About Phelps County
Phelps County is located in south-central Missouri, approximately 100 miles southwest of St. Louis. Phelps County Seat is Rolla, a city known for its educational and technological prominence as home to Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), formerly the University of Missouri-Rolla. Established in 1857 and named after John Smith Phelps, a U.S. Congressman and later Governor of Missouri, Phelps County covers approximately 673 square miles of rolling Ozark terrain.
As of recent census estimates, Phelps County has a population of approximately 45,000 residents, with Rolla accounting for nearly half of that total. Phelps County is characterized by its forested hills, springs, and caves typical of the Ozark Plateau, and is a path to the Mark Twain National Forest. Major landmarks include Maramec Spring Park, one of Missouri's largest springs, and numerous historic Route 66 sites that pass through Phelps County.
Phelps County Courthouse, located at 200 North Main Street in Rolla, houses several key county offices including the County Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, and Assessor. Phelps Recorder of Deeds of Deeds maintains land and property records at the courthouse, while the County Assessor's office handles property valuations and tax assessments. Phelps County Clerk manages vital records, elections, and various licensing functions.
The economy has traditionally blended education, technology, healthcare, and natural resource industries, making Phelps County a unique intersection of academic innovation and Ozark heritage.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Phelps County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Phelps County. It manages Phelps County Jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in community policing and crime prevention programs, aiming to enhance public safety and trust.
Police Departments
In addition to Phelps County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement is provided by municipal police departments in cities such as Rolla and St. James. The Rolla Police Department and the St. James Police Department handle law enforcement within their respective city limits. These agencies coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response throughout Phelps County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Phelps County is primarily provided by Phelps County Sheriff's Office, located at 200 North Main Street in Rolla, Missouri. For inmate information and jail roster searches, citizens can contact the Sheriff's Office at or visit Phelps County's official website for current booking information and inmate lookup services. The jail roster typically includes inmate names, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts.
- Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and accident reports by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or appropriate police department.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available as part of the public jail roster, though some agencies may charge reasonable copying fees for physical photographs.
- Processing times for records requests vary, but agencies must respond within three business days under Missouri statute.
Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Rolla Police Department within city limits, serving the largest population center in Phelps County. Smaller municipalities may contract with the Sheriff's Office or maintain their own departments. Arrest records in Phelps County are public records under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo), which establishes the public's right to access governmental records with certain exceptions.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Phelps County includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic offenses, and a sex offender registry. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division also provides statewide background checks for residents. The Missouri State Highway Patrol offers additional resources and support for accessing criminal records in Phelps County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Phelps County are maintained by Phelps County Sheriff's Office. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through formal applications, adhering to the Missouri Sunshine Law, which governs public access to government records. A typical arrest record in Phelps County includes the individual's personal information, charges, and arrest details.
Jail & Inmate Records
Phelps County Jail, located in Rolla, is the primary detention facility for Phelps County. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting of inmates, and the facility provides an inmate lookup service through its website for public access. Visitation rules are specific, requiring appointments and adherence to a schedule. The bond and bail process follows Missouri state guidelines, allowing for cash, surety, or property bonds. Individuals recently arrested in Phelps County can be located through the jail's online system or by contacting the facility directly.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Phelps County are taken and retained by Phelps County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Missouri does not have specific mugshot removal laws, so individuals seeking removal must pursue legal avenues. The availability of mugshots online aids in transparency, although privacy concerns are addressed through state legislation.
Courts & Case Records
Phelps County judicial system operates under Missouri's 25th Judicial Circuit, with Phelps County Circuit Court located at Phelps County Courthouse, 200 North Main Street in Rolla, Missouri 65401. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters, including felonies, civil cases exceeding $25,000, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters. The court can be contacted through the office’s website. general inquiries.
- This system provides access to dockets, case summaries, judgments, and party information for cases filed in Phelps County Circuit Court.
- Phelps County Associate Circuit Court handles misdemeanors, ordinance violations, small claims (up to $5,000), and is a probate division for estates and guardianships.
- Fees for certified copies of court documents typically range from $2 to $5 per page, with additional certification fees.
- The Circuit Clerk's office maintains all court records and accepts requests in person, by mail, or by phone during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Phelps County are maintained by Phelps Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, located at 200 North Main Street, Rolla, Missouri 65401. The Recorder's office can be reached at and is responsible for recording and preserving documents affecting real property, including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, releases, liens, easements, plat maps, rights-of-way, and other instruments. Missouri law requires these records to be open to public inspection under Chapter 59 RSMo and the Sunshine Law.
- Certified copies of recorded documents are available for statutory fees, typically $3 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus certification fees.
The office maintains historical records dating back to Phelps County's formation in 1857, with indices organized by grantor, grantee, and legal description. Many Missouri counties, including Phelps County, have moved toward digital record-keeping, though availability of online searches should be verified directly with the Recorder's office or through Phelps County website. Property tax records and current assessment information are handled by Phelps County Assessor's office, also located in Phelps County courthouse.
The Assessor maintains property valuations, ownership information, parcel identification numbers, and assessment rolls used for tax billing purposes. Some counties in Missouri offer online GIS parcel viewers and property tax lookup systems; citizens should check Phelps County's official website or contact the Assessor directly for current online access options. Real property tax collection is handled by Phelps County Collector, who publishes delinquent tax lists and conducts tax sales as required by Missouri statute.
