Find Civil Court Records in Perry County

Perry County civil court records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Perryville. Formed in 1820, Perry County is one of the oldest counties in Missouri and maintains court records that go back a long way. The clerk handles all civil filings for the county, and most recent records are searchable online. This page explains how to find, request, and use civil court records from Perry County.

Perry County Circuit Clerk Office

David G. Hanks serves as the Perry County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 15 W. Ste. Maries St., Perryville, MO 63775. Phone is (573) 547-4241. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Perry County belongs to the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which also includes Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties. The Circuit Clerk files, processes, and maintains all civil court records for Perry County. That covers general civil cases, small claims, domestic relations, probate, and orders of protection. The staff can pull files for review during business hours.

Perry County has maintained court records since its formation in 1820. That gives it one of the longer record histories in the state. While very old records may be on microfilm at the state archives, the clerk's office in Perryville has a solid collection of more recent civil court records available for public review.

Search Perry County Civil Court Records Online

Case.net is the free online tool for looking up Perry County civil court records. The Office of State Courts Administrator runs it. Search by party name, case number, filing date, or hearing date. Results show docket entries, case parties, judgments, and scheduled hearings.

Case.net runs from 6 AM to 1 AM, Monday through Friday. It shows case summaries and docket entries but not the actual filed documents. For complete copies of motions, petitions, or court orders from a Perry County civil case, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk. Attorneys with eFiling access can view documents through the secure portal.

The Track This Case feature lets you set up email alerts for any case. When new entries get added to a Perry County civil case you are watching, you get notified. It is a simple way to keep track of a case without calling the office.

Perry County Civil Case Filing Fees

Filing fees in Perry County follow the statewide schedule. Circuit civil cases cost $93.50 to $105.50 to file. Associate circuit civil cases run $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims start at $30.50 to $35.50. Pay the fee when you file.

Lawyers file through the Missouri eFiling system and pay by credit card or e-check. Self-represented parties pay at the clerk's window. Copies of Perry County civil court records are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $1.50 to $2.50 for certification plus $0.25 per page. Clerk search time is billed at $0.20 per minute.

Public Access to Perry County Civil Court Records

Missouri gives the public strong access to civil court records. The state Constitution says courts shall be open to every person. The Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) requires that a records request be acted on within three business days. These rules apply to all Perry County civil court records.

Not all records are public though. Sealed cases stay sealed unless a judge says otherwise. Juvenile files are confidential. Expunged records are gone from public view. Court Operating Rule 2 requires that Social Security numbers and financial account details be stripped from public filings.

The Missouri State Archives has older Perry County court records on microfilm. Given that Perry County was formed in 1820, there are historical records that go back two centuries. The Judicial Index Database can help you find them. Contact archref@sos.mo.gov for research help.

Perry County Civil Court Records Screenshot

The image below shows Missouri's revised statutes for civil procedure, which govern how civil court records are created and maintained in Perry County.

Missouri's civil procedure statutes set the rules for filing civil cases and maintaining court records in Perry County and across the state.

Types of Civil Cases in Perry County

The Perry County Circuit Court hears the full range of civil cases. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, property cases, and debt collection are common. Small claims under $5,000, domestic relations matters, and probate cases are also handled here. All of these create civil court records on file at the clerk's office.

Missouri has forms for people who file without a lawyer. Self-representation is your right. The clerk can help with forms and fees but cannot advise you on your case. That rule comes from Supreme Court Operating Rule 25.

Legal Resources for Perry County

The Missouri Bar has a lawyer directory. Search by practice area and location to find attorneys near Perryville. Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal help to those who qualify. They serve southeast Missouri.

For basic help finding a case or filling out a form, talk to the clerk's office. They handle procedural questions every day and can point you in the right direction. Perry County is close enough to Cape Girardeau that residents also have access to attorneys and legal services in that larger city if they need more options for civil court representation.

Nearby Counties

Perry County is in southeast Missouri. Nearby counties include Cape Girardeau County, Bollinger County, Ste. Genevieve County, Madison County, and Scott County. Each county has its own Circuit Clerk and civil court records. Cases are filed where the claim arose or where the defendant lives.