St. Louis County Civil Court Records Search
St. Louis County civil court records are handled at the Circuit Clerk's office in Clayton, Missouri. As the most populous county in the state, St. Louis County has one of the highest civil case volumes of any Missouri jurisdiction. The courthouse in Clayton processes thousands of civil filings each year. Joan M. Gilmer serves as the Circuit Clerk, and the office offers extensive services for public access to court records. This page covers how to find, request, and use St. Louis County civil court records through online tools and in-person visits.
St. Louis County Civil Court Quick Facts
St. Louis County Circuit Clerk Office
Joan M. Gilmer serves as the St. Louis County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 105 South Central Avenue in Clayton, MO 63105. You can call the clerk at 314-615-8029. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse building itself is open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays, though the clerk's office keeps its own hours within that window.
St. Louis County is the largest county in Missouri by population. The civil court docket here is very busy. The clerk's staff processes a high volume of new filings, motions, and records requests every day. Payments for court fees are handled at the 1st floor Cashier Window at 105 South Central Ave. The court also has public computer terminals at the courthouse for on-site viewing of case records at no charge.
For court closures and schedule changes, call 314-615-7777. The Civil and Domestic Relations fax number is 314-615-8739. If you need to check on a criminal or traffic matter, the Associate Criminal and Traffic line is 314-615-4773 or 314-615-2649.
| Circuit Clerk | Joan M. Gilmer |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 South Central Avenue Clayton, MO 63105 |
| Phone | 314-615-8029 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Court Closures | 314-615-7777 |
| Website | St. Louis County Courts |
Search St. Louis County Civil Records Online
The primary tool for searching St. Louis County civil court records online is Missouri Case.net. This free state portal covers all 114 Missouri counties. You can search by party name, case number, filing date, or hearing date. Results show docket entries, case parties, judgments, and scheduled court dates for St. Louis County civil cases.
The St. Louis County Courts website shown below provides access to the Circuit Clerk's services and information about St. Louis County civil court records.
Case.net is free and runs Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 1 AM. It shows case summaries and docket entries but not the actual filed documents. For copies of petitions, motions, or court orders from a St. Louis County case, you need to contact the clerk's office or visit the courthouse. The Track This Case feature sends email alerts when new docket entries appear in a case you are watching.
St. Louis County also has public computer terminals at the courthouse in Clayton. You can use these for free to look up case information on site. This is useful if you are already at the courthouse or if you need to pull up something quickly without going through the clerk's window.
St. Louis County Civil Court Fees
Filing fees for civil cases in St. Louis County follow the statewide schedule. A new circuit civil case costs $93.50 to $105.50. Associate circuit civil cases run $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims are $30.50 to $35.50. The Missouri Courts fee schedule lists all current fees.
St. Louis County has specific copy fee rates. Photocopies of judicial records cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $1.75 for the certification plus $0.25 per page. Search fees run $0.20 per minute of clerk time. Payments are made at the 1st floor Cashier Window in the courthouse. When filing through the eFiling system, attorneys can pay by credit card, debit, or electronic check.
Civil Case Types in St. Louis County
St. Louis County's circuit court handles a massive range of civil cases. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, and debt collection make up a large share. The court also hears property disputes, construction defect cases, and business litigation. Domestic relations matters like divorce, child custody, and child support enforcement are a major part of the docket.
The Associate Circuit Division handles smaller civil matters. Small claims for amounts under $5,000 go here. These cases use simpler rules and move faster. The Associate Division also handles civil cases up to $25,000, orders of protection, and certain probate matters. Given the county's large population, every division stays busy year-round.
St. Louis County also has a Municipal Division that handles city ordinance violations from the many municipalities within the county. Municipal cases are separate from circuit court civil cases, but both types of records may appear on Case.net. All civil petitions, motions, and pleadings in the circuit court must be filed electronically, and small claims are filed on paper then scanned into the electronic system.
Public Access to St. Louis County Court Records
Missouri law gives the public broad access to St. Louis County civil court records. The Missouri Sunshine Law says government records are open for inspection. The clerk must respond within three business days. You can visit the Clayton courthouse or send a written request. Viewing records in person or on the public terminals is free.
Not every record is public. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and expunged records stay closed. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor children get redacted from public filings under Court Operating Rule 2. The Missouri State Archives holds older St. Louis County court records on microfilm for historical research.
Getting Legal Help in St. Louis County
The Missouri Bar has a searchable directory of licensed attorneys. You can filter by practice area and location to find lawyers in the St. Louis County area. For people who cannot afford a lawyer, Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to those who qualify based on income. The St. Louis area has many legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents.
Court clerks in St. Louis County cannot give legal advice. That rule comes from Supreme Court Operating Rule 25. But they can help you find the right form, explain the filing fee, and tell you what step comes next. The Missouri courts website has downloadable forms for self-represented litigants. With the county's large court system, staff deal with the public on a constant basis and know how to guide people through the process.
Cities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County has dozens of municipalities. Civil cases for residents of these cities go through the St. Louis County Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Clayton.
Nearby Counties
St. Louis County is in eastern Missouri, surrounding the independent city of St. Louis on three sides. If a civil case might have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, check the links below.