Phelps County, Missouri Court Records
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Phelps County sits in south-central Missouri with its county seat in Rolla. As civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters move through the local courts, they generate a wide range of official records — judgments, dockets, case filings, dispositions, and more. These documents serve as the formal record of judicial proceedings and are used by attorneys, litigants, researchers, and members of the public for legal verification, background checks, and historical inquiry.
If you're looking for court records in Missouri, official court resources, clerk offices, and public access terminals at the courthouse are all reliable places to start. MissouriCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information and point you toward the right county resources, online search tools, or state-level databases for your specific needs.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Phelps County?
The Phelps County Circuit Clerk's office is the central repository for court records in the county. Depending on the type of case and the level of access you need, there are several ways to search and obtain records.
Online via Case.net
Missouri's statewide case management system, Case.net, is the main online tool for looking up Phelps County court records. You can search by litigant name, case number, filing date, or attorney information. The system covers criminal, civil, and probate case data from all Missouri counties, including Phelps.
In Person at the Courthouse
Visiting the courthouse gives you access to physical case files, public access terminals, and clerk staff who can assist with specific requests. The Circuit Clerk's office is located at the Phelps County Courthouse.
Phelps County Circuit Clerk
Address: 200 North Main Street, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (573) 458-6210
Fax: (573) 458-6224
Email: marlaina.wallace@courts.mo.gov
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
By Mail
You can mail a written request for specific case information or document copies to the Circuit Clerk's office. Include the case number, the names of the parties involved, and the approximate case date. Fees apply for certified copies.
Payment Methods
The Circuit Clerk's office accepts cash, check (payable to Phelps County Circuit Clerk), and card. A 4% convenience fee is added to card payments.
Are Court Records Public in Phelps County?
Missouri's Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, sets the default rule that public records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. Under this framework, most Phelps County court records are accessible to members of the public. The Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law resources explain the law's scope and the obligations it places on government custodians — who must respond to records requests as soon as possible and no later than the end of the third business day following receipt of a request.
Despite this general presumption of openness, several categories of Phelps County records are restricted from routine public access:
- Juvenile records — proceedings involving minors are sealed by operation of law to protect their privacy
- Expunged and sealed records — once a court orders expungement or sealing, those records are removed from public view and typically require a court order to access
- Domestic violence and child abuse case records — certain sensitive family law matters carry restricted access provisions
- Adoption records — records in adoption proceedings are treated as confidential to protect all parties
- Active investigative information — law enforcement records tied to open investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of proceedings
When records contain sensitive personal identifiers — such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, or medical information — clerks apply redaction before providing copies to the public, consistent with Missouri privacy protections.
Phelps County Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Division of the Phelps County Circuit Clerk's office handles the filing and processing of both misdemeanor and felony charges. Cases may proceed through either the Associate Circuit Court (for less serious misdemeanors and violations) or the Circuit Court (for felonies and more serious matters).
Searching Criminal Records
The most direct online method is Case.net, which the Circuit Clerk's office itself directs users to for case lookups. You can search by defendant name or case number. Public terminals at the courthouse are also available for in-person searches during regular business hours.
Criminal Division Contact
| Purpose | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Criminal Division Clerk | (573) 458-6202 |
| Criminal Division Clerk | (573) 458-6203 |
| Criminal Division Clerk | (573) 458-6221 |
| Criminal Division Clerk | (573) 458-6215 |
Court Forms
The Circuit Clerk makes select criminal court forms available for download. A Plea of Guilty form is available in PDF format from the clerk's website.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
Arrest records for Phelps County are maintained by local law enforcement agencies, primarily the Phelps County Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's office, located at 500 W. 2nd Street, Rolla, MO 65401, can be reached at its non-emergency line: (573) 426-3860. The Sheriff's Department also operates a current inmate search for those looking up individuals held in the Phelps County Jail. The Sheriff's website links directly to Case.net for statewide court record lookups alongside its own inmate search tool.
Expungements
If you want to clear your criminal record, you may file for expungement through the Circuit Court. Current filing fees are:
- Felony conviction expungement: $100.50
- Arrest record expungement: $100.50
Phelps County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Phelps County are divided between the Associate Circuit Court and the Circuit Court based on the dollar amount in dispute and the nature of the claim. The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk's office handles civil petitions, small claims petitions, judgments, summons, subpoenas, garnishments, orders of protection, and administrative orders.
Civil Division Contact
Civil Division Clerks can be reached at: (573) 458-6217, (573) 458-6204, (573) 458-6205, or (573) 458-6210.
Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Small Claims Petition | $20.50 |
| Associate Court Petition (Landlord-Tenant, Titles) | $48.50 |
| Circuit Court Petition | $100.50 |
Service Fees (per respondent/defendant)
| Method | Fee |
|---|---|
| Sheriff of Phelps County | $30.00 |
| Certified Mail | $10.00 |
If you need to serve a defendant in a county other than Phelps County, contact that county's Sheriff's Department for applicable fees and submit payment separately.
Small Claims Court
Small claims cases fall within the Associate Circuit Court division. Clerk staff can assist plaintiffs with filing small claims petitions, though all other civil filings must be completed by the individual or their attorney — clerks are not permitted to give legal advice. Civil case information can be searched through Case.net.
Civil forms referenced by the clerk's office are accessible through the Phelps County Circuit Clerk's civil page.
Phelps County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Phelps County are handled by the Circuit Court and tracked under a specific filing category. This includes dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity actions, motions to modify prior orders, legal separation, change of name, family access motions, and adoption proceedings.
Family Court Filing Fees
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Family Court Petition (Dissolution, Paternity, Modification, Legal Separation, Name Change, Family Access) | $132.50 |
| Adoption | $180.50 |
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and dissolution records are maintained by the Phelps County Circuit Clerk. You can request them in person or by mail at 200 North Main Street, Rolla, MO 65401. Have the names of both parties and the approximate date of the decree ready when you submit your request. Missouri also maintains divorce certificates separately — the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Vital Records office holds divorce records at the state level and can issue certificates.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Phelps County are maintained by the Phelps County Recorder of Deeds. These records are generally available for public access and include the names of both parties, the date, and the place of marriage. You can request them in person or by submitting a written request with the names of both spouses and the marriage date. Fees apply for certified copies.
Phelps County Recorder of Deeds
Address: 200 N. Main Street, Suite 102, Rolla, MO 65401
Phone: (573) 458-6095
Fax: (573) 458-6098
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death records for Phelps County are managed by the Recorder of Deeds and the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Access to certified birth certificates is restricted to the individual named on the record (if of legal age), immediate family members, and legal representatives. Proof of identity and eligibility is required. Fees for certified vital records can vary; check with the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records directly for current statewide fee schedules. The Bureau can be reached by email at VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central.
Domestic violence matters and child abuse cases may carry restricted access under Missouri law to protect the individuals involved.
Phelps County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Phelps County Circuit Court handles three primary areas: decedents' estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. Probate records maintained by the clerk's office include will filings, estate inventories, guardianship arrangements, and related orders.
Probate Division Location
Phelps County Courthouse Probate Division
Address: 200 North Main Street, Suite 201, Rolla, MO 65401
Probate Judge: Honorable Kenneth G. Clayton
Phone: (573) 458-6245
Fax: (573) 458-6235
Probate Division Clerks
| Matter Type | Phone |
|---|---|
| Decedent Estates and Mental Health | (573) 458-6245 |
| Guardianships | (573) 458-6207 |
Probate clerks can answer procedural questions but are not permitted to give legal advice.
Filing Fees — Decedent Estates
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Full Estate Without a Will | $148.50 |
| Full Estate With a Will | $183.50 |
| Small Estate Without a Will | $68.50 |
| Small Estate With a Will | $103.50 |
| Refusal of Letters Without a Will | $68.50 |
| Refusal of Letters With a Will | $103.50 |
| Determination of Heirship | $68.50 + certified mailing fees |
| Petition to Require Administration | $68.50 |
| Will Admitted Only | $68.50 |
Filing Fees — Guardianship and Conservatorship
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Minor | $93.50 |
| Adult | $108.50 |
Mental Health Filing Fee: 96-hour involuntary hold — $68.50
All filing fees are payable to the Phelps County Circuit Clerk. A 4% convenience fee applies to card payments.
Probate Forms
The Probate Division makes several official forms available through the Circuit Clerk's website:
- Application of Surviving Spouse for Refusal of Letters
- Application of Unmarried Minor Child(ren) for Refusal of Letters
- Application of Creditor for Refusal of Letters
- Guardian's Annual Status Report — Incapacitated Person
- Guardian & Conservator Annual Status Report — Incapacitated/Disabled Person
- Probate Division Party Information Sheet
Additional probate court forms are available through the Missouri Courts website, including forms provided by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
To search probate case records online, query Case.net using the case name or docket number. If you need certified copies of probate documents or want to conduct an in-person search, contact the Probate Division directly before visiting to confirm record availability and any applicable copying fees.