Court records of St. Francois County, Missouri, are available through several channels. StFrancoisCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official state court system resources, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals located directly in the courthouse. Online tools enable you to check case status, hearing dates, and proceeding details.
St. Francois Court System & Jurisdictions
St. Francois County is part of the 24th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. All state-level cases are heard by the Circuit Court, the only court of general jurisdiction, which is divided into several divisions.
- Circuit Division — handles serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil claims over $25,000, and appeals from administrative agencies.
- Associate Division — deals with misdemeanors, minor civil disputes, preliminary hearings in criminal cases, and violations of municipal ordinances.
- Small Claims — claims up to $5,000, where parties typically represent themselves.
- Family Court — divorces, child custody, alimony, protective orders.
- Probate Division — estate cases, appointment of guardians, probate of wills.
- Traffic Division — traffic violations, including DWI.
Federal cases related to this county fall under the Eastern District of Missouri. If you are unsure which division your case belongs to, call the Clerk of Court's office — the clerk will help determine the correct docket.
St. Francois Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed through the Missouri Courts portal — the official website of the state court system. It has a search function by county name, party name, or case number.
To find a specific hearing:
- Go to the Missouri Courts website.
- Select the Case.net section (public case search system).
- Enter "St. Francois" as the county and specify the date or party name.
- The system will display scheduled hearings with the judge, courtroom, and time.
In addition to online search, the schedule is often posted near the courtrooms in the courthouse in Farmington. Some cases — such as juvenile cases or closed family proceedings — do not appear on the public calendar.
How to Get a Copy of a St. Francois Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Circuit Clerk's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified — suitable for review or internal use.
- Certified — has the official court seal; required for submission to other institutions, immigration procedures, or real estate transactions.
How to Order a Copy
In person. Visit the office in the courthouse. It is advisable to have the case number or full party name and approximate filing date with you.
By mail. Send a written request indicating the case number, type of document (uncertified or certified copy), and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Online. Through the Case.net system on the Missouri Courts portal, you can view the case registry and some documents. However, to obtain a certified copy, you usually need to contact the clerk directly.
Records of birth, death, marriage, and divorce are not court documents in the narrow sense. They are issued by the Bureau of Vital Records of the state of Missouri.
St. Francois Court Records Fees & Payment
The amount of fees is determined by Missouri law and the court's internal rules. Below are approximate rates — it is better to clarify the exact amount with the office before ordering.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified document copy (per page) | $0.10–$0.50 |
| Certified copy | $2.50 and up |
| Registry search (by name) | Depends on the scope of the request |
| Copy of judgment or court order | Varies |
Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order payable to the Circuit Clerk. Some offices also accept bank cards — confirm this in advance by phone.
According to RSMo § 610.023, public records must be provided within three business days of the request unless they fall under an exception. If access is denied, the clerk must specify the specific legal basis. The Sunshine Law of Missouri guarantees citizens' right to access most government records, although certain categories — juvenile cases, closed adoptions, some medical data — remain restricted.
To check a person's criminal history, you can use the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) portal, which provides access to data based on fingerprints. Arrest reports in the county are also available through the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrest search.