St. Louis City, Missouri Court Records
St. Louis City court records are official files that document proceedings in court cases in the independent City of St. Louis, Missouri. These records track what happens in court, how cases end for criminal charges, disputes between people, traffic tickets, and other court cases in the city. The records are a formal history of court activity and help ensure transparency in the administration of justice. The primary custodian of trial-level court records in St. Louis City is the Circuit Court of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit. Court clerks create and maintain these records during case filing, hearings, motions, and final judgments. Each document becomes part of the official case file maintained under Missouri court rules and the Sunshine Law, which governs public access to government records.
St. Louis City court records often relate to other public records. Arrest reports from law enforcement agencies may lead to criminal case filings. Vital records may appear in family law matters such as divorce or adoption. Federal case records remain separate and are maintained by the United States District Court system.
Are St. Louis City Court Records Public?
Yes. According to Missouri Court Operating Rule 2, St. Louis City court records are public records. The Circuit Court of St. Louis City makes the following case records generally available to the public: civil, criminal, probate, and family court records. However, some records are restricted from public access:
- Juvenile court cases
- Adoption records
- Mental health reports
- Sealed or expunged files
- Personal data, like social security numbers and bank account details
- Specific domestic violence documents
What Information is Available in St. Louis City Court Records?
The most common information available in a St. Louis City court record includes the following:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties and attorneys
- Charges or claims
- Filed pleadings and motions
- Hearing and trial dates
- Judgment or verdict
- Sentence or court order
- Docket entries showing case activity
St. Louis City Court Records Search
Interested persons may search and access St. Louis City court records through several official access methods maintained by the city’s Circuit Court.
Online Access: The Case.net portal is the primary online resource for the city’s court record searches. To use the portal, requestors should follow these steps:
- Visit the Case.net public access portal.
- Select one of the available search options depending on the type of court record sought: Litigant Name Search, Filing Date Search, Case Number Search, Scheduled Hearing Search, and Judgment Index.
- Select "St. Louis City - 22nd Judicial District" from the "Search for cases in:" court location filter.
- Enter all known case details in the provided search fields.
- Click "Find" to review available results.
In-Person Access: For in-person court record inquiries, requestors should visit the appropriate Clerk’s Office at the courthouse. Most offices provide on-site public access terminals. Available Monday through Friday (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM). A valid photo identification document is required. Civil court records are available at the Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building:
10 North Tucker Boulevard,
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Criminal and probate records are available at the Mel Carnahan Courthouse:
1114 Market Street,
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Enquiries about juvenile records can be made at:
St. Louis Family Court
920 North Vandeventer Avenue,
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Mail or Phone Requests: Email requests for non-certified or certified records may be made to the Circuit Clerk’s office. For general court records enquiries, requestors can call the Clerk’s Office at (314) 622-4500. The Certified Copies Department can be reached via (314) 622-4922. A representative from the Certified Copies Department will reply with a cost estimate and payment instructions. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and should be directed to:
Circuit Clerk’s Office
10 North Tucker Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Fees for Court Records in St. Louis City
St. Louis City has established standard fees for copies, record searches, and document authentication.
Circuit Court Records
- Case.net allows users to view documents at no charge.
- Standard photocopies are $0.30 per page.
- Certified copies cost $1.50 per document, plus applicable per-page charges.
Vital Records (City Recorder of Deeds)
- Birth certificates are available for $15.00 each.
- Death certificate: $14.00 for the first copy and $11.00 for each additional copy
- Certified marriage certificate: $12.00 nonrefundable fee per copy
- Uncertified marriage record: $3.00 nonrefundable fee per copy
St. Louis City Courthouse Locations
The St. Louis City court network consists of a Circuit Court and its different divisions. Civil cases are handled at the Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building. Criminal and probate cases are handled at the Mel Carnahan Courthouse. Juvenile cases are handled at the St. Louis Family Court. The Municipal Court handles traffic offenses, minor alcohol or drug charges, earnings tax matters, truancy violations, and problem property cases. Below are all of the city’s courthouse locations and contact details for each courthouse:
ClydeS. Cahill Courts Building
10 North Tucker Boulevard,
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Phone: (314) 622-4500
1114 Market Street,
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
Phone: (314) 622-4500
ST. Louis Family Court (Juvenile Division)
920 North Vandeventer Avenue,
St. Louis, Missouri 63108
Phone: 314-622-4442
St. Louis City Municipal Division
1520 Market St.,
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 622-3231
Criminal Records Access in St. Louis City
The St. Louis City Circuit Court does not provide official statewide criminal history background checks. Instead, these records are kept by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which is the main state source for criminal history information and fingerprint-based checks.
The Circuit Court of the 22nd Judicial Circuit keeps local criminal case files that show charges, hearings, requests, and final judgments. Interested persons seeking local criminal case information can look up records on the Case.net court website or check files at public computers in courthouse clerk offices. In-person searches may provide broader access to case documents that may not appear through remote online viewing.
St. Louis City Probate Records
St. Louis City probate records document legal proceedings related to estate administration and the protection of individuals who are unable to manage personal or financial affairs. These records are maintained by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court. Common probate filings include:
- Wills: Written documents that specify how a deceased person’s property and assets are to be distributed.
- Estate Records: Court papers that show how an estate is managed, how debts are paid, and how property is given to those who should receive it.
- Guardianships: Court orders appointing a person to oversee the personal affairs of a minor or incapacitated adult.
- Conservatorships: Court actions that give a party the power to handle another person’s money matters.
Interested persons may obtain probate case information by calling (314) 622-4238, faxing a request to (314) 622-4498, or mailing a request to:
The Probate Division,
10 North Tucker Boulevard,
St. Louis, MO 63101.
To access historical probate records, individuals should visit the Missouri State Archives County and Municipal Records Database. Requestors should note that some wills and probate filings, including cases involving minors or confidential guardianship proceedings, are limited by law and require a court order for access.
City | Court Name | Address | Phone Number | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis City | Probate Division, Circuit Court of the 22nd Judicial Circuit | 10 North Tucker Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63101 10th floor of the Civil Courts Building | (314) 622-4238 | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM |
St. Louis City Family Court Records
The Circuit Clerk’s Office manages family court records in St. Louis City. These records include dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, protection orders, adoption, and juvenile matters. Access to these documents depends on the specific case type. Eligible parties are as follows:
- General public for divorce, custody, support, and protection order records
- Parties, attorneys, and guardians ad litem for paternity matters
- A court order is required for adoption records.
- Juvenile, legal guardians, attorneys, and law enforcement for juvenile delinquency records
Members of the public can access certain family court records online through Case.net, where docket entries, party information, and judgment summaries are available. However, to view full pleadings and detailed filings, an in-person visit is required.
The Circuit Clerk’s Office,
3rd floor, Clyde S. Cahill Courts Building,
10 North Tucker Boulevard.
Certified copies may be requested in person or by email through the Certified Copies Department. Fees are $0.30 per page plus $1.50 per document for certification.
Federal Court Records in St. Louis City
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri manages federal cases in St. Louis. Interested persons may visit the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse to look at case files. The Clerk of Court offers access to physical records during regular business hours.
For digital retrieval, interested persons may use the PACER system. PACER requires registration and charges fees for document downloads. These files include criminal and civil filings.