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Free Clay County Public Records Search

Access Clay County Records: marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, probation, criminal, court, background checks, and all public records.

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Clay County public records are readily available to anyone thanks to Missouri’s Sunshine Law and the federal Freedom of Information Act. These statutes grant open access to public but while these records are often available online or via other means, knowing how to access them is key.

This resource empowers citizens who need help finding local arrests, criminal history, warrants, property ownership, court records, marriage and divorce documents, prisoner and probation details, and more by providing comprehensive guidance and streamlining the search for publicly available information.

All information found through this resource should be used ethically and per federal, state laws and local laws, never to discriminate or harass the subject of the search.

How To See Who’s in a Clay County Jail & the Reason for the Arrest for Free

Arrest records are an excellent place to start when conducting a personal background check, as Clay County’s recent bookings will include legal actions that have not made their way into the court system yet.

The best resource for arrest records is the Clay County Detention Center. They handle all bookings, including for people arrested by municipal law enforcement.

These records list the name, detention center number, booking date, and custody status on the page, but clicking on the inmate’s name opens a pop-up further detailing the offense charges. But searchers only need to know the person’s name to get started.

Find Out if Someone Is in Jail via the Inmate Roster Hosted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office

The Clay County Detention Center is the custodian of records for all arrests in the county.¹

When searching for arrests in the last seven days, the Bookings List page is the most helpful resource, as the information available on it is updated twice daily and can provide arrest listings for people who have already been released.

To find inmates currently in the Clay County Jail population, the Detention Listings provide the names of everyone who has already been sentenced or is awaiting the sentencing phase.

Rather than using the Clay County Sheriff’s Office online detentions and bookings information, citizens can contact the Detention Center at (816)-407-3800 to check whether a particular individual is in custody.

Another option for accessing jail records is speaking to someone face-to-face:

Clay County Detention Center
14 S. Water Street
Liberty, Missouri 64068

Citizens can also reach out to the Sheriff’s Office by calling (816)-407-3750 or visiting in person:

Clay County Sheriff’s Office
12 S. Water Street
Liberty, MO 64068

Accessing Clay County police reports requires calling (816)-407-3710 to check if the document is eligible under the Sunshine Law: Chapter 610 RSMo.^{3, 4} Once confirmed, be prepared to pay $5 via cash or check per copy.

Ordering car accident reports goes through Buy Crash, which requires a report number, the state, and the jurisdiction. Searchers can call the non-emergency line at (816)-407-3700 if unsure of the report number.

View Arrests & Obtain Public Police Reports via Law Enforcement Agencies in Clay County

There are 24 cities and towns in the county and nine unincorporated communities, but all arrests are processed through the Clay County Detention Center. However, there are ways to access municipal-level police reports without contacting the Sheriff’s Office.

Liberty, the Clay County chair, does not have an online resource for finding public police reports, but their Records Unit can provide reports 3-7 days after the incident.⁵ All crime records cost $5 a piece.

The Police Records Unit’s contact information is (816)-439-4740 or [email protected].

Record seekers can also contact the non-emergency line at (816)-439-4701 or visit in person:

Liberty Police Department
101 E Kansas St
Liberty, MO 64068

In Gladstone, the police department keeps a digital record of all incident reports, but it’s not a searchable public index. Interested parties can use their online records request form or speak to someone at the Gladstone Police Department’s Records Unit to access these Clay County public records.⁶

Gladstone Police Department
7010 N Holmes Street
Gladstone, MO 64118

Phone: (816)-423-4055

There are limited resources for accessing arrest reports for incident records in the City of Kearney. Visiting or calling the KPD’s Administrative Office are the only options:⁷

Kearney Police Department Administrative Office
601 N Country Ave
Kearney, MO 64060

Phone: (816)-628-3925

The City of Smithville website has a printable Police Records Request form that must be mailed or dropped off at the Smithville police department. Copies of reports are $10 a piece and can take up to 21 days to become available after the incident is reported.

The physical address for mailing or dropping off the request is:

Smithville Police Department
107 W Main Street
Smithville, MO 64089

Phone: (816)-532-0500
Email: [email protected]

North Kansas City allows citizens to request reports online, by mail, or in person.

