What’s a Sunshine Request?

Good question. A Sunshine Request is a request asking a public body or public official in Missouri for records or to attend an open meeting.

Missouri’s Sunshine Law (also called the “Sunshine Law”) requires most government agencies, boards, commissions, and elected officials to make their records and meetings open to the public unless a specific legal exemption applies. You can request emails, letters, contracts, meeting minutes, budgets, and more.

Anyone can make a Sunshine Request — no lawyer needed. The public body must respond “promptly” and cannot charge excessive fees. Many people use this tool to obtain communications between county officials and outside groups such as the Clerk’s Association or Commissioners Association.