Howell County Court Records Search
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Howell County, Missouri sits in the Ozarks region of south-central Missouri, with West Plains serving as the county seat. The county’s court system is part of Missouri’s 37th Judicial Circuit, and its official court records date back to 1866. These records — which include motions, judgments, docket sheets, orders, decrees, complaints, and court calendars — document the full history of civil and criminal proceedings heard in county courts, making them important resources for legal research, background verification, case tracking, and judicial accountability.
Residents and researchers looking to locate court records in Missouri can turn to several official channels, including the Circuit Clerk’s Office, in-person public access terminals at the courthouse, and online tools. MissouriCourts.us can help users identify publicly available court case information across the state’s 114 counties, including Howell County, and serves as a useful starting point when navigating Missouri’s court system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Howell County?
There are two primary methods for looking up court cases filed in Howell County: searching online through Missouri’s statewide case portal or contacting the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly.
Online — Missouri Case.net
The Missouri Case.net portal is a free, publicly accessible database maintained by the Missouri Courts. It allows anyone with an internet connection to search for case records by litigant name, case number, filing date, or attorney information. The portal returns docket entries, party and attorney information, hearing dates, and case status for matters filed in Howell County and throughout Missouri.
In Person or by Mail — Howell County Circuit Clerk’s Office
The Circuit Clerk’s Office is the official custodian of all records from the 37th Judicial Circuit’s Howell County divisions. The office operates three distinct physical departments — Civil, Criminal, and Probate — all housed inside the Howell County Courthouse in downtown West Plains.
Howell County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 256-3741
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (excluding state holidays)
Email for records requests: hwl.recordsrequest@courts.mo.gov
Filings cannot be accepted by email under Local and Supreme Court Rules. Documents may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax. Fax filing fees must be paid before a fax number is provided. When requesting records, be prepared to supply the case number or the full name of a party to the case.
Downloadable records request forms, transcript request forms, and CD audio recording request forms are available on the Howell County Circuit Clerk’s official website. Completed forms may be submitted by mail or emailed to the records request address above.
Howell County Courts — 37th Judicial Circuit
| Court / Division | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Howell County Circuit Court | 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775 | (417) 256-3741 |
| Mountain View Municipal Division | 125 East 1st Street, Mountain View, MO 65548 | (417) 934-2601 |
| Mountain View Municipal Court Clerk | 126 North Oak Street, Mountain View, MO 65548 | (417) 934-2601 |
| West Plains Municipal Division | 1910 Holiday Lane, West Plains, MO 65775 | (417) 256-6154 |
| Willow Springs Municipal Division | 900 West Main Street, Willow Springs, MO 65793 | (417) 469-3292 |
The Willow Springs Municipal Division can also be reached by fax at (417) 469-4789.
Are Court Records Public in Howell County?
The right of public access to Missouri court records is established under Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2), which broadly permits members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of records created and maintained by Missouri courts in connection with legal proceedings. This rule reflects a strong presumption of openness within the judicial branch.
However, COR 2 also identifies categories of records that are confidential and unavailable to the general public. These include records sealed by law, court rule, court order, or privilege. Specifically restricted categories in Howell County include:
- Juvenile court records — protected to preserve the privacy of minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings
- Mental illness commitment records — sealed from public view under applicable Missouri law
- Expunged records — legally removed from public access following a court order
- Confidential name change records — protected to prevent potential harm to petitioners
- Sensitive personal data — social security numbers, financial account numbers, victim-identifying information, and witness-identifying data are redacted from publicly accessible filings
The Confidential Information Handout available from the Circuit Clerk’s Office provides additional guidance on what information qualifies as confidential under state and federal law. Per COR 2.11, reasonable copy fees are charged for records obtained from the Clerk’s Office.
Howell County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records in Howell County are maintained by the Criminal Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office, supervised by Allyson Bice. This division handles records for two distinct judicial tracks:
- Division I — Circuit Criminal: Felony cases heard before Circuit Judge Steven Privette. Civil and criminal dockets are called on the first and third Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. The Criminal Public Defender Docket runs each Friday at 8:30 a.m.
- Division III — Associate Criminal & Traffic: Misdemeanor, traffic, and arraignment matters presided over by Associate Circuit Judge David Ray. Arraignment Dockets are held each Monday at 9:00 a.m. Criminal and traffic hearings, preliminary hearings, and bench trials occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal case docket sheets — including charges, case status, dispositions, and sentencing details — are searchable without charge through Missouri Case.net. Users can filter results by county to isolate Howell County criminal filings.
For certified copies of criminal case records, requests must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775, either in person, by mail, or via the downloadable records request form. Fees apply per COR 2.11.
Criminal History Records vs. Court Records
It is important to distinguish between criminal court case records (maintained by the Circuit Clerk) and statewide criminal history records. The latter are preserved by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and can be searched through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). MACHS supports name-based or fingerprint-based background checks and is the appropriate resource for employment screening, licensing, or official background check purposes. Statewide criminal history records incorporate court dispositions from Howell County along with arrest records and other data held by criminal justice agencies.
