Search Missouri court records online in 2026 using Case.net, the official Missouri Courts public case search system. This guide explains free public case lookup, litigant name search, case number search, filing date search, criminal records, civil lawsuits, family cases, probate files, traffic tickets, municipal cases, judgments, hearings, certified copies, confidential records, appellate cases and federal PACER records.
Need Missouri Court Records Right Now?
The official first stop for most missouri court records is Missouri Case.net. It lets public users search many Missouri court cases by litigant name, case number, filing date and other available filters. For court payments, Missouri courts also provide Pay By Web and Plead and Pay options when the case or ticket is eligible.
Missouri Court Records Overview
Missouri court records are official case records created by Missouri courts. They may include case numbers, party names, attorney names, case type, filing date, docket entries, scheduled hearings, judgments, charges, orders, financial obligations and publicly available case documents.
Most Missouri trial court records start in circuit courts. Circuit courts handle many criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, traffic and municipal division matters. Appeals may go to the Missouri Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court of Missouri. Federal cases in Missouri are separate and must be searched through PACER or the federal court that handled the case.
Where to search Missouri court records by record type
| Record Type | Best Official Starting Point | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri state court case | Case.net | Case number, litigant name, docket, hearings and judgment |
| Criminal case | Case.net or circuit clerk | Charges, docket entries, court dates and final disposition |
| Civil lawsuit | Case.net or circuit clerk | Petition, parties, motions, judgment and satisfaction |
| Family case | Case.net or circuit clerk | Divorce, custody and support records, with privacy limits |
| Probate case | Case.net or probate division | Estate, will, guardianship and conservatorship details |
| Traffic or municipal ticket | Case.net, Plead and Pay or Pay By Web | Citation, fine, court date and payment eligibility |
| Federal case | PACER | Federal docket, pleadings, orders and bankruptcy files |
Case.net Free Public Case Search
Case.net is Missouri’s official online public case search system. It is the safest starting point for Missouri court records because it belongs to the Missouri Judiciary. Avoid fake Case.net copycat websites and use the courts.mo.gov domain whenever possible.
What you can usually find on Case.net
- Case number and court location
- Litigant names and party roles when public
- Attorney information when available
- Docket entries and case events
- Scheduled hearings, trials and court dates
- Charges, judgments and dispositions when public
- Financial obligations and payment links where available
- Public documents when remote access is allowed
Step-by-step Case.net search
- Open the official Case.net page Go to courts.mo.gov/casenet. Do not use misspelled or unofficial Case.net domains.
- Choose the correct search option Use case number search if you have the number. Use litigant name search if you only know a person or business name.
- Review the result list carefully Check the court, county, case type, filing date and party role before opening or relying on the case.
- Read the docket and final outcome Look for hearing dates, orders, judgments, disposition, dismissal, sentence, satisfaction or appeal entries.
Missouri Court Records Search by Case Number
A case number search is the best way to find the right Missouri court record. It avoids common-name confusion and usually takes you directly to the correct case. You may find the case number on a summons, ticket, complaint, petition, judgment, court notice, payment notice, attorney letter or docket printout.
Micro steps for Missouri case number lookup
- Find the full case number Use the exact number shown on your court paperwork. Include letters, dashes and leading zeros if shown.
- Open Case.net Use the official Case.net page and choose the case number search option.
- Enter the number carefully Case number formatting matters. If the search fails, check whether you missed a letter, digit, dash or court-specific format.
- Confirm the court and division Missouri cases may be in circuit, associate circuit, family, probate, municipal or appellate divisions. Confirm the correct court before acting.
Missouri Court Records Search by Litigant Name
If you do not know the case number, use Case.net’s litigant name search. This is helpful for searches like “Missouri court records by name,” “Missouri Case.net name search,” “Missouri criminal case lookup by name,” and “Missouri civil court records search.”
How to search Missouri cases by name
- Use the legal name first Search the last name and first name exactly as it may appear on court documents.
- Try spelling variations Use maiden names, former names, hyphenated names, initials, business names, DBA names and punctuation differences.
