What are Polk County Public Records?
Polk County public records include information produced, received, or maintained by any government entity in the county. Records are also considered public if created by a consultant, private party or entity, or any other third party on behalf of a government agency. However, Missouri law states that some information should be exempt from public disclosure. Examples include:
- Test materials before the examination and after the exam if the records are usable for future tests
- Juvenile court records
- Personal identifying information that could jeopardize an individual’s safety
- Welfare records that identify recipients
- Law enforcement response plans and security information
- All records considered exempt 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.
Polk County Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes nationwide crime statistics under its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In 2019, the UCR reported 360 index offenses, including 34 violent crimes and 326 property crimes. Violent crime specifics include 9 rape incidents and 25 aggravated assault cases. Reported property crime figures were 100 burglary offenses, 201 larceny thefts, and 25 motor vehicle thefts.
In 2018, the UCR’s report revealed a total of 386 index crimes. These figures show that crime activity in Polk County reduced by 6.7% between 2018 and 2019.
Are Polk County Criminal Records Public?
Polk County criminal records are public. According to Missouri law, anyone can obtain Polk County by submitting name-based or fingerprint-based requests to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Interested persons can register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) for online submissions, or submit requests via mail.
The name-based search costs $14.00 per request and only contains limited information, including convictions, information on arrests less than 30 days old, prosecutor-filed charges awaiting a court’s final disposition, and suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) records during the person’s probation period. For mail requests, parties should submit completed Request for Criminal Record Check (SHP-158) forms to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Persons conducting fingerprint-based searches for Polk criminal records may submit the SHP-158 form with completed applicant fingerprint cards (FD-258) obtained from law enforcement. Fingerprint-based searches cost $20.00 per request. All mail requests require checks or money orders made out to "State of Missouri - Criminal Record System Fund".
How to Obtain Polk County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Record seekers can obtain arrest records and police reports from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Requestors should visit the Sheriff’s Office to provide details of the desired incident reports. The office may require the names of involved parties, a description of the event, incident date, report number, and the officer involved. Reports are usually ready within five business days. All persons requesting Polk arrest records and police reports should submit requests using the following details:
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
113 East Jefferson
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 777-9020
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Polk County
The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a public sex offender registry available to all interested persons. Anyone can conduct an Offender Search by providing information, such as the offender's name, address, or date of birth. The platform also offers an Interactive Map Search where parties can enter a street number and name, city, or zip code and also set a search distance ranging from 500 feet to 15 miles. Available details include offense information, physical description, photograph, home address, and release information where applicable.
How to Find Polk County Inmate Records
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online inmate roster that contains lists of current inmates at the Polk County Detention Center, and inmates released within 48 hours. Members of the general public can view each inmate's full name, booking number, age, physical description, and charges. Specifics on the arresting agency and bond details are also available.
Polk County Court Records
Polk County has Circuit and Municipal Courts that hear county cases. While the Polk County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all matters, Municipal Courts can only exercise limited authority. Generally, the Circuit Court handles family, juvenile, probate, and small claims cases, while the Municipal Court hears municipal ordinance violations.
Locations of Courts in Polk County
Polk County Circuit Court
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
Bolivar Municipal Court
City Hall
345 S. Main Avenue
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 328-5822
Fair Play Municipal Division
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
Humansville Municipal Court
202 West Buffalo
P.O. Box 144
Humansville, MO 65674
Phone: (417) 754-9271
Pleasant Hope Municipal Division
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
Are Polk County Court Records Public
Missouri law grants public access to Polk County court records. Interested requestors can inspect court records or obtain copies by contacting the overseeing court in each case. Access to copies of Polk court records may cost varying fees. Regardless, residents should note that records containing private or sensitive information must remain closed to the public. Also, the general public cannot access sealed court records.
How to Obtain Polk County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court records are available at the Polk County Circuit Clerk’s Office. Parties seeking public court records may contact the office with detailed descriptions of the desired records. Requests should include names, court dates, event dates, charge information, and other specifics known to the searcher. Interested parties should submit requests to:
Polk County Circuit Clerk
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
How to Obtain Polk County Criminal Court Case Records
Residents can contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office to obtain Polk County criminal court records. Non-confidential records are available to all persons who submit official requests containing record details, along with applicable request fees. Desired Polk criminal court records are available at the following address:
Polk County Circuit Clerk
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
What are Polk County Vital Records
Polk County vital records contain details of county marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Record seekers can request Polk vital records from the Circuit Clerk’s Office, Office of the Recorder of Deeds, or the Polk County Health Center.
Divorce Records
Polk County divorce records contain details of divorces finalized in the county. Parties seeking Polk County divorce decrees should contact the Circuit Clerk's Office with both spouses' names, and the divorce date. The Clerk's Office may charge request fees before releasing copies of requested records. All parties should forward requests to:
Polk County Circuit Clerk
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street, Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194
Marriage Records
Interested persons can obtain Polk County marriage records from the Recorder of Deeds Office. Parties seeking these records should contact the office in person or via mail requests. Each requestor should provide the names of both spouses and the date of marriage. Parties should also note that the Recorder of Deeds Office may request payment before making records available. Typical payment methods include checks and money orders or cash payments for in-person requests. All interested parties should submit requests for Polk County marriage certificates to:
Polk County Recorder of Deeds
102 East Broadway Street, Room 8
Bolivar, MO 5613
Phone: (417) 326-4924
Fax: (417) 326-6898
Email: recorder@polkcountymo.org
Birth Records
A birth record is a government-generated document that contains a newborn's name, date of birth, parents' names, and place of birth. Interested persons may obtain these records from the Polk County Health Center. According to Missouri law, Polk County birth records are only obtainable by the person named on the record, immediate family members, and authorized agents. Each record costs $15.00. Eligible persons may obtain Polk County birth certificates by submitting in-person requests with picture identification to the following address:
Polk County Health Center
1317 W Broadway Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-7250
Death Records
Polk County death records are official records of county deaths. Under state law, death records are restricted to immediate family members, official representatives, and authorized agents. Eligible persons can visit the Polk County Health Center to obtain death certificates. Records cost $14.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Requestors must visit the health center at the address below with valid picture identification:
Polk County Health Center
1317 W Broadway Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-7250
