Search Missouri Civil Court Records
Missouri civil court records are kept by Circuit Court Clerks in all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. These records cover a broad range of civil cases filed in the state's 46 judicial circuits. You can look up civil court records through Case.net, the state's free online case search tool, or visit any Circuit Clerk office in person. Each county clerk stores case files at the local courthouse and can give you copies of filings, docket sheets, and final judgments on request. The Missouri court system also lets you track cases and get alerts when new entries are added to a docket.
Missouri Civil Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Missouri Civil Court Records
Missouri has two main paths for finding civil court records. The first is Missouri Case.net, which is the state's official online court records portal. It is run by the Missouri Court Automation Program (MCAP) under the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA). Case.net gives free, real-time access to public circuit court records across all 114 Missouri counties. You can look up civil cases by party name, case number, or filing date. The system shows docket entries, case parties, judgments, and upcoming court dates for each case.
The second path is going straight to the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. Every county has a Circuit Clerk who keeps the full case files for all civil proceedings in that jurisdiction. These files hold the original petition, the answer, motions, orders, and the final judgment. You can visit the courthouse in person to inspect these records or ask for copies. Most clerks charge $0.25 per page for standard copies and a small fee for certified copies per Section 610.026 RSMo.
The Missouri State Archives also holds historical civil court records from many counties on microfilm. The Judicial Index Database provides an index of selected civil and criminal court cases from county courts up through the Supreme Court. Researchers can use this index to find original records on microfilm reels. Contact the State Archives at archref@sos.mo.gov for help with older records.
How to Search Civil Court Records in Missouri
Case.net is the fastest way to find Missouri civil court records. The system is free for basic searches and runs Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 1 AM. You can search by litigant name (enter last name first, like Smith, John), by case number (such as 23AC-CC000123), by filing date range, or by scheduled hearing date. Filters let you narrow results by case status, county, and court type.
Once you find a case, the record shows all parties listed (plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys), a full log of docket entries in order, any judgments the court has made, and upcoming hearing dates with the assigned judge and courtroom. The Track This Case feature lets you sign up for email alerts when new entries are added. About 100,000 people in Missouri use this feature to follow cases they care about.
Keep in mind that Case.net shows case summaries and docket entries but not the actual filed documents. Sealed, juvenile, and expunged records won't appear. Older cases from before the 1990s may not be in the system. For full documents, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
To search civil court records in person, visit the Circuit Clerk office at the courthouse in the right county. Bring the name of at least one party or the case number. Staff can pull the file and let you review it. Call ahead to check hours and confirm the records are on site.
Types of Missouri Civil Court Records
Missouri civil courts handle a wide range of disputes between people, businesses, and other entities. Civil court records are generated to provide a formal account of these proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of courts where the case was heard. Under Missouri public records laws (Chapter 610 RSMo), records of all court proceedings may be obtained on request. This includes motions filed, court actions, details of evidence, and final judgments.
Cases heard by Missouri civil courts include breach of contract, personal injury claims, property disputes, tort and equitable claims, consumer complaints, lien claims and disputes, and family-related cases such as dissolution and custody matters. The circuit court system divides these into two main levels. Circuit Court handles larger civil matters (cases over $25,000), while Associate Circuit Court handles smaller civil actions up to $25,000 and small claims cases up to $5,000.
A civil court record in Missouri typically contains:
- Names and roles of all parties involved
- The original petition or complaint
- Answers, motions, and other pleadings
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment or disposition
- Docket entries showing every action taken
Note: Some details are kept out of public records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and information about minor children per Court Operating Rule 2.
Missouri Civil Court Filing Fees
Filing fees for civil cases in Missouri vary by case type and county. The Missouri Courts fee schedule sets standard ranges across the state. All original circuit civil cases cost between $93.50 and $105.50. Associate circuit civil cases run $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims filings cost $30.50 to $35.50.
Other common fees include $0.25 per page for photocopies of court records, $1.50 to $2.50 for certification plus $0.25 per page, and $0.20 per minute for clerk search time. These copy fees are set under Section 610.026 RSMo. If you file a case electronically (which is now required for attorneys), the filing fee is paid by credit card, debit, or e-check at the time of submission.