The reports cost $4 plus a $2 convenience fee when ordering online and are available through the Official Payments service. This request requires designating an email address to send the information in 1-2 business days.

To request by mail or in person, download and fill out the North Kansas City Report Request form with the name and address of the person in question.⁹

People who file their request in person will drop it off at the Police Department Records Window at:

North Kansas City Police Department
020 Howell Street
North Kansas City, MO 64116

Phone: (816)-412-7900

Mail requests should include a check or money order for $4 per report, which can be sent to NKCPD with the addressee listed as North Kansas City Police Department, Attn: Records Unit.

To find arrests in other cities not mentioned here, search [city name] Missouri arrest records, like “Sugar Creek Missouri arrest records” or “Mosby Missouri arrest records.”

How To Look Up Clay County Missouri Criminal Cases

Accessing Clay County criminal cases allows citizens to learn more about an individual’s past encounters with the Missouri legal system.

These Clay County public records can provide peace of mind when conducting personal or professional background checks, as they reveal any of the different types of criminal records someone might have, including:

• Arrest records
• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Convictions
• Parole
• Probation
• Sex offender listings
• Warrants

While these records have several custodians, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the County Clerk, they all send the information to Missouri’s Case.Net system. This digital database is the most comprehensive and easiest-to-access resource for finding Clay County public records involving a criminal case. 

Check if Someone in Clay County Has a Criminal History Through the Court’s Online Search Tool

The Case.Net system serves as a state-wide database for information from the Supreme Court of Missouri, the appellate courts, and the circuit courts, including Clay County’s 7th Judicial Circuit.

Case.Net allows users to view civil, paternity, protection orders, and criminal cases. It is the only way to conduct a free criminal record check in Missouri, but it requires more footwork than the paid method below. The General Help page outlines more information about the portal’s uses.¹¹

For any cases filed before July 1, 2023, the information available for criminal cases online includes detailed docket entries listing pertinent information like the offense, judgment, sentence, and more, but not digital copies of the publicly available court documents. These reports are only available at the municipal courthouses through the public access terminals.

As for cases filed after July 1, 2023, searchers can access all of the above information but can also view and download detailed court documents from their phone and computer through Case.Net.

All information available on Case.Net accessible to the public is considered unofficial for inspection or copying, as outlined in Court Operating Rule 02: Public Access to Records of the Judicial Department.

Access Criminal Case Information via the Clay County Circuit Clerk

The Clay County Criminal Division is the custodian of records for all misdemeanor and felony criminal cases.

While all information on county-wide criminal cases is uploaded to the Case.Net database, users can contact the Circuit Clerk for records access.

To request open records under the Sunshine Law, fax (816)-407- 3899, Attention Records, including the requestor’s name, address, email, and a description of the searched records.

Closed records are also available to the case defendant and their attorney. Still, these requests must be made in person with an ID or by faxing the aforementioned number with a clear scan of a Missouri state ID or driver’s license and a written, notarized request.

To reach out to the 7th Circuit Court directly, their location and contact information is:¹²

James S. Rooney Justice Center
11 South Water Street
Liberty, Missouri 64068

Phone: (816)-407-3900
Fax: (816)-407-3888

How To Determine if Someone Has an Arrest Warrant in Clay County Missouri

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit hosts a Most Wanted list on its website detailing those with an active arrest warrant to assist citizens in identifying and reporting felony fugitives.

It contains information about the name, charge, original offense, sex, DOB, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, bond amount, and photo.

For more information about any people listed on the Most Wanted list, contact the Fugitive Apprehension Unit at (816)-407-3748 or the Clay County Communications Center at (816)-407-3700.

How To Obtain Probation Information in Clay County Missouri

The Missouri Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Department offers information about active offenders, including those on probation.¹⁴

To use the Offender Search system, enter the numbers on the screen, unlocking access to the search function. From there, use the Department of Corrections ID or first and last name to see whether the person of interest is currently on probation.

The DOC advises contacting the offender’s caseworker or the Probation and Parole field officer for more specific information about the probationer. Once completing a search, use the provided assigned probation location and officer to find the associated contact information on the P&P Facilities list.

