About Sullivan County

County Seat Milan
Established 1845
Named After General John Sullivan
Population 5,903 residents
Area 652 square miles

Sullivan County is located in north-central Missouri, bordered by counties including Putnam, Adair, Linn, and Grundy. Sullivan County seat is Milan, a community that is the governmental and commercial hub for Sullivan County's approximately 5,900 residents as of recent estimates. Sullivan County includes approximately 651 square miles of rolling prairie and agricultural land. Established in 1845, Sullivan County was named after General John Sullivan, a Revolutionary War hero. The economy has historically centered on agriculture, particularly corn, soybeans, and livestock production. Major landmarks include the Green Hills area and numerous historic farmsteads that reflect Sullivan County's 19th-century settlement patterns. Sullivan County Courthouse in Milan houses most county offices, including Sullivan County Recorder of Deeds, Sullivan County Clerk, and Sullivan County Assessor. Sullivan County's rural character is defined by small communities including Humphreys, Newtown, Reger, and Browning. Sullivan County maintains a traditional Midwestern agricultural identity while adapting to modern economic challenges. The courthouse square in Milan features historic architecture and is a gathering place for community events. County government offices are primarily located at 109 N Main Street, Milan, MO 63556, where residents can access recording services, property assessment records, and vital records through the County Clerk's office. Sullivan County's topography consists mainly of fertile farmland with gentle hills and creek valleys that have supported family farming operations for generations.

109 N Main Street, Milan, MO 63556

Court Records & Case Information

The Sullivan County Circuit Court serves Sullivan County and is located at 100 East Washington Street in Milan. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this area. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Missouri online court portal.

The Sullivan County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases arising in Sullivan County, Missouri. The court has jurisdiction over all felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, juvenile matters, probate matters, and civil cases.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal department that made the arrest.
  • Processing times for records requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity of the request.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond and bail process in Missouri allows for the release of detainees pending trial, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail administration.

Courts & Case Records

  • The Associate Division handles matters including small claims (up to $5,000), traffic violations, and preliminary hearings.
  • Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk for statutory fees, typically ranging from $2-5 per page plus certification fees.
  • Online case access through CaseNet is free, but some documents may require in-person requests.
109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556

Property & Public Records

  • While some Missouri counties offer online property record searches through commercial vendors or county systems, Sullivan County may require in-person or phone requests for document copies.
  • Certified copies are available for statutory fees, typically $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page per Missouri statute 59.310 RSMo.

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Birth certificates for people born in Sullivan County can be requested from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570, or in person at their Jefferson City office.
  • The current fee for certified birth certificates is $15 for the first copy.
  • Death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies ordered simultaneously.
  • Processing times typically range from 4-6 weeks for mail requests.
  • Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556 • Phone: 660-265-4717

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • The Secretary of State maintains the Business Services Division which processes Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, and annual registration reports.
109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556 • Phone: (660) 265-4717

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Sullivan County, Missouri?
To search for someone recently arrested in Sullivan County, Missouri, you can contact the Sullivan County Jail. The jail is located at 109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556. You can also call the jail directly at (660) 265-3313 to inquire about recent arrests and inmate information. For an online inmate lookup, you may visit the Missouri Department of Corrections website, which provides a statewide search tool for inmates.
Mugshots and booking photos in Sullivan County, Missouri, are typically managed by the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. You can visit the Sheriff's Office at 109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556, or call them at (660) 265-3313. Some mugshots may be available through the Missouri Department of Corrections' online portal, which provides access to certain public records.
To obtain a criminal background check in Sullivan County, Missouri, you should contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Locally, you can also visit the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for guidance on the process. The background check can be requested online through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) or by submitting a request form to the state bureau.
To look up sex offenders in Sullivan County, Missouri, you can use the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Sex Offender Registry. This online tool allows you to search for registered sex offenders by name, address, or county. The registry is updated regularly and provides detailed information about offenders, including their current status and any restrictions.
To register to vote in Sullivan County, contact the Sullivan County Clerk's office at 109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556, or call (660) 265-4717. You can also register online through the Missouri Secretary of State's website at www.sos.mo.gov/elections. Missouri requires registration at least 28 days before an election (the fourth Wednesday prior to election day). The County Clerk can also provide information about absentee ballot applications for voters who qualify under Missouri's specific absentee voting criteria.
Property records in Sullivan County are maintained by the Sullivan Recorder of Deeds of Deeds (for deeds, mortgages, and liens) and the Sullivan County Assessor (for property valuations and tax information), both located at 109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556. The Recorder can be reached at (660) 265-3787 and the Assessor at (660) 265-3786. While some Missouri counties offer online property searches, the county may require in-person visits or phone requests for document copies. Certified copies are available for statutory fees per Missouri law.
Birth and death certificates for Sullivan County residents are obtained through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City, either by mail to PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570, or online through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com. Birth certificates cost $15 and death certificates cost $13 for the first certified copy. You must provide valid photo identification and proof of eligibility (immediate family or legal representative). Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks by mail, with expedited options available for additional fees.
For fictitious name (DBA) registrations in Sullivan County, contact the Sullivan County Clerk at 109 North Main Street, Milan, MO 63556, or call (660) 265-4717. For formal business entities such as corporations and LLCs, search the Missouri Secretary of State's free online database at www.sos.mo.gov using the Business Services Division's MOBE (Missouri Online Business Entity) search tool. Professional licenses are maintained by respective Missouri state licensing boards, not county offices. Building permits for unincorporated areas are handled by the Sullivan County Commission.

Nearby Counties

Adair County MO Linn County MO Grundy County MO Putnam County MO Mercer County MO