Clinton County Court Records Search

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    Clinton County, Missouri is served by a unified court system based in Plattsburg, the county seat, where the Circuit Court operates as the primary judicial authority for the county. Records from this system — spanning criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, family proceedings, and probate matters — document the official legal activity of the county and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, and associated court divisions at the Clinton County Courthouse at 207 North Main Street.

    If you're researching Missouri court records, MissouriCourts.us can help you identify court divisions and locate publicly available case information across the state. In Clinton County, records can be accessed through public access terminals at the courthouse, in-person requests at the clerk's office, mail requests, or the Missouri Case.net portal, which provides free public access to docket entries, parties, judgments, and case information for Circuit Court cases throughout Missouri.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Clinton County?

    The Clinton County Circuit Court serves the 43rd Judicial Circuit and handles all civil, criminal, family, and probate matters within the county. The Honorable Ryan Horsman (Presiding Judge, Division 1), the Honorable Daren Adkins (Circuit Judge, Division 2), and the Honorable Teresa L. Bingham (Associate Circuit Judge) preside over the court's divisions.

    Online Search via Case.net

    The fastest way to locate a Clinton County court case is through Missouri's Case.net portal. The system is free to use and allows searches by:

    • Party name
    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Attorney name

    Case.net displays docket entries, case parties, charges, judgment information, and scheduled court dates for Circuit Court cases. It does not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile case files.

    In-Person Access

    The Circuit Clerk's office is the primary in-person point of contact for court records in Clinton County. Public access terminals are also available at the courthouse.

    Clinton County Circuit Clerk (Misty Dean)
    Address: 207 North Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 275, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Civil/Circuit Phone: (816) 539-3731
    Criminal Court Phone: (816) 539-3755
    Fax: (816) 539-3893
    Email: clinton.county.circuit.court@courts.mo.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00–12:30 p.m. for lunch)

    Municipal Courts

    For cases resolved at the municipal level, contact the appropriate court:

    • Cameron Municipal Court — 207 North Main Street, Cameron, MO 64429 | Phone: (816) 539-3731
    • Gower Municipal Court — 97 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 408, Gower, MO 64454 | Phone: (816) 424-6617
    • Lathrop Municipal Court — 707 Oak Street, P.O. Box 225, Lathrop, MO 64465 | Phone: (816) 740-4251
    • Plattsburg Municipal Court — 114 West Maple Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477 | Phone: (816) 539-2148 | Fax: (816) 930-3260
    • Trimble Municipal Court — P.O. Box 275, Plattsburg, MO 64477 | Email: clinton.county.circuit.court@courts.mo.gov

    Are Court Records Public in Clinton County?

    Public access to Clinton County court records is grounded in Missouri's open government law. Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) — commonly known as the Missouri Sunshine Law — establishes that public records are presumptively open for inspection and copying, with narrowly defined exceptions. The law requires government bodies to make records available promptly upon request and establishes procedures for challenging improper denials.

    Despite the presumption of openness, several categories of Clinton County court records are closed to the public or subject to redaction:

    • Juvenile records — confidential by statute; accessible only by court order or authorized parties
    • Adoption records — sealed proceedings not available for public inspection
    • Mental health and involuntary commitment cases — protected from disclosure
    • Expunged or sealed records — removed from public access by court order under RSMo § 610.140
    • Domestic violence protective orders — certain details restricted to protect victim safety
    • Confidential settlement agreements — withheld when court-ordered confidentiality applies

    For records that are open, any person may inspect or copy them at the Circuit Clerk's office or access them through Case.net. Clerks are authorized to redact sensitive personal information — such as Social Security numbers and financial account details — from publicly viewable documents.

    Clinton County Criminal Court Records

    The Clinton County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all felony criminal matters. Misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, and ordinance violations are handled at the associate or municipal court level. The District Attorney's office for the region prosecutes felony matters, while the County Prosecuting Attorney handles misdemeanor and lower-court criminal proceedings.

    Searching Criminal Records

    Criminal case records — including charges, indictments, docket entries, pleas, sentencing orders, and judgment information — are searchable through Case.net for cases filed in Clinton County Circuit Court. In-person requests for physical documents or certified copies should be directed to the Circuit Clerk.

    For criminal matters at the associate division level, contact the Criminal Court Division directly at (816) 539-3755.

    Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office

    The Clinton County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff AJ Carrel, is the primary custodian of arrest records and incident reports in the county.

    Clinton County Sheriff's Office
    Address: 207 N. Main Street, Suite 6, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Mailing: P.O. Box 423, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Phone: (816) 539-2156
    Fax: (816) 539-2346
    Website: clintoncosheriff.org

    Arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking records can be requested from the Sheriff's Office in person or by mail. To help staff locate the record quickly, provide the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate date of arrest.

    Statewide Criminal Background Checks

    For a formal statewide criminal history check, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Records Division processes both name-based and fingerprint-based background checks. A name-based check costs $10.00; a fingerprint-based check costs $20.00 for the state portion. Fingerprint checks provide a more comprehensive review of criminal history records.

    Expungement

    Under RSMo § 610.140, qualifying individuals may petition the Circuit Court to expunge eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions from their record. Once granted, an expungement order seals the record from public access, and the individual may legally treat the conviction as if it did not occur for most purposes. Petitions are filed with the Clinton County Circuit Court; the Circuit Clerk can provide procedural guidance.

    Clinton County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Clinton County are divided between the Circuit Court, which handles general civil litigation, and the Associate Circuit Court division, which covers small claims, contract disputes, and lower-value civil matters. Municipal courts address violations of their respective municipal ordinances.

