Ste. Genevieve County Civil Court Records

Ste. Genevieve County civil court records are on file at the Circuit Clerk's office in the town of Ste. Genevieve. This county is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit and holds the distinction of being home to the oldest permanent settlement in Missouri. The courthouse has maintained records for a long time, and the clerk's office continues to handle all civil case filings today. This page covers how to search for, request, and use civil court records from Ste. Genevieve County.

Ste. Genevieve County Circuit Clerk Office

Carla A. Mershon serves as the Ste. Genevieve County Circuit Clerk. The office is at 55 S. 3rd St., Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670. Call 573-883-2705 to reach the staff. The clerk files, processes, and maintains all civil and criminal case records for the county. The office handles the court docket and collects court costs on every case.

Ste. Genevieve County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court here has jurisdiction over all types of civil cases. General civil suits, small claims, domestic relations, probate, and orders of protection all run through this office. The county has deep roots in Missouri, and court records here go back further than most other counties in the state.

If you need a specific Ste. Genevieve County civil court record, the staff can pull the case file during regular business hours. Missouri law requires that public records be made open for inspection upon request.

Search Ste. Genevieve County Civil Records Online

The quickest way to find Ste. Genevieve County civil court records is Case.net, Missouri's free online court records portal. Case.net is run by the Office of State Courts Administrator and covers all 114 counties. Search by name, case number, filing date, or hearing date. Results show docket entries, party names, judgments, and court dates for Ste. Genevieve County cases.

Case.net is free and runs Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 1 AM. The system shows case summaries and docket entries but not the actual filed documents. If you need a full copy of a petition, motion, or order from a Ste. Genevieve County civil case, contact the Circuit Clerk's office.

The Ste. Genevieve County Circuit Clerk's office maintains civil court records and can be reached at the courthouse in Ste. Genevieve.

Track This Case on Case.net sends email alerts when new entries appear in a case you are watching. About 100,000 Missourians use this tool to keep up with civil court cases without making trips to the courthouse.

Ste. Genevieve County Civil Court Filing Fees

Filing fees in Ste. Genevieve County follow the statewide schedule set by Missouri courts. Circuit civil cases cost $93.50 to $105.50. Associate circuit civil cases are $43.50 to $53.50. Small claims start at $30.50 to $35.50. Fees are paid at the time of filing. Attorneys using the eFiling system pay by credit card, debit, or e-check.

Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $1.50 to $2.50 for certification plus $0.25 per page. Clerk search time is $0.20 per minute under the Sunshine Law provisions.

Types of Civil Cases in Ste. Genevieve County

The Ste. Genevieve County Circuit Court handles a broad range of civil matters. Contract disputes and personal injury claims are part of the regular docket. Property cases come through as well. Small claims for amounts under $5,000 are filed at the clerk's window on the right form and scanned into the electronic system. Attorneys use eFiling for all other civil cases.

Domestic relations cases, including divorce and custody, are a steady part of the workload. Probate matters and estate proceedings come through regularly. Orders of protection and child support enforcement also run through this office. Each of these case types generates records you can search on Case.net or request at the courthouse.

Public Access to Ste. Genevieve County Civil Court Records

Missouri law gives the public broad 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) requires that a public records request be acted on within three business days.

Not all records are public. Sealed cases, juvenile files, and expunged records are off limits. Court Operating Rule 2 requires that Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor children be removed from public filings. You need a court order to access sealed records.

The Missouri State Archives holds older Ste. Genevieve County court records on microfilm. Given the county's long history, the archives may have records going back further here than in most other counties. Contact archref@sos.mo.gov for help finding historical civil case files.

Ste. Genevieve County Legal Resources

The Missouri Bar runs a directory of licensed attorneys searchable by location and practice area. Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to those who qualify. Court clerks can't give legal advice per Supreme Court Operating Rule 25, but they can help with forms and fee information. Missouri courts post forms online for self-represented parties.

Nearby Counties

Ste. Genevieve County borders several other east Missouri counties along the Mississippi River. If a civil case was filed nearby, check those courts too. Neighbors include Perry County, St. Francois County, Jefferson County, and Madison County. Each has its own Circuit Clerk and court records. Civil cases are filed in the county where the events took place or where the defendant lives.