Henry County Court Records

Henry County court records, much like other Missouri court records, are official documents generated and maintained by the courts, which carry information about proceedings within the county's judicial system. It is vital that court decisions and actions are officially documented, ensuring consistency in the administration of justice. Court records commonly contain detailed case summaries, names of involved parties, scheduled court dates, specific charges or claims, final judgments, and sentencing information.

Are Court Records Public in Henry County?

Yes, court records in Henry County are generally public. The Missouri Sunshine Law governs access to most Henry County public records; however, court records specifically fall under the authority of Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2). According to COR 2, the majority of court records in Missouri are accessible to the public. However, there are important exceptions, including:

• Mental health records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile court records
• Judicial work products
• Identifying information related to victims of certain violent or assaultive offenses

Henry County Court Records Search

Individuals interested in accessing a court record in Henry County may do the following:

• Go to the Clerk of Court's Office, where the record is maintained
• Search for the case on the Missouri Case Search portal
• Check online third-party databases

Henry County Courts

The 27th Circuit Court serves as the primary trial court in Henry County, Missouri. It includes an Associate Circuit Court for misdemeanors and minor civil cases, and a Juvenile Division for cases involving minors. Additionally, county municipal courts adjudicate city ordinance violations and local traffic offenses. Below is the contact information for the courts located within Henry County:

Henry County Courthouse
100 West Franklin
Clinton, Missouri 64735
Circuit Court Phone: (660) 885-7236
Calhoun Municipal Court Phone: (660) 885-7230
Calhoun Municipal Court Fax: (660) 885-8247

The Henry County Courthouse hosts the 27th Circuit Court, the Calhoun Municipal Court, the Deepwater Municipal Court, and the Urich Municipal Court.

Clinton Municipal Court
101 East Ohio Street
Clinton, MO 64735
Phone: (660) 885-3485

Montrose Municipal Court
107 South Cascade Avenue
Montrose, Colorado 81402
Phone: (970) 240-1428
Fax: (970) 252-4728

Henry County Criminal and Civil Records

The Circuit Court and Municipal Divisions handle criminal cases in Henry County. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction, while the municipal courts attend to issues within city limits. Henry County criminal records typically contain arrest, charge, booking, and conviction details. The courts specifically maintain criminal case records.

Conversely, civil cases involve matters where no criminal offense occurred. They include small claims, personal injury lawsuits, protection orders, divorce cases, and probate matters. The Circuit Court is responsible for handling all civil matters in the county and maintaining the associated records.

Individuals may obtain a court record by visiting the Circuit Clerk's Office or the relevant municipal court clerk for city-level cases. The inquirer will be expected to provide a name or case number for a record search at the office. Cases related to Adult and child protection orders require a case number for retrieval. Copy fees may apply.

Researchers can also access civil and criminal court records online on the Missouri Case Search portal.

Henry County Marriage Records

Henry County marriage records document legal unions that have occurred in the county and typically include the couple's names, the marriage date, and the marriage location. In accordance with Missouri law (RSMo § 59.330), the Henry County Register of Deeds Office maintains these records.

Basic marriage information is generally accessible to the public; however, certified copies of Henry County vital records, including marriage certificates, are restricted to legally authorized parties. Under 19 CSR 10-10, only individuals with a direct and tangible interest, such as the spouses named therein or their legal representatives, may obtain certified copies. Persons seeking a copy of their Henry County marriage certificate may visit the courthouse where they applied for the license. The fee for each certified copy is $9.

Henry County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Henry County are public documents, accessible to anyone unless sealed explicitly by the court. The county's Circuit Clerk is tasked with preserving and providing access to these records. Individuals can visit the clerk's office to inspect or obtain a copy of a divorce record. Additionally, Henry County divorce records may be found by searching the Missouri Case Search database.

Henry County Birth Records

Henry County birth records document live births in the county. Under RSMo § 193.085, these records must be created and filed with the Recorder of Deeds within five days of birth. The documents are confidential and can only be accessed by the person named on the document, a close relative, or a legal representative.

While the Register of Deeds is responsible for initially filing birth records, the Henry County Health Center handles the issuance of certified copies. To obtain a Henry County birth certificate, eligible persons may fill out the Birth-Death Application form and submit it to the office in person or via mail. Applicants will also have to provide an acceptable form of identification, and requests made via mail must include the signature of a notary witness on the application. The cost of each birth certificate is $15. Below is the Health Center's address for in-person and mail-in requests.

Henry County Health Center
1800 Community Drive
Clinton, Missouri 64735

Henry County Death Records

Death records provide vital information about the demise of an individual. They can be used for several purposes, including genealogy research, insurance claims, and pension benefits. In Henry County, parties who can obtain a death certificate include immediate family members, genealogists representing the family, and physicians or funeral directors acting on the family's behalf.

The process for obtaining a death certificate follows the same steps as requesting a birth certificate. The fee for a death certificate is $14 for the first copy and $11 for each other copy ordered at the same time.

Henry County Probate Court Records

Probate records detail legal matters pertaining to the estate of deceased persons and certain cases related to incapacitated individuals. In Henry County, the circuit clerk has custody of these records. Probate records are generally public; however, sensitive information, especially in guardianship cases involving minors or individuals with disabilities, may be restricted.

Individuals can request a probate record at the Circuit Clerk's Office or search for the record on the Missouri Case Search portal.

Henry County Property Records

The Register of Deeds and the Assessor's Office maintain property records in Henry County. The Register of Deeds maintains all documents relating to land transactions, while the Assessor maintains records related to property assessments and valuations. Individuals can visit the appropriate office to obtain a property record. Receiving a personal copy of the record may cost the inquirer a fee.

Henry County Court Records Online

Individuals seeking to access Henry County court records remotely can use third-party websites like Missouricourtrecords.us. These platforms aggregate public court records from across the state, including Henry County, and offer an alternative to visiting the courthouse or writing to the clerk's office. Users can perform searches by name or case number from the comfort of their homes.

However, third-party websites have limitations. They may lack real-time updates, meaning recently filed records may not be immediately available. Additionally, they cannot access or provide confidential court documents.