What are Christain County Public Records?
The Missouri Sunshine Law defines public records as information in recording or written format that public agencies receive, maintain, and issue in relation to a public business or activity. Public documents are accessible to interested persons or entities. Requesters may obtain these public documents in formats, such as books, symbols, charters, maps, audio files, emails, memoranda, notes, drafts, video files, photographs, and SMS. Nevertheless, certain public documents are exempt from public disclosure. As a general rule, public agencies withhold or redact portions of public records if it violates an individual's right to privacy or safety. Examples of documents that may be exempted from public disclosure include:
- Criminal records and files, the disclosure of which would constitute an invasion of privacy;
- Public documents specifically exempt from disclosure by common law or statutes;
- Documents on collective bargaining or labor negotiations;
- Adoption or child custody files which are compiled for civil or criminal law enforcement purposes;
- Investigatory files, such as pretrial or presentence files collated for civil or criminal law enforcement purposes;
- Documents on pending litigations or files which are not part of court records;
- Documents providing the name and contact details of persons with a permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon. However, these records are open to law enforcement agencies;
- Public library records detailing the names of users and the library books or materials which a user has used;
- Medical or personnel files, the disclosure of which would lead to an invasion of personal privacy;
- Confidential financial or commercial information obtained from business owners or top business officials;
- Furthermore, documents in the custody of the Department of Corrections are exempt from inmates currently incarcerated in the state's correctional facilities.
Public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple county records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor;
- A case number or file number (if known);
- The location of the document or person involved;
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile);
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Christain County Crime Statistics
Law enforcement agencies in Christain County are responsible for recording arrest incidents. Furthermore, they create unified crime statistics of all arrests and crime rates. Persons or entities interested in accessing the crime statistics may visit the FBI UCR website. According to the FBI UCR website, Christain County recorded 314 index crimes in 2019. The report featured the following figures: five rapes, one robbery, 58 aggravated assaults, 85 burglaries, 137 larceny thefts, and 28 motor vehicle thefts. Note that no murder or arson crime was documented in 2019. Meanwhile, Christain County reported 422 index crimes in 2016. In comparison with the 2016 Report, crime rates fell by 25 percent.
Are Christain County Criminal Records Public?
Access to Christain County criminal records varies depending on the type of the record. For example, criminal records of juvenile offenders are not accessible to the public. The record is only released to the record subject, parent, legal guardian, and other authorized agencies. Expunged or sealed criminal records are also redacted or withheld from public view. Furthermore, data on crime victims, witnesses, and complainants are not public records. Generally, the Christain County's Clerk of the Circuit Court is the record custodian for all criminal records documented within the county. Thus, interested persons may obtain the document by contacting the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Phone: (417) 581-0391
On the other hand, requesters can also obtain criminal records from the Christain County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office has a Records Department that attends to all in-person or mail requests for criminal records. Requesters can request criminal records in-person at the Sheriff's Office on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Sheriff's Office is located at:
Christian County Sheriff's Office
110 West Elm Street
Suite 70
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5330
In contrast, record seekers can send a mail request to obtain criminal records. The mail request must contain the record subject's name, birth date, and the purpose of the request. In addition, requesters must include a money order or check for the requested document in a self-addressed envelope to:
Attn: Records
110 West Elm Street
Rm 70
Ozark, MO 65721.
It cost $5 to obtain the first 20 pages of a Christain County criminal record.
Similarly, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, via the Criminal Records and Identification Division (CRID), provides access to Christain County criminal records. Interested persons can access criminal records via a name-based or fingerprint-based search. Record seekers may submit their requests online or via mail to use the name-based search option. Note that requesters must register on the online platform. Name-based criminal history checks cost $14, and the fees are payable via checks or money orders. Alternatively, fingerprint-based criminal records check costs $20. For fingerprint-based criminal record checks, record seekers should send a completed fingerprint card form, criminal record request form, and the required fee to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
It takes an estimated four to six weeks to process a name-based or fingerprint-based criminal record sent via mail orders.
How to Obtain Christain County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Christain County Sheriff's Department handles requests for all police reports and arrest records via the Records Division. Record seekers can obtain copies of arrest records and police reports via mail or in-person at the Sheriff's Office. Requesters can obtain police reports or arrest records in-person at the Sheriff's Office on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Sheriff's Office is located at:
110 West Elm Street
Suite 70
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5330
Alternatively, record seekers can send a mail request to obtain criminal records. The mail request must contain the record subject's name, birth date, and the purpose of the request. In addition, requesters must include a money order or check for the requested document in a self-addressed envelope to:
Attn: Records
110 West Elm Street
Rm 70
Ozark, MO 65721.