Howell County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Howell County Circuit Clerk’s Office, supervised by Crystal Howell, processes and maintains all non-criminal legal filings. This division covers two primary categories based on the dollar amount at issue:
- Associate Civil (Division II): Disputes involving amounts between $5,001 and $25,000, handled by Associate Circuit Judge Melissa Stewart. Associate Civil Dockets are called on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
- Circuit Civil (Division I): Cases involving $25,000 or more, generally involving complex legal issues and handled by Circuit Judge Steven Privette.
- Small Claims: Disputes involving $5,000 or less, designed for informal resolution with or without an attorney, heard by Associate Circuit Judge David Ray on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Filing Fees
Filing fees in Howell County are set by Missouri law and vary by case type. The current 2026 Howell County Fee Schedule is available directly from the Circuit Clerk’s website. For specific fee inquiries, contact the Clerk’s Office at (417) 256-3741.
Civil Forms and Resources
All approved civil court forms are available through the Missouri Courts forms page, with small claims-specific forms available at the Small Claims forms page. The Circuit Clerk also provides pattern interrogatory forms for auto accident and slip-and-fall cases, a Small Claims Court Handbook, and the court’s Local Court Rules for the 37th Judicial Circuit.
After a civil judgment is entered, additional steps such as garnishment filings may be required to actually collect a debt. The Clerk’s Office can explain the procedural requirements, but cannot provide legal advice — parties are encouraged to consult a licensed attorney for that guidance.
Property Records
Property records in Howell County are maintained by the Recorder of Deeds, Jeff Brasier. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and related real estate documents can be searched online through the Howell County iRecord online search portal. In-person inquiries can be directed to:
Howell County Recorder of Deeds
Address: 107 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 256-3750
Email: countyrecorder@yahoo.com
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
The Howell County Assessor’s Office is responsible for assessing all taxable property within the county, and the Howell County Collector maintains a Real Estate Search tool for searching by tax ID, parcel number, or owner name.
Howell County Family Court Records
Family and domestic court matters in Howell County fall under Division I of the Circuit Court, which handles Circuit Civil, Family Court, and Juvenile Court filings. The Civil Division under Crystal Howell manages these case records.
Divorce Records
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) cases are adjudicated in the Howell County Circuit Court, and all case records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office. To obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, requesters should contact the Clerk’s Office at (417) 256-3741 and provide the names of both spouses, the case file number, and the date the petition was filed. Requests may be made in person or by mail to 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775.
Divorce case filings, docket entries, and hearing information can also be searched at no cost through Missouri Case.net. When searching, select “Family/Domestic” as the case type and specify Howell County to narrow results.
Orders of Protection
Orders of Protection (domestic violence matters) are heard by Circuit Judge Privette. The Ex Parte & Orders of Protection Docket is called on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Howell County Recorder of Deeds, located at 107 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775. Certified copies of marriage certificates are also obtained through this office at (417) 256-3750. For individuals who do not know which county issued a marriage license, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage for $15, which identifies the issuing county along with the spouses’ names and the date of marriage.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records in Howell County are not public records — access is restricted by Missouri law under §193.255, RSMo to persons with a “direct and tangible” interest in the record. Eligible requesters include the registrant (if 18 or older), immediate family members, legal guardians, step-parents, and persons authorized under 19 CSR 10-10.
The Howell County Health Department’s Vital Records Office handles these requests:
Howell County Health Department — Vital Records
Address: 180 Kentucky Street, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 256-7078
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Birth certificates: Available for records from 1920 onward — $15.00 per copy
- Death certificates: Available for records from 1980 onward — $14.00 for the first copy; $11.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested simultaneously
- Accepted payment: cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card (card processing fee applies; cardholder must be present or named on the request)
- Mail-in requests must be notarized; cash should not be sent by mail
For records predating 1920 (birth) or 1980 (death), requests must be directed to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City using the state’s Vital Records Application. The state charges $14.00 for the first certificate and $11.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time.
Howell County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Howell County are handled by Division III of the Circuit Court, presided over by Associate Circuit Judge David Ray. Probate hearings are scheduled on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. The Probate Division is personally managed by Circuit Clerk Cynthia Lee and covers the following types of proceedings:
- Decedent estate administration
- Small estates affidavit proceedings
- Will probate and inheritance matters
- Guardianship and conservatorship for minors
- Guardianship and conservatorship for incapacitated persons
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Sexually violent predator actions
Accessing Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through Missouri Case.net by entering a party’s name or case number and selecting Howell County. For certified copies or in-depth record requests, contact the Probate Department of the Circuit Clerk’s Office:
Howell County Circuit Clerk — Probate Division
Address: 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775
Phone: (417) 255-1422 (Probate Department)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Requests may also be submitted using the downloadable Records Request Form by mail or by emailing hwl.recordsrequest@courts.mo.gov. Per Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rule 2.11, reasonable fees are assessed for all copy requests. The applicable fee schedule is published in the Howell County Fee Schedule.
Note that mental illness commitment records are classified as confidential under COR 2 and are not accessible to the general public, regardless of the request method used.