A 1: The criminal history information accessed via this portal is conviction based data and is considered public record. Private individuals, public and private businesses, including state agencies can access criminal history data from this site.

A 2: Many of the criminal background check requests submitted through this site will return instantaneously but most have responses returned within two business days. In certain cases, responses may take longer depending on the amount of research that MACHS personnel must conduct to complete the request. Please allow 5-7 business days before inquiring.

A 3:The fee for a name-based query is $15.00 per individual searched plus an additional payment processing fee. The processing fee payment schedule is 2.00% of purchase amount plus $0.25.

A 4: All credit and debit card payments through this site must be made via the State of Missouri payment portal. The vendor responsible for operating this portal receives a payment processing fee to complete the payment transaction.

A 5: Unfortunately, the CJIS Division cannot provide a refund once a search has submitted.

A 6: Please check the "Order History" page in your account to see if the results were processed or went to 'pending' status. If the results are not there, please click on the "Shopping Cart" link in the tool bar and click on the "Retry" button at the bottom of your shopping cart to finish processing.

A 7: Yes, record check requests that need to be notarized can be requested through the MACHS website. You will need to select "Yes" in the Mail Notarized Results option field before adding the request to the shopping cart; however, notarized letters cannot be returned electronically. A copy of the response along with the notarized letter will be sent to the mailing address associated with your account within 3-5 business days of the background being completed.

A 8: Yes. The fee for a notarized letter is an additional $2.00 per individual.

A 9: To receive a notarized letter for a background check already requested, you will need to send in the background (once completed) and a check or money order for the $2.00 notarization fee made payable to the "Criminal Records System Fund". You cannot request a notarized letter online after the background has been requested.

Mail Requests to:
The Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102

A 10: Open records, pursuant to Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, may be accessed via this portal. Open records include convictions, arrests within 30 days, pending charges and suspended imposition of sentence during probation. Closed records cannot be accessed via the MACHS name search portal. Closed records include records where the accused is found not guilty, charges were nolle prossed or dismissed, suspended imposition of sentence cases after probation is completed, and arrests after 30 days where no charges have yet been filed or reported by the prosecuting attorney.

A 11: To conduct a record check through this site you will need the name of the individual you are searching, and either their exact date of birth or social security number. It is recommended to conduct your search using both the date of birth and social security number.

A 12: Criminal history responses returned by MACHS will remain viewable in your account for 90 days. During this time, you may print your response or save it to a file on your computer. Responses older than 90 days will be placed in expired status. If you need another copy of your response after 90 days have passed you will need to re-submit your request within another shopping cart and pay again.

A 13: All responses returned via this site are encrypted to guarantee the validity of the records being produced. Certain web browsers such as Google Chrome or Safari may experience problems opening these files, causing a prompt to appear requesting a password. Utilizing a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox should correct this issue. If this is not an option for you then taking the following steps should also allow you to view the files:

If you are using a Google Chrome web-browser: Enter "about:plugins" in the URL bar. Find Adobe Reader in the list of plug-ins displayed and click "Enable". This should allow you to view the encrypted responses that MACHS provides.

If you are using a Safari web-browser: When prompted for a password click on "File" under the menu option. Then click "Save As" to save the file to your computer. You may then access this file directly from your save location. Alternatively, when prompted for a password you may hover your mouse cursor over the bottom of the window. A pop-up containing a control panel should then be visible. Within this control panel will be the option to open the PDF in Preview which will allow you to view the response.

A 14: Since the criminal history data within the repository is updated daily, responses received from this website are current as of the date processed.

A 15: For a record to be declared a positive match, at least two components (First & Last Name, Date of Birth, and/or Social Security Number) of the personal identifier information supplied must be an exact match to the criminal history record on file. Because at least two of the personal identifier components supplied must match exactly, it is important to provide as much information as possible, including maiden, alias, or nicknames used on each search. For instance, when searching the name Robert Smith, it may prove beneficial to include the name Bob Smith as a possible alias. MACHS allows up to two maiden or alias names to be searched in addition to the initial name within a single inquiry.

A 16: The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division maintains the Central Repository per state statute 43.500 RSMo.

A 17: As mandated by 43.503 RSMo, all law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts, and the Department of Corrections are required to submit certain information related to all felony and aggravated misdemeanor arrests, including all alcohol and drug related traffic offenses.

A 18: Criminal history records are updated daily as criminal justice agencies submit the data to the Central Repository.

A 19: Records at the Central Repository date back to the 1940's. Prior to the Missouri State Highway Patrol being designated the Central Repository for Missouri, reporting was on a volunteer basis. Since 1987 the reporting has been mandatory.

A 20: The repository not only maintains state charges (misdemeanors and felonies), but also maintains reportable ordinance violations as submitted by the reporting agency.

A 21: Yes, searches will include information pertaining to any sex offenders currently registered within the state of Missouri, even if the sex offense occurred out-of-state.

A 22: Yes. Common names and the possibility of identity theft can result in false positives.

A 23: If information contained within the record is inaccurate or incomplete you must provide supporting documentation to the MSHP CJIS Division.

A 24: If you do not believe that a record received from this site is yours please contact the CJIS Division for instructions for how to challenge your report.

A 25: The responses returned via this website are based upon the arrest and disposition data reported to the repository by originating agencies and is also governed by statute. The record in question may not have been submitted to the repository or may be a closed record.