Court records in St. Louis, Missouri, are available through several channels. StLouisCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official court online resources, including the Missouri Courts (CaseNet) system, directly at court clerks' offices, and at public terminals in court buildings.
St. Louis Court System & Jurisdictions
St. Louis City is an independent city in Missouri, which is not part of any county. Its court system has several levels, each handling specific categories of cases.
Circuit Court (22nd Judicial Circuit) is the main court of general jurisdiction. It is divided into divisions:
- Criminal Division — felonies and serious misdemeanors that fall outside municipal jurisdiction.
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits, including cases with claims over $25,000, as well as property rights and contract disputes.
- Family Court Division — divorces, child custody, adoptions, orders of protection from domestic violence.
- Probate Division — inheritance cases, appointment of guardians, management of deceased estates.
- Associate Circuit Division — small claims (up to $5,000), misdemeanors, preliminary hearings in criminal cases, and some civil cases with smaller claims.
Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances — traffic fines, building code violations, and other administrative offenses. Previously, the Municourt.net system was used for case searches, but now municipal cases are also available through CaseNet.
Federal cases — criminal and civil — are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, located downtown.
St. Louis Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of the next hearing, use the CaseNet system on the Missouri Courts portal. You can find the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week — just enter the party's name or case number.
Step by step:
- Go to the Missouri Courts website and select the Case Search (CaseNet) section.
- Enter the participant's last name or case number.
- In the results, open the desired case — the hearing schedule is displayed in the details.
For municipal cases in St. Louis, use the Municipal Court violation search. The system will show scheduled hearing dates by citation number or defendant's name.
If you need information about inmates and their court dates, the Division of Corrections database for the city of St. Louis will help.
How to Get a Copy of a St. Louis Court Document
There are two types of copies: certified — with the court's official seal, acceptable as legal evidence — and uncertified, suitable for review.
Online
Through CaseNet, you can view basic case information for free. Full documents usually need to be ordered from the court clerk's office.
In Person or by Mail
The Clerk of the Circuit Court processes requests for copies of Circuit Court documents. Contact the office:
To obtain a copy by mail, send a written request specifying the case number, parties' names, and document type. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Divorce records can also be obtained through the Recorder of Deeds or order an uncertified copy online through the Bureau of Vital Records of the state of Missouri.
Historical court records, including archival materials of district and appellate courts, are preserved by the Missouri State Archives.
St. Louis Court Records Fees & Payment
The fee amount depends on the type of document and the method of obtaining it. Below are approximate rates according to Missouri court rules and local administrative orders.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Court record search (by name) | Free through CaseNet; a fee may be charged for a request at the clerk's office |
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.10–$1.00 |
| Certified copy | From $2.50 per document (depending on type) |
| Divorce decree copy (Circuit Clerk) | Depends on the number of pages; check with the clerk's office |
| Criminal history check (state, fingerprint-based) | $43.50 (as of 2025) |
| Criminal history check (by name, through MSHP) | Depends on the type of request |
The cost of a fingerprint-based criminal history check is set by the Missouri Automated Criminal History Fingerprint Portal and as of January 1, 2025, is $43.50 for a combined state and federal check. A name-based check can also be initiated through the Criminal Record Check page of MSHP.
The court clerk's office accepts payment by cash, check, and money order. The possibility of credit card payment should be confirmed directly with the relevant court division before visiting.