Chariton County Civil Court Records
Chariton County civil court records are maintained at the courthouse in Keytesville, Missouri. The Circuit Clerk handles all civil filings for the 9th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Linn and Sullivan counties. Chariton County was formed in 1820, making it one of the oldest counties in Missouri, and its court records stretch back nearly that far. You can search current Chariton County civil court records through the state's Case.net system or visit the clerk's office on Cherry Street to look at records in person.
Chariton County Quick Facts
Chariton County Circuit Clerk Office
Annette L. Perkins serves as the Chariton County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 306 S. Cherry St. in Keytesville. The clerk's office serves as the custodian for all civil, criminal, and probate court records in the county. Call 660-288-3296 to ask about a case, check filing requirements, or request copies of court documents. The office is open during regular weekday business hours.
Chariton County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit along with Linn and Sullivan counties. The circuit judges rotate between the three county courthouses to hold court sessions. Each county has its own clerk who manages the local records. For Chariton County civil court records, you deal with the office in Keytesville. The 9th Circuit covers a rural part of north-central Missouri, and the caseload reflects the area's smaller population and land-based economy.
| Circuit Clerk | Annette L. Perkins |
|---|---|
| Address | 306 S. Cherry St. Keytesville, MO 65261 |
| Phone | 660-288-3296 |
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit (with Linn and Sullivan) |
Search Chariton County Civil Records Online
Missouri Case.net is the main tool for searching Chariton County civil court records online. It is free and covers all Missouri counties. You can search by party name, case number, filing date, or hearing date. Results show docket entries, case parties, judgments, and court schedules. The system is available from 6 AM to 1 AM on weekdays.
When you find a Chariton County case on Case.net, the record includes a full log of docket entries. These entries show every filing, motion, order, and hearing in the case. You can also see who the parties are, check on judgments, and find out if there are any upcoming court dates. The Track This Case feature lets you sign up for email alerts when a case is updated.
The Missouri courts portal shown below provides access to Chariton County civil court records through the Case.net system.
Case.net shows docket summaries but not the actual filed documents. For copies of petitions, motions, and other filings, contact the Chariton County Circuit Clerk in Keytesville.
Chariton County Civil Filing Fees
Filing fees in Chariton County follow the statewide Missouri schedule. Here are the standard fees for civil cases:
- Circuit Civil cases: approximately $100.50
- Associate Civil cases: $48.50
- Small Claims cases: $35.50
These are base filing fees. Additional costs for service, motions, and other actions may apply as a case moves through the system. The Missouri Courts fee schedule has the complete list. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for standard photocopies, with certified copies costing more. Under Section 610.026 RSMo, fees for public record copies are capped by state law.
Civil Cases in Chariton County
Chariton County's civil docket reflects its rural character. Property disputes, including boundary and easement issues, are common. Contract disputes come up regularly too, whether tied to farming operations, equipment sales, or other business dealings. Debt collection cases make up another piece of the docket. Personal injury claims and mechanic's liens are filed here as well.
The Associate Circuit Division handles smaller civil matters. Small claims cases cover disputes up to $5,000 and let people represent themselves without a lawyer. The division also takes civil cases up to $25,000 and orders of protection. All records from both the circuit and associate divisions are stored by the Chariton County Circuit Clerk.
Public Access to Chariton County Records
Chariton County civil court records are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Chapter 610 RSMo guarantees the right to request and inspect government records. The clerk must respond within three business days. No reason is needed. Walk in, call, or write.
Sealed cases, juvenile records, and expunged records are not available to the public. Court Operating Rule 2 requires redaction of Social Security numbers, financial account details, and other sensitive data from public court filings. Most Chariton County civil court records are fully open. The Missouri Courts self-help page has details about court access rights.
Filing a Civil Case in Chariton County
Start a civil case in Chariton County by filing a petition at the Circuit Clerk's office in Keytesville. Attorneys must use the Missouri eFiling system. Self-represented parties can file paper documents at the clerk's window. The clerk assigns a case number and enters it into the system. You then need to serve the other party.
The Missouri Bar can help you locate an attorney. Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to qualifying residents for some types of civil cases.
Chariton County Historical Civil Records
Chariton County was formed in 1820, and its court records extend back many generations. Some older records have been preserved on microfilm. The Missouri State Archives holds historical court records from many Missouri counties. Their Judicial Index Database provides a way to search for older Chariton County civil cases. For records from before the electronic era, contact the clerk's office or the State Archives at archref@sos.mo.gov.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Chariton County in north-central Missouri. Linn and Sullivan share the 9th Judicial Circuit with Chariton County.