Laclede County Civil Court Records Search

Laclede County civil court records are managed by Circuit Clerk Patricia S. McGowin at the courthouse in Lebanon. A 1920 fire destroyed earlier records, so court documents in Laclede County go back only to 1867. The 26th Judicial Circuit, which includes Camden and Pulaski counties, serves this area. If you need to find a civil case filing, check a judgment, or request copies of court documents from Laclede County, this page covers the key steps and resources.

Laclede County Circuit Clerk Office

Patricia S. McGowin is the Laclede County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 200 Adams Ave., Lebanon, MO 65536. Phone is 417-532-2471. The clerk's staff handles all civil case filings, court docket work, and public records requests for Laclede County during regular business hours.

Laclede County is part of the 26th Judicial Circuit, along with Camden County and Pulaski County. The circuit court handles civil cases over $25,000, felonies, and family court matters. The associate circuit division covers civil cases up to $25,000, small claims under $5,000, and misdemeanors. All of these create civil court records stored at the clerk's office in Lebanon.

The 1920 fire is an important detail for anyone searching Laclede County civil court records. Records before 1867 were destroyed. If you need a civil case file from before that date, it does not exist. Records from 1867 forward are available, either at the clerk's office or through the State Archives for older materials.

Search Laclede County Civil Records Online

Case.net is the free state tool for searching Laclede County civil court records. Enter a party name, case number, or date to look up cases. The system shows docket entries, case status, party names, and hearing schedules. Case.net is maintained by the Office of State Courts Administrator.

Case.net provides summaries and docket information, not full documents. To get copies of the actual complaint, answer, motion, or order from a Laclede County civil case, contact the clerk's office at 417-532-2471. You can call, write, or visit in person. Staff will find the case file and make copies for you at the standard rate.

The Missouri courts system page shown below links to Case.net for searching Laclede County civil court records online.

Click on Case.net from the courts page to begin looking up Laclede County civil cases.

Laclede County Civil Filing Fees

Filing fees in Laclede County follow Missouri's statewide schedule. Circuit civil cases cost $93.50 to $105.50 to file. Associate circuit civil filings are $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims run $30.50 to $35.50. Fees are paid when you submit your filing. Attorneys can use the Missouri eFiling system for electronic filing and payment.

Copies of Laclede County civil court records cost $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies are $1.50 to $2.50 for the certification plus per-page charges. If you ask the clerk's staff to search for a record, they can charge $0.20 per minute for the time spent. These fees are uniform statewide.

Types of Civil Cases in Laclede County

The Laclede County Circuit Court hears all civil matters. Small claims under $5,000 are the most common for individuals filing without a lawyer. Contract disputes, debt collections, and property cases are regular filings. Larger civil cases over $25,000 go through the circuit division.

Family court is a big part of the civil caseload in Laclede County. Divorce, custody, and child support cases produce civil records. Probate matters like estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship are part of the civil system too. Missouri courts offer self-help forms for people who want to handle their own filings in these case types.

Public Access to Laclede County Records

The Missouri Sunshine Law gives the public access to civil court records in Laclede County. The clerk must respond within three business days. You can inspect case files at the courthouse or request copies by mail or phone.

Sealed, juvenile, and expunged records are not available to the public. Personal identifiers get redacted from public filings under Court Operating Rule 2. For sealed Laclede County records, a court order is needed. The Missouri State Archives holds historical court records. Since Laclede County records go back to 1867, the archives may have microfilm copies of older civil case files.

Legal Resources for Laclede County

The Missouri Bar has a lawyer directory for finding attorneys near Lebanon. Search by practice area and location. Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to income-qualifying residents. They can assist with civil matters and help you use Case.net to look up your own case.

Clerks at the Laclede County courthouse cannot give legal advice. They can help with forms, fees, and procedural questions. For legal guidance on your civil case, talk to an attorney or contact a legal aid organization.

Nearby Counties

Laclede County is in south-central Missouri. Neighboring counties include Camden County and Pulaski County (both in the 26th Judicial Circuit), along with Dallas County, Wright County, and Webster County. Each county maintains its own civil court records. Since Laclede, Camden, and Pulaski share the same judicial circuit, the same judges may hear cases in all three counties. But each county's clerk keeps its own set of records at its own courthouse.