- Use filters when available Narrow by court, county, filing date, case type or party role if the search results are too broad.
- Verify the identity A name match is not proof. Confirm case type, county, filing date, party role and final outcome before relying on the record.
Missouri Criminal Court Records Search
Missouri criminal court records may include felony, misdemeanor, ordinance, traffic-related criminal and probation-related court entries. Public records may show charges, hearings, docket events, warrants in a case, plea details, sentencing entries, financial obligations and final disposition.
How to search Missouri criminal court records online
- Start with Case.net Use the official Case.net search system and search by case number or defendant name.
- Check the correct county or court Criminal cases are usually filed in the county or municipal division connected to the alleged offense.
- Read the disposition carefully A charge is not the same as a conviction. Look for dismissed, guilty plea, trial verdict, suspended imposition, sentence, probation or expungement-related entries.
- Contact the circuit clerk when needed For certified copies, older files, missing documents or unclear docket entries, contact the clerk of the court that handled the case.
Common criminal search intents
- Missouri criminal court records search
- Case.net criminal case lookup
- Missouri felony case search
- Missouri misdemeanor records
- Missouri warrant case lookup
- Missouri criminal docket search
- Missouri court disposition lookup
Missouri Civil, Small Claims and Judgment Records
Missouri civil court records include lawsuits between people, businesses, agencies and organizations. They may involve contracts, personal injury, debt collection, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, injunctions, property disputes, employment claims and judgments.
How to search Missouri civil case records
- Open Case.net Use the official Missouri Courts Case.net search tool.
- Search by party or case number For businesses, try the legal entity name, DBA name, shortened name and punctuation variations.
- Review the docket timeline Look for petition, answer, motions, hearing dates, judgment, dismissal, satisfaction or appeal.
- Request documents from the clerk if needed Some records may show docket entries online but require a copy request for the actual document.
Missouri judgment search by name
Judgments may appear in civil cases, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, debt collection cases and other civil actions. Always check whether the judgment was entered, satisfied, set aside, appealed or renewed before relying on it.
Missouri Family, Divorce, Probate and Estate Records
Missouri family and probate court records may include divorce, custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, conservatorship, estate, will and probate matters. These case types often include sensitive information, so online access may be limited even if the case is real.
Where to search family and probate records
| Record Needed | Where to Start | Privacy Note |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce case | Case.net or circuit clerk | Some documents may be restricted or require clerk request. |
| Certified divorce judgment | Circuit clerk where case was filed | Ask for the final judgment or decree, not a general docket printout. |
| Child custody or support | Family court division | Child-related details may be limited online. |
| Probate estate | Probate division or Case.net | Search by decedent name, estate name or case number. |
| Guardianship or conservatorship | Probate division | Some medical, disability or protected-person details may be confidential. |
Missouri Traffic Tickets, Plead and Pay and Pay By Web
Missouri traffic and municipal cases may appear in Case.net depending on the court and filing status. Some tickets can be resolved through Plead and Pay before the court date. Some disposed cases with fines, costs or fees may be payable through Pay By Web.
How to search or pay a Missouri traffic ticket
- Search the ticket in Case.net Use the ticket number, case number, litigant name or citation information if available.
- Check whether Plead and Pay is available For eligible tickets, use Missouri Courts Plead and Pay.
- Use Pay By Web for eligible court balances For disposed cases or eligible balances, use Pay By Web.
- Save proof of payment Keep receipt numbers, confirmation pages and court notices until the case is fully closed.
Missouri Municipal Court Records
Municipal divisions handle many city ordinance violations, minor traffic cases, local code cases and city-level matters. Some municipal cases are searchable through Case.net, while others may require the city court website or municipal court clerk.
How to find Missouri municipal court records
- Search Case.net first Many Missouri municipal records route through Case.net or Missouri Courts payment systems.
- Check the city court page If the record is not in Case.net, search the city name plus “municipal court” and open the official city website.
- Use the ticket or case number Municipal tickets are easier to find by ticket number or case number than by name.
- Contact the municipal clerk Ask about court date, payment eligibility, warrant status, continuance process or certified copy options.