The Christian County Sheriff's Office charges different search fees depending on the type of preferred record. For example, the Sheriff's Office charges $3 for records containing the following data:
- The date and location of the event;
- Facts and circumstances about the requested record;
- The victim names;
- A list of involved vehicles or properties.
In contrast, requesters may pay $5 for inquiries into an incident report or evidence developed by the county's deputies. In addition, requesters must pay $0.10 for a black and white page of the requested document.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Christain County
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the designated record keeper for all sex offenders' data in Christain County. As the custodian of sex offenders' records, the record custodian maintains an online database for sex offenders. The sex offender database features information on all registered and absconded sex offenders in Christain County.
To obtain information on sex offenders on the database, interested persons must input the offender's full names, birth date, tier level, address, city, street name, city, and county. In addition to this, the database has an interactive map interface for accessing locations of sex offenders. The sex offender database also features a list of absconded sex offenders. Interested persons can also download the complete list of sex offenders registered in the county.
How to Find Christain County Inmate Information
Record seekers can find records of inmates incarcerated in Christain County Jail via an online search portal. The Missouri Department of Corrections maintains the online portal. Thus, interested persons can only access active inmates, including paroled inmates. Input the inmate's DOC ID number and full name into the search portal to access inmate information.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Christain County Jail?
Intending visitors to the Christain County Jail must create an account on the HomeWAV website. Furthermore, registered visitors must schedule a visit 24 hours before the visitation time at:
Christian County Sheriff's Office
110 West Elm Street
Suite 70
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5330
The Christian County Jail is open to onsite visits all week within these timeframes: 8:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m, 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m, 6:00 p.m to 10:30 p.m. Visitors to the facility must adhere to the county jail guidelines. For instance, all visitors must dress appropriately. Furthermore, visitors must not bring in gadgets like cell phones, recording devices, or cameras during visitation.
Christain County Court Records
Christain County court records contain information on court proceedings, convictions, judgments, and appeals. The Clerk of Circuit Courts oversees the recording of court documents from the Circuit Court and the Municipal Court. Although court records are generally classified as public records, not all court documents are accessible to the public. Court records, such as child adoption, civil harassment, and juvenile court cases, are mostly exempt from public view.
Location of All Courts in Christain County
Christian County Circuit Court
Christian County Courthouse
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Fax: (417) 581-0391
Christian County Municipal Court
Billings Municipal Court
202 Northeast
Highway 60
P.O. Box 207
Billings, MO 65610
Phone: (417) 744-2581 ext. 302
Clever Municipal Court
304 South Clarke Avenue
P.O. Box 52
Clever, MO 65631
Phone: (417) 743-2544
Highlandville Municipal Division
216 Kentling Avenue
Highlandville, MO 65659
Phone: (417) 443-2326
Nixa Municipal Court
715 West Mt. Vernon
P.O. Box 395
Nixa, MO 65714
Phone: (417) 725-7130
Fax: (417) 724-5725
Ozark Municipal Court
Physical: 201-B East Brick Street
Ozark, MO 65721
Mailing: 102 West Brick Street
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5883
Fax: (417) 581-0695
Sparta Municipal Court
131 North Avenue
P.O. Box 246
Sparta, MO 65753
Phone: (417) 634-3992
Fax: (417) 634-5785
Are Christain County Court Records Public?
Not all Missouri court records are accessible to the public. Under state law, court records containing confidential information are redacted or restricted from public access. Legally exempt court records include child adoption cases and juvenile criminal cases.
Non-confidential Christain County court records are accessible through the County's Clerk of the Circuit Court. Thus, interested record seekers may obtain court documents by contacting the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Phone: (417) 581-0391
Can You Look Up a Christain Court Record Online?
Record seekers can look up Christian County court records online via the Missouri Case. Net website. The website enables requesters to inquire and obtain case records, including judgments, docket entries, parties, and charges.
How to Obtain Christain County Civil Court Case Records
Record seekers can find and get access to civil court case records from the Christain County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the custodian of civil court case records. Furthermore, it issues copies of court documents to interested persons or entities. Thus, interested record seekers may obtain court documents by contacting the Clerk of the Circuit Court at:
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Phone: (417) 581-0391
How to Obtain Christain County Criminal Court Case Records
The Christain County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the county-level custodian of criminal court records within the county. That said, persons or entities interested in obtaining the record must contact the County Clerk of the Circuit in person at:
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Phone: (417) 581-0391
What are Christain County Vital Records?
