Texas County Court Records Search
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Texas County, Missouri — the largest county by area in the state — is served by the 25th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Maries, Phelps, Pulaski, and Texas Counties. The Circuit Court in Texas County handles the full range of legal matters filed within the county: felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes, probate proceedings, juvenile matters, and traffic violations. Court records from these proceedings — documenting party names, case numbers, charges or claims, court orders, and final judgments — are preserved by the Circuit Clerk and serve as the permanent official account of all legal activity in the county.
Residents looking for court case information have several options. Official clerk's offices remain the most reliable source for verified record information, and public access terminals at the courthouse allow on-site review of case documents. MissouriCourts.us can help you identify publicly available case information and understand Missouri's judicial structure before contacting the appropriate court office directly.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Texas County?
Start with the Texas County Circuit Clerk's Office, the central repository for court records in the county. The office handles seven divisions: Civil, Criminal, Traffic, Juvenile, Probate, Jury, and Accounting. It's located on the second floor of the Texas County Justice Center.
Texas County Circuit Clerk's Office
Address: 519 North Grand Avenue, Suite 202, Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3742 | Fax: (417) 967-4220
Email: Texas.County.Circuit.Clerk@courts.mo.gov
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed state and federal holidays)
Online Case Search via Case.net
The Missouri judiciary's Case.net portal gives anyone free online access to public court records statewide. You can search for docket entries, party information, judgments, and charges by case number, party name, filing date, or attorney. When searching within the 25th Judicial Circuit specifically, results appear in real time as the clerk's office enters data. Statewide searches across all participating courts may carry a data lag of up to three hours.
Only cases designated as public under Missouri Revised Statutes are accessible through this system. Court documents filed before July 1, 2023, can only be viewed at public access terminals inside the courthouse — they are not available remotely through Case.net.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Staff at the Circuit Clerk's Office can help locate case files by name or case number. For protection order cases filed under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 455, you'll need a case number to retrieve records. A fee may apply for paper copies. Note that Circuit Clerk employees are prohibited by law from providing legal advice — direct those questions to a licensed attorney.
Are Court Records Public in Texas County?
Texas County court records are presumed open to the public under two overlapping frameworks. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo) establishes broad public access rights to government records, including court records. Within the court system, Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2) governs how court records are accessed and copied. Under COR 2, court records are open for public inspection and copying unless they fall within a defined set of exceptions.
Records that are not publicly accessible include:
- Juvenile court records — Cases involving minors are sealed from general public view.
- Domestic violence victim identities — The identities of victims in domestic violence proceedings are protected.
- Certain protection order filings — Specific portions of protection order cases may be withheld.
- Judicial work products — Internal deliberative documents prepared by judges are confidential.
- Appellate case assignments — Pre-decisional assignment records are not public.
- Sealed and expunged records — Any case sealed or expunged by court order is removed from public access.
If a record contains both open and restricted material, access must be provided to the open portions while restricted content is withheld or redacted. The Missouri Sunshine Law requires public bodies to respond to records requests as soon as possible, and charges for copying are permitted.
Texas County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Texas County are handled at two levels. Felony cases are heard by Circuit Court judges, while the Associate Circuit Court division handles misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and initial appearances in felony matters before they are bound over to Circuit Court. Both divisions operate from the Texas County Justice Center.
Texas County Justice Center (Circuit and Associate Courts)
Address: 519 North Grand Avenue, Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3742 | Fax: (417) 967-4220
Criminal court records — including charge filings, arraignment records, plea entries, and sentencing orders — are maintained by the Circuit Clerk and searchable through Case.net. For documents filed before July 1, 2023, in-person access at the courthouse public access terminal is required.
Sheriff's Office and Arrest Information
The Texas County Sheriff's Office is the county's primary law enforcement agency and operates a 72-bed jail at the Justice Center. The Sheriff's Office handles investigations of crimes committed within the county, serves criminal processes, transports prisoners, and coordinates with state and federal agencies.
Address: 519 North Grand Avenue, Suite 101, Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-4165 | Fax: (417) 967-0713
Emergency: Dial 911
For inmate information, the Texas County jail roster can be searched through VineLink, a statewide service. For those serving state prison sentences, the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search provides access to MODOC offender records statewide.
Texas County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Texas County are divided between the Circuit Court and the Associate Circuit Court depending on the amount at issue and the nature of the claim.
Jurisdiction Overview
| Court Division | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Circuit Court | Larger civil disputes, complex litigation, domestic relations |
| Associate Circuit Court | Civil cases, small claims up to $5,000, landlord-tenant, contract disputes |
Small Claims Court
The Associate Circuit Court's small claims division, governed by RSMo § 482.305, hears money disputes of $5,000 or less. Small claims court lets individuals and businesses resolve lower-value disputes without hiring an attorney. Filing fees in Missouri's small claims division generally range from $35 to $100 depending on the claim amount. Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at (417) 967-3742 for the current fee schedule applicable to Texas County.