Vital Records
Vital records for Phelps County, Missouri are maintained at both Phelps County and state levels under Chapter 193 RSMo. Birth and death certificates occurring in Phelps County can be requested through Phelps County Health Department, located at 200 North Main Street, Suite 200, Rolla, Missouri 65401 Birth certificates typically cost $15 for a certified copy, while death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered at the same time.
- Processing times vary from same-day service for in-person requests to 2-3 weeks for mail requests, depending on the volume and whether the record must be located in archived files.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through VitalChek, an authorized service provider, though expedited service fees apply in addition to standard certificate costs.
Requestors must provide valid government-issued photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as only authorized individuals (family members, legal representatives, or those with court orders) may obtain certified copies under Missouri law. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City is the state repository for all Missouri vital records and can be contacted at or through their website for records when county access is not convenient. Marriage licenses in Phelps County are issued by Phelps Recorder of Deeds of Deeds at the courthouse; both parties must appear in person with valid identification, and there is a three-day waiting period unless waived.
Divorce records and dissolutions of marriage are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as part of the court case file system.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Phelps County are managed through multiple offices depending on the type of business activity and registration required. Phelps County Clerk's office, located at 200 North Main Street, Rolla, Missouri 65401, phone, handles certain local business registrations including fictitious name statements (Doing Business As or DBA filings) for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under an assumed name. These records are public and available for inspection during regular business hours.
- This free online search tool allows citizens to look up business entity status, registered agents, formation dates, and annual report compliance for all businesses registered in Missouri.
- Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use permits are processed by Phelps County Planning and Zoning Department, which enforces subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances in unincorporated areas.
- The Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, serving Phelps County businesses, can be reached through their website and provides business development resources and networking opportunities for Phelps Countyal business community.
For full business entity searches including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other formal business structures, the Missouri Secretary of State maintains the official statewide database at www.sos.mo.gov/business. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, healthcare providers, cosmetologists, and real estate agents are regulated by state boards and commissions, with information available through respective Missouri licensing authorities. Local business licenses and permits for operations within city limits are handled by municipal offices; the City of Rolla handles business licensing for establishments within city boundaries.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Phelps County are administered by Phelps County Clerk, who is the official election authority. Phelps County Clerk's office is located at 200 North Main Street, Suite 160, Rolla, Missouri 65401, and can be contacted through the office’s website. election related inquiries. Voter registration in Phelps County can be completed in person at the County Clerk's office, by mail using a voter registration application, or online through the Missouri Secretary of State's voter registration portal at www.sos.mo.gov/elections.
- Missouri law requires voters to register at least 28 days before an election, with the fifth Wednesday before Election Day serving as the registration deadline for that election.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their assigned polling location, and view sample ballots through the Missouri Voter Outreach website or by contacting the County Clerk directly.
- The 2024 general election saw turnout consistent with Missouri's typical presidential election participation, generally ranging from 65% to 75% of registered voters in Phelps County.
Phelps County typically operates multiple polling places on Election Day, with locations determined by precinct boundaries and published in advance of each election. Election records that are public under Missouri law include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees, candidate filing information, election results by precinct, and absentee ballot statistics. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, a potential U.S. Senate race depending on the cycle, Missouri state legislative seats, county offices, and various local measures. Missouri voters may request absentee ballots for specific statutory reasons including absence from Phelps County on Election Day, incapacity or confinement due to illness, religious belief or practice, employment as an election authority, incarceration (if still eligible to vote), or participation in the state's address confidentiality program.
Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to Phelps County Clerk by the second Wednesday before the election for mail ballots, or voters may cast absentee ballots in person at the Clerk's office during the two weeks preceding Election Day. Missouri has implemented voter ID requirements, and acceptable forms of identification include driver's licenses, non-driver ID cards, military IDs, passports, and other government-issued photo identification. Phelps County provides transparency in election administration through public testing of voting equipment, publication of unofficial results on election night, and maintenance of election records available for public inspection under Chapter 115 RSMo and the Missouri Sunshine Law.
Economy & Demographics
Phelps County's economy is distinctively anchored by education, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, with Missouri University of Science and Technology serving as Phelps County's largest employer and primary economic driver. Missouri S&T, with its focus on engineering, science, and technology education, employs over 1,400 faculty and staff and generates significant economic impact through research activities, student spending, and technology transfer.
- The median household income in Phelps County is estimated at approximately $47,000 to $52,000, somewhat below the Missouri state median, reflecting the student population and rural character of portions of Phelps County.
The university has fostered a growing technology sector in Rolla, with spinoff companies and research partnerships contributing to innovation-based economic development. Major healthcare providers including Phelps Health, a regional medical center in Rolla, employ over 1,000 workers and serve patients throughout south-central Missouri. Manufacturing remains important to Phelps County economy, with facilities producing automotive components, building materials, and industrial products.
Unemployment rates have generally tracked close to or slightly below state averages, benefiting from the stability provided by educational and healthcare institutions. Tourism contributes to the local economy through Mark Twain National Forest recreation, historic Route 66 attractions, Maramec Spring Park, and outdoor activities including fishing, hiking, and cave exploration. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources and U.S.
Forest Service maintain significant land holdings in Phelps County. Economic development initiatives have focused on using the university's research capabilities, developing the technology corridor along Interstate 44, and supporting small business growth in downtown Rolla and throughout Phelps County.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online (Case.net) | Property: Limited: Contact Recorder | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration | Overall Score: 6.5/10, Phelps County provides good access through state systems for courts and business searches, though local record access may require direct contact with county offices for property, arrest, and vital records.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Phelps County
Explore public records for 7 cities and communities in Phelps County, Missouri.