Ray County Court Records Search
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Ray County, Missouri sits in the northwest part of the state with its county seat in Richmond. One of Missouri's original 14 counties when statehood was granted in 1821, the county operates a court system within Missouri's 8th Judicial Circuit. The Ray County Circuit Court handles the full range of legal matters — felony prosecutions, civil disputes, family law, probate proceedings, and small claims — with the Circuit Clerk's Office maintaining all case records.
Court records in Missouri can be accessed through clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and online resources. MissouriCourts.us is one resource where Missourians can find court contacts and publicly available case information. For Ray County specifically, the Missouri Case.net portal and the Circuit Clerk's Office in Richmond are the main access points for searching and obtaining official court records.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Ray County?
The Ray County Circuit Court's clerk operations are split between two floors of the courthouse, each handling different case types. Knowing which division you need will save time when requesting records.
Courthouse Structure
Ray County Circuit Court
100 West Main Street, Suite 22
Richmond, MO 64085
Presiding Judge: Kevin L. Walden
Associate Judge: Lori J. Baskins
Civil-Probate Clerk (2nd Floor)
Processes civil cases including Small Claims, Rent and Possession, Child Support, Dissolution, and Orders of Protection. The Probate Clerk is also in this office.
Phone: (816) 776-2335 | Fax: (816) 776-2185
Criminal-Traffic Clerk (3rd Floor)
Processes traffic and criminal cases. Passport applications may also be filed here.
Phone: (816) 776-3377 | Fax: (816) 776-6016
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Online Search — Missouri Case.net
The Missouri Case.net portal is the state's centralized case management system and gives the public free access to court case information. You can search Ray County cases using:
- Party name (plaintiff or defendant)
- Case number or file number
- Filing date range
- Citation number
Since July 1, 2023, Case.net has also provided direct access to many filed case documents from personal devices at no charge.
Copy Fees
Copies of court records obtained through the Clerk's Office cost $1.00 per page. If copies are emailed, an additional $2.00 charge applies plus postage.
By Mail
Mail written requests to the appropriate clerk division (Civil or Criminal) at 100 W. Main Street, Richmond, MO 64085. Include the party's full name or case number, the record type needed, and a check or money order for copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Ray County?
Missouri's public records framework starts from a default of openness. Under Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri — the Missouri Sunshine Law — government records, including court records, are presumed open to public inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
That said, certain information must be redacted before records are released, regardless of whether the underlying case is publicly accessible. The following details are treated as confidential and removed from any record provided to the public:
- Social Security numbers of any party or child
- Credit card numbers, financial institution account numbers, personal identification numbers, or account passwords
- Motor vehicle operator license numbers
- Victim identifying information, including name, address, and contact details
- Witness identifying information, including name, address, and contact details
- Any other state-issued identification numbers
- The name, address, and date of birth of any child
- The full date of birth of any party
Beyond individual redactions, Missouri's Court Operating Rule 2 establishes broader categories of cases that are entirely closed to the public — juvenile proceedings, mental health cases, adoptions, sealed records, expunged records, and certain Guardian ad Litem and child custody evaluation materials. Access to those records is limited to the parties, their legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
Ray County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Ray County — from traffic violations and misdemeanors to felony prosecutions — are filed with the Criminal-Traffic Clerk on the 3rd floor of the courthouse. The Ray County Circuit Court, as a court of general jurisdiction within the 8th Judicial Circuit, handles all levels of criminal matters. Municipal Divisions in Camden, Crystal Lakes, Fleming, and Hardin handle ordinance violations and lesser offenses within their cities.
Court Locations — Criminal and Municipal
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Ray County Circuit Court (Criminal) | 100 W. Main St., Richmond, MO 64085 | (816) 776-3377 |
| Camden, Fleming & Hardin Municipal Court | 406 Main St., P.O. Box 227, Henrietta, MO 64036 | (816) 290-5337 |
| Crystal Lakes Municipal Division | 100 W. Main St., Richmond, MO 64085 | (816) 776-3377 |
| Richmond Municipal Court | Richmond, MO 64085 | (816) 776-5304 |
Criminal case dockets, charge information, and dispositions can be searched through Missouri Case.net. For certified copies of criminal judgments, sentencing orders, or conviction records, contact the Criminal-Traffic Clerk directly.
Arrest Records and Inmate Information
The Ray County Sheriff's Office maintains records related to arrests and the current jail population. The Sheriff's main line is (816) 290-5323, and the office is located at 200 W. 9th Street, Richmond, MO 64085. Keep in mind that arrest records reflect charges at the time of booking and do not indicate a finding of guilt. Active law enforcement investigatory records may be withheld under Missouri's Sunshine Law while an investigation is ongoing.
Additional resources for criminal matters include the Public Defender's Office at (816) 792-5394, the Felony Probation Office in Richmond at (816) 776-2400, and the Misdemeanor Supervision Services line at (816) 615-3434.
Ray County Civil Court Records
All civil filings in Ray County — Small Claims, Rent and Possession disputes, contract claims, personal injury actions, and other non-criminal matters — are processed by the Civil-Probate Clerk on the 2nd floor of the courthouse at 100 W. Main Street, Richmond, MO 64085.
