Stone County Court Records

Stone County court records are the documented proceedings of legal cases adjudicated within the county’s judicial system. These records are vital in preserving an accurate account of the litigation process, including substantive arguments, evidentiary submissions, judicial rulings, and final dispositions. The content found in Stone County court records varies by case type—civil, criminal, probate, family, or municipal—but commonly includes:

• Case information (case number, parties, and caption)
• Name of the presiding Judge or Commissioner
• Filing date and court location
• Case type and status
• Disposition details
• Financial and fee information
• Names and addresses of litigants
• Attorneys’ names, addresses, and bar information
• Chronological docket entries with dates and summaries
• Filed motions, exhibits, and court orders
• Charges, judgments, convictions, and sentences (where applicable)
• Information on the service of process
• Scheduled hearings, trial dates, and related proceedings

Are Court Records Public in Stone County?

Yes. Under Missouri’s Sunshine Law, primarily codified in RSMo Chapter 610, most court records are considered public records. As governmental bodies, courts are obligated to allow public inspection of their records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. However, RSMo § 610.021 delineates exceptions that can restrict public access to certain records. These exemptions may encompass, but are not limited to:

• Records related to ongoing litigation involving a public governmental body protected by attorney-client privilege or work-product doctrine
• Confidential welfare case details
• Records expressly shielded from disclosure by state law or court order.
• Juvenile court records
• Sensitive personally identifiable information (e.g., credit card numbers, PINs, access codes)

In these instances, the court or the relevant custodian of records may deny or limit access to safeguard privacy, compliance with the law, and the integrity of ongoing legal matters.

Stone County Court Records Search

Interested individuals can search for Stone County court records through multiple channels:

• Missouri Courts Case.net: The Missouri Judiciary’s online portal, Case.net, provides free public access to case information, searchable by litigant name, filing date, or case number.
• Public Access Terminals: Public computer terminals located at the Stone County Judicial Building allow on-site electronic searches of court records.
• Clerk’s Offices: Visiting the offices of the Circuit Clerk or Municipal Court Clerks may grant access to both physical and electronic records.
• Third-Party Websites: Certain independent record aggregators offer searchable databases of court records, though accuracy and completeness may vary

Stone County Courts

Stone County is part of the 39th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. The county’s judicial structure comprises a Circuit Court with general jurisdiction and several Municipal Divisions handling local ordinance and traffic matters. Contact details for the main courts are as follows:

Stone County Circuit Court
Stone County Law Enforcement Center
110 South Maple, Suite F,
P.O. Box 18,
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-6114
Fax: (417) 357-6163

Branson West Municipal Court
110 Silver Lady Lane,
P.O. Box 2229,
Branson West, MO 65737
Phone: (417) 272-1447
Fax: (417) 272-8152

Crane Municipal Court
City Hall
120 North Commerce,
P.O. Box 17,
Crane, MO 65633
Phone: (417) 723-5766

Galena Municipal Court
111 Main Street,
P.O. Box 234,
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-6226
Fax: (417) 357-8033

Indian Point Village Municipal Division
Stone County Law Enforcement Center
110 South Maple, Suite F,
P.O. Box 18,
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-6114
Fax: (417) 357-6163

Kimberling City Municipal Court
34 Kimberling Boulevard,
P.O. Box 370,
Kimberling City, MO 65686
Phone: (417) 739-4922
Fax: (417) 739-2400

Reeds Spring Municipal Court
22595 Main Street,
P.O. Box 171,
Reeds Spring, MO 65737
Phone: (417) 272-3109 ext. 201

Stone County Criminal and Civil Records

The Stone County Circuit Court holds original jurisdiction over both criminal and civil matters arising within the county. Individuals seeking case files—ranging from felony and misdemeanor criminal cases to civil lawsuits—should direct their requests to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. During regular business hours (generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), visitors may inspect and request copies of relevant records:

Stone County Circuit Clerk’s Office
108 East 4th Street, Suite 2
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-8141

In addition, public access terminals located in the Judicial Building allow electronic searches of Stone County civil and criminal records. The Missouri Courts Case.net portal also facilitates online searches, enabling users to retrieve public case information conveniently from anywhere with internet access.

Certain law enforcement records, such as arrest logs or incident reports, may be available through the Stone County Sheriff’s Office or local municipal police departments.

Stone County Marriage Records

The Stone County Recorder of Deeds maintains marriage licenses and records in Stone County. Certified copies of marriage licenses may be requested directly from the Recorder’s Office. Fees and identification requirements apply:

Stone County Recorder of Deeds
108 East 4th Street, Suite 3
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-6362

At the state level, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Vital Records maintains marriage statements from July 1, 1948, onward. Individuals can submit a completed Application for a Vital Record form to the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Stone County Divorce Records

Divorce decrees are filed with the Stone County Circuit Court. To obtain certified copies, individuals should contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office. For divorce statements (summaries of divorce facts) issued since July 1, 1948, requests can also be made to the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records.

Stone County Birth Records

Birth records for Stone County are accessible through the local and state county health departments. Requests to the local DPH can be addressed to:

Stone County Health Department
109 East 4th Street
Galena, MO 65656
Phone: (417) 357-6134

The Health Department issues certified birth certificates (from 1920 to present) to eligible requesters. Under 19 CSR 10-10, access is limited to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized representatives. Proper identification and a fee ($15 per certified copy) are required. State-level requests may be addressed to:

DHSS Bureau of Vital Records
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Individuals must complete the state’s Application for Missouri Vital Record form, include required fees, and present acceptable identification.

Stone County Death Records

Death certificates in Stone County are also available through the Stone County Health Department (from 1980 to present) and the DHSS Bureau of Vital Records (from 1910 to present). Fees are required to process these requests, and only eligible individuals, as defined by state regulations, may obtain certified copies. A standard fee (generally $14 for the first certified copy and $11 for additional copies of the same record when requested simultaneously) applies. Identification and proper completion of the application form are necessary.

Stone County Probate Court Records

Probate matters, including estates, guardianships, and conservatorships, are heard in the Probate Division of the Stone County Circuit Court. Inquiries for probate records should be directed to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. Researchers may use on-site public access terminals to view electronic records or request physical copies of probate documents.

Stone County Property Records

The Stone County Recorder of Deeds maintains property-related records, such as deeds, liens, and other encumbrances. Public terminals at the Recorder’s Office allow for convenient property information searches. Copies may also be obtained by sending a written request to the Recorder’s office containing a description of the record of interest and the associated property.

Stone County Court Records Online

Some third-party websites like Missouricourtrecords.us also aggregate Stone County court information. These platforms may provide convenient searching by name or case number. However, as these services are not affiliated with the government, the completeness and accuracy of the records they provide cannot be guaranteed.