    Circuit Court Civil Records

    The Circuit Clerk maintains all civil case filings for the Circuit Court, including petitions, motions, orders, and judgments. Records are searchable online through Case.net and accessible in person at the courthouse. To request physical copies, call the Circuit Clerk at (816) 539-3731 and have the case number or the names of the parties ready.

    Small Claims

    Small claims matters are handled through the Associate Circuit Court division. For information on filing a small claims case or accessing small claims records, call the Circuit Clerk directly at (816) 539-3731. Small claims are designed to resolve lower-dollar civil disputes without formal legal representation.

    Property Records

    Real property records in Clinton County — including deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, plat maps, and surveys — are recorded with and maintained by the Clinton County Recorder of Deeds Office. Misty Dean serves as both Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Deeds.

    Recording and Copy Fees:

    Document TypeFee
    Real Estate — First Page$24.00
    Real Estate — Each Additional Page$3.00
    Certified Copies$9.00
    Copies — First Page$2.00
    Copies — Additional Pages$1.00
    All Other Certifications$3.00

    Clinton County Recorder of Deeds
    Address: 207 North Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Phone: (816) 539-3719
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00–12:30 p.m.)

    Note: As of June 1, 2024, the Recorder of Deeds no longer accepts personal checks (this exception does not apply to marriage license fees, which remain cash only). Documents mailed for recording should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.

    Property records can also be searched online through two tools: the Clinton County Assessor's Real Estate Search Portal for assessed values and parcel information, and the Recorder of Deeds' iCounty portal for indexed land records (subscription-based access; monthly single-user subscription: $50.00 at $1.00/page). GIS mapping data is available through Clinton County's GIS website.

    For assessed property values, APNs, and tax classifications, contact the Clinton County Assessor's Office:
    Address: 207 North Main Street, P.O. Box 436, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Phone: (816) 539-3716
    Email: cindy.carter@clintoncomo.org

    For property tax information, contact the Clinton County Collector's Office:
    Address: 207 North Main Street, Room 114, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Phone: (816) 539-3726 | Fax: (816) 539-2240
    Email: collector@clintoncomo.org

    Clinton County Family Court Records

    Family law matters in Clinton County — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, and adoption — fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. The Associate Circuit Judge presides over many domestic relations matters. Family court files are maintained by the Circuit Clerk; however, adoption proceedings and other sensitive records are sealed by law.

    Divorce Records

    Divorce records in Clinton County are public unless sealed by court order. Case files typically contain the petition, responses, financial disclosures, custody and support orders, property division agreements, and the final decree. You can search them by party name, case number, or filing date through Case.net, or access them in person at the Circuit Clerk's office.

    For a certified divorce verification letter, the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Vital Records page offers an alternate avenue for obtaining official confirmation of a divorce event.

    Marriage Records

    Clinton County marriage licenses and certificates are public records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds Office. To obtain a certified copy:

    • In person: Visit the Recorder of Deeds at 207 North Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477, Monday–Friday during office hours
    • By mail: Include the names of both spouses, the marriage date, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for $9.00 per certified copy
    • Online: Register and purchase marriage records through the iCounty portal

    Marriage license application fees are $51.00 (exact cash only).

    Birth Records

    Birth records in Clinton County that are fewer than 90 years old are confidential under Missouri law. Access is limited to the person named on the record (if 18 or older), their parents or guardians, and individuals with a documented legal interest. After 90 years, birth records become archival and are generally accessible.

    To request a certified Clinton County birth certificate, download and complete the Vital Records Application Form and submit it to:

    Clinton County Health Department
    Address: 106 Bush Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Phone: (816) 539-2144 | Fax: (816) 539-3306

    Fees:

    • Birth certificate: $15.00 per copy (including additional copies)
    • Mail requests must be notarized
    • In-person requests require a valid photo ID

    For older historical birth records, the Missouri State Archives (600 West Main Street, P.O. Box 1747, Jefferson City, MO 65102 | Phone: (573) 751-3280) maintains archival records and accepts online research requests through the Missouri State Archives Online Request Form.

    Death Records

    Death records are restricted to immediate and specified extended family members, authorized legal representatives, and entities with a legitimate legal interest. The Clinton County Health Department also issues certified death certificates:

    • Death certificate: $14.00 for the first copy; $11.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously
    • Mail requests must be notarized; in-person requests require photo ID

    For deaths from 1980 to the present, certified copies are also available through the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services:
    Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109

    Clinton County Probate Court Records

    The Probate Division of the Clinton County Circuit Court handles estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, trust administration, intestate successions, and escheats. Probate records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and are generally accessible to the public unless sealed by court order.

    Common Probate Case Types in Clinton County:

    • Testate and intestate estate administration
    • Will contests
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorships over estates
    • Trust administration proceedings
    • Claims against estates

    Searching Probate Records

    Recent probate case records can be searched online through Case.net using the decedent's or ward's name. For historical Clinton County probate records dating back to 1839, the Missouri Digital Heritage Portal provides digitized access to archival records. FamilySearch also holds microfilmed Clinton County probate records from 1839–1930.

    Contacting the Probate Division

    To request probate records in person or by mail, or to inquire about opening a new estate or guardianship matter, contact:

    Clinton County Probate Division
    Phone: (816) 539-3298
    Address: 207 North Main Street, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Mailing: P.O. Box 275, Plattsburg, MO 64477
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Closed 12:00–12:30 p.m.)

    When submitting a record request, include the full name of the deceased or ward, the approximate year the probate matter was filed, and the case number if known. Certified copies of probate documents are available through the Circuit Clerk at (816) 539-3731.