Christain County vital records consist of government-generated records of all life events within the county. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are some of the commonly documented life events. Furthermore, these vital records are under the purview of government bodies at the local and state level. Hence, record seekers may view or get copies of Christain County vital records from the custodian body responsible for maintaining the document. The Christain County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the record custodian for all divorce events, whereas marriage records are under the purview of the Recorder of Deeds' Office. Furthermore, the Christain County Health Department records all birth and death events.
Where and How to Obtain Christain County Divorce Records
Christain County divorce records are under the control of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. These documents are issued to requesters in-person at:
110 West Elm
Room 202
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 582-5120
Phone: (417) 581-0391
Record seekers must visit the Clerk of the Circuit on weekdays from 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Requesters may need to provide a proof of identification to obtain certified copies of divorce documents. Conversely, record seekers can obtain a certified statement relating to divorce records from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. These statements provide limited information on the record bearers. Interested persons may obtain a statement of divorce records by sending a completed request form to:
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109.
On the other hand, record seekers can obtain divorce records in-person by scheduling an appointment via phone call (573) 751-6387 or text (573) 291-8290. Once the appointment is approved, requesters can receive the documents in-person at:
The Bureau of Vital Records
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387
Where and How to Get Christain County Marriage Records
Record seekers can find certified copies of Christain County marriage records from the County's Recorder of Deeds' Office at:
100 West Church Street
#104
Ozark, MO 65721.
Conversely, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records provides access to a statement of marriage records. Note that the statement of marriage record is not a substitute for a certified marriage document. A statement of marriage record contains the record bearer's name, and the date and location of the marriage event.
A Christain County Statement of marriage records is accessible to interested persons via mail or in-person orders. Record seekers can obtain a statement of marriage record in-person by scheduling an appointment via phone call (573) 751-6387 or text (573) 291-8290. After the Bureau of Vital Records approves the appointment, the record seeker can receive the documents in person at the following address:
Bureau of Vital Records
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387
On the other hand, record seekers can send a mail request containing a completed request form and a money order or check to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109.
Where and How to Find Christain County Birth Records
The Christain County Health Department maintains records of birth events in the county. Birth records from 1920 are accessible to interested applicants. Since birth records contain sensitive and confidential information, the County's Health Department restricts access to the following applicants:
- The registrant;
- Relatives of the registrant, excluding cousins;
- Stepparent;
- Legal guardian (must provide guardianship documents);
- A legally authorized individual or entity.
Eligible applicants can obtain copies of Christain County birth records by visiting the County's Health Department on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Christian County Health Department
301 Brick Street
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 581-7285
It takes five to ten minutes for the Health Department to issue a birth certificate. Note that requesters may need to provide proof of identification, the registrant's birth name, and the mother's maiden name. A certified copy of the Christain County birth certificate costs $15.
Likewise, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records hosts a central repository of birth events recorded from January 1910. The Bureau of Vital Statistics issues birth certificates to requesters via in-person or mail orders. To obtain Christain County birth certificate in-person, requesters must schedule an appointment via phone call (573) 751-6387 or text (573) 291-8290. After the Vital Records Office approves the appointment, the record seeker can receive the documents in person at:
The Bureau of Vital Records
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387
In contrast, record seekers can send a mail request containing a completed birth certificate request form and a $15 money order or check to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Where and How to Get Christain County Death Records
Record seekers can find death certificates at the Christain County Health Department. The Health Department issues copies of death certificates to interested persons via in-person requests. Note that only persons with a legitimate claim can obtain death certificates from the Health Department. Eligible applicants can obtain copies of Christain County death records by visiting the County's Health Department at:
301 Brick Street
Ozark, MO 65721
Phone: (417) 581-7285
Note that requesters may need to provide proof of identification, the registrant's birth name, and the mother's maiden name. A certified copy of the Christain County death certificate costs $15. Similarly, the Bureau of Vital Statistics issues copies of Christian County death records to interested applicants. Requesters may obtain death certificates in-person or by sending a mail request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. To get Christain County death certificate in-person, requesters must schedule an appointment via phone call (573) 751-6387 or text (573) 291-8290.
After the Vital Records Office approves the appointment, the record seeker can receive the documents in person at:
The Bureau of Vital Records
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387
For mailed requests, interested persons or entities must send a completed death certificate request form and a $15 money order or check to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
