St. Louis Family Court Records
St. Louis family court records are managed by the 22nd Judicial Circuit. Unlike most Missouri cities, St. Louis is an independent city. It does not sit inside any county. The city runs its own circuit court with a full Family Court division. You can search St. Louis family court records online through Case.net or request copies at the Circuit Clerk's office. Divorce cases, custody filings, child support orders, and paternity actions are all on file with the 22nd Circuit. The clerk's staff can help you find records and get the copies you need.
St. Louis Quick Facts
St. Louis City Court System
St. Louis has a unique setup in Missouri. It is the only independent city in the state, meaning it functions as its own county for court purposes. The 22nd Judicial Circuit serves only the City of St. Louis. This circuit has a dedicated Family Court division that handles all domestic relations matters. Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, and domestic violence protection orders all go through this division.
The Circuit Clerk's Office in St. Louis maintains the official records for all family court cases. When someone files for divorce or custody in St. Louis, the paperwork goes to the 22nd Circuit clerk. The clerk assigns a case number, processes the filing, and keeps the record on file. You can visit the clerk's office in person to look up St. Louis family court records, or use the online tools the state provides. Because St. Louis is separate from St. Louis County, make sure you select "St. Louis City" and not "St. Louis County" when searching for records on Case.net.
Note: St. Louis City and St. Louis County are different jurisdictions with separate court systems and different circuit numbers.
Searching St. Louis Family Court Records Online
Case.net is the fastest way to look up St. Louis family court records. Pick "City of St. Louis - 22nd Judicial Circuit" from the court list. Choose Family/Domestic as the case type. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The results show docket entries, party names, judgments, and hearing dates. There is no fee for basic searches. The system is up around the clock.
Since July 2023, public documents filed on or after that date can be viewed directly on Case.net from any device. Before this update, you had to visit a courthouse terminal to read full documents. This is a big deal for St. Louis residents who want to check family court records without making a trip downtown. Older filings from before the cutoff date still require an in-person visit to read the full text, though the basic docket information is still visible online.
You can also use the Track This Case feature on Case.net to get alerts about St. Louis family court cases. Sign up with your email or phone number and pick the cases you want to follow. The system sends you a notice when there is a new filing, a changed hearing date, or a docket update. This works for any St. Louis family court case in the system.
Types of St. Louis Family Court Records
The 22nd Circuit Family Court division handles several case types. Dissolution of marriage makes up the biggest portion. These records hold the original petition, the answer, any temporary orders, the parenting plan, and the final decree. Under RSMo Chapter 452, Missouri courts look at factors like each parent's wishes, the child's connection to home and school, and the health of everyone involved when deciding custody in St. Louis cases.
Paternity cases are common in St. Louis family court too. These establish who the legal father is. They usually lead to custody and support orders. Child support cases follow Missouri guidelines and set the payment amount based on both parents' incomes. Modification cases happen when someone wants to change an existing court order. Each modification adds new records to the original case file. Domestic violence protection orders are part of the family court system as well, though the details may be limited under Missouri's Sunshine Law in RSMo Chapter 610 to keep victims safe.
Adoption records in St. Louis are sealed by law. You cannot access them through Case.net or at the clerk's office. Juvenile records are also restricted. The clerk can tell you which parts of a specific case file are public and which are closed.
St. Louis Municipal Court
The St. Louis City Municipal Courts handle city ordinance violations. Traffic tickets, code violations, and minor criminal charges go through this court. It is not the same as the family court. But some cases overlap. A domestic violence charge at the municipal level can tie into a family court protection order or custody case. If you are tracking a St. Louis matter that crosses both courts, check records in each system.
Municipal court records do not include divorce or custody filings. Those are only at the 22nd Circuit. But the municipal court may have records of violations linked to a family court order, such as breaking a protective order. The municipal court clerk's office can help you check what they have on file for a specific person or case in St. Louis.
Getting Copies of St. Louis Court Records
Visit the 22nd Circuit Clerk's office in person to get copies of St. Louis family court records. Bring your ID. Tell the staff what case and documents you need. Standard copies cost $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies run a few dollars more per document. The clerk can pull the file and make copies while you wait during regular business hours.
You can also send a mail request to the Circuit Clerk. Include the case number if you know it, the names of the parties, the date range of the filing, and what document you need. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Money orders are the safest form of payment for mail requests. Call the clerk's office first to confirm fees and accepted payment methods for St. Louis family court record copies.
St. Louis Legal Aid and Resources
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has its main office in St. Louis. They give free legal help to people who meet income guidelines. Their attorneys handle divorce, custody, child support, and protection order cases. They can also help you understand St. Louis family court records and explain what different docket entries mean. If you cannot afford a private attorney, this is a solid starting point.
Missouri's self-help resources are available for people who want to represent themselves in St. Louis family court. The state courts website has form packets for dissolution, paternity, custody modifications, and support changes. These forms work for cases filed in the 22nd Circuit. The clerk's office can point you to the right forms, but they cannot fill them out for you or give legal advice about your St. Louis family court case.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also keeps dissolution of marriage records at the state level. Under RSMo Chapter 193, the court clerk must send a report to the state after every divorce. You can request a Statement of Dissolution from the Bureau of Vital Records at (573) 751-6387 if you need a state-level record of a St. Louis divorce.
Nearby Cities
If you need family court records from areas near St. Louis, check this nearby city: