Lawrence County Court Records Search
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Lawrence County, Missouri, anchored by the county seat of Mount Vernon, operates its court system through the 39th Judicial Circuit — a multi-county circuit that also encompasses Barry and Stone Counties. The Circuit Court of Lawrence County handles the full scope of legal matters, from felony criminal prosecutions and major civil litigation down to small claims, family law, juvenile proceedings, and probate administration. Every filing, judgment, order, and docket entry generated through these proceedings constitutes an official court record maintained by the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Searching for court records in Missouri is generally straightforward when you know which office or online system to use. Records can be accessed through clerk offices, public access terminals at the courthouse, and the state’s online case management platform. For those beginning a search from home, MissouriCourts.us provides a path to publicly available Missouri court case information, including records from the 39th Judicial Circuit.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lawrence County?
The Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office is the central repository for all court records in the county. Circuit Clerk Pamela I. Fobair leads the office, which is located on the first floor of the Lawrence County Justice Center in Mount Vernon.
Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 240 N. Main Street, Suite 110, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 |
| Phone | (417) 466-2471 |
| Fax | (417) 466-7899 |
| lawrencecounty@courts.mo.gov | |
| Window Hours | Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | All state holidays |
Phone menu options for the Circuit Clerk’s office:
- Option 2 – Traffic Division
- Option 3 – Circuit Civil / Dissolutions
- Option 4 – Ex Partes / Small Claims / Evictions
- Option 5 – Probate Division
- Option 6 – Juvenile / Child Support
- Option 7 – Jury Division
- Option 8 – Criminal Division
Online search via Case.net — The Missouri Courts Case.net system is the primary online tool for searching Lawrence County court records remotely. Users can search for case records by party name or case number and view docket entries, party information, charges, and judgments. Only cases classified as public under the Missouri Revised Statutes are available through the platform, and records predating certain 2005 cutoff dates may not be fully digitized.
In-person requests — Visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office during window hours. Staff can assist in locating files and processing copy requests. Bring identifying case information such as a case number or the full names of all parties involved.
Are Court Records Public in Lawrence County?
Missouri’s public records framework is governed primarily by the Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610), which grants members of the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of records held by governmental bodies, including courts. Under this law, court records are presumed public unless a specific statute, court rule, or court order restricts access.
Several categories of records are restricted from general public access in Lawrence County:
- Juvenile records — records involving minors in delinquency, dependency, or abuse proceedings are protected from public disclosure
- Confidential mental health and substance abuse records — under probate and mental health statutes, civil commitment files and related health records are sealed; access requires proof that the requester is the respondent or attorney of record
- Personnel records — individually identifiable personnel records of public employees are not open to general inspection
- Active litigation and investigatory files — certain materials related to pending legal actions or active investigations may be withheld
- Protected personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, full dates of birth, and confidential addresses are redacted from Case.net and any publicly released court documents, pursuant to RSMo § 509.520
- Sealed and expunged records — records ordered sealed or expunged by a judge are removed from public access entirely
Copy and search fees established by the Circuit Clerk’s Office apply to all record requests:
- Photocopying judicial records: $0.25 per page
- Certified copy of judicial records: $2.00 for certification + $0.25 per page
- Search fees – clerk time: $0.20 per minute
- Certified copies of vital records: $15.00 each
- Redaction copy fees: $5.00
Lawrence County Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Lawrence County are divided between the Circuit Court Division — which handles felony cases transferred up from the Associate Court — and the Associate Court Division, which has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, felony preliminary hearings, and traffic matters. The Criminal Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office manages all criminal filings from minor traffic offenses through homicide cases.
Criminal Division contact:
- Phone: (417) 466-2471, ext. 105 (Criminal Supervisor Jennifer Wheeler)
- Associate Criminal: ext. 102 (Sydney Marsh), ext. 104 (Candice Washam), ext. 115 (Teresa Robertson)
- Circuit Criminal: ext. 103 (Lorisa Dallis)
- Email: lawrencecounty@courts.mo.gov
Criminal case dockets — including charges, party information, hearing dates, and dispositions — can be searched online through Case.net for cases that are not restricted. For older records not yet digitized, contact or visit the Circuit Clerk’s Office directly.
For arrest records, jail rosters, and law enforcement incident reports, contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office:
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1525 Missouri Drive, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 |
| Phone: (24-Hour) | (417) 466-2131 |
| Office Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster is publicly accessible online, displaying current bookings, charges, and bond information for individuals held at the county detention center. It is important to recognize that court case records are distinct from arrest records — a court filing documents what happens in court proceedings, while an arrest record originates with law enforcement at the time of booking.
Expungement of criminal records is available under Missouri law. The Circuit Clerk’s Office handles expungement filings, with the following fees:
- Expungement of conviction records: $98.50
- Expungement of alcohol/drug-related driving records and criminal arrest records: $100.50
- Post-conviction relief (29.15 motion to vacate): $100.50
Lawrence County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Lawrence County are distributed between two tiers of court based on the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court Division handles lawsuits involving claims over $25,000, as well as complex civil matters and enforcement of private rights. The Associate Court Division has general jurisdiction over civil cases under $25,000 and also manages small claims, landlord/tenant matters, and evictions.
The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk’s Office manages all civil filings. Contact the Civil Supervisor, Christine Hirsch, at (417) 466-2471, ext. 111.
