Search Missouri Family Court Records
Missouri family court records are public documents kept by Circuit Court Clerks in all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. These records cover divorce filings, child custody cases, child support orders, paternity actions, and domestic relations matters. The state runs Case.net, a free search tool that lets you look up family court records from any county. You can also visit your local courthouse to get copies of case files in person. The Bureau of Vital Records holds dissolution certificates going back to 1948. Whether you need a copy of a custody order, a divorce decree, or a support filing, Missouri gives you several ways to find and get these records.
Missouri Family Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Missouri Family Court Records
Missouri keeps family court records at two main levels. Circuit Court Clerks in each county hold the full case files for every family law matter filed in their jurisdiction. These files have the original petitions, responses, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final judgments signed by the judge. The clerk stores all of this at the courthouse. You can go in person to look at files or ask for copies. Some records are also on Case.net, the state's online court records system run by the Office of State Courts Administrator.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps a separate set of records. Since 1949, the Bureau of Vital Records has been the official state registrar for dissolution of marriage records under RSMo Chapter 193, Section 205. These records document facts like the number of prior marriages, minor children affected, and the type of decree. You can get a Statement of Dissolution from the Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or by calling (573) 751-6387.
The Missouri State Archives holds historical court records from the Supreme Court, Appellate Courts, and county courts. The Judicial Records Project rescues records from counties that lack storage space. These archives can be a good source for older family court records that may not be on Case.net.
Note: Family court records from the Bureau of Vital Records have less detail than the full case files kept by Circuit Clerks in Missouri.
How to Search Family Court Records in Missouri
Missouri Case.net is the main tool for finding family court records. The Office of State Courts Administrator runs this system. It covers all Circuit Courts across the state. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. There is no charge for basic searches. The system shows docket entries, filing dates, case status, and parties involved. You can filter results by selecting "Family/Domestic" as the case type to narrow down your search to family court records only.
Case.net has four main search methods. The Litigant Name Search is used most often. Case Number Search is the fastest if you have the number. Filing Date Search lets you browse recent filings. The Scheduled Hearings Search shows upcoming court dates by judge, location, or date. You can also use the "Track This Case" feature to get email or text alerts about new docket entries, filings, and hearing changes in Missouri family court cases.
As of July 1, 2023, major changes expanded public access on Case.net. Public case documents filed on or after that date can now be viewed from personal devices. Before this change, you had to use terminals at the courthouse. The rollout went circuit by circuit through October 2023. Documents filed before July 1, 2023 still require a visit to the courthouse to view.
You can also search family court records in person at any Circuit Clerk office in Missouri. Bring a valid ID. Staff can look up cases by party name or case number. Most clerks charge per-page fees for copies. Certified copies cost more. For copies by mail, include the names of the parties, case date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
Types of Missouri Family Court Records
Missouri family court records are official documents from cases heard in the family court divisions of the state's Circuit Courts. These courts have jurisdiction over divorce and alimony, child custody and support, termination of parental rights, guardianship, domestic abuse cases, paternity actions, and minor emancipation. Each type of case creates its own set of records.
The judgment of dissolution is the final court order that ends a marriage. A judge signs this after the case resolves. It covers custody, support, and property division. This is the most detailed family court record you can get from the Circuit Clerk. Parenting plans lay out custody schedules and decision-making rights. Child support orders set payment amounts based on Missouri guidelines under RSMo Chapter 452. Protection orders in domestic abuse cases are also part of the family court record.
Family court records in Missouri typically contain filed motions, court actions, orders, final verdicts and decrees. You can find personal information of the parties, details of the case, place and date of the original complaint, evidence filed, trial transcripts, and the court's final ruling. Certified copies of any document in a family court case file can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk.
Missouri Family Court Laws
Several state statutes shape how family court records are created and maintained. RSMo 452.305 requires that at least one spouse live in Missouri for 90 days before filing for dissolution. You file in the circuit court of the county where you or your spouse resides.
Under RSMo 452.320, the most common ground for dissolution is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." There is a 30-day waiting period after filing before the court can enter a judgment. During this time, temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the home may be issued. These temporary orders become part of the family court record.
RSMo 452.375 defines custody terms. "Joint legal custody" means parents share decision-making for health, education, and welfare. "Joint physical custody" means the child spends significant time with each parent. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that equal parenting time serves the child's best interests. Section 452.340 governs child support allocation, and Section 452.400 covers visitation rights and Family Access Motions.
Missouri follows equitable distribution for marital property. Under RSMo 452.330, the court divides assets in a way it considers fair, though not always equal. The judge looks at the economic situation of each spouse, contributions to marital assets, and the value of non-marital property.
Are Family Court Records Public in Missouri
Yes, most family court records in Missouri are public. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) says that government records shall be open to the public unless the law says otherwise. Court records fall under this rule. You do not need to be a party to a case. You do not need to give a reason for your request.
There are limits. Some records are exempt from public access. The Attorney General's Sunshine Law guidance notes that sealed records, juvenile matters, adoption files, domestic violence victim information, and financial details like Social Security numbers are protected. Supreme Court Operating Rule 2 requires filers to redact confidential information before submission. If a document has insufficiently redacted information, the clerk raises its security level to confidential until the court rules within 30 days.
Note: A party to a family court case may petition the court to seal specific records, but sealed family court records are uncommon in Missouri.
Missouri Family Court Record Fees
Fees for family court records vary across Missouri. Searching on Case.net is free. Getting copies from a Circuit Clerk has costs that differ by county. Most clerks charge between $0.25 and $1.00 per page for plain copies. Certified copies add $1.50 to $4.00 per document on top of the page fee. Some counties accept cash, money orders, and cashier's checks but not personal checks.
Filing a new dissolution of marriage petition costs between $100 and $225 depending on the county and whether children are involved. Filing a Family Access Motion costs around $102. Fee waivers are available if you can show financial hardship. You file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with documentation of your income and expenses. The judge decides whether to waive the fees. The Bureau of Vital Records charges $15 for a dissolution verification statement.
Legal Help for Family Court in Missouri
Legal Services of Missouri gives free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. They handle family law matters like dissolution, custody, and protective orders. The Missouri Bar Association runs a Lawyer Referral Service to connect you with family law attorneys by location and practice area.
Missouri Legal Help has free self-help guides for people who want to represent themselves. You can find step-by-step instructions for filing a dissolution, modifying custody, or enforcing a support order. The Missouri Courts website has standardized court forms you can download, including the petition for dissolution, answer, and Family Access Motion forms. Self-represented litigants can also use the self-representation portal for guides and form packets.
For technical help with Case.net or the eFiling system, contact the OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894 or email osca.help.desk@courts.mo.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Family Support Division handles child support enforcement and can be reached at 1-800-225-0530.
Browse Missouri Family Court Records by County
Each county in Missouri has its own Circuit Clerk who keeps family court records. Pick a county to find local contact info and resources for family court records in that area.
Family Court Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of major cities file family court cases at their county Circuit Court. Pick a city to learn about family court records in that area.