Missouri Sunshine Law

Response Timeline

3 business days to respond to the request. Must close the request within 'a reasonable period' but there is no hard statutory production deadline. The 3-day period is for initial acknowledgment/response, not necessarily full production.

Missouri Sunshine Law (§610): any person may request records. However, the separate Missouri Public Records Law has a Missouri citizens-only limitation. Most requests are made under the Sunshine Law which has no residency requirement.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

• Written — Email, mail, or fax
• In person — Accepted at agency offices
• Online portal — Some agencies accept online requests

No specific format required. Requests should identify records sought with reasonable specificity.

Required Elements

• Description of records sought
• Contact information for response

Optional Elements

• Preferred format
• Purpose of request (not required but may affect fee calculation)

Fees

$0.10 per page maximum for copies. Research fees at actual cost using lowest cost method. Electronic records include staff time plus copy costs. Public interest waiver available.

Fee Waivers

• Public interest waiver available at agency discretion

Public interest waiver is available but discretionary. No mandatory fee waiver categories in statute.

Exemptions

• Litigation
  Records relating to pending litigation (§610.021(1))
• Real estate
  Real estate transactions and appraisals (§610.021(2))
• Personnel
  Personnel records, performance ratings, letters of reference (§610.021(3))
• Personnel 13
  Individual personnel records relating to hiring, firing, discipline (§610.021(13))
• Medical
  Medical and psychological records (§610.021(5))
• Scholastic
  Scholastic records (§610.021(6))
• Software
  Proprietary software code (§610.021(10))
• Sealed bids
  Sealed bids and proposals prior to opening (§610.021(12))
• Protected by law
  Records protected by other statutes (§610.021(14))
• Security
  Security-related records of government buildings (§610.021(18))

Exemptions are listed in §610.021. Agencies bear the burden of proving an exemption applies. Most exemptions are discretionary.

Appeal Process

Primary appeal is to Circuit Court. No administrative appeal body. Attorney General or prosecuting attorney may also enforce the Sunshine Law. Court proceedings are given priority on the docket.

Request Templates

Records Retention

RSMo 109.200-109.310

View retention law →

Retention schedule catalog →

RSMo Chapter 109 authorizes the Secretary of State to set minimum retention and reproduction standards. The 16-member Missouri Local Records Board, chaired by the Secretary of State, sets retention times for local government records. No public record may be disposed of without State Records Commission consent.

Sources & References

• Full text of law →
• Primary source →
• RCFP Open Government Guide — Missouri →
• NFOIC State FOI Resources →