Records Center

1. 1

   Identify the Custodian of Records

   Determine which specific governmental body holds the records you're requesting. Each public body has a designated custodian of records — this may be a city clerk, county clerk, school district administrative assistant, or agency director. Look for the contact information on the agency's website or call their main office. For state agencies, the Missouri Secretary of State's office maintains a directory.

   💡 Tip: Send your request to the most specific office possible. A request to a county commission should go to the County Clerk's office, not a general county email address.
2. 2

   Write Your Request

   Be specific about what records you want. Include date ranges, document types, and relevant names or topics. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Do not ask vague questions like "all documents about the budget" — instead, ask for specific records such as "all line-item budget documents for fiscal year 2025 approved by the City Council." The more specific your request, the faster and more complete the response.

   Your request should cite the Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610) to put the agency on notice of your statutory rights. Use the sample template below as a starting point.

   💡 Tip: Keep your request narrow. Multiple focused requests are easier to track than one broad request that can be partially denied.
3. 3

   Submit Via Certified Mail or Email

   Send your request by certified mail with return receipt, or by email with a read receipt. This creates a documented record of the date received, which starts the three-business-day clock. Keep your original request, the delivery confirmation, and all communications. If submitting by email, use a clear subject line such as "Missouri Sunshine Law Records Request – [Your Name] – [Date]."

   💡 Tip: Certified mail costs a few dollars and creates legally defensible proof of delivery. Worth it for any significant request.
4. 4

   Track Response Deadlines

   The agency must respond within three business days. Mark your calendar. A response can be (a) the records, (b) a fee estimate and timeline for producing the records, or (c) a denial stating the specific statutory exemption relied upon. If you receive no response within three business days, you have the right to treat this as a denial and pursue remedies including a complaint to the Missouri Attorney General or filing in circuit court.

   Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copying and staff time spent searching records. They must provide a written fee estimate before producing records if costs will exceed $10. You may challenge fees you believe are excessive.

5. 5

   Appeal if Denied

   If your request is denied, the agency must cite a specific exemption under RSMo 610.021. Review the cited exemption carefully — many agencies improperly assert broad exemptions that do not actually apply. You can challenge a wrongful denial by:

   • Sending a written challenge letter citing the specific reason the exemption does not apply
   • Filing a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office (no filing fee required)
   • Filing a petition in the circuit court of the county where the public body is located

   Courts may award attorney's fees to successful plaintiffs in Sunshine Law cases, which deters agencies from making baseless denials.

   💡 Tip: Contact METG314 if you receive a denial you believe is improper. We can review the cited exemption and advise on options.

All documents in this archive were obtained through public records requests or are original METG314 research products. Personal information not relevant to investigations has been redacted where present.

This tracker is updated as requests progress. All Sunshine Law requests are filed in METG314's name. Requesters who submitted tips that informed these requests remain anonymous.