Search St. Louis County Residents Directory

St. Louis County is the most populated county in Missouri with close to one million people. The St. Louis County Residents Directory gives you a way to look up court records, property files, vital records, and voter data through the offices based in Clayton. Most of these records are free to search online. The county runs several public databases that let you find people and check records from home. This page breaks down each source and shows you how to use it for your St. Louis County search.

St. Louis County Residents Directory Overview

The St. Louis County government sits at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. It runs under a charter form with a County Executive and County Council. The county keeps records through many departments. Each one has its own custodian of records who handles public access requests. You can reach the main office at (314) 615-5000 for help with any St. Louis County records search.

The St. Louis County government site gives you a way to submit Sunshine Law requests through an online portal. You can describe the records you need, pick your format, and track your request status. Missouri law says public bodies must respond within three business days. This makes the St. Louis County Residents Directory one of the more accessible in the state. The portal works for any department, from public works to health to justice services. Council meeting agendas, minutes, and ordinances are all posted on the site too.

The county site also links to every elected official and department, which helps when you need a specific record from a certain office.

St. Louis County Property Records Directory

The St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds keeps all real estate files for the county. This means deeds, mortgages, liens, and other title documents. The office is at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. Gerald E. Smith serves as Recorder. You can call (314) 615-7100 for questions.

The online search tool lets you look up recorded documents from 1965 to now. Search by grantor or grantee name, document type, date range, or legal description. You can view and download document images through the system. Some older records may need an in-person visit. Marriage records go back to 1881. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $10. You will need the names of both parties and an approximate date. The Recorder also files UCC filings, tax liens, and military discharge records. Veterans can record a DD-214 at no charge. Copies are also free for vets. In-person research is free and public terminals are set up for you to search on your own.

Plat maps and surveys that show lot lines and subdivision layouts are also on file at the Recorder's office.

Note: Online document copies have a fee, but searching the index is free for anyone.

St. Louis County Residents Directory Property Search

The St. Louis County Assessor handles valuations for about 470,000 parcels of real property. The Real Estate Information database lets you search by address, parcel number, or owner name. Results show assessed values, property details like square footage and year built, sales history, and photos. Property record cards give even more detail on structures and land. This is one of the best tools in the St. Louis County Residents Directory for tying a person to an address.

Assessments happen every two years in odd-numbered years. The appeals process starts with an informal talk with staff. If that does not work, you file with the Board of Equalization between May and July. From there you can go to the Missouri State Tax Commission. Personal property covers cars, boats, planes, and business gear. Residents must file a declaration by March 1 each year under RSMo 137.345. The GIS/Mapping team keeps digital parcel maps with boundary data and aerial views. You can buy custom maps and data exports. The office at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton can be reached at (314) 615-4981.

Senior citizens and disabled veterans may qualify for property tax credits and exemptions through this office.

Court Records in St. Louis County

St. Louis County is part of the 21st Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 105 South Central Avenue in Clayton. Joan M. Gilmer serves as Circuit Clerk. You can call 314-615-8029. The court processes about 100,000 cases a year. That includes civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters.

The statewide Case.net system gives you free online access to most of these records. Search by party name, case number, filing date, or court. Results show docket entries, party names, and case outcomes. Civil files cover lawsuits, small claims, and protection orders. Criminal records show charges and dispositions for misdemeanors through felonies. Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, and adoption. Probate files deal with estates, guardianships, and wills. Some records are sealed or restricted. Juvenile and adoption cases are not public. Expunged records are removed. For certified copies, contact the Circuit Clerk directly. The court also runs drug court, mental health court, and veteran's treatment court programs.

Note: Case.net data goes back to the mid-1990s for most circuits, but not all municipal courts are included.

St. Louis County Vital Records Directory

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health issues birth and death certificates for events in Missouri. The Vital Records office is at 6121 North Hanley Road in Berkeley. Walk-in same-day service is available Monday through Friday. Call (314) 615-1720 for details.

