Polk County Court Records

Court records in Polk County, Missouri, refer to the official documents, filings, and associated materials generated by the county’s courts during the adjudication of civil, criminal, probate, and other legal matters. These records include but are not limited to, pleadings, motions, docket sheets, judgments, orders, sentencing information, court calendars, and final decrees. Some examples of Polk County court records may encompass criminal indictments, civil complaints, search warrants, divorce decrees, and probate filings.

Are Court Records Public in Polk County?

Under Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2), the general public can access court records. However, certain categories of court records are protected from public disclosure under Missouri statutes and judicial rules. For instance:

• Pursuant to §211.321, RSMo, juvenile court records, and related filings are generally confidential and accessible only to authorized individuals.
• In accordance with Chapter 632, RSMo, records related to involuntary mental health commitments are restricted to protect the privacy and dignity of the parties involved.
• Sensitive data—such as Social Security numbers, financial account details, and identifying information of victims or witnesses—may be redacted as mandated by COR 2 and other applicable laws.
• Records that have been expunged by a court order pursuant to §§610.122–610.130, RSMo, are not open to public inspection.
• Name change records sealed under §§527.270–527.290, RSMo, are similarly withheld from general public access.

Polk County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking Polk County court records can proceed in one of several ways:

• The Polk County Circuit Clerk’s Office is the official custodian of most court documents. Interested persons may visit the office to request copies of civil, criminal, probate, and other case filings. Requests to the Circuit Court Clerk may be addressed to:

Polk County Circuit Clerk
102 E Broadway St,
Room 14
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912

Visitors should be prepared to provide basic case details (e.g., party names, case numbers) and pay any applicable copying or search fees.

• Missouri’s Case.net portal allows the public to search for statewide court records, including those from Polk County. Users can search by litigant name, case number, filing date, or type of case.
• Third-party websites may also compile court record and criminal history information like Polk county arrest records from multiple jurisdictions. However, these non-governmental sites may charge fees and cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of their databases.

Polk County Courts

Polk County is part of Missouri’s 30th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Benton, Dallas, and Hickory Counties. Within Polk County, the primary courthouses are as follows:

Polk County Circuit Court
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street,
Room 14,
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194

Bolivar Municipal Court
City Hall
345 South Main,
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 328-0233

Fair Play Municipal Division
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street,
Room 14,
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194

Humansville Municipal Court
202 West Buffalo Street,
P.O. Box 144,
Humansville, MO 65674
Phone: (417) 754-9271

Pleasant Hope Municipal Division
Polk County Courthouse
102 East Broadway Street,
Room 14,
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4912
Fax: (417) 326-4194

Polk County Criminal and Civil Records

The primary repository of Polk County criminal and civil court records is the Polk County Circuit Clerk’s Office. This office maintains original filings, including criminal complaints, indictments, civil petitions, judgments, and sentencing records.

Requesters must provide as much detail as possible about the case and may be required to pay copying fees pursuant to Missouri law and the Clerk’s office fee schedule.

Alternatively, case information can also be reviewed on Missouricase.net, but certified copies or official documents must be obtained directly from the Clerk’s Office.

Polk County Marriage Records

Marriage records, including licenses and certificates, are maintained by the Polk County Recorder of Deeds. Certified copies can be obtained by contacting:

Polk County Recorder of Deeds
102 E Broadway, Suite 6
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-4924
Email: recorder@polkcountymorecorder.org

Individuals unsure of the county of issuance may obtain a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, as provided by §193.245, RSMo. This statement includes essential details such as the spouses’ names, marriage dates, and issuing counties.

Polk County Divorce Records

Divorce cases (dissolutions of marriage) are handled in the Circuit Court. An individual may visit or contact the Polk County Circuit Clerk’s Office to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree. Case information and filings may be accessed via Case.net by selecting the appropriate county and “Family/Domestic” case type.

Polk County Birth Records

Birth records (from 1920 to the present) are available at the local health department office for individuals with a “direct and tangible interest,” as defined in §193.255, RSMo. Qualified requesters generally include the registrant (if 18 or older), immediate family members, legal guardians, or others with legal authorization.

To Request a Birth Certificate, inquirers may make in-person or mail queries to:

Polk County Health Center
1317 W Broadway St
Bolivar, MO 65613
Phone: (417) 326-7250

Applicants must present a valid photo ID and pay the state-mandated fee (currently $15 for a certified birth certificate). Mailed requests should include a notarized application form, the required fee (no cash by mail), and a copy of a valid ID. For records before 1920, contact the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services in Jefferson City.

Polk County Death Records

Death certificates (from 1980 onward) are also accessible through the Polk County Health Center for individuals with a “direct and tangible interest”. Such records support estate settlement, insurance claims, and genealogical research. Requests follow the same process as birth record applications, with a $13 fee for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Contact the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services for earlier death records.

Polk County Probate Court Records

Probate records relate to wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and certain mental health matters. The Probate Division of the Polk County Circuit Court oversees these filings. To obtain copies of probate records, inquirers may search Missouri Case.net for probate cases by party name or case number. Alternatively, requesters may contact the Polk County Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Polk County Property Records

Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are maintained by the Polk County Recorder of Deeds. They are co-managed by the Assessor’s Office, which manages assessments for tax purposes, while the Recorder’s Office preserves the record of all real estate filings. Property record inquiries may be made to either office via phone.

• Recorder of Deeds: (417) 326-4924
• Polk County Assessor’s Office: (417) 326-4346

Polk County Court Records Online

Non-governmental websites like Missouricourtrecords.us may offer Polk County court records and related public documents for a fee. While these platforms can be convenient, they are operated independently of government agencies, and the information they provide may require verification for accuracy and/or completeness.