Missouri Public Records /Missouri Court Records Online

Missouri Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Missouri Open to the Public?

Yes, court records in Missouri are generally open to the public. The Missouri Sunshine Law mandates that all written or electronic records, actions, deliberations, and votes of every government body in the State of Missouri be public. However, public access to records may still be denied if explicitly exempted by state statute. To receive these records, requesters must typically provide specific details such as the case number, names of the parties involved, and sometimes the court where the case was heard.

Juvenile court records, social records, and information obtained for official duties are not accessible to the general public without a court order. Requesters should be prepared to cover any associated costs for copying or preparing the records.

What Information Appears in a Missouri Court Records Search?

Missouri court records generally include:

Dockets
Evidence
Filings or petitions
Information about the parties and attorneys involved
Court orders
Dispositions

How To Find Court Records in Missouri

To find court records in Missouri, the first step is identifying the court where the case was heard. Court Clerks are the custodians of court records in Missouri. Requesters can obtain the necessary contact information such as physical address, mailing address, phone number, and email from the Missouri Courts Online Directory.

In-person requests can be made by visiting the courthouse and obtaining the appropriate request form from the Clerk of the Court. For mail-in requests, contact the Clerk of the Court to confirm if this method is available. Online requests can be made through the state’s court record online portal, which allows searches by filing date, litigant name, scheduled hearings, case number, or judgment index. Fees may apply for preparing copies of the records.

Public Access to Missouri Court Records

The Missouri judicial system offers both in-person and remote access to court case information. Interested persons may obtain court records in person, electronically, or by mail. For in-person requests, visit the courthouse and obtain the appropriate request form from the Clerk of the Court, who may charge fees for preparing copies.

Online requests can be made through the state’s court record online portal, which provides public access to non-confidential court records. The portal allows searches by filing date, litigant name, scheduled hearings, case number, or judgment index.

Searching Missouri Court Records by Name

Individuals can search for court records by name using the state’s official judicial record portal. To refine search results, requesters can use additional parameters such as:

Name of Court involved
Business name
Alias
First name
Middle name
Case type
Year of filing
Location
Case status

This search method allows users to locate specific court records by providing relevant and specific details about the case.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Missouri

Most counties in Missouri offer public internet access to court documents via their websites or by visiting a court location to use office computers. Access to court documents on public terminals is free, but requestors must pay for copying costs if they require physical copies.

Court records are available through traditional government sources and third-party websites. Third-party websites can make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. To access these records, requesters must typically provide the name of the person listed in the record and the last known or assumed location of the person.

Exemptions for Missouri Court Case Lookup

Certain records and documents containing sensitive information are not available to the public:

Legal proceedings involving a governmental entity or privileged communications between a governmental entity and attorneys.
Diagnosis or treatment of alcoholism or drug dependency, and non-judicial mental or physical health procedures.
Welfare situations involving identifiable individuals.
Specifications for competitive bidding until published for bids or officially approved.
Sealed proposals and related documents until a contract is executed or all proposals are rejected.
Records pertaining to child placement in foster care.

Only specific persons, such as case parties, attorneys, court-appointed individuals, or government representatives, may be permitted access to these records.

Finding a Court Docket in Missouri

A Missouri court docket is the official record of a court proceeding and includes details about the parties involved, attorneys, witnesses, hearings, motions, orders, and verdicts. Court clerks or other staff members maintain these dockets, which are open to public scrutiny during regular business hours.

Court dockets can be accessed at the locations where cases have been filed. Interested parties can visit the relevant courthouse or access information online. The official website of the Missouri judiciary provides full docket lists for the Eastern, Western, and Southern District Courts of Appeals.

What Information Is Found in Missouri Judgment Records?

Missouri judgment records include:

Litigants' names
Judge's name
Judgment issued

To obtain judgment records, requesters must know the case number and litigants' names and be prepared to pay associated court fees. These records can be obtained by visiting the clerk's office or ordering online if the court maintains an online repository.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Missouri Publicly Accessible?

Yes, bankruptcy records in Missouri are publicly accessible. These records provide financial information on individuals and companies that have filed for bankruptcy relief. Requesters must provide information such as the case number, filing date, filing jurisdiction, petitioner's name, or creditor's name to facilitate the search.

Interested parties can obtain copies of bankruptcy records by submitting a request to the clerk in charge of the records or by registering an account with the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) System.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Missouri

To find bankruptcy records, submit a request at the courthouse where the case was filed. Bankruptcy court records are also accessible through the Public Access to Electronic Court Records (PACER) web service for $0.10 per page. Requesters must provide information such as the case number, filing date, filing jurisdiction, petitioner's name, or creditor's name to facilitate the search.

Missouri bankruptcy records are generally accessible to the public per the Missouri Public Records Law and the Freedom of Information Act. All records would be made public, except for those restricted by legislation or sealed by court order.

Different Types of Courts in Missouri

The Missouri court system comprises three levels:

Supreme Court: Final arbiter of issues affecting the state's constitution and laws.
Missouri Court of Appeals: Intermediate appellate court with three divisions (Eastern, Western, and Southern).
Trial Courts (Circuit Courts): Includes associate circuit, civil and criminal, family, juvenile, municipal, and probate courts.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Missouri

Civil cases in Missouri involve a plaintiff seeking compensation or monetary damages from a defendant. These cases are generally heard in Missouri Trial Courts. Cases with less than $25,000 in dispute are filed in the Associate Circuit Civil Court, while cases with more than $25,000 in dispute are filed in the Circuit Court. Non-monetary claims, such as restriction orders, are also filed in the Circuit Court.

Missouri Small Claims Courts are a division of the Circuit Courts and handle claims of less than $3,000, minus interest and cost. Defendants can submit a counterclaim above $3,000. Parties often appear in Small Claims Court without an attorney, and the court structure allows for the transfer of matters to another division if necessary.

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