Searching Civil Records Online
Civil case dockets and available documents can be searched at no cost through Missouri Case.net. For full case files, certified copies of judgments, or historical filings, contact the Civil Clerk at (816) 776-2335 during business hours.
Court Forms
The Ray County Circuit Court directs self-represented litigants to Missouri Courts Self-Help Resources and to the Missouri Courts website for official forms covering Child Support, Dissolution, Paternity, Custody, Mechanics Liens, Orders of Protection, and Small Claims filings.
Small Claims Matters
Small claims cases are filed through the Civil Clerk's Office. Missouri small claims courts are designed to be accessible to individuals without legal representation. Copy fees for retrieved documents follow the standard rate of $1.00 per page, with a $2.00 additional charge if emailed. Contact the clerk at (816) 776-2335 for current filing fee amounts and procedures before submitting a claim.
Property and Land Records
Deeds, mortgages, plats, surveys, and related instruments are maintained by the Ray County Recorder of Deeds — separate from court records, but frequently relevant to civil litigation involving real property. Land records date back to 1820, with digital records available from May 1963 forward. Online searches are available through the Ray County iRecord Search Portal. To obtain copies, contact:
Ray County Recorder of Deeds (Rhonda Kinnison)
100 W. Main Street, Suite 25
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-4500
Email: deeds@recorder.raycountymo.gov
Recorder of Deeds Copy Fees:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Recording — first page | $24.00 |
| Recording — each additional page | $3.00 |
| Copy of deed | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
| Emailed copies | Additional $2.00 + $1.00 per page |
| Copy of plat or survey | $5.00 |
Ray County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Ray County — divorce, dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, paternity, and orders of protection — are filed with the Civil-Probate Clerk on the 2nd floor of the courthouse. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over all domestic relations proceedings.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Ray County Circuit Clerk and are generally public records unless sealed by court order. Case information is searchable through Missouri Case.net, while full certified copies of decrees are available from the Circuit Clerk:
Ray County Circuit Clerk — Civil Division
100 W. Main Street, Room 5
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-2335
The clerk redacts confidential elements — including dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and information identifying minor children — before releasing copies to the public. Full access to divorce files is generally limited to the named parties, their attorneys, and those presenting a court order.
If you need to confirm that a divorce occurred but are uncertain of the county, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage/Divorce/Single Status that provides basic identifying information. Mail completed applications with the applicable $14.00 fee to:
Missouri DHSS – Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387
Marriage Records
Certified copies of Ray County marriage licenses are issued by the Ray County Recorder of Deeds, not the state DHSS. A certified copy of a marriage license costs $9.00. Both parties must appear in person with photo identification to apply for a new marriage license, which costs $51.00 (cash or debit/credit card only; no checks). Effective August 28, 2025, Missouri law requires both parties to a marriage license to be at least 18 years of age, with no exceptions for parental consent.
Online searches for marriage records are available through the Ray County iRecord Search Portal. The Recorder's office can be reached at (816) 776-4500 or by email at deeds@recorder.raycountymo.gov. Ray County land records, which include marriage license records, date back to 1820.
Orders of Protection
Protective orders are handled by the Civil-Probate Clerk. Forms for adult and child orders of protection are available through the Missouri Courts self-represented litigants portal and the Circuit Clerk's Office. There is no filing fee for orders of protection.
Birth Records
Missouri birth records are not open to the general public. Access is restricted for 100 years from the date of birth, during which time only the individual named (if 18 or older), immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized agencies may obtain certified copies. Birth certificates are available at the state level for births from January 1, 1910, forward. The standard search fee is $15.00 per record ($15.00 for each additional copy). To request a certificate, complete the Application for a Vital Record — Birth/Death and mail the notarized application with the applicable fee to the Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Online and phone ordering is also available through VitalChek.
Death Records
Missouri death records are restricted for 50 years from the date of death under Missouri Vital Records Law and Administrative Code (19 CSR 10-10.090). During that period, access is limited to immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized agencies. The state fee is $14.00 for the first certified copy and $11.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Use the same Birth/Death application form referenced above. Death records more than 50 years old may also be searchable through the Missouri Secretary of State's Missouri Digital Heritage database.
Ray County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Ray County are handled by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court, with the Probate Clerk located in the same 2nd-floor Civil-Probate office. Probate court records cover estate administration, will validation, intestate succession, guardianships over minors and adults, conservatorships, trust administration, and involuntary commitment proceedings.
How to Access Probate Records
Recent probate case information is searchable through Missouri Case.net. The Ray County Courthouse holds original probate records dating to 1821. For cases not yet digitized, or when certified copies of probate orders, letters testamentary, or guardianship documents are needed, contact:
Ray County Probate Division
100 W. Main Street, Room 11
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-2335
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Submitting a Request
- Identify the decedent's or ward's full legal name and approximate date of death or case filing.
- Provide the case number if known.
- Specify the exact documents needed (e.g., Letters Testamentary, Final Distribution Order, Will).
- Visit the Probate Clerk in person or submit a written request by mail to Room 11 at the address above.
- Include a check or money order payable to the Ray County Circuit Court for copy fees ($1.00 per page; $2.00 additional if emailed).
Official probate court forms for Missouri proceedings are available on the Missouri Courts website. Legal Aid assistance can be reached at (800) 892-2943 for parties who need guidance navigating the probate process without an attorney.