General guidance on obtaining marriage and divorce records in Missouri is available through the Missouri marriage and divorce records page at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Platte County?

Any person may request public records in Platte County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Missouri's Sunshine Law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requesters to identify themselves or explain why they are seeking records. The following conditions apply under current law:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Missouri and Platte County retain full rights to request public records.
Identification: Generally not required for standard public records requests, though some offices may request contact information for processing purposes.
Purpose: Requesters are not required to state a reason for their request when seeking non-exempt records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves held by Missouri state agencies may use the personal records request process administered by the Missouri Division of Legal Services.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and law enforcement investigative materials, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity. Authorized parties, such as the subject of a record or their legal representative, may have expanded access rights in specific circumstances.

What Records Are Confidential in Platte County?

Missouri law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Under § 610.021 RSMo, public governmental bodies are authorized — and in some cases required — to close the following types of records:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals under the age of 17 involved in juvenile proceedings are confidential under Missouri law
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would impede the investigation or endanger individuals
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are protected from disclosure
Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and Missouri law is not subject to public disclosure
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed and accessible only to authorized parties under specific statutory conditions
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Children's Division are confidential
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to final disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

Missouri law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, requiring the governmental body to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the potential harm of release before invoking an exemption.

Platte County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Platte County Recorder of Deeds is the primary custodian of property records, recorded documents, and marriage licenses in Platte County. Members of the public may inspect records or request certified copies during regular business hours.

Platte County Recorder of Deeds 415 Third Street, Platte City, MO 64079 (816) 858-3356 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Platte County Recorder of Deeds

Platte County Circuit Court 415 Third Street, Suite 204, Platte City, MO 64079 (816) 858-2232 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Platte County Circuit Court

Platte County Assessor's Office 415 Third Street, Platte City, MO 64079 (816) 858-3310 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Platte County Assessor

Platte County Sheriff's Office 2300 NW Platte Road, Platte City, MO 64079 (816) 858-2424 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Platte County Sheriff's Office

Missouri Department of Revenue – Driver License Record Center 301 West High Street, Room 470, Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 526-2407 Missouri Department of Revenue Driver Records