What are Lafayette County Public Records?
Lafayette County public records consist of any record in writing or electronically stored data kept by any agency, bureau, commission, board, council, committee, or governmental entity created by the constitution or by an ordinance. The public records may be in the form of reports, memorandums, surveys, letters, or any other document prepared for a public body by a consultant, private contractors, or professional within the county. Most public records are available to the public; however, the law restricts access to some public records. Examples include:
- Documents containing security systems purchased by a public body
- Personal identifiers such as credit card numbers, digital certificates, access codes, and virtual keys
- Adoption and foster care home placement records
- Records containing the leasing, purchasing, or sale of real estate by a public body
- Students records such as academic probation, graduation, or expulsion
- Documents containing test and examination materials
- Records containing software codes for electronic data processing
- Sealed bids
- Records prevented from disclosure by law
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.
Lafayette County Crime Statistics
The Missouri Highway Patrol puts together the crime statistics from all law enforcement agencies in the state. The Missouri Uniform Crime Reporting collates and maintains this data providing an overview of crime statistics per county. In 2018, crimes recorded in Lafayette County were 253 property crimes from 161 larceny thefts, 58 burglaries, 32 motor vehicle thefts, and 2 arson and 45 violent crimes, including 39 aggravated assaults, 3 robberies, 2 rapes, and 1 homicide.
In 2017, law enforcement agencies reported 380 property crimes and 35 violent crimes from 261 larceny thefts, 77 burglaries, 37 motor vehicle thefts, 30 aggravated assaults, and 5 arsons and rapes. Between both years, violent crimes increased by 28%, while property crimes decreased by 33%. Overall crime levels in Lafayette County decreased by 28%.
Are Lafayette County Criminal Records Public?
The Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Services Division maintains a statewide database of criminal background checks and grants access to the database's criminal records. Parties can access Lafayette County criminal records using the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS). Searchers can obtain the record using either the fingerprint search portal or the name search portal. Parties ordering Lafayette criminal records for personal purposes using the fingerprint-based search can call (573) 526-6253. Parties seeking criminal records using the fingerprint-based search for employment verification or licensing agency should register and input the registration number provided by the requesting employer or agency.
The name check portal provides public online access to criminal records. To search, record seekers should have the full name and either the date of birth or social security number of the individual named on the record. Varying fees payable with a Debit or Credit card are applicable when using this service.
Varying fees apply depending on the requested type of record check, and parties can make payment using checks or money orders only. Also, parties can request Lafayette County criminal records by filling out the Request for Criminal Record Check form with the requested details. Record seekers may forward the completed form and fees to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
How to Obtain Lafayette County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested parties can obtain Lafayette County arrest records and police reports online using the Online Arrest Reports provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Parties can search the database by giving the first and last name, arrest county, troop, and arrest date. The search result provides details such as the age, gender, and charges on the arrest record. Record seekers unable to access Lafayette arrest records online may contact the Highway Patrol Troop Headquarters at:
Troop A Headquarters
504 South East Blue Parkway
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Phone: (816) 622-0800
Fax: (816) 622-0715
Parties can also obtain Lafayette County police report by calling the Custodian of Records on (573) 526-6146 or (573) 526-6167, or by writing to the Patrol Records Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Lafayette County
Section 400 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri mandates the Missouri State Highway Patrol to maintain an online database of sex offenders within the state and make its content accessible to the public. Record seekers can obtain Lafayette County sex offender information using the Missouri State Highway Patrol Sex Offender Registry. Parties can conduct a name search or location search. The name search requires the searcher to have one detail of the offenders: the first and last name, offender's date of birth, address, street name, county, city, or predator status. Searchers can use the location search to locate registered sex offenders who school, work, or live within a predetermined area of interest to the record seeker. To carry out a successful record search by location, parties should have the street name, city, state, zip code, and distance of the sex offender. The Criminal Justice Information Services Division allows interested persons to register using the Community Notification Enrollment to receive email reports when a registered sex offender's status changes.
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office also has the authority to grant access to registered sex offenders living in the county. Interested parties may contact the Sheriff's Office at:
Lafayette County Sheriff Office
107 South 11th Street
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-3622
Fax: (660) 259-2545
How to Find Lafayette County Inmate Records
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office manages the daily affairs of the Lafayette county jail. Parties seeking to obtain inmate records may email the jail facility administrator at rflorence@lcsheriff.com or call (660) 259-6682. In addition, record seekers may contact the Sheriff's Office.
Lafayette County Court Records
The Lafayette County Judiciary has three divisions - Circuit, Associate, and Probate Courts. The Circuit Court presides over all civil and criminal cases, including misdemeanor criminal cases, divorce, child custody, adoption, juvenile delinquency, the probate of wills, and small claims cases less than $3,000. It also has various Municipal Courts across the county. The Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction and handle violations of municipal ordinance cases. Parties seeking a Lafayette Court record may contact the courthouse where the judge heard the case. The locations of courthouses within the county include:
Lafayette County Circuit Court
Lafayette County Courthouse
1001 Main Street
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-4315
Lafayette County Associate and Probate Court
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Alma Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Bates City Municipal Court
203 2nd North Street
P.O. Box 225
Bates City, MO 64011
Phone: (816) 690-3818
Concordia Municipal Court
802 South Gordon Street
Concordia, MO 64020
Phone: (660) 463-2228
Corder Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Higginsville Municipal Court
City Hall
1922 Main Street
P.O. Box 110
Higginsville, MO 64037
Phone: (660) 584-2106
Lake Lafayette Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Lexington Municipal Court
City Hall
919 Franklin Avenue
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-4633
Fax: (660) 259-4093
Mayview Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Napoleon Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Odessa Municipal Court
City Hall
125 South 2nd Street
Odessa, MO 64076
Phone: (816) 230-5577 Ext 1
Fax: (816) 633-4985
Waverly Municipal Court
City Hall
111 East Kelling Avenue
Waverly, MO 64096
Phone: (660) 493-2551
Wellington Municipal Division
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
Are Lafayette County Court Records Public?