Missouri Court Dates, Hearings and Dockets
Case.net can help users check scheduled hearings, trials and docket entries for many public cases. This is useful for searches like “Missouri court date lookup,” “Missouri docket search,” “Case.net hearing search,” and “when is my Missouri court date.”
How to check a Missouri court date
- Open the case in Case.net Search by case number or litigant name and select the correct case.
- Review scheduled events Look for hearing date, time, courtroom, judge, event type and location.
- Use Track This Case when available Case.net may allow users to track cases and receive updates for selected cases.
- Verify before going to court Court dates can change. Check your official notice and re-check the docket close to the hearing date.
Certified Copies and Missouri Circuit Clerk Requests
Online court information is useful, but official use often requires a certified copy from the clerk of the court that handled the case. Certified records may be required for immigration, licensing, employment, appeal, name change, divorce proof, probate, banking, property matters and other official uses.
How to request certified Missouri court records
- Find the exact case Use Case.net to identify the case number, court, county, division, parties and document name.
- Contact the correct circuit clerk Certified copies normally come from the clerk where the case was filed.
- Ask for the exact document Request a certified docket sheet, judgment, sentencing order, divorce decree, probate order or disposition instead of asking for “everything.”
- Confirm fees and delivery Ask about copy fees, certification fees, mail options, pickup, processing time and payment method.
Missouri Appellate Court Records
Missouri appellate records are different from trial court records. Appeals involve review of lower court decisions. Appellate dockets may include notices of appeal, briefs, motions, orders, oral argument details, opinions and transfer-related entries.
Where to search Missouri appeals
| Appeal Type | Where to Start | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Court of Appeals | Missouri Courts website and Case.net where available | Appellate case number, party name or lower court case number |
| Supreme Court of Missouri | Missouri Courts website | Supreme Court case number, party name or transfer information |
| Federal appeal from Missouri | PACER and Eighth Circuit resources | Federal appellate docket number or lower federal case number |
Confidential, Sealed and Expunged Missouri Court Records
Not every Missouri court record is public online. Some records are confidential by law, sealed by court order, expunged, restricted for privacy or hidden from remote access. Public search access does not mean every document in every case is available from home.
Records that may be restricted
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Expunged criminal records
- Sealed civil or criminal filings
- Protected address information
- Social Security numbers and financial account details
- Victim-identifying information
- Medical, mental health and protected-person records
- Some family, guardianship and domestic violence details
What to do if a Missouri case is missing online
- Check spelling and case number Search with alternate spellings, initials, older names and full case number.
- Confirm the correct court The case may be municipal, circuit, appellate, federal or in another county.
- Contact the clerk Ask whether the record is sealed, confidential, archived, unavailable online or accessible only by court order.
- Do not assume no case exists A missing online result does not prove the case never existed.
Federal Court Records in Missouri
Federal court records in Missouri are not searched through Missouri Case.net. Use PACER for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate cases. Missouri has federal district court access through the Eastern District of Missouri and the Western District of Missouri, and bankruptcy cases are handled by federal bankruptcy courts.
When to use PACER instead of Case.net
- Federal criminal cases
- Federal civil rights lawsuits
- Bankruptcy cases
- Federal tax, securities, patent or copyright cases
- Federal agency litigation
- Federal appeals
- Cases filed in U.S. District Court rather than Missouri state court
- Create a PACER account Go to pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account.
- Search by party name or case number Use the PACER Case Locator if you do not know the exact federal court.
- Open the docket first Review docket entries before purchasing or downloading documents.
- Request certified federal copies from the federal clerk Certified federal documents must come from the federal court, not Missouri Case.net.
Missouri federal court starting points
| Federal Court | Main Location | Official Link |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri | St. Louis | moed.uscourts.gov |
| U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri | Kansas City | mow.uscourts.gov |
| Federal PACER | Nationwide federal records system | pacer.uscourts.gov |
Missouri Court Locations
Missouri court records are location-based. If you need clerk help, certified copies, courthouse access or in-person file review, contact the circuit clerk, municipal court clerk or appellate clerk connected to the case.