Clay County’s Probation and Parole Office is District 19 – Liberty. While they do not distribute probation information online, they are one of the primary record custodians. The contact information is:

Probation and Parole Office District 19 – Liberty
910 Kent
Liberty, MO 64068
United States

Phone: (816)-792-0793

How To Acquire a Background Check Report in Clay County Missouri

Online services have made conducting personal and professional background checks a much more streamlined process, so there are more opportunities to make informed decisions about a person’s potential for harm.

Anyone can perform a personal background check in Clay County using the agency resources discussed above or third-party people search sites. Interested parties can conduct a personal background check for any reason and without the consent of the person of interest.

Most often, they’re used to satiate curiosity or determine whether a new acquaintance has a history of violence or other criminal behavior. As such, most personal background checks consist of a criminal history and marriage/divorce records, particularly for citizens who want to ensure a recent romantic interest is who they say they are.

However, this information can never be used for illegal purposes, including stalking or harassment.

In contrast, professional background checks tend to be more in-depth, covering employment history, rental history, credit reports, education, and more.

These are conducted by employers or agencies that want to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a job, tenancy, loan, firearm ownership, or volunteering with those in a vulnerable position. They help mitigate liabilities and the potential harm to those who will be near the person in question.

Before conducting a background check, remember that federal and state laws limit how the information in a background check can be used. These laws will be discussed in more detail later.

The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACH) is an online repository run by the Missouri State Highway Police Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) that processes all county-level and state-level criminal background checks.¹⁶

The information available for a Level I Name-Based Background Check consists of “open records” of in-state criminal offenses, with sex offenses being the exception, and dates back to the 1940s. These are considered “possible match” searches.

Typical records available include:

• Convictions
• Arrests in the last 30 days
• Pending charges
• Suspended sentences during probation
• Any listings on the sex offender registry, including those from out-of-state

Be aware that each search costs $15 plus a $1.25 payment processing fee for unofficial copies. The state payment portal, Jet Pay, accepts MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Visa.

Level II Fingerprint-Based Background Searches are state or federal “positive match” checks but require submitting an FD-258 fingerprint card. This type of background check returns either open records, like the Level I check, or closed records, including:

• All criminal history, including arrests, whether or not charges were filed
• Charges that have been dismissed or acquitted
• Any data available through the Statewide Information System after a completed probation period

Closed records are only available to qualified requesters outlined in Section 610.120 and Chapter 43, RSMo, which primarily lists government agencies.

These background checks cost $20 per request for either an open or closed record check unless they are for concealed-carry permits or foster care placement, which drops the rate to $14.

Users can also request officially certified, notarized copies of background checks for a $2 fee at checkout.

For mail requests, citizens must fill out the MSHP Request for Criminal Record Check and send it with payment to:

Missouri State Highway Patrol
CJIS Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102-9500

First-time users would benefit from reading the MACHS FAQ or reviewing the on-site tutorial, but if additional assistance is needed, email the Criminal Justice Information Division at [email protected] or call (573)-526-6312.

For fingerprinting services in Clay County, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (816)-407-3740 to schedule an appointment. They offer digital fingerprinting with a Livescan machine and provide two printed FD-258 cards to send to requesting agencies. Each set of cards is $10.

How To Perform a Missouri Criminal Record Search Utilizing State & Federal Agencies

The MACHS and Case.Net systems are the most comprehensive databases for performing a Missouri criminal record search, but there are a few more options for more specific criminal offenses.

A free public records search is available for Missouri State Highway Patrol arrests via the MHSP’s website for up to five days after the incident.

The MHSP also hosts the Missouri Sex Offender Registry.

State-level prisoner records are stored in the Missouri Department of Correction’s Offender Search.

At a federal level, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Search tool shows data for federal prison inmates released after 1982.

For BOP records older than 1982, use the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) online order form.

Finally, access the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website hosted by the US Department of Justice for sex offender listings across all states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories.¹⁹

How To Review Clay County Court Records & Cases

Accessing the Case.Net search function is the fastest, easiest way to find Clay County court records and cases, as it gives digital access to documents from all courts across the state unless they are sealed.