Accessing Civil Records
Civil case records filed with the Circuit Clerk can be searched online through Case.net or reviewed in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office. For court documents predating July 1, 2023, in-person review at the public access terminal is the only option. To obtain copies, visit the clerk's office during business hours or submit a written mail request with the case details and applicable copying fees.
Property Records
Real property documents — including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, surveys, and plats — are recorded with the Texas County Recorder of Deeds, located at 210 North Grand Avenue, Suite 209, Houston, MO 65483. A free index-only search is available through the Recorder's online records portal; viewing document images and printing requires a paid subscription. The Recorder's Office also maintains an online records search portal for property-related instruments. The Assessor's Office maintains property valuation records separately.
Recording fees at the Recorder of Deeds:
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard document (first page, 8½ × 11) | $24.00 |
| Each additional page | $3.00 |
| Non-standard document (first page) | $49.00 |
| UCC Fixture Filing (first page) | $24.00 |
| Copywork | $1.00 per page |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
Texas County Family Court Records
Domestic relations matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, and orders of protection — are filed in the Circuit Court and maintained by the Circuit Clerk's Office. Adoption proceedings are also handled in the Circuit Court but are confidential and not publicly accessible.
Divorce Records
Divorce filings and final dissolution decrees are part of the Circuit Court's civil record system. Basic case information is searchable through Case.net, though only the parties to the divorce, their attorneys, or court-authorized individuals are typically entitled to certified copies of the final decree. To request a divorce record, contact the Circuit Clerk's Office at (417) 967-3742 with the full names of both parties and the approximate date of divorce. A copying fee will apply.
Protection Orders
Domestic violence protection order cases in Texas County are filed under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 455, which governs adult and child protection orders. A case number is required to locate specific protection order records. Identifying information about domestic violence victims in these filings is shielded from public disclosure under COR 2.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Texas County are issued and recorded by the Recorder of Deeds at 210 North Grand Avenue, Suite 209, Houston, MO 65483. After a ceremony, Missouri law requires newlyweds to return the completed license to the Recorder within 15 days or risk a misdemeanor charge. Marriage records are classified as vital records and are restricted under 19 CSR 10-10 to parties with a direct and tangible interest, including the married couple, direct-line relatives, and authorized legal representatives.
Marriage license fees at the Recorder of Deeds are as follows:
- Original marriage license: $51.00 (cash only)
- Copy: $1.00
- Certified copy: $9.00
Requests may be made in person or by mail with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Texas County are maintained by the Texas County Health Department at 950 North Highway 63, Houston, MO 65483. The department's main office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with satellite offices in Cabool and Licking. Both record types are restricted to individuals with a direct and tangible interest as required by Missouri vital records law.
To request either certificate, complete the Vital Records Application available on the Health Department's website and submit it in person or by mail. Mail-in requests require notarization by an approved notary.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $15.00 per copy |
| Death certificate (first copy) | $15.00 |
| Death certificate (each additional copy, same order) | $11.00 |
All fees are non-refundable regardless of whether a record is located. If a specific year is provided for a death record search and no match is found, the search is automatically expanded to two years before and after; if still not found, an official statement is issued.
Texas County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Texas County are handled through the Probate Division of the 25th Judicial Circuit Court. The Circuit Court's probate jurisdiction covers estate administration for both testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) decedents, appointment and oversight of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorship proceedings, and involuntary commitment matters.
Probate Court Contact
Address: 210 North Grand Avenue, Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3663
The Circuit Clerk's Office at the Justice Center (519 North Grand Avenue, Suite 202, Houston, MO 65483) maintains the formal case files and docket records for all probate proceedings. The probate case index is part of the broader Circuit Court record system and is searchable through Case.net for cases that qualify as public records under Missouri law.
Requesting Probate Records
Most probate records are public documents and may be accessed in the following ways:
- Online — Search case information through Case.net using a party name or case number. Documents filed before July 1, 2023, require an in-person visit to review at the courthouse public access terminal.
- In person — Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office at 519 North Grand Avenue, Suite 202, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Bring the decedent's name and approximate date of death to help staff locate the file.
- By mail — Send a written request to the Circuit Clerk with identifying information and payment for any applicable copy fees.
Typical documents in a Texas County probate case file include the petition for probate, the original will (if applicable), letters testamentary or letters of administration, an inventory of estate assets, creditor claim filings, and the final order of distribution. Cases involving mental health involuntary commitments are handled through the probate division but carry confidentiality protections and are not accessible to the general public.