Texas County Court Records

Court records are documents that capture legal proceedings or the court's internal procedures, operations, or policies. Court records ensure legal history is preserved and can serve as a reference for current/future decision-making within the county's judicial system. In Texas County, the Circuit Court is the primary trial court with jurisdiction over all cases in the county. Case records preserved by the court include party names, case numbers, filing dates, charges or claims, court rulings, and hearing dates. The exact contents of a record differ depending on the case type.

Are Court Records Public in Texas County?

Yes. Court records are a subset of Texas County public records accessible under the Missouri Sunshine Law. This statute serves as the primary framework for public records access in Missouri, covering documents such as Texas County arrest records, criminal files, and property records. However, Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2) specifically governs access to court records.

Under COR 2, court records are presumed open for public inspection and copying, with the following exceptions:

• Identities of domestic violence victims
• Specific protection order filings
• Judicial work products
• Appellate case assignments
• Juvenile court records

Texas County Court Records Search

Individuals can generally access Texas County court records in the following manner:

• Visiting the court in charge of the case
• Searching an online court case portal
• Searching a commercial aggregator website

Texas County Courts

Texas County is part of Missouri's 25th Judicial Circuit, which consists of several divisions, including civil, criminal, traffic, juvenile, probate, and municipal. The municipal courts/divisions adjudicate violations of local ordinances. Courthouses in the county include the following:

Texas County Judicial Center
519 North Grand Avenue
Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3742
Fax: (417) 967-4220

Cabool Municipal Court
618 Main Street
Cabool, MO 65689
Phone: (417) 962-3136
Fax: (417) 962-5144

Houston Municipal Court
601 South Grand Avenue
Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3348
Fax: (417) 967-4252

Licking Municipal Court
(Held at Texas County Justice Center)
519 North Grand Avenue
Suite 202
Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3742
Fax: (417) 967-4220

Summersville Municipal Court
(Held at Texas County Justice Center)
519 North Grand Avenue
Suite 202
Houston, MO 65483
Phone: (417) 967-3742
Fax: (417) 967-4220

Texas County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal and civil records are broad classifications for court records in Texas County. Criminal records detail violations of state law, while civil records comprise details about non-criminal or private disputes. The circuit clerk maintains both court record types. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies keep certain Texas County criminal records, specifically the Texas County arrest records and inmate information.

To access criminal or civil court records in Texas County, researchers may visit the Circuit Clerk's Office, where staff will assist in locating files by name or case number. For Adult and child protection order cases, a case number will be required to find records. A fee may apply for requesting a copy of a court record.

Court records maintained by the Circuit Clerk are also available through the Missouri Case Search portal.

Texas County Marriage Records

A Texas marriage record is a marriage license that the Recorder of Deeds has documented following a marital union. In Missouri, newlyweds must return their marriage license to the Recorder within 15 days or may face a misdemeanor charge.

Marriage records are vital records, alongside divorce, birth, and death records. Texas County vital records are generally not open to the public and can only be obtained by individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record (19 CSR 10-10). For marriage records, eligible parties include the couple, direct-line relatives, and official representatives.

After a marriage ceremony, a spouse may wish to apply for a name change, for which a Texas County marriage certificate is required. To obtain a marriage certificate, the spouse may apply in person at the Recorder's office or submit a written request via mail along with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The fee for a marriage certificate is $9. Below is the Recorder's address:

210 North Grand Avenue
Suite 209
Houston, MO 65483

Texas County Divorce Records

A divorce record is created when one or both parties in a marriage petition the court to terminate their marriage. The record details the divorce proceedings and the final outcome. Typically, only parties to the divorce, their attorneys, or a court-authorized individual may obtain a certified copy of the divorce decree.

To request a divorce record, the interested party must visit the Circuit Clerk's Office and provide key details, such as the full names of both spouses at the time of divorce or the divorce date. The requester will also need to pay any applicable copying fees.

Texas County Birth Records

The State of Missouri maintains a centralized system for birth records, administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Under state law, Texas County birth records are accessible for inspection and copying by the registrant, immediate family members, or an authorized representative.

Eligible individuals may request a Texas County birth certificate from the county's Health Department. To make a request, they must complete the birth section of the Vital Records Application and submit it to the department in person or by mail. Mail-in requests require notarization by an approved notary public.

Additionally, requesters must provide valid identification when submitting their application. The price for a birth certificate is $15 per copy. The fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether a record is found. Below is the Texas County Health Department's address for in-person and mail-in requests:

950 North Highway 63
Houston, MO 65843

Texas County Death Records

Death records are vital records and only accessible to specific individuals who have a direct and tangible interest in the record. These persons may obtain a death certificate by submitting the Vital Records Application to the Texas County Health Department, either in person or by mail. The application requirements for a death record mirror those for a birth record.

The fee for a death certificate is $15 for the first copy and $11 for each other copy requested at the same time. This fee covers a five-year search of the record. If the requester provides a specific year of death but no record is found, the department will expand the search to include two years before and two years after the given year. Should no match be located, the requester will receive an official statement to that effect. An additional fee will be required to conduct another five-year range search if further investigation is needed.

Texas County Probate Court Records

Probate court records in Texas County relate to cases processed by the Probate Division of the 25th Judicial Circuit. These cases include estate administration, guardianship of minors, conservatorship matters, and involuntary commitments.

The majority of probate records are public documents. They may be accessed in person at the Texas County Circuit Clerk's Office or searched electronically through the Missouri Case Search portal.

Texas County Property Records

Property records in Texas County encompass deeds, mortgages, liens, tax assessments, and plats. The Recorder of Deeds serves as the primary custodian of these documents, while the Assessor's Office maintains valuation records for all taxable property in the county.

Property records can be accessed in person at the respective office or online through the Recorder's Records Search portal or the Assessor's Search portal.

Texas County Court Records Online

Online third-party vendors (e.g., Missouricourtrecords.us) offer remote access to Texas County court records. To conduct a search on such platforms, users typically need to provide a name, case number, or other specified criteria. A fee may be required to access the contents of a record. In some cases, users may access limited information for free. However, users should note that the records may sometimes be inaccurate or incomplete.