Fee waivers are available for those who can show financial hardship. You file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with documentation of your income and expenses. The judge reviews the request and decides whether to grant it. This applies to any civil case in any Missouri circuit court.
Note: Fees change from time to time, so check with the specific court before filing or requesting copies.
Electronic Filing for Civil Court Records
Missouri now requires electronic filing for most civil cases. Under the statewide eFiling system, all original circuit civil cases and associate circuit civil cases must be filed electronically. Small claims cases are filed on paper forms and then scanned into the electronic system. Self-represented parties (pro se litigants) can still file on paper in most situations.
Attorneys must register for a user account through Case.net to use the eFiling system. There is no charge to register. Once logged in to Secure Case.net, filed documents that appear in blue and underlined can be viewed by clicking on them. Sealed items show a lock icon and can't be viewed online. The eFiling system gives instant confirmation when a document is submitted, which cuts down on paperwork delays.
Are Civil Court Records Public in Missouri
Yes. Civil court records are public in Missouri. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records, and Article 1, Section 14 of the Missouri Constitution says courts of justice shall be open to every person. You don't need to be a party to a case to see the records. You don't need to give a reason for your request either.
When you make a public records request, the custodian must act on it within three business days under Section 610.023 RSMo. Paper copies can't cost more than ten cents per page for standard sizes. Some items are kept out of public view. These include juvenile cases, expunged or sealed records, victim identity details, and financial account numbers. Court Operating Rule 2 lays out what must be redacted from public filings, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and home addresses of minor children.
Requests for bulk data or closed court records need approval from the State Judicial Records Committee. The OSCA help desk can answer questions about access at (888) 541-4894 or osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov.
Missouri Civil Court System Structure
Missouri's court system has three levels. The Supreme Court sits at the top as the court of last resort. The Court of Appeals is the middle tier, split into three districts: Eastern (St. Louis), Western (Kansas City), and Southern (Springfield). At the base are the circuit courts, which have original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in Missouri.
The state has 46 judicial circuits. Some circuits cover a single county (like Jackson County's 16th Circuit), while others span multiple counties. Circuit courts have two divisions that handle civil matters. The Circuit Division hears larger civil cases, while the Associate Circuit Division handles smaller claims and traffic matters. Several circuits also run specialized problem-solving courts such as drug courts and mental health courts, though these focus on criminal rather than civil cases.
The Office of State Courts Administrator oversees all court operations under the authority of the Missouri Supreme Court per Article V, Section 4 of the state constitution. OSCA manages the Case.net system, collects docket data from all courts, and handles the judicial branch budget.
Legal Help for Civil Cases in Missouri
Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to people who qualify based on income. They handle civil matters including family law, housing disputes, consumer issues, and protective orders. Call their intake line or visit lsmo.org to check if you qualify.
The Missouri Bar runs a Lawyer Referral Service that connects you with attorneys by location and practice area. If you have a civil dispute and need a lawyer, this is a good place to start. The site also has information about court procedures and legal resources for the public.
If you want to handle a civil case on your own, the Missouri Courts website at courts.mo.gov has downloadable forms for many types of civil filings. Court clerks can give limited help with filling out forms under Supreme Court Operating Rule 25, but they can't give legal advice per Section 484.020 RSMo. Self-represented litigants have the full right to access the judicial system, though the court strongly suggests getting a lawyer.
Missouri Civil Court Appeals
If you disagree with a civil court ruling, you can appeal. The Missouri Court of Appeals handles appeals from circuit courts. The three districts each have their own courthouse and judges. The Eastern District sits in St. Louis, the Western District in Kansas City, and the Southern District in Springfield. Filing a notice of appeal costs $70. A trial de novo from Associate Circuit costs $45.
Appellate court records are also available through Case.net. The Track This Case feature works for appellate cases too. All three appellate districts implemented electronic filing in 2012, so newer case documents may be viewable online through Secure Case.net for registered users.
Browse Missouri Civil Court Records by County
Each county in Missouri has a Circuit Clerk who keeps civil court records. Pick a county below to find local contact details and resources for civil case records in that area.
Civil Court Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of major Missouri cities file civil cases at their county's Circuit Court. Pick a city below to learn about civil court records in that area.