Cape Girardeau County Court Records Search
MissouriCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on MissouriCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Cape Girardeau County, situated in southeastern Missouri along the Mississippi River, operates under the 32nd Judicial Circuit. The county seat is Jackson, where the main courthouse and most county offices are located. The circuit’s judicial structure includes four divisions — two presided over by circuit judges and two by associate circuit judges — along with municipal courts in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, and a drug court. The Circuit Clerk’s office at the courthouse in Jackson is responsible for maintaining and processing records generated by these courts.
Residents and researchers looking for court records in Missouri can access information through multiple channels, including clerk offices, in-person terminals at county buildings, and electronic databases. MissouriCourts.us can help users identify court resources and locate publicly available case information at both the state and local level. Cape Girardeau County court records are also available through Missouri’s statewide Case.net system, as well as directly from the Circuit Clerk in Jackson.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cape Girardeau County?
Cape Girardeau County offers online, in-person, and mail-based methods for locating court case information.
Online Case Search — Case.net
Missouri’s Case.net portal is the primary online tool for searching court records statewide, including cases filed in the 32nd Judicial Circuit. Users can search by case number, litigant name, filing date, scheduled hearing, or judgment. Case.net displays docket entries, party information, charges, and case dispositions at no cost. As of July 1, 2023, publicly-filed court documents can also be viewed from personal devices through Case.net.
In-Person Requests
Court records can be requested in person at the Circuit Clerk’s office during business hours. Requesters should provide a party name or case number so staff can locate the file. Copy fees apply when obtaining reproductions of court documents.
Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk
Address: 203 N. High Street, Suite 129, Jackson, MO 63755
Phone — Jackson: (573) 243-1755
Phone — Cape Girardeau: (573) 335-8253
Fax: (573) 204-2405
Email: ashley.schuessler@courts.mo.gov
Circuit Clerk: Ashley Schuessler
Court Divisions and Locations
All four circuit court divisions sit at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson:
| Division | Judge | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court, Division 1 | Circuit Judge Scott Lipke | (573) 335-2802 |
| Circuit Court, Division 2 | Circuit Judge Frank Miller | (573) 335-2802 |
| Circuit Court, Division 3 | Associate Circuit Judge Julie Koester | (573) 243-8446 |
| Circuit Court, Division 4 | Associate Circuit Judge Julia Meiners Koester | (573) 204-2402 |
| 32nd Judicial Circuit Drug Court | — | (573) 204-2961 |
All divisions are located at 203 N. High Street, Jackson, MO 63755.
Municipal Courts
Municipal courts in the county handle alleged violations of city ordinances:
City of Cape Girardeau Municipal Court
Address: 2536 Maria Louise Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Phone: (573) 339-6323
Fax: (573) 339-6308
Email: municipalcourt@cityofcape.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Court costs: $35.50 per case
Jackson Municipal Court
Address: 101 Court Street, Jackson, MO 63755
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Court is typically held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM in the Courtroom at 100 North Missouri Street.
Are Court Records Public in Cape Girardeau County?
Court records in Cape Girardeau County are presumptively public. Two primary legal frameworks govern access.
The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes) establishes broad public access rights to records maintained by governmental bodies in the state. It requires that records be available for inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exception applies.
Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2) specifically governs access to judicial department records. COR 2 outlines which court records are publicly accessible, establishes procedures for obtaining them, and specifies what information must be redacted before public release. Under these rules, the following types of information are restricted or must be redacted:
- Social Security numbers and state identification numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Personal information of victims and witnesses in certain proceedings
- Juvenile case records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Mental health case files
- Certain domestic case details where confidentiality has been ordered
Parties filing documents are responsible for redacting confidential information before submission. Since July 2023, publicly filed court documents have been accessible remotely through Case.net, though documents containing unredacted confidential information remain restricted. Anyone seeking access to a sealed or confidential record must petition the court for an order granting access.
Cape Girardeau County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Cape Girardeau County are prosecuted in the Circuit Court under Divisions 1 and 2, which handle felony matters, and Divisions 3 and 4, which adjudicate misdemeanors and lesser offenses. The Prosecuting Attorney’s office, located at 203 N. High Street, Suite 283, Jackson, MO 63755, Phone: (573) 243-2430, handles criminal filings on behalf of the state.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records — including charges, docket entries, dispositions, and sentencing information — can be searched on Case.net by defendant name or case number. In-person requests for certified copies or complete case files should be directed to the Circuit Clerk at (573) 243-1755.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records are maintained by the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest. For county-level arrests, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office is the primary source. The Sheriff’s office provides current inmate rosters and 48-hour release information.
Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 216 North Missouri Street, Jackson, MO 63755
Phone: (573) 243-3551
Fax: (573) 204-2927
Tip Hotline: (573) 204-2933
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Missouri Highway Patrol’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division maintains the state criminal history repository. Two types of checks are available:
- Name-based search — Conducted through the MACHS Name Search Portal. An account is required. Results include convictions, arrests within 30 days, pending charges, and Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) records during probation. Cost: $15.00 per search. Processing time: 5–7 business days.
- Fingerprint-based search — Provides a more comprehensive report including open and closed records (all arrests, SIS records after probation, charges, and expunged records). Conducted through the MACHS Fingerprint Search Portal. Fingerprints can be submitted electronically through the state’s vendor or by mail on an FD-258 card to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol, CJIS Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102-9500
Cost: $31.25 (or $25.50 for foster care and concealed-carry endorsements). Notarization of results is available for an additional $5.00.
