Cass County Family Court Records Lookup
Cass County family court records are maintained at the courthouse in Harrisonville. The 17th Judicial Circuit handles all family law filings for Cass County, from divorce petitions to child custody disputes. Search these records for free through Case.net or visit the clerk's office at 102 E. Wall St. Cass County sits just south of the Kansas City metro area, so the family court docket stays busy. The clerk's staff can help you find what you need.
Cass County Family Court Quick Facts
Cass County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Kathy Lambertz runs the clerk's office for the 17th Judicial Circuit. The office is located at 102 E. Wall St., Harrisonville, MO 64701. Call (816) 380-8227 with questions about family court records, case status, or copy requests.
The Cass County website lists additional courthouse information and hours. The clerk's office processes all family court filings for Cass County. This includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, child custody, child support, and modifications to existing orders. Staff can search by party name or case number. They provide plain copies and certified copies of any document in a family court file. Bring a photo ID when you visit.
The 17th Circuit covers Cass and Johnson counties. Harrisonville is the courthouse location for Cass County family court cases. The circuit has dedicated family court divisions with judges who focus on domestic relations matters. Cases are in the Missouri Court Automation Program and appear on Case.net. The circuit supports electronic filing for attorneys and self-represented parties.
Search Cass County Family Court Records Online
Go to Case.net and pick "Cass County - 17th Judicial Circuit" from the court list. Filter by "Family/Domestic" case type. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show docket entries, parties, judgments, and hearing dates. The search costs nothing.
Missouri expanded remote document access in 2023. Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2023 can now be viewed from home. The 17th Circuit was part of the August rollout. This means recent Cass County family court filings are viewable on your computer or phone. Before this change, you had to go to the Harrisonville courthouse to see full documents. Older filings still need an in-person visit.
Set up case tracking on Case.net for email or text alerts. This sends you a notice when new docket entries, motions, or hearing changes are posted for a Cass County family court case you follow.
Types of Cass County Family Court Records
Cass County processes a full range of family court cases. Dissolution of marriage is the most common. Under RSMo Chapter 452, one spouse must live in Missouri for 90 days before filing. The standard ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is a 30-day wait period after filing.
The dissolution case file in Cass County typically holds the petition, response, temporary orders for custody and support, a parenting plan, child support worksheets, any settlement agreement, and the final judgment. These records are permanent and stay with the circuit clerk. Custody matters follow RSMo 452.375, which presumes equal parenting time in the child's best interest. Child support uses the guidelines in Section 452.340.
Paternity cases establish a legal parent-child relationship. Once paternity is confirmed, the court can enter custody and support orders. Protection orders for domestic abuse cases are part of the family court system too. Family Access Motions under RSMo 452.400 let a parent seek relief when court-ordered visitation is denied. The filing fee is about $102, and the court can award makeup time or fines up to $500.
Note: Plain copies of Cass County family court records cost $0.25 to $1.00 per page, with certified copies adding $1.50 to $4.00 per document.
Legal Resources for Cass County
Legal Aid of Western Missouri serves Cass County residents who need free family law help. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Income eligibility applies. Court forms for self-represented litigants are at selfrepresent.mo.gov.
The Missouri Sunshine Law guarantees public access to most Cass County family court records. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and sealed records are the exceptions. The Family Support Division at 1-800-225-0530 enforces child support orders statewide. Contact the OSCA Help Desk at (888) 541-4894 for technical help with Case.net or eFiling.
Cass County sits close to the Kansas City metro. Residents near the county line should know that family court cases are filed where you live, not where you work. If you live in Cass County, your case goes to the Harrisonville courthouse. Our Kansas City family court records page covers Jackson County resources if you live on that side.
How to Get Cass County Court Copies
The easiest way is to visit the clerk's office at 102 E. Wall St. in Harrisonville. Bring your ID and the party names or case number. Staff pull the file and make copies while you wait. Mail requests should include the party names, case number or date, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
The Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 keeps dissolution records from 1949 to the present. Call (573) 751-6387 or mail a request. A Statement of Dissolution costs $15. It covers basic facts like the parties, the date, and the number of children. For the complete Cass County family court file with all filings and orders, you need the records from the Harrisonville clerk. The Missouri State Archives may also hold older Cass County family court records.