Butler County Court Records Search
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Butler County sits in the southeastern corner of Missouri, anchored by Poplar Bluff as its county seat. The county’s court system encompasses a Circuit Court with specialized civil, criminal, and probate divisions, along with an Associate Court and a Municipal Court in Poplar Bluff. Records generated by these courts — from felony prosecutions to estate filings to divorce decrees — carry significant legal weight and serve purposes ranging from background checks to genealogical research to property title work. Knowing which office holds a specific record and how to request it correctly is the practical starting point for anyone seeking court information in Butler County.
Missouri residents and researchers have several pathways for locating court case information across the state. MissouriCourts.us can assist users in identifying publicly available case information and connecting with the appropriate clerk offices. Beyond that resource, Missouri’s official Case.net system, in-person clerk visits, and public access terminals at the courthouse all serve as legitimate channels for retrieving records. The sections below walk through each record type, which office maintains it, and what steps are required to access it.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Butler County?
Missouri Case.net — Online Search
The primary tool for searching Butler County court cases online is Missouri Case.net, the statewide court records database maintained by the Missouri Courts. Case.net allows searches by party name, case number, filing date, and attorney name. As of July 1, 2023, Remote Public Access expanded Case.net significantly — members of the public can now view, download, and print public court documents directly from personal devices. This applies to documents filed on or after July 1, 2023; older filings remain accessible through in-person requests.
In-Person at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
For records not yet available digitally, or for certified copies and documents predating the Remote Public Access rollout, the Circuit Clerk’s Office is the point of contact. The office is divided into specialized divisions:
| Division | Phone | Fax | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Division | (573) 686-8082 | (573) 686-8094 | 3rd Floor |
| Criminal Division | (573) 686-8087 | (573) 686-8093 | 3rd Floor |
| Probate Division | (573) 686-8073 | (573) 686-0056 | 1st Floor |
Butler County Circuit Court Clerk
100 N. Main Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Circuit Clerk: Cindi Bowman
Municipal Court — Poplar Bluff
501 Vine Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Phone: (573) 686-8679
Hours: Monday–Friday (contact for specific window hours)
Online record search by name or case number is available through the Poplar Bluff Municipal Court website.
Mail Requests
Written mail requests for specific records can be sent directly to the Circuit Clerk at 100 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. Include the full names of all parties, the approximate date of the proceeding, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Copy fees apply and vary by document type.
Court Costs Payments
Court cost payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the PayByWeb system. The Circuit Clerk’s office can be reached at (573) 686-8087 to confirm amounts owed on criminal matters, or (573) 686-8082 for civil and domestic matters.
Are Court Records Public in Butler County?
Missouri’s public records framework is governed by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo), which establishes the general right of any member of the public to inspect and obtain copies of public records, including court documents. Access may not be denied unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
The following categories of records carry restrictions in Butler County:
- Juvenile records — sealed under Missouri law to protect the privacy of minors involved in delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Adoption records — confidential; access requires a court order or falls under specific statutory authorizations
- Sealed and expunged records — not available for public inspection once a court order of expungement or sealing has been entered
- Certain family law matters — some orders of protection and related filings are restricted from full public access
- Records of ongoing investigations — may be withheld where disclosure would compromise law enforcement efforts under RSMo § 610.021
Redactions are applied to sensitive personal identifiers before documents are made publicly available under Remote Public Access. As a condition of the July 2023 expansion, all filings containing confidential information must be submitted to the courts with redactions already in place.
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office provides additional guidance on Sunshine Law rights and procedures, including how to file complaints when a public records request is improperly denied.
Butler County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal matters in Butler County are filed in and managed by the Circuit Court, while misdemeanor cases fall under the Associate Court division. Both levels of criminal court record are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk’s Criminal Division.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Missouri Case.net is the fastest route to locate criminal case information — charging documents, court dates, dispositions, and sentencing details are indexed and searchable by name or case number. For certified copies of criminal documents such as conviction orders or judgment entries, contact the Criminal Division directly at (573) 686-8087.
Felony Court Costs
Felony court costs are assessed upon order of the Circuit Judge. Costs include fines, statutorily assessed charges, contributions to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund and the County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund, board bill, and a one-time Time Payment Fee of $25.00 (waived if total costs are paid within 30 days of billing). Restitution owed in criminal cases is confirmed through the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at (573) 686-8060.
Arrest Records and Jail Information
Arrest records in Butler County are maintained by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary law enforcement custodian for arrest-related information.
Butler County Sheriff’s Office
200 Oak Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Phone: (573) 785-8444
Jail Phone: (573) 686-8067
Sheriff: Mark Dobbs
Criminal Background Checks
For statewide criminal history background checks, the Circuit Clerk’s FAQ directs the public to the Missouri State Highway Patrol at (573) 526-6153. The Missouri Criminal Records Repository (§ 43.540, RSMo) governs the maintenance of these records at the state level. Background check requests through the Highway Patrol provide a broader statewide picture than a single-county court search.
Expungements
Missouri law provides for the expungement of certain criminal arrests and convictions after the applicable waiting period. Expunged records are removed from public view. Eligibility varies based on the charge type and the individual’s record. The Circuit Clerk’s office can confirm whether a specific case number remains part of the public record.