Birth certificates go back to 1920. Each certified copy costs $15. You must be the person on the record, a close family member, or a legal rep with proper papers. A valid photo ID is needed. Death certificates start from 1980. The first copy is $14. Each extra copy of the same record is $11. You can also order by mail or through the VitalChek online service. Mail requests take 2 to 4 weeks. VitalChek adds handling fees but is faster. Marriage and divorce records are not at this office. Go to the Recorder of Deeds for marriage licenses and the Circuit Clerk for divorce decrees. The office also handles corrections to birth and death records. Missouri is a closed record state under Section 193.245 RSMo, so only qualified applicants with a direct interest can get certified copies.

These records help confirm names, family ties, and key life events for people in the St. Louis County Residents Directory.

St. Louis County Residents Directory Law Enforcement

The St. Louis County Police Department covers unincorporated parts of the county. It also provides contract police to some cities. The main office is at 7900 Forsyth Boulevard in Clayton. For non-emergencies call (314) 615-4665.

The Records Unit keeps incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records. These are open through Sunshine Law requests. Some files tied to active cases may be exempt. The Justice Center posts an online inmate roster with booking dates, charges, and bond info. Accident reports are available through the LexisNexis BuyCrash system, usually within 5 to 7 business days. Crime stats go to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program each year.

The department is accredited by CALEA and holds itself to strict record-keeping and operations standards.

Voter Records in St. Louis County

The St. Louis County Board of Election Commissioners handles all elections in the county. They keep voter rolls for about 850,000 registered voters. The office is at 725 Northwest Plaza Drive in St. Ann. Call (314) 615-1800 for more info.

Voter records are public. They show each person's name, address, date of birth, party affiliation, precinct, and voting history. You can verify your registration and find your polling place through the online lookup tool. The statewide voter list is available through the Secretary of State's GoVoteMissouri portal. Election results are posted after certification with vote totals by precinct. Voter data can confirm a current address for someone in the St. Louis County Residents Directory. Lists of registered voters can be purchased but there are limits on how they can be used for commercial purposes.

Absentee voting options are also managed through this office for those unable to vote on Election Day.

St. Louis County Library Residents Records

The St. Louis County Library Special Collections keeps a large set of genealogy and local history resources. The headquarters in Ladue has census records, city directories, newspapers, cemetery records, and family files. The main phone is (314) 994-3300.

Cardholders get access to subscription databases like Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and Fold3. Many of these work from home. The History and Genealogy Department runs workshops on research methods and helps with tricky searches. Obituary indexes for St. Louis area papers go from the 1800s to today. City directories from the mid-19th century forward list residents by name and address. These are a great tool for the St. Louis County Residents Directory when you need to track someone's past addresses or family connections. The library also holds digital collections of photos, maps, and documents from across the county.

Staff at the library can help guide you through the resources and point you to records you might not find on your own.

Note: Some databases are only available inside library branches while others work remotely for cardholders.

St. Louis County Open Records Access

The Missouri Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo gives you the right to request records from any St. Louis County office. You do not need a reason. Any person can ask. The county must respond within 3 business days. Standard copies cost up to $0.10 per page. Staff time for searching can be billed at the lowest hourly rate of someone able to do the work. Attorney review time cannot be charged per the Missouri Supreme Court ruling in Gross v. Parson (2021).

The Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law page has sample request forms you can use. Recent 2025 updates say if you do not pay fees within 90 days, your request is withdrawn. For fees over $1,000, you get 150 days. Some records are exempt from disclosure. These include personnel files, Social Security numbers, and active law enforcement investigations. When a record has both open and closed parts, the closed parts get redacted and you get the rest.

Nearby Missouri Counties

These counties border St. Louis County or are close by. Each one has its own set of public records offices and databases for the Missouri Residents Directory.

St. Louis County Cities Directory

St. Louis County contains many cities and towns. These cities access records through county offices in Clayton. Select a city below to find local resources for the Residents Directory.