Kansas City Background Check

A background check in Kansas City goes through several layers of public records. The city sits in Jackson County and falls under the 16th Judicial Circuit Court for all criminal and civil case filings. Since July 2019, the Kansas City Police Department no longer runs background checks for the public. All criminal history requests now route through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's MACHS portal. Court records for Kansas City cases are also searchable on Case.net. This guide covers where to look, what it costs, and how each Kansas City records source works.

Kansas City Police and Background Checks

The Kansas City Police Department used to run criminal history checks for anyone who walked in and paid a fee. That ended in July 2019. KCPD now tells all background check requestors to use the state system. The change came as part of a statewide shift where local police stopped processing these requests. If you call the KCPD Criminal Records Section at 816-234-5100, they will point you to MACHS for a formal criminal history check.

KCPD still handles police reports and some other record types. The Criminal Records Section is at 1125 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. Hours run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Police reports become available 20 business days after the date of the incident. If you need a report from before 1999, those archived records are only at Police Headquarters. You can find more details about KCPD report and video requests on their site.

The KCPD background check page confirms that the department no longer provides this service directly. It links to the Highway Patrol's MACHS portal for anyone who needs a Kansas City background check through official state channels.

You can also view the KCPD background check notice for the full explanation of why local checks are no longer offered and where to go instead.

Kansas City Criminal History via MACHS

Every Kansas City background check for criminal history goes through MACHS. The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site is run by the Highway Patrol's CJIS Division. Under RSMo Chapter 43, this division collects criminal record data from all law enforcement agencies and courts in Missouri. That includes everything from the Kansas City Police Department to the 16th Circuit Court.

A name-based search costs $15. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number. Results take 5 to 7 business days. This type of search shows open records only. Open records in Missouri include convictions, pending charges, arrests less than 30 days old, and suspended imposition of sentence while on probation. Section 43.507 draws the line between what the public can see and what stays closed.

For a deeper Kansas City background check, a fingerprint search is the way to go. It costs $20 for the state check plus $11.50 for the IDEMIA service fee. Add $13.25 if you need the FBI federal check. Fingerprint checks can pull both open and closed records. You schedule a fingerprint appointment through IDEMIA, which captures your prints electronically and sends them to the Highway Patrol. Results come back in 7 to 10 business days.

To submit a background check by mail, send a completed Form SHP-158E to the CJIS Division at P.O. Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Include a $14 check or money order. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks. You can also call CJIS at 573-526-6153 with questions.

Note: Walk-in name checks at the CJIS office in Jefferson City take about 30 minutes for same-day results.

Search Kansas City Court Records

Kansas City falls under the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. This court handles all criminal cases, civil disputes, family law matters, and probate filings for Jackson County. The main courthouse is at 415 E 12th Street in Kansas City. Criminal case records from this court feed into any Kansas City background check.

Case.net is the free online tool for searching court records statewide. You do not need an account. Search by name, case number, or filing date. The system shows charges, docket entries, court dates, and outcomes for Kansas City cases filed in the 16th Circuit. Case.net covers criminal, civil, traffic, and family cases. It pulls data from the Missouri Court Automation Program under Section 476.055 RSMo. Sealed cases and juvenile records do not appear on the public portal.

Case.net is not the same as a full criminal history check. It shows what has been filed in court, but it does not pull arrest records or charges from other states. For a complete Kansas City background check, you need both Case.net and MACHS. Use Case.net for a quick free look at court filings. Use MACHS for the official criminal record.

Kansas City Records Under the Sunshine Law

Missouri's Sunshine Law gives you the right to request public records from any government body. The law is in Chapter 610 RSMo. Under Section 610.023, KCPD and Jackson County offices must respond to your written request within three business days. They either give you the records, tell you when they will be ready, or deny the request with a legal reason.

For a Kansas City background check, Sunshine Law requests can get you police reports, incident records, and other documents that are not on MACHS or Case.net. Send your request in writing to the agency that holds the records. KCPD handles police-related documents. The Jackson County Clerk handles court-related records. Section 610.026 allows agencies to charge for copies and staff search time. Fee waivers may apply when the request serves the public interest.

If your request is denied, you can file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General or take the matter to court. Under Section 610.027, a court can order the release of records and fine the agency up to $5,000 for knowing violations. The agency may also owe your legal fees.

Background Check in Nearby Cities

Several other cities near Kansas City also fall under the Jackson County court system. All of these cities use the same 16th Circuit Court for criminal and civil cases. A background check for someone in any of these areas follows the same process through MACHS and Case.net.

These cities share the Jackson County court system. Cases filed in Independence, Lee's Summit, or Blue Springs all show up in the same 16th Circuit Court records and on Case.net.