Court records of Lincoln County, Missouri, are available through several channels. LincolnCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the online portal Missouri Courts, directly at the Circuit Clerk's office, and through public terminals in the courthouse.
Lincoln Court System & Jurisdictions
Lincoln County is part of the 45th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. The only court of general jurisdiction here is the Circuit Court, but within it, there are separate divisions, each maintaining its own case register.
Circuit Court (general jurisdiction) handles criminal cases—from felonies to misdemeanors—as well as civil lawsuits without a monetary limit. This is where serious criminal charges and large property disputes are addressed.
Separate divisions of the Circuit Clerk's office serve different categories of cases:
- Civil Division — civil lawsuits, including contract disputes and debt collection
- Criminal Division — criminal cases and traffic violations
- Family Court / Domestic Relations — divorces, child custody, protective orders
- Probate Division — inheritance cases, guardianship, incapacity declarations
- Juvenile Division — cases involving minors, as well as adoptions
- Small Claims — claims for small amounts, where parties typically represent themselves
Cases involving minors and some family cases are generally closed to public access. Criminal and civil records are mostly public, although certain documents may be sealed by the court.
For historical court records, a useful resource is the Missouri State Archives, which holds materials from county and municipal courts.
Lincoln Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or during the current week, use the Missouri Courts portal. The Case.net system, available through this portal, allows you to search cases by number, party name, or hearing date and view the Lincoln County Circuit Court schedule.
How to find the hearing schedule:
- Go to the Missouri Courts website and choose to search via Case.net.
- Enter "Lincoln" as the county or specify the case number.
- In the search results, you will see scheduled hearing dates, the judge's name, and the courtroom.
You can also call the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm the schedule of a specific case.
Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's Office
The hearing schedule may change without notice—the judge has the right to reschedule. Check the information the day before the scheduled date.
How to Get a Copy of a Lincoln Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk's office. There are two types of copies: regular (uncertified) and certified. A certified copy contains the court seal and the clerk's signature, confirming the document's authenticity—this is usually required by other institutions and courts.
Ways to obtain:
- In person — visit the Circuit Clerk's office at the address below. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
- By mail — send a written request with case details and a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online — some documents can be viewed through Case.net on the Missouri Courts portal, but to obtain a certified copy, you need to contact the clerk directly.
Records in juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some family cases are not issued without a judge's decision. If you are unsure whether a document is available, ask the clerk before sending payment.
Lincoln Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for court documents in Missouri are regulated at the state level (RSMo § 483.530 and related statutes). Below are typical fees charged by the Circuit Clerk's office. Exact amounts may vary slightly depending on the type of document—confirm when contacting.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $2.50 per document |
| Case register search (search fee) | Depends on the scope of the request |
| Criminal history check through MSHP (name-based) | Determined by Missouri State Highway Patrol |
| Criminal history check through MACHS (fingerprint-based, state + FBI) | $44.00 through MACHS portal |
The Circuit Clerk's office accepts payment by cash, check, and money order. Confirm whether credit or debit cards are accepted directly at the office—rules may change.
For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to "Lincoln County Circuit Clerk" and a self-addressed stamped envelope if postal delivery of copies is required.