Pettis County Court Records Search
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Pettis County, Missouri is anchored by Sedalia, the county seat, where the Pettis County Courthouse at 415 South Ohio Avenue serves as the administrative center for the county’s court system. Court records generated in Pettis County span every category of legal proceeding handled locally — criminal indictments, civil judgments, dissolution of marriage decrees, probate estate filings, and juvenile matters. These documents form the official record of judicial activity and are maintained primarily by the Pettis County Circuit Clerk’s Office, which oversees all case records across multiple court divisions.
For those beginning a records search, Missouri provides a statewide free public case search tool. MissouriCourts.us is a useful starting point for understanding the state’s court structure and connecting to publicly available case information. The Missouri Courts’ Case.net portal, accessible at courts.mo.gov, lets anyone search active and closed cases by party name, case number, or filing date without charge. Court clerks, public access terminals at the courthouse, and the county’s official website at pettiscomo.com are additional avenues for locating records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pettis County?
The Pettis County Circuit Clerk’s Office is the central repository for court records in the county, maintaining all civil, criminal, probate, domestic, and juvenile case files. Circuit Clerk Susan Sadler oversees the office, which operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pettis County Circuit Clerk’s Office
Address: 415 S. Ohio, Suite 324, Sedalia, MO 65301
Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext. 926
Fax: (660) 826-4520
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The office is organized by division, with separate contact lines for different case types:
| Division | Phone Extension | Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Civil/Domestic | (660) 826-5000 ext. 926 | Civil, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant, Dissolution, Paternity, Name Changes |
| Adult Abuse/Child Protection Orders | (660) 826-5000 ext. 438 | Ex parte Orders of Protection |
| Criminal/Traffic | (660) 826-5000 ext. 924 | Felony, Misdemeanor, Traffic |
| Probate | (660) 826-5000 ext. 454 | Estates, Guardianships, Small Estate Affidavits |
| Juvenile | (660) 826-5000 ext. 455 | Juvenile matters |
Physically, the criminal, traffic, probate, and juvenile divisions are on the first floor of the courthouse; the civil and domestic divisions are on the third floor.
Online Search — Case.net
The free Case.net portal, provided by the Missouri Judiciary, allows the public to search Pettis County cases at no cost. Search options include:
- Party name (individual or business)
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Scheduled hearings and trials
- Judgment index
Local Court Rules and Filing Fees
The Circuit Clerk’s website provides downloadable copies of local court rules and the filing fee schedule. A Remote Public Access Filing Information handout is also available for parties filing remotely. Division 5 proceedings may be attended remotely via the Division 5 Webex Video Conference system.
Are Court Records Public in Pettis County?
Two Missouri statutes govern public access to court records in Pettis County. The Missouri Public Records Law establishes a general framework for government transparency, while the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) — sometimes called the Missouri Freedom of Information Law — mandates that the meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public.
Under this framework, most court records filed in Pettis County are accessible to the public. However, several categories are closed or restricted:
- Juvenile court records — not open to public inspection without a court order; access requires demonstrated legal standing
- Social records compiled for official court functions — restricted under the Sunshine Law
- Expunged records — closed pursuant to Chapter 610 RSMo
- Records sealed by court order — withheld from public access per the presiding judge’s directive
- Active investigation files — may be withheld when disclosure could impede an ongoing investigation
The Sunshine Law permits government bodies to charge reasonable fees for copying and administrative retrieval time. For records requests that require research, agencies may charge the hourly rate of the lowest-paid qualified employee who can respond, though the first 15 minutes of retrieval time is typically provided at no charge under O.C.G.A.-equivalent Missouri provisions.
Pettis County Criminal Court Records
Criminal records in Pettis County are filed and maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Office. The Pettis County Circuit Court, which is part of Missouri’s 18th Judicial Circuit, handles all felony prosecutions, misdemeanors, and serious traffic offenses. The Sedalia Municipal Court handles ordinance violations occurring within the city, though all municipal docket cases are actually heard by the Pettis County Circuit Court.
Pettis County Circuit Court — Criminal Division
Address: 415 South Ohio, Sedalia, MO 65301
Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext. 924
Fax: (660) 827-8613
Sedalia Municipal Court
Address: 200 South Osage Avenue, Sedalia, MO 65301
Phone: (660) 827-3000
Fax: (660) 827-7839
Presiding Judge: Hon. Paul Beard
Prosecutor: Lauber Municipal Law — (816) 525-7881 ext. 10
Sheriff’s Office
The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of the county. The office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though administrative offices are closed on weekends and holidays.
Pettis County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 319 S. Lamine Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301
Office: (660) 827-0052
Jail: (660) 827-0056
Emergencies: 911
Criminal Background Checks
For statewide criminal history records, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Record Check page outlines the two available search methods:
- Name-based (personal identifier) search — available online through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS); fee: $15.00 plus a small convenience fee; results show open records only and are considered a “possible match”
- Fingerprint-based search — produces a “positive match” with full criminal history including dismissed and expunged records (for authorized entities); state-only fee: $20.00; IDEMIA fingerprinting service fee: $12.00 (total: $32.00 for state only, $44.00 for state and FBI combined)
Payment for mail-in fingerprint requests must be by check or money order payable to “State of Missouri – Criminal Record System Fund”. Cash and credit cards are not accepted for mail-in submissions.
Crime Stoppers
The Pettis County Crime Stoppers program allows residents to anonymously report criminal activity. Tips can be submitted by calling the hotline at (660) 827-8477 (660-827-TIPS). Calls are not recorded and caller ID is not used. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are available for information leading to an arrest.
