Find St. Louis County Family Court Records
St. Louis County family court records are maintained at the courthouse in Clayton. The 21st Judicial Circuit is one of the busiest in Missouri, handling thousands of family law cases each year across a county of nearly one million people. Divorce, custody, child support, and paternity filings all go through the Circuit Clerk at 105 S. Central Ave. You can search records on Case.net for free or visit the Clayton courthouse. Cities like Florissant and many other St. Louis County communities file their family court cases through this single clerk's office.
St. Louis County Quick Facts
St. Louis County Circuit Clerk Office
The St. Louis County Circuit Clerk's office is at 105 S. Central Ave. in Clayton, MO 63105. Call (314) 615-8029. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The 21st Judicial Circuit serves St. Louis County exclusively. With the county's large population, the court employs multiple family law judges and a sizable clerk staff to manage the high volume of cases.
The clerk processes all new filings, issues summons and subpoenas, collects fees and fines, and maintains the official court seal. Family court work includes dissolution petitions, custody actions, child support filings, paternity cases, and protection orders. The Clayton courthouse has modern electronic filing systems, and attorneys in the 21st Circuit routinely use e-filing. Some self-represented litigants can file electronically as well. The clerk's website provides instructions for both methods.
You can also find court information through the St. Louis County Courts website, which provides details on court divisions, judge assignments, filing procedures, and local rules specific to the 21st Circuit.
The St. Louis County Courts site shown above is where residents can find local court rules, judge schedules, and information about the family court division. It is a useful starting point before visiting the Clayton courthouse.
Searching St. Louis County Family Records Online
Case.net is the primary tool for searching St. Louis County family court records online. Select "St. Louis County - 21st Judicial Circuit" and choose "Family/Domestic" as the case type. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Results include docket entries, hearing dates, judge names, and party information. The service is free and runs 24/7.
Missouri expanded online document access in July 2023. Public filings from St. Louis County made on or after that date can be viewed from any device through Case.net. This was a massive improvement for the 21st Circuit given how many cases it handles. Before the change, you could see basic docket entries online but had to visit the Clayton courthouse to read full documents. Older family court records still need that in-person visit. But for recent St. Louis County filings, everything is right there on your screen.
The high case volume in St. Louis County means you may get many search results when looking up a common name. Use middle initials, date of birth, or case numbers to narrow things down. The more details you have, the faster you will find the right case. If you cannot locate a record on Case.net, the clerk's office in Clayton can run a more targeted search for you during business hours.
St. Louis County Family Court Case Types
Dissolution of marriage is the largest category of family court filings in St. Louis County. The county processes thousands of divorce cases each year. Each file includes the petition, response, temporary orders, parenting plan, property settlement, and the final judgment. Missouri's dissolution law under RSMo Chapter 452 requires 90 days of state residency and a 30-day waiting period after the petition is filed.
Custody disputes fill a large part of the docket. St. Louis County families frequently deal with complex custody arrangements due to the metro area's size and the number of school districts involved. The court uses the best-interest standard from RSMo 452.375. Guardian ad litem appointments are common in contested cases. Modification petitions are filed regularly as parents change jobs, move within the metro, or face new circumstances that affect the child.
Child support follows Missouri's income shares model under RSMo 452.340. The county's Division of Family Services works with the court on enforcement when a parent falls behind on payments. Paternity filings establish legal fatherhood and typically result in custody and support orders. Protection orders for domestic violence are a significant part of the St. Louis County family court workload. The county has a dedicated domestic relations division that handles these cases. Some records are sealed or restricted under state law to protect victims.
Legal Resources in St. Louis County
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri provides free legal assistance to low-income St. Louis County residents facing family court issues. They handle divorce, custody, child support, and protection orders. With offices in the St. Louis metro, they serve a large number of county residents each year.
The St. Louis County Bar Association also runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys. Self-represented litigants can get free forms from the Missouri Courts website. The clerk at 105 S. Central Ave. can tell you which packet to use. Missouri Supreme Court Rule 68 governs dissolution proceedings, and Rule 88 covers mediation. The 21st Circuit has robust mediation services for custody and parenting disputes. Given the backlog that can build up in a court this busy, mediation is often the fastest path to resolution for St. Louis County families.
Most St. Louis County court records are public under the Sunshine Law in RSMo Chapter 610. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile files are confidential. Some protection order information is restricted. The clerk's office can clarify what is available for any specific case.
Note: St. Louis County has one of the most active family court benches in Missouri, so scheduling and processing times may be longer than in smaller counties.
Getting Copies From St. Louis County
Visit the clerk's office at 105 S. Central Ave. in Clayton with your ID. Provide the case number or party names. Staff pull the file and make copies. Plain copies cost $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Mail requests go to the Circuit Clerk at 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105 with case details, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (314) 615-8029 to confirm payment methods.
In-person requests at the Clayton courthouse may involve a short wait due to the volume of visitors. Plan accordingly. Mail requests typically take one to two weeks. If you need certified copies for another court or a government filing, specify that when you place the order. The clerk stamps and signs certified documents with the official court seal.
Cities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County includes many cities and municipalities. Family court cases for residents of these areas all go through the 21st Circuit in Clayton:
The independent city of St. Louis has its own circuit court (the 22nd Circuit) and is not part of St. Louis County. If you need records from the city of St. Louis, check the 22nd Circuit instead.
Nearby Counties
These counties and jurisdictions neighbor St. Louis County: