Dunklin County Court Records Search
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Dunklin County, Missouri is part of the state's 35th Judicial Circuit. The county's court system includes a circuit court with three judicial divisions and several municipal courts serving communities throughout the county. Criminal case filings, civil judgments, probate estates, and family law orders all flow through this system, with records kept by the Circuit Clerk's office and subject to Missouri's public records laws. Before you start searching, it helps to know which court handled your case and which office holds those records.
If you're looking for Dunklin County case information, a good place to start is MissouriCourts.us, which gives a statewide overview of the Missouri court system along with links to publicly available case information. You can also search through the Missouri Case.net online search system, visit clerk offices in person, or use the public access terminals at the courthouse.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dunklin County?
The Dunklin County Circuit Court sits at 1175 Floyd Street in Kennett, the county seat. The Circuit Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Before visiting in person, call ahead to confirm the search procedure and any copy fees that may apply.
Dunklin County Circuit Court
Address: 1175 Floyd Street, Kennett, MO 63857
Mailing: P.O. Box 567, Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: (573) 888-2456
Fax: (573) 888-0319
The 35th Judicial Circuit operates three divisions:
| Division | Judge | Matters Handled | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division I | Presiding Judge Robert N. Mayer | Criminal and Civil | (573) 888-9133 |
| Division II | Associate Circuit Judge John C. Spielmen | Criminal and Civil | (573) 888-3378 |
| Division III | Associate Circuit Judge Jason Scherer | Probate and Juvenile | (573) 888-3272 |
Court schedules in Dunklin County follow a set weekly calendar:
- Criminal Court: Every Tuesday and Thursday
- Civil Court: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
- Law Day: 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
- Equity Day: 3rd Thursday of each month
- Uncontested Divorce Cases: 2nd Wednesday of each month
- Contested Divorce Cases: 2nd Thursday of each month
- Probate and Juvenile Court: Scheduled individually by the court
For remote record searches, Missouri Case.net is the most efficient option. This free public portal lets you search Dunklin County court records by litigant name, case number, filing date, scheduled hearing date, or judgment index. Results include docket entries, party information, case type, and judgment data at no cost. If you need paper copies from the Clerk's office, a per-page copy fee may apply.
Are Court Records Public in Dunklin County?
Court records in Dunklin County are generally public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo) and Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rule 2.02. Together, these allow the Circuit Clerk to release court records upon request. Under Missouri Court Operating Rule 1, "court records" covers any documents, data, or information created, collected, received, or maintained by a court — typically including case numbers, party names, attorney information, case type, pending charges, filing dates, and docket entries, as set out in Mo. Sup. Ct. Op. Rule 2.04.
That said, not everything is open for public inspection. Missouri Court Operating Rule 4.24 identifies categories of court records that are confidential and off-limits to the general public. These include:
- Drug court records
- Filing information sheets
- Grand jury proceedings and records
- Criminal psychiatric evaluations
- Juror questionnaires
- Records sealed, expunged, or closed by statute or court order
The Missouri Supreme Court updated Rules 2.04 and 4.24 effective July 1, 2026, to sharpen the line between public and confidential information. The update limits redactions to a defined list of confidential data rather than allowing broad discretionary withholding. When records are released, clerks redact any confidential information before providing copies.
Dunklin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Dunklin County are split between Division I and Division II of the Circuit Court and the county's several municipal courts. The Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions, misdemeanor criminal cases, and preliminary hearings. Municipal courts in Arbyrd, Campbell, Clarkton, Holcomb, Hornersville, Malden, and Senath deal with local ordinance violations and minor traffic offenses.
Criminal case records kept by the Circuit Clerk — including indictments, informations, arraignment records, trial minutes, sentencing orders, and dispositions — are searchable free of charge through Missouri Case.net by party name or case number.
Arrest records and inmate information are held by the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Nick Darter. You can reach the Sheriff's Office at (573) 888-4010, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. To request arrest records, contact the office by phone or visit in person at the Dunklin County Justice Center, 1175 Floyd Street, Kennett, MO 63857. The Sheriff's Office also handles civil process service; effective January 1, 2026, civil service fees increased under Section 57.280, RSMo, as amended by House Bill 147, with a mileage rate of $0.70 per mile.
Municipal courts across Dunklin County handle local criminal and traffic matters. Key contacts are listed below:
| Municipal Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Arbyrd Municipal Court | 102 NE Frisco Street, Arbyrd, MO 63821 | (573) 654-3834 |
| Campbell Municipal Division | 1175 Floyd Street, Kennett, MO 63857 | (573) 888-2456 |
| Clarkton Municipal Division | 404 E. Clark Street, Clarkton, MO 63837 | (573) 448-3728 |
| Malden Municipal Division | 607 North Douglass, Malden, MO 63863 | (573) 276-4214 |
| Senath Municipal Division | 100 South Market, Senath, MO 63876 | (573) 738-2346 |
Dunklin County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Dunklin County is handled by Division I and Division II of the 35th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court has general civil jurisdiction over higher-dollar disputes. Small claims matters are heard under Missouri's small claims statute, RSMo § 482.305, which caps claims at $5,000 exclusive of interest and costs. Small claims proceedings are designed to be accessible without an attorney — litigants file directly with the Circuit Clerk.
