St. Louis County Court Docket Search
St. Louis County court docket records are managed by the Circuit Clerk of the 21st Judicial Circuit in Clayton. St. Louis County is the most populated county in Missouri and has its own single-county circuit. You can search court docket entries online through Missouri Case.net for free. The clerk's office also handles in-person requests at the courthouse. With 88 municipal courts and a massive circuit court operation, St. Louis County processes a very high volume of cases each year. This page covers how to find and get St. Louis County court docket records.
St. Louis County Court Docket Quick Facts
St. Louis County Circuit Clerk Office
The St. Louis County Circuit Clerk is Joan M. Gilmer. The main courthouse is at 105 S. Central Ave. in Clayton. Call (314) 615-8029 for case information and general questions. The clerk's office is large and handles everything from new case filings to certified copy requests. With multiple divisions for civil, criminal, family, and probate matters, each section of the court docket has its own staff and procedures.
The 21st Judicial Circuit serves only St. Louis County. It is one of the busiest circuits in Missouri. Dozens of judges handle different case types across several divisions. The court has dedicated family court facilities, a drug court program, and specialized dockets for mental health and veterans. Each division creates its own court docket entries, but all records are managed under the circuit clerk.
The St. Louis County Courts website at stlcountycourts.com provides information about court procedures, schedules, fee schedules, and forms. You can find contact details for each division and learn about the different courthouses and facilities in the county.
The site also has links to self-help resources, mediation services, and information about how to pay fines online.
The St. Louis County government site at stlouiscountymo.gov has broader county information, including links to the assessor, recorder of deeds, and other departments that may have records related to your court docket search.
From the county portal you can access property records, tax information, and other public data that may be useful alongside court docket records.
| Office | St. Louis County Circuit Clerk, 21st Judicial Circuit |
|---|---|
| Address | 105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105 |
| Phone | (314) 615-8029 |
| Clerk | Joan M. Gilmer |
| Copy Fees | $0.30/page, $1.50 certified, $3.50 authenticated |
Search St. Louis County Court Docket Online
Missouri Case.net at courts.mo.gov/casenet is the primary way to search St. Louis County court docket records online. Pick St. Louis County or the 21st Circuit from the location list. Enter a name, case number, or date range. The results show all matching cases with their full docket history, parties, and status.
Case.net is free for basic searches. No account is needed. If you want to track a case and get alerts when new entries post to the St. Louis County court docket, create a free account and use the Track This Case feature. Since July 2023, you can also view filed documents online for St. Louis County cases. Before that date, only the docket entry text was available remotely.
For certified or authenticated copies, contact the clerk's office. Standard copies cost $0.30 per page. Certified copies add $1.50 to the total. Authenticated copies, which are needed for use in other states or countries, cost $3.50 each. You can visit in person or submit a written request. Bring a valid ID for any in-person pickup.
Municipal Courts in St. Louis County
St. Louis County has 88 municipal courts. That is the highest number of any county in Missouri. Each municipality runs its own court for local ordinance violations, minor traffic tickets, and code enforcement matters. These court docket entries are separate from the 21st Circuit court docket. Municipal filings made after January 2021 should be on Case.net, but older records may only be at the city court.
For municipal court filings in St. Louis County, you can email Municipal-Court-Filings@stlouiscountymo.gov. If you are not sure whether your case is in circuit court or municipal court, check the ticket or summons. It will state which court to appear in. The county circuit clerk only handles state-level cases. Cities handle local matters through their own courts.
Note: Some smaller municipalities in St. Louis County share a municipal court with neighboring cities.
Public Access to Court Docket
St. Louis County court docket records are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo. Anyone can request them. You do not have to be part of the case. No reason is needed.
Juvenile cases and sealed records are not public. Social Security numbers, financial account details, and certain information about minors get removed from public copies per Court Operating Rule 2. If the clerk denies your request, they must give a written reason. You can challenge the denial through the Missouri Attorney General or in circuit court. The Missouri Courts website has details on your access rights.
The Missouri Bar offers a referral service if you need a lawyer in St. Louis County. Legal aid groups in the metro area help residents who qualify based on income. Self Represent Missouri has free forms and guides for people handling their own cases in the 21st Circuit.
Cities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County includes many cities and municipalities. All circuit court docket records go through the 21st Judicial Circuit in Clayton. Municipal courts handle local matters in each city.
Nearby Counties
These counties border St. Louis County. Make sure you search in the correct county for your court docket records.