Supreme Court of Missouri / Missouri Courts — Jefferson City
207 West High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Official statewide court website: courts.mo.gov
Official case search: Case.net
How to choose the right Missouri court office
| Need | Contact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Search public case docket | Case.net | Fast online case lookup |
| Certified copy of a trial court record | Circuit clerk where case was filed | Clerk issues official copies |
| Traffic or municipal ticket | Municipal court or Case.net payment tool | Payment eligibility varies by court |
| Appeal record | Appellate court clerk | Appeal dockets and briefs may be separate |
| Federal record | PACER or federal clerk | Federal cases are separate from state records |
Practical Search Tips for Missouri Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Missouri court records online for free?
Use the official Missouri Case.net website at courts.mo.gov/casenet. Search by case number when possible, or use litigant name search if you do not know the case number.
What is Missouri Case.net?
Case.net is Missouri Courts’ official online public case search system. It helps users find many public Missouri case records, docket entries, hearings, judgments and case details.
Can I search Missouri court records by name?
Yes. Use Case.net litigant name search. Try full legal name, former name, maiden name, business name, middle initial and spelling variations. Always verify the result before relying on it.
How do I search Missouri court records by case number?
Open Case.net, choose case number search and enter the full case number exactly as shown on your court notice, ticket, complaint, judgment or other case paperwork.
Are Missouri court records public?
Many Missouri court records are public, but some records are confidential, sealed, expunged, restricted by law or limited from remote access. Online access does not include every record or document.
How do I search Missouri criminal court records?
Start with Case.net and search by defendant name or case number. Review charges, docket entries, hearings and final disposition. For certified proof, contact the circuit clerk.
Is a Missouri court record the same as a criminal background check?
No. A court record shows case activity in court. A criminal background check may require official state or federal background-check procedures, depending on the purpose.
How do I pay a Missouri traffic ticket online?
Search the ticket in Case.net. If eligible, use Missouri Courts Plead and Pay or Pay By Web. Not every ticket can be paid online, and some require a court appearance.
How do I find my Missouri court date?
Search your case in Case.net and review scheduled events or hearings. Also check your official court notice and re-check close to the hearing date because schedules can change.
How do I get certified copies of Missouri court records?
Contact the circuit clerk or court clerk where the case was filed. Provide the case number, document name, party names and filing date if available. Certified copies usually require fees.
Are Missouri divorce records searchable online?
Some divorce case information may appear in Case.net, but documents may be limited for privacy. For official proof, request a certified judgment or decree from the circuit clerk.
How do I search Missouri probate records?
Search Case.net by decedent name, estate name, party name or case number. If the file is old or restricted, contact the probate division or circuit clerk.
Why can’t I find a Missouri case on Case.net?
The case may be sealed, confidential, expunged, old, archived, filed under a different name, municipal, federal, not public, or located in another court system.
Are sealed Missouri court records available online?
Usually no. Sealed, expunged, juvenile, adoption and confidential records may be restricted from public online access. Access may require legal authority or a court order.
Where do I search Missouri federal court records?
Use PACER for federal district, bankruptcy and appellate records. Missouri federal cases are separate from Missouri Case.net and state court records.
Does Case.net show federal bankruptcy records?
No. Bankruptcy records are federal court records. Search bankruptcy cases through PACER or the appropriate federal bankruptcy court.
Can I use Missouri court records for employment or tenant screening?
Court records may be part of research, but screening must follow applicable federal and state laws. Do not rely on a name-only search without official verification.
What is the official Missouri court records website?
The official statewide court website is courts.mo.gov. The official public case search system is Missouri Case.net at courts.mo.gov/casenet.
Final Summary
For missouri court records, the best starting point is the official Missouri Case.net system. Use case number search when possible, or use litigant name search if you do not know the case number. Review the court, county, division, docket entries, hearings, judgment and final disposition before relying on any result.
For certified copies, contact the clerk of the court where the case was filed. For traffic and municipal payments, check Plead and Pay or Pay By Web only when the case is eligible. For federal Missouri cases, use PACER instead of Case.net.