Civil filing fees established by the 39th Judicial Circuit:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Associate Civil | $48.50 |
| Circuit Civil | $100.50 |
| Mechanics Lien | $5.00 |
| Small Claims | $35.50 |
| Service per person | $16.50 |
| Rent and Possession | $48.50 |
| Garnishment | $10.00 |
| Appeal from Associate (Trial de Novo) | $45.00 |
| Appeal from Municipal (Trial de Novo) | $30.00 |
| Appeals | $70.00 |
Note: The Circuit Clerk’s Office cannot accept cash, cashier’s checks, or money orders between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the last business day of each month. Credit and debit cards are accepted during this window.
Civil case records are searchable through Case.net, where users can access docket entries, party information, and judgment data for public cases. Small claims matters up to $35.50 in filing fees are processed at the Associate Court level and include disputes such as landlord/tenant disagreements, breach of contract, and debt collection for amounts under $25,000.
For property-related records — including deeds, mortgages, plats, and federal and state tax liens — contact the Lawrence County Recorder of Deeds, or search the online property records portal. The Lawrence County Collector of Revenue handles property tax records and offers a real estate tax search tool searchable by parcel number, owner name, or mailing address. Property valuations are maintained separately by the Lawrence County Assessor’s Office.
Lawrence County Family Court Records
All family law matters in Lawrence County are handled by the Domestic Division of the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office. This division processes cases filed by both represented parties and self-represented litigants.
Case types under Domestic Division jurisdiction include:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) and legal separation
- Paternity determination
- Child support establishment and modification
- Child custody and parenting time (Motion to Modify)
- Motion for Contempt and Family Access Motions (visitation enforcement)
- Adult and child name changes
- Adult abuse and child abuse Ex Parte Orders of Protection
Domestic Division filing fees:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage | $100.50 (plus service fees — contact Sheriff’s Dept.) |
| Modification | $100.50 (plus service fees) |
| Paternity | $100.50 (plus service fees) |
| Name Change | $100.50 |
| Child Custody | $100.50 (plus service fees) |
| Family Access Motion | $100.50 (plus service fees) |
Important note on confidential information: The full Social Security number is required on domestic case filings pursuant to RSMo § 509.520 but is treated as confidential. While public case dockets are viewable through Case.net, full SSNs, full dates of birth, and confidential addresses are never released through that platform.
Self-represented litigants in family court matters can find forms, instructions, and resources through the Missouri Courts’ self-representation website. The site provides court-approved forms packages for dissolution of marriage, paternity, child custody, and family access motions. Standardized dissolution of marriage petition forms are also available directly through the Missouri Courts website.
Marriage records are not maintained by the Circuit Clerk. The Lawrence County Recorder of Deeds issues marriage licenses and retains recorded marriage documents. Key details:
- Marriage license fee: $46.00 (nonrefundable; cash, check, or credit card accepted; credit card adds a $2.00 technology fee)
- Certified copy of marriage license: $9.00
- Applications submitted online at marriage.icounty.com prior to an in-person appointment
- Marriage licenses issued Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., by appointment (call (417) 466-2670)
- Both parties must appear in person, be 18 or older, and present a driver’s license, passport, or visa
- License is valid for 30 days from issuance and may be used anywhere in Missouri
Divorce records are held by the Domestic Division. Certified copies of divorce decrees can only be obtained by contacting the Domestic Division directly at (417) 466-2471. Non-confidential divorce case docket information is also accessible through Case.net. For a certified statement verifying a divorce — containing only the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county of record — contact the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.
Vital records (birth and death certificates) are maintained by the Lawrence County Health Department at 105 West North Street, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712. The Health Department can provide certified copies of Missouri birth records from 1920 forward and death records from 1980 forward. Access is restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest — the registrant, immediate family members, guardians, or authorized legal representatives. A primary photo ID is required, or at least two alternate forms of identification. Requests may be made in person or by mail using the vital records application form.
Lawrence County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the 39th Judicial Circuit operates under the same Lawrence County Circuit Clerk’s Office, located at the Lawrence County Justice Center. Reach the Probate Division by calling (417) 466-2471, Option 5, or by email at lawrencecounty@courts.mo.gov.
The Probate Division exercises statutory jurisdiction over:
- Estates of deceased persons (testate and intestate)
- Guardianship and conservatorship of incapacitated or disabled adults and minors
- Will and trust proceedings
- Civil commitment of persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders
All probate case files are public record unless the court has determined otherwise. Mental health and alcohol/drug-related civil commitment cases are confidential — to obtain copies of documents from such a file, the requester must prove they are the respondent or the attorney of record.
Probate filing fees established by the 39th Judicial Circuit:
| Proceeding Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Refusals (Spouse, Minor, or Creditor) | $68.50 each |
| Petition to Admit Will Only | $35.00 |
| Small Estate – Intestate | $68.50 |
| Small Estate – Testate | $103.50 |
| Full Decedent Estate – Intestate | $148.50 |
| Full Decedent Estate – Testate | $183.50 |
| Guardian/Conservator – Minor | $350.00 |
| Guardian/Conservator – Adult | $350.00 |
| Determination of Heirship | $68.50 |
| Petition to Require Administration | $68.50 |
| Adult Conservator Annual Fee | $30.00 |
| Minor Conservator Annual Fee | $25.00 |
| Close Conservatorship (Adult or Minor) | $35.00 |
Copy fees for probate records are $0.25 per page plus $2.00 per certification for certified copies. Note that probate fees are subject to change and should be confirmed with the clerk’s office before filing.
Public probate case records can be searched through Case.net. Most probate estates require representation by a Missouri-licensed attorney. Court clerks are prohibited from providing legal advice under RSMo § 484.020, though they may provide limited assistance with forms needed for an order of refusal of letters under RSMo § 473.091.