Butler County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Butler County include contract disputes, property claims, personal injury actions, small claims matters, landlord-tenant proceedings, and money judgments. The Circuit Court handles larger civil matters while the Associate Court handles smaller claims, minor civil disputes, and landlord-tenant cases.
Searching Civil Records
Case.net indexes civil case filings for Butler County, including petitions, motions, and judgment entries. Note that the Circuit Clerk assists with genealogical searches covering civil records, but specifically excludes orders of protection, small claims, landlord-tenant matters, and judgments under $25,000 from that assistance.
Copies and Certifications
Copies of civil court documents can be obtained in person at the Civil Division (3rd Floor, Circuit Court) or by mail request to the Circuit Clerk. The self-represented litigant forms referenced by the court — for dissolution, parentage, and related matters — are available through selfrepresent.mo.gov.
Property Records
Property ownership, deed transfers, tax assessments, and lien records are maintained by two offices. The Butler County Assessor’s Office handles valuations and assessment data, accessible at (573) 686-8084. An online GIS mapping portal allows parcel searches by owner name, address, or parcel ID at no cost.
Recorded land instruments — deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, and tax liens — are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds. Computerized real estate records are accessible going back to 1970, and the general index tracks instruments back to 1845.
Recorder of Deeds
100 N. Main Street, Room 106
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Phone: (573) 686-8086
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Recorder: Debby Lundstrom
Recording Fees (Real Estate Documents)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| First page | $24.00 |
| Each additional page | $3.00 |
| Non-standard fee (if applicable) | $25.00 |
| Copy per page (standard documents) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy (per page) | $2.00 + $1.00 certification |
Documents must be submitted with the exact recording fee; overpayments are not refunded. No recordings are accepted after 3:00 p.m. on any business day.
Butler County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Butler County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic relations modifications, and orders of protection — are handled by the Circuit Court. The Civil Division at (573) 686-8082 manages family case filings alongside general civil matters.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are filed as dissolutions of marriage under Missouri law. The filing fee for a Dissolution of Marriage is $102.00, which does not include service fees. Service fees are charged separately by the Sheriff’s Office of the county where service is made. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree after judgment, submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk with the following:
- Full names of both parties at the time of the divorce
- Approximate month and year the divorce was finalized
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- Payment of applicable copy fees:
- $2.50 for a judgment without attachment
- $5.00 for a judgment with attachment (e.g., a Parenting Plan or Separation Agreement)
Mail requests should be directed to: Cindi Bowman, Butler County Circuit Clerk, 100 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. The process for obtaining divorce records is governed by § 452.310, RSMo.
Child Custody and Visitation
Child custody orders are part of the dissolution or parentage case file. If a party is not receiving court-ordered visitation, a Motion for Family Access can be filed. Requirements include a notarized motion, a $102.00 filing fee, and service on the non-compliant party. Additional forms may be required; the Civil Division at (573) 686-8082 can advise on specifics.
Self-represented parties must complete the Supreme Court’s Litigant Awareness Program at selfrepresent.mo.gov before participating in dissolution, legal separation, parentage, or modification proceedings. Required pleading forms are also found at that address.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Butler County Recorder of Deeds. The license fee is $60.00 (cash only). A certified copy of a marriage license costs $9.00. Marriage records are indexed going back to 1845, with computerized access beginning in 1845. The Recorder maintains both the original application and the issued license, capturing names, residences, ages, and other identifying details of both parties. § 451.080, RSMo governs the issuance and recording of marriage licenses in Missouri.
Birth and Death Certificates
Vital records for births and deaths are maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Certified copies can be requested through the state’s Vital Records office or, in some cases, through the Butler County Recorder of Deeds for locally registered events. Access to birth records is restricted under § 193.145, RSMo to the individual named, immediate family members, or those with legal authorization.
Standard state fees are $15.00 for a certified copy of a birth certificate and $14.00 for the first certified copy of a death certificate ($11.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time).
Butler County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Butler County are handled by the Circuit Court’s Probate Division, located on the first floor of the courthouse at 100 N. Main Street. The Probate Division’s scope includes estate administration, will probate, guardianships, and conservatorships under § 473.020, RSMo.
Probate Division Contact
Phone: (573) 686-8073
Fax: (573) 686-0056
Location: 1st Floor, 100 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Types of Probate Records
Probate case files in Butler County typically contain the following:
- The original will (if one was filed for probate)
- Petition for letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
- Claims filed by creditors against the estate
- Accounting documents showing distributions
- Guardianship petitions, investigation reports, and annual reports
- Conservatorship orders and financial accountings
Searching Probate Cases
Probate case information is indexed in Missouri Case.net and is searchable by decedent’s name or case number. Public court documents filed on or after July 1, 2023, are viewable and downloadable through Case.net’s Remote Public Access feature. For older estate files, in-person access at the Probate Division is the most reliable method.
Requesting Probate Records
To request probate records, contact the Probate Division at (573) 686-8073 or visit the first-floor clerk’s office during courthouse hours. Provide the full name of the decedent or the subject of the guardianship, and the approximate filing year. Copy fees apply consistent with the court’s standard schedule. Certified copies may be required for legal purposes such as asset transfers, title work, or proving executor authority.
The Circuit Clerk assists with genealogical searches of probate records and can guide researchers to older indexed materials that predate the current court’s electronic filing system. Those researching historical probate records should allow additional time for file retrieval from archival storage.