Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R Addendum - Microfilming Guidelines for Missouri Courts

As amended through June 4, 2024
Rule - Addendum - Microfilming Guidelines for Missouri Courts
(a) All microfilming of court records shall be in accordance with these guidelines.
(b) The original and one copy of the microfilm shall be made.
(c) The film shall be of archival quality.
(d) Courts shall rely on the Missouri State Archives or on a vendor whose process meets standards established by the Missouri State Archives to develop their microfilm.
(e) The original roll shall be securely stored in a separate humidity and temperature controlled environment that is fire resistant. The copy shall be retained by the custodian of records.
(F) The film shall be properly labeled and indexed:
(1) Each roll of film shall be labeled with the roll number, type(s) of case(s) filmed, and the date the roll was filmed. The case number(s) of the filmed cases shall appear on the label, on a separate sheet maintained inside the box, or on the final page of information filmed on the roll.

For existing microfiche, the case number shall appear on the index strip at the top of the microfiche.

(2) The microfilm roll number shall be entered on the index to cases or other permanent index.
(g) Arrangements shall be made by the court for public viewing and reproduction of the microfilm or microfiche if requested (this is applicable only if paper records are destroyed):
(1) There shall be a microfilm/fiche reader available where the public may view the film/fiche within the courthouse.
(2) There shall be a printer available for making copies within the courthouse.
(h) Images captured on microfilm or microfiche shall meet standards for inspection adopted by the Missouri State Archives. Documents having images that do not meet the standards shall be re-filmed and re-indexed.
(i) If the original microfilm or microfiche is maintained locally, the film shall be reviewed every three years to insure good quality. If the quality is deteriorating, the court shall make arrangements for immediate duplication of the original. The custodian of records shall maintain written certification of such review.
(j) Confidential or sealed records shall be microfilmed, processed, and identified as confidential, or sealed and maintained separately to protect the confidentiality of the records.

Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. R Addendum - Microfilming Guidelines for Missouri Courts

Amended April 11, 2011, effective 1/1/2012; Amended May 11, 2018, effective 7/1/2018.