However, if a searcher would prefer to contact a court directly, the organization system is as such:

• The Missouri Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and arbitrates the most significant legal issues, and, as such, holds exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving the validity of a US statute or state statute/constitutional provision, state revenue laws, challenges against a state-level elected official, and cases involving the death penalty.
  • The Missouri Supreme Court Docket and Oral Arguments resource offers access to the argument calendar and live audio streaming. They also have archives of audio files since September 2007.
• The Missouri Courts of Appeals arbitrates cases on appeal from the circuit courts unless they fall under Supreme Court jurisdiction.
  • Clay County is under the jurisdiction of the Western District Court of Appeals and provides access to their docket online. Records are also available from the Clerk’s Office of the Missouri Court of Appeals Western District.

Western District Court of Appeal
1300 Oak Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64106-2970

Phone: (816)-889-3600

• The Circuit Courts of Minnesota handles claims within associate circuit, criminal, juvenile, small claims, municipal, probate, and family divisions. There is one Circuit Court in each county.
  • Clay County is home to the 7th Circuit Court. The Clay County Circuit Clerk is responsible for all 7th Circuit Court records, including those regarding Child Support, Civil, Criminal, Probate, and Traffic cases.
  • The 7th Circuit Courthouse, the James S. Rooney Justice Center, is home to the public records access terminal for court documents older than July 1, 2023.
  • Citizens can also submit a request for criminal case public records in Clay County or contact the Clerk of Court for more information.

Clay County Clerk of Court
Clay County Courthouse
James S. Rooney Justice Center
11 South Water St.
Liberty, MO 64068

Phone: (816)-407-3900
Fax: (816)-407-3888

How To Access Clay County Missouri Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death)

Vital records register and validate significant life events, typically including birth certificates, marriage records, divorce records, and death certificates.

These documents are critical for establishing and verifying a person’s identity when claiming inheritances, validating citizenship, obtaining a passport or driver’s license, and enrolling in school. Marriage and divorce records can confirm the relationship for those who suspect a romantic interest may be hiding something.

Historical vital records can also serve a purpose when conducting genealogical research, as they are indisputable proof of family linkage.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records maintains the central registry of these documents, going back to January 1, 1910, for birth, death, and fetal death certificates and July 1, 1948, for marriage and divorce records.

Review Marital Information About Divorces & Marriages in Clay County Through the Recorder of Deeds

The Clay County Recorder of Deeds (ROD) Office handles marriage certificates and hosts the iRecordWeb Real Name Search. Users can search either spouse’s first and last name for information about the marriage, though it does not note whether the couple is now divorced.

Clay County Recorder of Deeds
1 Courthouse Sq #2
Liberty, MO 64068

Hours of operation: M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM

The ROD also issues new and official, certified copies of marriage licenses:

• New marriage license appointments are available M-F from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Fill out the online application
  • Both applicants appear in person and show a government-issued ID
  • Pay the $51 fee via cash or card
• Certified copies are available through the mail, over the phone, or in person for a $10 fee or $2 for a non-certified copy, payable with cash, check, or money order
  • Call (816)-407-3550, give both party’s names, and provide credit card information
  • Send both parties’ full names at the time of application, marriage date, contact number, self-addressed stamped envelope, and check or money order to P.O. Box 238, Liberty, MO 64069, ATTN: Marriage License Desk

Divorce decrees are viewable through Case.Net, as the dissolution of marriage is a court-ruled decision. As such, the Circuit Clerk can issue official, certified copies of divorce decrees at $4 for the first page and $1 for additional pages. Authenticated copies cost $6 for the first page.

The Bureau of Vital Records can issue Certified Statements Relating to Marriage and Certified Statements Relating to Divorce, a short-form document noting the spouses’ names, marriage/divorce date, and county that recorded the event.²⁰ They have records for July 1, 1948 – present.

• Order from Vitalchek via phone at +1(877)817-7363 or online.
• Schedule an appointment at (573)-751-6387 and bring the Application for a Vital Record to the address above.
• Mail the completed, notarized application, necessary documents, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $15 to the address below:

Bureau of Vital Records
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Phone: (573)-751-6387
Email: [email protected]
Appointment Hours: M-F, 10 AM – 3 PM

When conducting a personal background check, third-party person search sites can check nationwide records, review aliases, and scan social media to return unofficial results.

Look Up Birth & Death Records in Clay County Missouri via the Public Health Center

Like marriage and divorce records, birth and death certificates are not considered public information in Missouri except in a few specific cases, including birth and death records before 1910 and death records from 1910-1975.

