How to Lookup St. Louis Court Records

If you are looking for information on court cases in St. Louis, Missouri, you may be wondering where to start. With multiple courts in the county, it can be overwhelming to know where to look for court records. There are some simple ways to lookup St. Louis court records county-wide by name or court case number.

Through the court websites, or public record websites, you can find a person’s court case records, criminal records, convictions and sentencing records. In this article, we will discuss the different courts in St. Louis and how to obtain copies of court records in this county.

St. Louis Circuit Court Records

The St. Louis Circuit Court is the main court in the county and handles a variety of cases, including civil, criminal, and probate related cases. This court has jurisdiction over all cases within the county and is divided into divisions based on the type of case. The court also has a website where you can search for case information and view court records online. You will need to know the full name of the person you want to lookup plus their date of birth. You can also locate documents by court case number.

St. Louis Municipal Court Records

The St. Louis Municipal Court handles cases involving traffic violations, city ordinance violations, and other minor offenses. The cases heard by this court typically deal with infractions and misdemeanors. This court also has jurisdiction over cases within the city, county or state, and has a website where you can run a violation search, or lookup court documents. The other option is to use a public record site to view court documents online, this is a popular option since people can search anonymously.

St. Louis Probate Court Records

The St. Louis Probate Court handles that deal with wills, estates, and guardianships. Many of the cases this courthouse deals with are related to a person’s assets and property after they have died. In many cases these people do not have a trust or will to dictate the distribution of their wealth and so the courts then take over to handle this. They have jurisdiction over cases within the city of St. Louis and also have a website where you can search for case information and view court records online.

St. Louis Family Court Records

The St. Louis Family Court handles cases involving divorce, child custody, and child support. These family court records are not all publicly available. Those cases involving minors or juveniles are sealed for their protection. Typically, only the parties involved can access these records, or by court order.

If you are directly involved in a family court case in St. Louis, you will have access to the records pertaining to your case. However, if you are not directly involved, it may be difficult to obtain access to these specific court records.

Obtaining Copies of Court Records

If you need copies of court records in St. Louis, there are a few different ways to obtain them. You can visit the court in person and request copies of records, or you can request them online through the court’s website. This is a great option for accessing official documents that can be used for official purposes. You may also be able to request records by mail, but this will depend on the specific court and case.

To request records online, you will need to create an account on the court’s website and pay a fee for each record you request. The fee may vary depending on the type of record and the court. If you are requesting records in person, you may need to pay a fee and provide identification.

The other option is to use the resources of a public record website. This option is great for research and online verification of court cases in the county. However, these are typically unofficial and cannot be used for official purposes such as hiring employees or security clearances.

Public Records in Missouri

In addition to court records, there are other public records available in St. Louis that are available via the Sunshine Law. These records may include property records, birth and death certificates, and marriage licenses. You can request these records from the appropriate government agency, such as the county recorder’s office or the health department.

If you are interested in running a background check on someone you can also use a public record site where you can lookup someone’s past criminal records with a first and last name. This is a popular option for those that want to do some research on another person. With this option, you can search by county, state or nationwide.

Conclusion

St. Louis county has multiple courts that handle different types of cases. If you need copies of court records in this county, you can request them online, in person, or by mail. Additionally, there are other publicly available records available that you can request from the appropriate government agency or via  3rd party websites. By understanding the different courts and how to obtain records, you can easily access the information you need.