A:  The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is Missouri's one-stop website for all criminal background check needs. This site is administered by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, the central repository for all Missouri criminal history files. MACHS is divided into two portals: 1) the MACHS Fingerprint Search Portal, and 2) the MACHS Name Search Portal. Individuals needing a fingerprint-based background check should proceed to the MACHS Fingerprint Search Portal. Meanwhile, individuals needing to conduct a background check by name, date of birth, and/or social security number should proceed to the MACHS Name Search Portal.

A:  A name-based search will return only Missouri records deemed open to the public. Since it is being conducted based on personal identifiers only, MACHS cannot guarantee that the result corresponds to the individual being searched since the possibility of common names or identity theft could reduce the accuracy of the search. Meanwhile, a fingerprint-based background check is considered positive proof of identity and is guaranteed to correspond to the individual being searched. Depending on the purpose of the search, Missouri closed record and FBI information may be returned as well. If you are uncertain as to which type of background check that you need please contact your employer or licensing agency.