Search Montgomery County Civil Court Records

Montgomery County civil court records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Montgomery City. The clerk handles all civil case filings for this part of east central Missouri, and most recent records can be found through the state court system online. Whether you need to look up a contract dispute, a small claims filing, or a judgment from a past case, you can start your search here. This page covers how to find, request, and use civil court records from Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Circuit Clerk Office

The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk is the main keeper of civil court records in the county. Luella R. Scrivner serves as the Circuit Clerk. Her office is at 211 E. 3rd St., Montgomery City, MO 63361. You can call at (573) 564-3351 for help with case look ups or to ask about filing. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Montgomery County sits in the 12th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Audrain and Warren counties. The Circuit Clerk files and keeps all civil court records, criminal case files, and probate matters for the county. If you need a specific civil court record, you can visit the clerk's office during business hours and ask to see the file. Under Missouri law, public court records must be made open for review when asked.

A courthouse fire did destroy some of the older historical records in Montgomery County. That means if you are looking for very old civil court records, they may not exist. Current records are generally complete, though, and recent cases are all in the state system.

How to Search Montgomery County Civil Court Records Online

The best way to find Montgomery County civil court records is through Case.net. This is Missouri's free online court records tool. It is run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show docket entries, party names, case status, and any judgments on file.

Case.net runs from 6 AM to 1 AM, Monday through Friday. The system is free to use. One thing to keep in mind is that Case.net shows case summaries and docket entries, but not the actual filed documents. If you need a full copy of a petition, a motion, or an order from a Montgomery County civil case, you will have to reach out to the Circuit Clerk's office or use the state eFiling system if you are a registered user.

The state's Case.net portal provides access to civil court records from all 114 Missouri counties, including Montgomery County.

You can also set up alerts on Case.net. The Track This Case tool sends you an email each time something new gets added to a case. This helps you stay on top of a civil case without having to call the clerk's office for updates.

Montgomery County Civil Case Filing Fees

Filing fees for civil cases in Montgomery County follow the statewide fee schedule. A new circuit civil case costs $93.50 to $105.50. Associate circuit civil cases run $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims filings start at $30.50 to $35.50. You pay the fee when you file the case. Lawyers who use the Missouri eFiling system can pay by credit card, debit, or e-check.

Copy fees are the same across Missouri. Photocopies of court records cost $0.25 per page. A certified copy runs $1.50 to $2.50 for the certification, plus $0.25 per page. If you need the clerk to search for a record, they can charge $0.20 per minute for the search time. These fees are set under Missouri's public records law.

Civil Court Records and Public Access in Montgomery County

Missouri gives the public wide access to civil court records. Article 1, Section 14 of the Missouri Constitution says courts must be open to every person. The Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) backs this up. When you make a public records request, the clerk's office must act on it within three business days. If they need more time, they have to tell you why in writing.

Not every record is public. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and expunged records will not show up on Case.net. They also won't be handed over at the clerk's window. Details like Social Security numbers, financial account info, and the names of minor children get removed from public filings under Court Operating Rule 2.

The Missouri State Archives holds older Montgomery County court records on microfilm. The Judicial Index Database can help you find historical civil case files. You can email the State Archives at archref@sos.mo.gov for help with older records that are not in Case.net.

Types of Civil Cases Filed in Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Circuit Court hears a wide range of civil matters. These include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disagreements, and debt collection cases. The court also handles small claims for amounts under $5,000, domestic relations cases, and probate matters.

For small claims, you file at the clerk's window on the right form. The clerk scans it into the system. Attorneys must file all other civil cases through Missouri's eFiling system. Self-represented parties can still file on paper. Missouri courts provide forms for people who want to handle their own case, but getting a lawyer is strongly recommended.

Montgomery County Civil Court Screenshot

The screenshot below shows Missouri's Case.net portal, which is the main tool for searching Montgomery County civil court records online.

Case.net lets you search by name or case number and pulls up docket entries, party info, and judgments for civil cases in Montgomery County and across Missouri.

Getting Legal Help for Montgomery County Civil Cases

If you need a lawyer for a civil matter in Montgomery County, the Missouri Bar keeps a directory of licensed attorneys. You can search by practice area and location. For those who can't afford a lawyer, Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal help based on income.

Court clerks in Montgomery County can't give legal advice. That rule comes from Supreme Court Operating Rule 25. But they can help with basic tasks like finding the right form or telling you what the filing fee is for a type of case. They can also point you to self-help resources on the Missouri courts website.

Nearby Counties

Montgomery County borders several other Missouri counties. If a civil case was filed in a nearby area, you may need to check those courts too. Nearby counties include Audrain County, Warren County, Callaway County, Gasconade County, and Lincoln County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk and its own set of civil court records. Cases are filed in the county where the events took place or where the defendant lives.