Civil court records, including petitions, answers, motions, judgments, and execution records, are public and searchable at no charge through Missouri Case.net. The system accepts litigant name, case number, filing date, and judgment index as search criteria.
For in-person civil record requests, visit the Dunklin County Circuit Clerk's office at 1175 Floyd Street during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM). Staff will help you locate records, and fees may apply for paper copies.
Property records tied to civil matters — deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and tax lien filings — are held by the Dunklin County Recorder of Deeds, whose records date back to 1872. The Recorder's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with a lunch closure from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Electronic document access is available through the Recorder's iRecord Client Login portal. The office also participates in Missouri's multi-county e-recording system, which lets you file documents electronically from any location. Property tax records are searchable online through the Dunklin County Collector's real estate search portal by parcel number, owner name, or account number. The Collector and Treasurer's office can also be reached by fax at (573) 888-2180 or in person.
Dunklin County Family Court Records
Family law matters — divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic relations proceedings — are handled within the Circuit Court. Contested divorce cases are heard on the second Thursday of each month; uncontested divorces are scheduled on the second Wednesday. Division III also oversees family-related proceedings involving minors alongside its juvenile docket.
Divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk and are accessible both online through Missouri Case.net and in person at the courthouse. Online searches are free using a litigant name, filing date, or case number. If you visit in person, you'll fill out a form to help staff locate the record; fees apply for certified copies.
Marriage licenses in Dunklin County are issued and recorded by the Recorder of Deeds, not the Circuit Clerk. The Recorder's office issues marriage licenses Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 AM and from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Licenses are valid for 30 days from issuance and are only good for ceremonies performed within Missouri. Both parties must appear together at the Recorder's office with required identification, though exceptions exist for incarcerated individuals, military personnel on out-of-state duty, or those with qualifying ADA disabilities.
Marriage license fees:
- $46.00 nonrefundable — cash (exact change required) or debit/credit card
- Debit/credit card payments carry an additional $2.00 bank processing fee
Missouri's marriage age restrictions, effective August 28, 2018 under Senate Bill 655, prohibit licenses from being issued to anyone under 16 years of age. Applicants ages 16 or 17 need custodial parental consent and must bring a certified copy of their birth certificate.
Copies of marriage licenses are available through the Recorder of Deeds for a fee. The Recorder maintains marriage records dating back to 1872 as part of the county's historical document archive.
Birth records are restricted under 19 CSR 10-10 and are not available to the general public. Only the registrant, spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, guardians, foster parents, and step-parents (with legal documentation) may request certified copies. To request a Dunklin County birth certificate:
- By mail: Complete the Application for a Vital Record Form and send it with a money order of $15.00 per record ($15.00 per additional copy) to: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
- In person: Visit the Dunklin County Health Department at 402 Recovery Road, Kennett, MO 63857 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM); bring a photo ID or two alternative forms of identification; a completed application form and copy fees are required
- Phone/online (expedited): Contact VitalChek at (877) 817-7363 (available 24/7); an additional $9.95 service fee applies, with optional overnight delivery for an extra charge
Death records carry the same eligibility restrictions as birth records. Fees are $14.00 per record and $11.00 per additional copy ordered at the same time. Online and phone orders through VitalChek carry the additional $9.95 service fee. For questions about vital records access and procedures, reach the Dunklin County Health Department at (573) 888-9008.
Dunklin County Probate Court Records
Probate and juvenile matters in Dunklin County are assigned to Division III of the 35th Judicial Circuit, presided over by Associate Circuit Judge Jason Scherer at (573) 888-3272. Division III handles wills, estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and related proceedings. Unlike the circuit court's other divisions, probate and juvenile court dates are scheduled on an individual basis rather than following a fixed weekly calendar.
Probate case records are searchable through Missouri Case.net using a party name, case number, filing date, or judgment index. The system is free and returns docket entries, case status, and party information for public probate cases.
To request probate records in person:
- Visit the Dunklin County Circuit Clerk's office at 1175 Floyd Street, Kennett, MO 63857 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM)
- Provide the decedent's name, estate case number, or filing date to help staff locate the record
- Complete any required request form provided by clerk staff
- Pay any applicable search or copy fee before documents are released
Probate records include petitions for administration, letters testamentary, letters of administration, inventories, accountings, guardian and conservator appointments, and final settlement orders. Most probate filings are public records under the Missouri Sunshine Law, though certain filings involving protected persons or minors in guardianship proceedings may be restricted under Missouri Court Operating Rule 4.24.
The Dunklin County Public Administrator's office assists with estate matters where no qualified personal representative comes forward, coordinating with the Circuit Court on appointments and case management. For general information on probate procedures in Missouri, the Missouri Courts public resources page provides statewide procedural information and links to relevant court operating rules.