What are Independence Public Records?
Missouri Sunshine Law defines public records as any record electronically or physically stored and retained by a public governmental body. It further states that these records should be open to inspection and copying by members of the public. However, the law provides some exceptions to accessible records, such as
- Attorney-Client communications
- Certain personnel records
- Scientific or technological innovations
- Welfare cases
- Mental or physical health proceedings
- Public safety or law enforcement plans
- Auditor work product
- Records protected from disclosure by other laws
- Structural plans and security systems
- Examination materials before the exam.
- Records relating to kinship and foster care
- Records of hotlines for reporting abuse and wrongdoings
- Records of procurement of security systems
In addition to government agencies, public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city 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.
Independence Crime Statistics
The Independence Police Department maintains yearly data on crime statistics in the city of Independence. For the year 2017, there were 646 violent crimes and 6,715 property crimes, compared to 601 and 6,404 recorded in 2016. Other crimes included in 2017 included 11 murders, 33 cases of rape/attempted rape, 156 robberies, 446 cases of aggravated assault, 785 cases of burglary, 4656 larceny thefts, and 1262 motor vehicle thefts. There were also 1300 arrests for drug-related offenses and 1333 cases of traffic accidents involving damage to properties only. In general, violent crimes rose by 7.49% in 2017, while property crimes rose by 4.86%.
Are Independence Criminal Records Public?
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the central repository of all arrest, incident, and arrest reports. These records are available to the public for non-criminal justice purposes. A criminal record search can be done either by a name-based search or a fingerprint search. Processing time for requests received by mail is usually between 4-6 weeks. A personal identifier or name-based search requires a fee of $14. The results will contain only general information such as convictions, arrests, charges awaiting disposition by the court, and suspended sentences. Requesters can complete their requests on the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), which requires signing up.
Independence criminal records requests may also be made via mail by completing the criminal records request form and submitting it to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
Post Office Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Fingerprint searches cost $20 and are more specific as they produce positive matches. It takes 7-10 days to process a fingerprint-based inquiry. Interested parties may make payments with a check or money order made payable to the “State of Missouri - Criminal Record System Fund.”
How to Obtain Independence Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Records Unit of the IPD maintains Independence police reports and arrest records. To obtain a report, requesters would need to acquire the request form and fill it with the report number, date and time of the incident, the persons involved, the person’s date of birth, and social security number. Requesters will need to mail the form in a self-addressed and stamped envelope to the
Independence Police Department
223 N Memorial Dr.
Independence, MO 64050.
Payments may be made by money orders payable to the “City of Independence.”
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Independence
The Missouri State Highway Patrol stores information on sex offenders in Independence and other cities in the state. To access this information, requesters would need to visit the MSHP website. There is also the provision of a sex offender map to search for offenders residing within a 15-mile radius of a particular location. Interested persons can also search for a particular offender by inputting a specific name and location in the search criteria provided on the site.
How to Find Independence Inmate Records
The Jackson County Detention Centre provides information on all inmates housed in its facilities. The inmate search tool on the website can be used to obtain records of inmates. Requesters may e search using the inmate’s last name, first name, race, and sex.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Independence Jail?
Visitors to the Jackson County Detention Centre are required to carry valid means of identification, such as a driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a U.S. military service card, a state-approved ID, and a Green Card. Visitors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors are not allowed to go in with personal effects and must submit for a frisk and metal detector search. Visitors are also subject to a police records check. All visits are limited to 30 minutes. Visitors must dress appropriately and conservatively. Video visitation is also available in the Detention Centre.
What are Independence Vital Records
Independence vital records are documented records of life events such as the births, deaths, marriages, and divorces of individuals in the city.
Where and How to Obtain Independence Divorce Records
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services stores information on divorce records for Jefferson County and other counties in the state. The department issues a certified statement relating to divorce, which contains the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where the divorce was recorded. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, requesters may visit the Circuit Clerk of Jackson County. To obtain a copy of a divorce certificate, requesters may download the application form and fill in the required details. Each record costs $15. Mail the completed form with payment or visit in person at:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
(573) 751-6387
Requesters may also call the Bureau of Vital Records at (573) 751-6387 or text (573) 291-8290 to schedule appointments for in-person submissions. The mailed request may take 2 to 4 weeks to be processed. Payments may be made by checks or money order made payable to “Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.” Divorce requests may also be obtained without the application form by sending a written and notarized request authorizing a release of the record to the Bureau of Vital Records at the address above. The request should provide the following details
- Full name of both parties
- Last names before marriage
- Any previous married names
- Date of marriage or divorce
- Place of marriage or divorce
- Relationship to the parties listed on the record
- Reason for the request
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Independence
Marriage records for the city of Independence may be obtained from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services by interested requesters. To obtain a copy, record seekers must complete the request form. The record costs $15 dollars, payable via check or money order made out to “Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.” The documents should be mailed with a self-addressed and stamped envelope and sent to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive,
Jefferson, MO 65109
(573) 751-6387
Interested persons may also call the Department of Vital Records on (573) 751-6387 or text on (573) 291-8290 to fix an in-person appointment. Requests without the application form may be made by submitting a written, notarized request that supplies the following information.
- Full names of both parties
- Last name before the first marriage and any previous married names
- Date of marriage or divorce
- Place of marriage or divorce
- Requestor's relationship to the parties listed on the record
- Reason for the request
Marriage certificates may also be obtained from the Circuit Clerk of the county where the marriage was performed.
Where and How to find Independence Birth Records
Birth records from 1920 till date in the city of Independence may be obtained from the Jackson County Health Department. Prior records may be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Records at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. To obtain a copy of an Independence birth certificate, the requester would need to get the application form, notarize it, and then mail the documents along with a money order for $15 made payable to “Jackson County Health Department”. Mail with a self-addressed envelope to
Jackson County Health Department
Vital Records
313 S. Liberty
Independence, MO 64050
Mail requests may be processed within 48 hours of the request. Individuals may also request a certificate in person. In-person requests will require a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license, passport, school, work, or military identification. Alternatively, provide two pieces of mail with name and address or a piece of mail with name, address, and social security number. Record custodians typically process such requests under 24 hours. Acceptable modes of payment via this method are debit/credit payments alone. Birth certificates are not public documents and can only be issued to authorized persons with a direct and tangible interest in the record. For newborns, their certificates are ready for request from 4-6 weeks of their births.
Where and How to Find Independence Death Records
Eligible parties may obtain death records from 1980 till date from the Jackson County Health Department. Prior records may be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Records | Health & Senior Services. This record may only be processed for persons who can show that they have a tangible interest in the record. Obtaining a copy of an Independence death certificate costs $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. To apply in person, the requestor would need to complete the application form online, provide a valid means of identification such as a driver’s license, passport, school, work, or military identification. Alternatively, each requestor may present two pieces of mail with name and address or a piece of mail with name, address, and social security number.
Requests may also be made by mail, which will require the requestor to complete the application form, notarize it and send it with a self-addressed envelope and a check or money order payable to “Jackson County Health Department.” The documents should be mailed to
Jackson County Health Department
Vital Records
313 S. Liberty
Independence, MO 64050
