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How to Find Public Records in Scott County in 2026
ScottMORecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Scott County, Missouri. Members of the public seeking court records, property documents, vital records, or other official filings may locate relevant information through this resource as well as through official county and state government channels.
Records that may be accessible include, but are not limited to:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates)
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- Voter registration and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Records in Scott County may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access: The Scott County, Missouri official website provides access to select county records and department information. Property records and tax information may be searched through the county assessor's online portal. Court case information is accessible through Missouri Case.net, the Missouri judiciary's public access system, which does not require registration for basic case searches.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Scott County Clerk's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to inspect records in person. The Scott County Courthouse is located at 131 S. Winchester Ave., Benton, MO 63736. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office and must include a description of the records sought, the requester's name and contact information, and the preferred format for response. Under Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023, a custodian must respond to a request within three business days.
Phone/Email: The Scott County Clerk's Office may be reached by phone at (573) 545-3549. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office may be reached at (573) 545-3596.
What Are Public Records in Scott County?
Public records in Scott County are official documents and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of their official duties, as defined under Missouri state law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.010, a "public record" includes any record retained by or of any public governmental body, regardless of physical form or characteristic.
The following record types are maintained by Scott County government offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Circuit Court Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Recorder of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | County Assessor |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | Missouri Department of Health / Circuit Court |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk |
| Voter registration records | County Clerk |
| Commission meeting minutes and budgets | County Clerk |
| Law enforcement incident reports | Scott County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning and Zoning |
The Scott County Circuit Court Clerk maintains court filings and case records. Property records are filed with the Recorder of Deeds, and assessment data is maintained by the County Assessor's Office. Vital records for births and deaths are primarily held by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Is Scott County an Open Records County?
Scott County follows Missouri's statewide open records framework and is subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 610, all public governmental bodies in the state are required to make their records available for inspection and copying by members of the public, with limited statutory exceptions.
The Missouri Attorney General's Office describes the Sunshine Law as follows: "The Sunshine Law is Missouri's open records and open meetings law. It requires that meetings of public governmental bodies be open to the public and that records of public governmental bodies be open for inspection and copying by the public."
Scott County governmental bodies, including the County Commission, Clerk's Office, and Sheriff's Department, operate in compliance with these requirements. The Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law guidance provides additional detail on the rights of requesters and the obligations of public bodies. No county-specific ordinance currently supersedes the state Sunshine Law framework.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Scott County?
The cost to obtain public records in Scott County is governed by Missouri state law and the fee schedules established by individual offices. Under Missouri Sunshine Law, fees charged for copies must not exceed the actual cost of document search, duplication, and document preparation.
Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard letter or legal-size documents (per Missouri statute guidance)
- Certification fees: Vary by office; the Recorder of Deeds charges a standard certification fee per document
- Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies are limited to the actual cost of the medium or transmission
- Search fees: Custodians may charge for staff time spent searching and preparing records if the request requires more than one hour of work
- Inspection: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of records
Accepted payment methods at Scott County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requesters are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, particularly for requests made by members of the news media or for records that serve a clear public interest, at the discretion of the custodian.
Does Scott County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Scott County. Missouri law requires that public governmental bodies permit members of the public to inspect open records at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not automatically include the right to free copies.
Free access to records is available through the following channels:
- Missouri Case.net: Court case information, including civil, criminal, and probate records, may be searched at no cost through the Missouri judiciary's Case.net portal
- County Assessor's Online Portal: Property assessment and tax records for Scott County may be searched at no charge through the county's online tools
- In-person inspection: Any member of the public may visit the Scott County Courthouse during business hours to inspect open records without charge
- Missouri Secretary of State: Business entity records and filings may be searched at no cost through the Missouri Secretary of State's business search
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Scott County?
Any person may request public records from Scott County governmental bodies. Missouri's Sunshine Law does not restrict access to residents of the state, and non-residents retain the same rights to inspect and copy open records as Missouri residents.
Requesters are not required to:
- Demonstrate Missouri residency
- Provide a government-issued identification for most record types
- State the purpose of their request
However, certain record types carry additional access requirements. Vital records such as birth and death certificates may require proof of identity or a qualifying relationship to the subject of the record, pursuant to Missouri Department of Health regulations. Sealed court records and records involving minors require a court order or demonstrated legal standing for access.
Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or property records, follow the same process as any other requester. Requests for records pertaining to another individual are subject to the same open records framework, with exemptions applied where personal privacy interests are protected by statute.
What Records Are Confidential in Scott County?
Not all records maintained by Scott County governmental bodies are open to public inspection. Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.021 enumerates the categories of records that may be closed to public access. Exempt and confidential records currently include:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to persons under 17 years of age in delinquency proceedings are closed under Missouri law
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active criminal investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Missouri Department of Social Services
- Personnel records: Employee records are closed except for name, position, salary, and dates of employment
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety
Missouri law applies a balancing test in certain circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy interests of individuals named in records. Custodians are required to redact exempt information and release the remainder of a record rather than withholding an entire document when only a portion qualifies for exemption.
Scott County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Scott County Recorder of Deeds
131 S. Winchester Ave., Room 4
Benton, MO 63736
Phone: (573) 545-3549
Scott County Recorder of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Scott County Clerk's Office
131 S. Winchester Ave.
Benton, MO 63736
Phone: (573) 545-3549
Scott County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
131 S. Winchester Ave.
Benton, MO 63736
Phone: (573) 545-3596
Scott County Circuit Court Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Scott County Assessor's Office
131 S. Winchester Ave.
Benton, MO 63736
Phone: (573) 545-3535
Scott County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Scott County Sheriff's Office
100 E. Vine St.
Benton, MO 63736
Phone: (573) 545-3525
Scott County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; dispatch available 24 hours