Cape Girardeau County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Cape Girardeau County — including contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and debt collection — are heard across the circuit court divisions. The Circuit Clerk maintains all related case files.
Requesting Civil Court Records
To obtain a civil court record, contact the Circuit Clerk’s office in person or by phone. Provide the party name or case number to enable the staff to locate the file. Fees for copies depend on the volume of the record. Civil case records can also be searched on Case.net by litigant name, case number, filing date, or judgment.
Property Records
Property-related records — including warranty deeds, quit-claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, surveys, and plats — are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds. Researchers can visit the Recorder’s office to search records using publicly accessible computer terminals. Staff can assist with using the equipment but cannot perform research or title searches on behalf of visitors.
The Recorder’s office also provides multiple online search options:
- ArcaSearch Historical Research Site — Free index searches for deeds (1805–1989), marriages (1806–1991), plats (1806–2011), surveyor records (circa 1859–1943), and military service records (1918–1991). Digitized record books are available for deeds (1805–1964), deeds of trust (1805–1969), marriage records (1806–1968), and original marriage documents (1798–1881).
- Tapestry — A pay-per-search tool for occasional users covering plats (1806–present), surveys (1991–present), deeds (1984–present), deeds of trust (1984–present), and tax liens (October 1996–present).
- Laredo — A subscription-based service for regular searchers offering indexed records with document images.
Copy Fees for Recorded Documents:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Recorded documents (deeds, releases, etc.) — first page | $2.00 |
| Each additional page (same document, letter/ledger) | $1.00 |
| Surveys — 18" x 24" and up | $5.00 |
| Surveys — ledger or legal size | $3.00 |
| Surveys — letter size | $2.00 |
| Plats — 18" x 24" and up | $5.00 |
| Plats — ledger or legal size | $3.00 |
| Plats — letter size | $2.00 |
The County Assessor’s real estate search tool allows users to look up property records by parcel number, deed holder, address, lot, block, section, township, range, or acreage.
Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds
Address: #1 Barton Square, Suite 203, Jackson, MO 63755
Phone: (573) 243-8123
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Cape Girardeau County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Cape Girardeau County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and protective orders — are filed in the Circuit Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk.
Divorce Records
Divorce cases are heard by the circuit court divisions. To obtain a copy of a divorce certificate or case file, contact the Circuit Clerk’s office with the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. A case number, if known, will expedite the search. Fees apply for copies. Divorce records can also be located through Case.net by searching under the parties’ names.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Cape Girardeau County Recorder of Deeds. To start the application process, prospective couples can use the Vitals Web Portal online, though both applicants must appear in person at the Recorder’s office to finalize the application, present government-issued photo identification, provide Social Security numbers, and sign the application.
Key marriage license details:
- Total fee: $60.00 (includes $51.00 license fee and one $9.00 certified copy)
- Additional certified copies: $9.00 each
- Plain copies (photocopies): $2.00
- No applicants under 18 years of age
- No waiting period — the license may be used the day it is issued
- Valid for 30 days from date of issuance, within Missouri only
- The officiant must return the completed license to the Recorder within 15 days of the ceremony
Marriage licenses filed from 1974 to the present can be searched through the Cape Girardeau County Marriage License Search on the Recorder’s website. Historical marriage records (1798–1973) are accessible through the ArcaSearch site.
Birth and Death Records
The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center serves as the local registrar for births and deaths occurring in the county. The office can issue certified copies of Missouri birth certificates (after 1920) and death certificates (after 1980).
Access to birth records is restricted under Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 193 to the record subject, immediate family members, parents, step-parents, legal guardians, and state-authorized individuals. Death records are available to relatives and non-relatives who can demonstrate a legal need.
Fees:
| Record | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 |
| Death certificate | $14.00 |
| Additional death certificate (same record, same time) | $11.00 |
| Credit/debit card surcharge | $2.00 |
In-person requests are accepted Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Applicants must complete the appropriate application form (birth certificate application or death certificate application) and present a valid photo ID. Cash, local checks, and debit/credit cards are accepted.
Mail-in requests must include a notarized application, a money order payable to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, and a stamped self-addressed return envelope. Personal checks are not accepted for mail requests. Send to:
Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center
1121 Linden Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Phone: (573) 335-7846
For birth certificates before 1920 or death certificates before 1980, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Cape Girardeau County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Cape Girardeau County — including the administration of decedent estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships — are handled within the civil division of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk maintains probate case files alongside other civil records.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched on Case.net by entering the decedent’s name, the estate representative’s name, or the case number. Case.net will display docket entries, party information, and scheduled hearings. For more detailed records, including complete case files, copies of wills, inventories, accountings, and letters of administration, contact the Circuit Clerk’s office directly.
Requesting Copies
In-person requests for probate documents should be made at the Circuit Clerk’s office at 203 N. High Street, Suite 129, Jackson, MO 63755. Phone inquiries can be directed to (573) 243-1755 (Jackson office) or (573) 335-8253 (Cape Girardeau office). Copy fees apply based on the volume of documents requested.
The Cape Girardeau County Public Administrator’s office, located at 100 Court Street, First Floor, Jackson, MO 63755, Phone: (573) 204-2340, handles cases involving estates where no qualified personal representative is available or when the court appoints the public administrator to manage an estate.
The Juvenile Office, which oversees juvenile matters including those that may intersect with guardianship proceedings, is located at the Juvenile Justice Center at 2137 Rust Avenue, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, Phone: (573) 334-6001