Pettis County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Pettis County are heard at two levels within the Circuit Court system: Circuit Court for larger civil actions and Associate Circuit Court for smaller claims and landlord-tenant disputes.
Filing Fee Schedule (from the official Pettis County filing fees document)
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil cases under § 517 RSMo (Small Claims) and Rent & Possession | $51.50 |
| Domestic relations cases | $105.50 |
| Adoptions | $183.50 |
| Admitting a Will to Probate (without estate) | $71.50 |
| Small Estate without Will | $71.50 |
| All other Probate filings | $71.50 |
For full and current filing fees, the official filing fees and other costs document is available through the Circuit Clerk’s website.
The civil and domestic divisions of the Circuit Clerk’s Office are located on the third floor of the courthouse. Civil records — including judgments, docket entries, motions, and orders — may be searched online through Case.net or inspected in person at the Clerk’s office during business hours. Certified copies of civil records require payment of applicable copy fees.
Small Claims and Associate Civil Cases
Small claims and landlord-tenant matters are handled by the Associate Circuit Court. Parties filing a small claims action should contact the Civil/Domestic division at (660) 826-5000 ext. 926 for case-specific guidance, as filing requirements and fee amounts depend on the dollar amount at issue. Self-represented parties are encouraged to review the additional resources document published by the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
Municipal Court Divisions
In addition to the Sedalia Municipal Court, several municipal divisions operate within the county. Most hold their dockets at the Pettis County Courthouse; one exception is the La Monte Municipal Division:
| Municipal Division | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Green Ridge Municipal Division | 415 South Ohio, Sedalia, MO 65301 | (660) 826-5000 |
| Houstonia Municipal Division | 415 South Ohio, Sedalia, MO 65301 | (660) 826-5000 |
| Hughesville Municipal Division | 415 South Ohio, Sedalia, MO 65301 | (660) 826-5000 |
| La Monte Municipal Division | 201 North State Street, Knob Noster, MO 65336 | (660) 563-2595 |
| Smithton Municipal Division | 415 South Ohio, Sedalia, MO 65301 | (660) 826-5000 |
Pettis County Family Court Records
Family law matters — including dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, name changes, and adult abuse protective orders — are filed with the Circuit Clerk’s Civil/Domestic division. These records are maintained on the third floor of the Pettis County Courthouse, with the dedicated contact line at (660) 826-5000 ext. 926.
Divorce Records
Divorce (dissolution of marriage) decrees are filed with the Circuit Clerk. The Circuit Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To request a certified copy of a divorce decree, provide the case number, names of the parties, and the approximate filing date. A domestic relations case filing fee of $105.50 applies at the time of filing a new petition.
Protective Orders
Ex parte orders of protection and adult abuse orders are handled through a separate direct line at the Circuit Clerk’s Office:
- Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext. 438
- Fax: (660) 827-8613
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Pettis County Recorder of Deeds. The marriage license fee is $60.00, which includes one certified copy. Certified copies of marriage records cost $9.00, and non-certified (informational) copies cost $1.00 per copy. Both applicants must apply for a marriage license in person; the completed license must be returned to the Recorder’s office within 15 days of the ceremony.
Pettis County Recorder of Deeds
Address: 415 South Ohio Ave., Suite 106, Sedalia, MO 65301
Email: recorder@pettiscomo.com
Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext. 922
Fax: (660) 829-4479
Recorder: Barbara Clevenger
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for events occurring locally are managed by the Pettis County Health Centre. Birth certificates are available for births from 1920 to the present; death certificates cover deaths from 1980 to the present. Both require completion of the application form available from the Health Centre, payment of $15.00 per certified copy, and proof of eligibility. Access is limited to immediate family members, the registrant themselves, and those who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Pettis County Health Centre
Address: 911 E. 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301
Phone: (660) 827-1130
For records outside the local availability window, requests should be directed to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City.
Pettis County Probate Court Records
Probate jurisdiction in Pettis County rests with the Pettis County Circuit Court, and all probate records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk’s Probate division. This division handles the full range of estate and guardianship matters governed by Missouri law, including:
- Decedents’ estates (testate and intestate)
- Wills admitted to probate
- Small Estate Affidavits
- Adult and minor guardianship proceedings
- Conservatorship cases
- 96-hour detention and treatment proceedings
- Name changes (also handled through the civil division)
Probate Division Contact
Phone: (660) 826-5000 ext. 454
Fax: (660) 827-8613
Address: 415 S. Ohio, Suite 324, Sedalia, MO 65301 (first floor of the courthouse)
Filing Fees for Probate Matters
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Admitting a Will to Probate (without estate) | $71.50 |
| Small Estate without Will | $71.50 |
| All other Probate filings | $71.50 |
Note that when a small estate falls between $15,000 and $40,000 in value, Missouri law requires publication for two consecutive weeks as part of the process, which carries additional publication costs beyond the court filing fee.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records, like other court records in Pettis County, can be searched through the Case.net portal. In-person searches can be conducted at the Probate division during regular business hours. For historical probate records (pre-1887), the FamilySearch catalog maintains a collection of Pettis County probate records and indexes covering the period from 1833 onward.
All petitions in probate require the filing fee to be paid at the time of submission, and contested hearings are scheduled through the court calendar maintained by the Clerk. Self-represented parties in probate proceedings are strongly encouraged to review Missouri’s standard probate forms before filing. The Pettis County Circuit Clerk’s website also links to juror information and general court resources to assist members of the public navigating the court system.