About Saint Joseph — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
The Buchanan County Jail in St. Joseph functions as the primary detention center for the entire county. When individuals are booked into the facility, they undergo fingerprinting, photographing, and documentation of personal information. Visitation operates on a scheduled basis with specific rules, including mandatory identification for all visitors.
Arrest Records
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for Buchanan County. These documents contain detailed information about each arrest, including dates, specific charges filed, and the identity of the arresting officer. Residents and legal representatives seeking arrest records can submit formal requests through the Sheriff's Office, typically invoking the Missouri Sunshine Law to access these public documents. Each arrest record includes personal details of the arrestee, the nature of criminal charges, and scheduled court appearances related to the case.
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Buchanan County cover a range of offenses, including felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and entries in the sex offender registry. Residents can conduct background checks through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), which provides access to statewide criminal history information.
Vital Records
The Saint Joseph Health Department maintains vital records for the city, including birth and death certificates. Residents can obtain copies of these records by visiting the Health Department office at 904 S. 10th St, Saint Joseph, MO 64501, or by submitting an online request through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website at https://health.mo.gov/data/vitalrecords/. The department also provides information on local healthcare services, immunization clinics, and public health initiatives.
Business & Licensing Records
The Saint Joseph Chamber of Commerce is a central resource for the local business community. The chamber's website at https://saintjoseph.com/ offers information on economic development initiatives, business licensing requirements, and networking opportunities throughout the area. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can access practical resources on launching and expanding their ventures while connecting with other business leaders in this northwest Missouri community.
Economy & Demographics
Saint Joseph's economy is diverse, with major industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation. The city's top employers include Boehringer Ingelheim, Mosaic Life Care, and Triumph Foods. Economic data and business incentives can be found on the Saint Joseph Economic Development website at https://www.stjosephpartnership.com/. The site also features information on local workforce development programs and real estate opportunities for businesses looking to expand or relocate to the area.
Elections & Voter Records
Saint Joseph voters access election services through the Buchanan County Election Authority at 411 Jules Street, Room 222, Saint Joseph, MO 64501 (phone: 816-271-1450, website: https://www.buchananmo.com/elections). The elected County Clerk is the election authority, overseeing voter registration, election administration, candidate filings, and ballot preparation for all residents. Missouri residents can register online at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri through the Secretary of State's GoVoteMissouri portal using a Missouri driver's license or state ID number.
Registration must be completed 28 days before an election, sometimes called the fourth Wednesday deadline. In-person registration at the Election Authority office and mail-in registration are also available. The state requires identification to vote, accepting government-issued photo ID, utility bills, bank statements, or other documents showing name and address. As a third-class city, Saint Joseph holds municipal elections for mayor and city council on a staggered basis during April general municipal elections in odd-numbered years. Candidates for city office file with the Saint Joseph City Clerk. Voters can locate their assigned polling place using the online tool at https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal or by contacting the Election Authority. Missouri does not have a U.S. Senate seat up that year, but state-level races will include all 163 Missouri House of Representatives seats - the city is represented in Districts 1 and 15 - and half of the 34 Missouri State Senate seats, with District 12 serving the area. Voters will also decide state judicial retention questions and any statewide ballot measures proposed through initiative petitions or legislative referral. Missouri offers absentee voting for voters absent on Election Day, those incapacitated or confined due to illness, caregivers for incapacitated individuals, those with conflicting religious beliefs or practices, election authority employees, and incarcerated but eligible voters. Absentee ballot applications are available through the Election Authority and must be submitted by 5:00 PM the second Wednesday before the election. The state also provides no-excuse mail-in voting, allowing any registered voter to request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. Election records that are public include voter registration lists (available for purchase for election related purposes), campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission (searchable at https://mec.mo.gov), candidate filings and financial disclosure statements, precinct-level election results, and polling place information. The Election Authority provides unofficial results on election night and certified results following canvass, all accessible through their website and the Missouri Secretary of State's election results portal.
Official Government Resources
Missouri Offender Data Files
View a listing of all offenders that have been or are currently under the supervision of the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Missouri Inmate Offender Search
Find the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the Missouri Dept. of Corrections.
Missouri's Most Wanted Fugitives
Search for fugitives and most wanted by law enforcement.
Missouri Sex Offenders
Search the MO Dept. of Corrections database of registered offenders.
Missouri Police Records Request
Request Missouri state police reports of arrests, incidents and auto accidents.
Missouri State Police
Access public records for incident and arrest reports and criminal background checks.
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Law enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more.
Missouri Department of Conservation
Licenses, permits, information and more.
Missouri Attorney General
Civil, criminal and appellate courts.
Missouri Capitol Police
Law enforcement, security, reports and more.
Missouri Business & Corporation Search
Find active and inactive corporations by name from the Missouri Secretary of State.
St Joseph Missouri Vital Records
Missouri Department of Health vital records for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri USA.gov Public Records Guide
USA.gov guide to government public records and information for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri US Bankruptcy Court Case Locator
PACER bankruptcy case locator - find bankruptcy filings from St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Unclaimed Property Search
Search for unclaimed property and money belonging to St Joseph residents.
St Joseph Missouri Social Security Death Records
Social Security Administration death records and survivor benefits for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri National Sex Offender Registry
National Sex Offender Public Website - search sex offenders near St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Voter Registration Records
Find voter registration information and public records for St Joseph residents.
St Joseph Missouri PACER Federal Court Records
Public Access to Court Electronic Records - search federal court cases for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Archives and Genealogy
Missouri State Archives genealogy and historical records for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Bankruptcy Court
US Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Missouri for St Joseph.
Missouri Courts, St Joseph Case Search
Missouri Case.net court case search for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Inmate Search
Missouri Department of Corrections offender search for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Missing Persons
Missouri Attorney General missing persons for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Sex Offender Registry
Missouri State Highway Patrol sex offender registry for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Criminal History Records
Missouri State Highway Patrol criminal records for St Joseph.
St Joseph Missouri Census and Vital Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau quick facts, demographics, and population statistics for St Joseph.
City of St Joseph
Directory of St Joseph city records and information 100 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64501
St. Joseph City Clerk
Room 303 1100 Frederick Ave St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 271-4730 clerk@ci. Some.mo.us
St. Joseph Police Department
Emergency: 911 501 Faraon St. St. Joseph, MO 64501 816-271-4777
St. Joseph Fire Department
Emergency: 911 401 S. 7th St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 271-4603 firedept@ci. Some.mo.us
St Joseph Missouri Criminal Records Search and Depository
Criminal Records and Identification Division Post Office Box 9500 Jefferson City, MO 65102-9500 (573) 526-6153
Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Quick search for missing children, sex offenders, Amber alerts, records and more public information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Saint Joseph, Missouri?
To register to vote in Saint Joseph, Missouri, residents can register online through the Missouri Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Buchanan County elections office. Missouri requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Missouri Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Saint Joseph, contact the Buchanan County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Saint Joseph, Missouri?
Property records for Saint Joseph, Missouri are maintained by the Buchanan County Assessor's Office and the Buchanan Recorder of Deeds. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Buchanan County, including parcels in Saint Joseph. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Buchanan Recorder of Deeds maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Missouri counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Buchanan County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Saint Joseph, Missouri?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Saint Joseph, Missouri residents are available through both county and state offices. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, located in Jefferson City, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Missouri. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Buchanan County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Buchanan County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.