According to Missouri Sunshine Law, Lafayette County court records are public records. The law stipulates that anyone who makes an official request to the relevant record custodian by providing relevant case details may inspect or obtain copies of the court record. Although the law grants public access to court records, it restricts certain court records from public view. Court records such as mental health records, sealed court records, juvenile records, adoption, and foster care home placement records are not available to the public.
How to Obtain Lafayette County Civil Court Case Records
The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk is in charge of the county's civil court case records, and parties interested in obtaining a copy of the record can fill out the Request for Record Search form and email the form to lafayette.email@courts.mo.gov. There are fees associated with obtaining copies of the record. Parties can also mail the completed form to:
Lafayette County Circuit Clerk
Lafayette Hall
116 South 10th Street
P.O. Box 10
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-6101
Fax: (660) 259-6148
In addition, record seekers can access Lafayette County civil court case records online using the Missouri Courts Case.net. Parties can access civil court case records using the litigant name search, filling date search, case number search, scheduled hearing search, or the judgment index search. Generally, record seekers should have the case or business name, filing date, case status, attorney name or bar number, and presiding judge to search. Also, record searchers should restrict the search to civil court case records from Lafayette County to obtain a favorable search result.
How to Obtain Lafayette County Criminal Court Records
Parties seeking Lafayette County criminal court records may contact the Lafayette County Circuit Court Clerk to get copies of the record. The Circuit Clerk requires all record seekers to complete the Request for Record Search form and email it to lafayette.email@courts.mo.gov. Parties may also mail the completed form or request in person during its business hours from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday to Friday at the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Alternatively, parties can use the Missouri Courts online court records search tool to access Lafayette County criminal court case records. Parties can access the record using the litigant's name search, case number search, scheduled hearing search, judgment search, or filling date search feature. Record seekers should have relevant case details and ensure they choose Lafayette County and criminal cases on the drop-down menu.
What are Lafayette County Vital Records?
Lafayette County's vital records are documents containing evidence of major life events usually maintained by the county government. Vital records in Lafayette County include:
- Birth and death records are available at the Lafayette County Health Department (LCHD).
- Marriage records at the Lafayette County Recorder of Deeds.
- Divorce records at the County Circuit Clerk's Office.
In Missouri, vital records are not open and only available to specific individuals with a direct and concrete interest in the record.
Divorce
A court issues the divorce decree and details the terms bringing a marriage to an end. Such terms may include spousal support and assets division. Parties qualified to obtain the divorce decree should be the persons named on the record, an immediate family member, or an official representative of the divorced individuals. Record seekers can access certified copies of Lafayette County divorce records circuit clerk’s office.
Divorce verification contains proof that a divorce occurred, and it contains limited information such as the names of the couple, date of divorce, and county of divorce. Parties can fill out the Application for Missouri Vital Record form to order the record. Mail-in requesters should notarize the form, including the fees, a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the request to:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Marriage Records
A marriage record verifies the legal union of two individuals. In Missouri, all marriages are public; therefore, there are no confidential marriage records in Lafayette County. All persons seeking Lafayette County marriage records must be the couple, immediate family members, or an official representative. Eligible persons can obtain Lafayette County marriage certificates from the Recorder of Deeds Office by calling (660) 259-6178 during business hours or sending an email request to jswartz@lafayettecountymo.com. Record seekers can also mail a request to:
Lafayette County Courthouse
1001 Main Street
Room 207
Lexington, MO 64067
Birth Records
A birth record is a government-issued record providing proof of a person's existence. Parties seeking Lafayette County birth records should be the record holder, parents, spouse, children, grandparents, siblings, legal guardian, or legal representative. The LCHD issues birth records from 1920 to the present. Certified copies of the birth records cost $15, payable by cash, money order, debit, or credit card. Parties can order Lafayette County birth certificates by mail or in person by filling out the Application for a Vital Record form. All mail requesters should notarize the application form. Parties can mail or drop the form, fees, a valid ID, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Lafayette County Health Department vital records office.
Death Records
A death record is an official document containing information about a deceased person, including the name, age, date, time, and cause of death. Persons qualified to access the death record should be an immediate family member or a legal representative of the deceased. It costs $14 for a certified copy of the death certificate and $11 for additional copies of the same record. Parties may order the death record by mail or in person at the LCHD office from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Record seekers may obtain the Lafayette County death records by filling out the Application for a Vital Records Form and notarizing it.
Acceptable forms of ID when obtaining a vital record include
- State-issued ID card
- Driver's license
- U.S. military ID
- U.S passport
- School ID
- Work ID
In the absence of these alternate forms of ID acceptable when requesting a vital record include:
- Letter from government agencies
- Social security card
- Vehicle registration papers
- Proof of auto insurance
- Home, life, or health insurance policy
- Military discharge document
- Utility bills
- Medicaid/Medicare ID card