For births after 1910 and deaths after 1975, only the person on the certificate, an immediate family member/guardian, or an official representative may request copies.

The Clay County Public Health Center is the local resource for obtaining short form or “abstract” copies of birth records from 1920-present for $15 per copy and death records from 1980-present for $14 for the first copy and $11 for each additional copy.

CCPHC
800 Haines Drive
Liberty, MO 64068-1006

Phone: (816)-595-4200
Fax: (816)-595-4201

While they do not qualify as long-form Certificates of Live Birth, they are official identity verification. They will work for most applications, including getting a driver’s license or enrolling in school.

There are three ways to obtain copies of these certificates:

• Walk-in from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. You will need an Application for Certified Copy of Birth/Death Certificate for the State of Missouri and a photo ID.
• Mail in the application with official notarization, including a check or money order payable to CCPHC and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
• Use the VitalChek Network to order online.

They are also available at the state level through the Department of Health and Senior Services for records from 1910 to the present through the same methods listed above for marriage/divorce certificates.

How To Search Clay County Property & Tax Records for Free

Property and tax records are available through the Clay County Collector of Revenue. Users can find a particular property by inputting the account/parcel number, owner name, or property address to access past tax receipts and current tax bills.

Clicking on the property in question shows more information, from the Assessed Value Total to any other personal property associated with that taxpayer.

For property mapping and boundary line determination, the office of the Clay County Assessor operates a Geographic Information System (GIS). In addition to determining property lines, interested home buyers can benefit from the Clay County GIS because it lists data on any buildings on that property, down to the architectural type and roofing.

Reach out for additional assistance from the Collector of Revenue by calling (816)-407-3200 or emailing [email protected].

The office is located at:

Main Office/Admin Building
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, Missouri 64068

To get assistance on property-related questions, the Clay County Assessor is available by phone at (816)-407-3500, email at [email protected], or the office at:

Clay County Annex
1901 NE 48th Street
Kansas City, MO 64118

Access Clay County Public Records Responsibly & Know Your Rights

Missouri makes obtaining public records easier than most states thanks to the Sunshine Law, and most documents are accessible online.

Those conducting personal background checks also do not have to provide a reason for their inquiry, whether using official government agencies or third-party provider people search sites. They also aren’t required to obtain consent from the person of interest before they conduct their check.

However, a citizen has some legal responsibilities once they have the information, including not using the background check to conduct illegal acts such as stalking or harassment.

This rule applies even when sharing the information with others, as depending on the intent behind it, posting or discussing a background check in a public forum could be considered harassment, particularly if others are encouraged to escalate to doxxing, contacting the person directly, or making threats.

Because professional background checks determine whether a person has access to certain rights and privileges offered to citizens, there are several more laws to keep in mind.

Missouri’s Executive Order 16-04: This is a “Ban the Box” law denoting that employment applications can no longer contain questions about an applicant’s criminal history unless their record would make them ineligible for a position. However, it only applies to public sector employees within the Executive Branch of government.

While Clay County has no laws restricting the use of criminal background checks when deciding employment, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia have recently enacted their legislation, so further rulings may not be far behind.

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): All states are required to follow two federal laws regarding professional background checks.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act delineates the following responsibilities, amongst others:²³

• Employers must have written consent to conduct the background check.
• They must inform the person whether they can be eliminated from the applicant pool based on the report’s contents and, if so, must provide a copy.
• Should the employer decide not to hire based on a background report, they must inform the individual of the reason.
• Credit reporting agencies must remove outdated or inaccurate information.

These laws allow individuals to dispute inaccuracies and put the onus of responsibility to investigate those inaccuracies on the potential employer.

Should an employer pull a background check without express written consent or reject an application without providing the necessary explanations, they violate the FCRA and open the door for an FTC complaint.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission protects certain classes of people from workplace discrimination regarding race, religion, sex, age, criminal history, etc.

Should an individual feel that they were unfairly discriminated against in violation of the EEOC, they should start the process of filing a charge through the online portal.²⁴

Finally, any other state or federal law violations regarding the use of information in a background check should be reported to the Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations and the Human Rights Commission.

So long as they are used ethically, these resources should help sort through and access Clay County public records when conducting a personal or professional background check.