Lawrence County Court Records

A Lawrence County court record is any document, information, data, or other material generated, collected, received, and stored by the court. Court records include calendars, dockets, orders, decrees, judgments, court hearing minutes, and indexes. Court records are vital for a fair trial. They are available for judges and attorneys to evaluate to ensure that all parties are following the proper legal procedures. The facts in the record serve as the basis for a court's decision.

Are Court Records Public in Lawrence County?

Yes. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, members of the public may obtain public records from public governmental bodies such as courts upon request. However, some records contain information that is private in nature and may not be accessed by the public. They include:

• Records that are protected from disclosure by other laws
• Legal actions, causes of action, or litigation
• Records involving existing or proposed security systems
• Personnel records that can be identified.

Lawrence County Court Records Search

The following options are available to the general public for performing a general search for Lawrence County court records:

• The Lawrence County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• The Missouri State Courts Automated Case Management System
• Third-party websites.

Lawrence County Courts

The Lawrence County Circuit Court has extensive jurisdiction over both civil and criminal cases. The court is divided into categories according to case type, including Associate Circuit, Family Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, Small Claims Court, Municipal Court, and Traffic Court.

Lawrence County municipal courts are courts with limited jurisdiction to hear cases concerning municipal ordinance infractions. Municipalities can either have their local court and judge or have their ordinance infractions adjudicated by an associate judge of the Circuit Court.

Courts in Lawrence County include the following:

Lawrence County Circuit Court
Lawrence County Justice Center
240 North Main Street, Suite 110
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712
Phone: (417) 466-2471 ext. 112
Fax: (417) 466-7899

Aurora Municipal Court
City Hall
2 West Pleasant Street
P.O. Box 30
Aurora, MO 65605
Phone: (417) 678-5121 ext. 35.

Freistatt Municipal Division
Lawrence County Justice Center
240 North Main Street
Suite 110
Mount Vernon, MO 65712
Phone: (417) 466-2471 ext. 112
Fax: (417) 466-7899

Marionville Municipal Court
800 South Western
P.O. Box 410
Marionville, MO 65705
Phone: (417) 258-7006

Miller Municipal Court
105 South Washam Street
P.O. Box 188
Miller, MO 65707
Phone: (417) 452-3371

Mt. Vernon Municipal Court
City Hall
319 East Dallas Street
P.O. Box 70
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712
Phone: (417) 466-2122

Pierce City Municipal Court
1 Frisco Place
Pierce City, MO 65723
Phone: (417) 476-2323

Verona Municipal Court
144 North 3rd Street
P.O. Box 158
Verona, MO 65769
Phone: (417) 498-6725

Lawrence County Criminal and Civil Records

The Criminal Division of the Circuit Court handles any criminal case filed by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which might vary from minor traffic offenses to murder. The Civil Division of the Circuit Clerk's office handles all official records when the legal rights and duties of persons or businesses are to be established by a court.

To obtain a Lawrence County criminal record or a Lawrence County civil record, one may call the civil division at (417) 466-2471 or send an email to lawrencecounty@courts.mo.gov. Interested persons may also utilize the Courts Automated Case Management System to find civil court record entries. Some civil cases include class actions, small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, breach-of-contract claims, and others.

Lawrence County Marriage Records

The Lawrence County Recorder of Deeds Office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses. Eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of their marriage license or Lawrence County marriage certificate for $9. A Certified marriage statement may be obtained from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records.

A certified marriage statement includes the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the county where the marriage was recorded. Lawrence County marriage records are not open to the public. Copies of vital records are only provided to certain individuals or entities. According to 19 CSR 10-10, only immediate family members are eligible to receive copies of a marriage certificate. Requests may be made in person, via mail, and online/phone. Requesters are required to provide a valid photo ID.

Lawrence County Divorce Records

Lawrence County divorce records are not accessible to the general public. An actual certified copy of the original divorce decree may only be obtained by contacting the Domestic Division of the Lawrence County Circuit Clerk directly.

One can otherwise obtain the Certified Statement Relating to Divorce issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services from the state's Bureau of Vital Records. Information includes the names of both spouses, the date of divorce, and the county where the divorce was recorded. One can obtain a divorce certificate in person, via mail, and online/phone.

Lawrence County Birth Records

Lawrence County vital records are not deemed public records in Missouri. Copies of vital records are provided to specifically defined individuals or entities. The Lawrence County Health Department is responsible for issuing vital records such as birth records. A certified copy of a vital document, such as a Lawrence County birth certificate or death certificate, may only be issued to the registrant, a member of their family, their guardian, or one of their official representatives, who will be deemed to have a direct and tangible interest. Lawrence County birth records dating from 1920 may be obtained by filling out an application and providing a valid photo ID. Requests may be made in person, or via mail by filling out an application and submitting it to

Lawrence County Health Department
105 West North Street
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712.

Lawrence County Death Records

Lawrence County death records from 1980 may be obtained from the county's Health Department. According to state law, a certified copy of a vital record can only be issued to someone who has a direct and tangible claim on it.

Eligible requesters are required to present a primary identification document that includes a name and photo. Requests can be made in person or via mail. Anyone who meets the requirements may also obtain a death record from the state's Vital Records Office in person, via mail, and online/phone.

Lawrence County Probate Court Records

The Lawrence County Probate Court has statutory jurisdiction over the estates of deceased individuals as well as adults and minors who are incapable or disabled; this jurisdiction may include a conservatorship or guardianship. This division also adjudicates proceedings concerning wills and trusts, the estates of deceased individuals without a will, and civil commitments to treatment institutions for those with mental illness or substance misuse issues.

All Probate cases are filed with the circuit court clerk and are deemed public record unless the courts have ordered otherwise. To obtain copies of papers from a confidential mental health case, record seekers must prove they are the respondent or the attorney of record. Requestors may also utilize the state's Courts Automated Case Management System to look up public probate records.

Lawrence County Property Records

The Lawrence County Register of Deeds Office records and files documents of writing affecting real property or personal property, subdivision plats, federal and state tax liens, and other instruments of writing. To look up a property record, registered users may log in to conduct an Online Records Search. Furthermore, individuals can contact the Assessor's Office to find the information linked to a deed.

The Lawrence County Collector of Revenue Office handles the collection of current and delinquent property taxes for the various political subdivisions within the county. This agency also collates, maintains, and disseminates real property tax information within the county. To conduct a real estate search, fill in the required information and click on “Search”. Searches can be carried out by parcel number, name of property owner, and mailing address.

Lawrence County Court Records Online

Third-party websites often compile court documents from many repositories, making them available to record seekers, and allowing people to look up court records from anywhere with internet access. Anyone can search for Lawrence County public records, such as Lawrence County court records, by inputting the subject's name on third-party websites like Missouricourtrecords.us. In-depth searches may necessitate additional information to narrow down the search and may incur a cost. While third-party services provide rapid and easy record searches, the reliability and accuracy of data may differ from what is in official records.