Find Missouri Probate Court Records
Missouri probate court records are maintained by the Circuit Court's Probate Division in each of the state's 114 counties and the independent City of St. Louis. These records cover estate administrations, guardianships, conservatorships, and will filings. You can search Missouri probate court records through Case.net, the statewide online portal, or by contacting the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. Whether you need an active case file or a historical estate record, this guide covers every available method to access probate filings across the state.
Missouri Probate Court Records Quick Facts
What Missouri Probate Court Records Include
The Circuit Court's Probate Division in each Missouri county handles several categories of cases. Estate administrations are the most common. These open when someone dies and their property must pass to heirs or named beneficiaries. The court supervises inventorying assets, paying creditors, and distributing what remains. Guardianship cases name someone to care for a minor or an adult who cannot make decisions on their own. Conservatorship cases appoint a person to manage the finances and property of that same type of individual. Will contests, mental health commitments, and trust disputes also fall under probate jurisdiction in Missouri.
Probate case files typically hold the original petition, death certificate, a list of heirs, an asset inventory, creditor claims, court orders, and the final settlement. Will documents are filed with the probate division when a case opens, and they become part of the permanent public record. Missouri courts preserve these files on an indefinite basis. The Missouri State Archives holds historical probate records for many counties, some dating to the early 1800s, and the Local Records Inventory Database tracks where specific collections can be found across the state.
One key point: probate records are kept at the county level. You need to know which county the decedent lived in at death because that is where the case would have been filed.
Search Missouri Probate Court Records Online
The Missouri Courts website is the starting point for any online search of probate filings. The main tool is Case.net, the statewide court records portal run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. It covers all Circuit Courts in Missouri, including each county's Probate Division. The system holds over 45 million case records. Probate cases in many counties go back to the 1980s. Full online access for probate applies to cases filed on or after July 12, 2004.
To search Case.net, enter the last name first, then the first name, in the format "LAST, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL" such as "SMITH, JOHN A." The search is literal. Reversing the name order returns no results. You can filter by county or circuit to narrow results when searching for common names. Docket number searches are the fastest method. If you have the case number, you can pull the full record immediately, including parties, filings, judgments, and court dates.
The Missouri Courts expanded remote public access on July 1, 2023. Since then, anyone can view, download, and print public case documents from personal devices through Case.net. Before that date, documents were viewable only at courthouse public access terminals. Records filed before July 1, 2023 still require a courthouse visit to review. Sealed files, juvenile records, and mental health commitments are not available through the portal. The OSCA Help Desk can be reached at (888) 541-4894, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST, for technical assistance.
The Case.net "Track This Case" feature lets users receive email alerts when new docket entries are added, motions are filed, or hearing dates change. You must confirm your email address to activate alerts. These are courtesy notices only and do not substitute for official legal service.
Missouri State Archives and Historical Probate Records
The Missouri State Archives, at 600 W. Main Street in Jefferson City, serves as the official repository for state records with permanent historical value. The facility holds over 65,000 reels of microfilm covering county and municipal records, including extensive probate collections from across the state. The Archives was established in 1965 and can be reached at (573) 751-3280. The Court Records page at the Archives website explains available collections and how to request copies.
Several county probate collections have been digitized. The St. Louis Probate Court Digitization Project covers St. Louis City Probate Court records from 1876 to 1900 and St. Louis County Probate Court records from 1804 to 1876. More than two million document images from these collections are searchable by name and year. Other digitized collections include Greene County Circuit Court records from 1856 to 1873, Jasper County records from 1860 to 1876, New Madrid County Probate Court records from 1805 to 1830, and Saint Charles County Circuit Court records from 1805 to 1835. The Archives research room holds original records on microfilm from all 114 counties, census data from 1752 to 1940, and over 400,000 photographs. The Missouri Digital Heritage portal provides online access to many of these collections.
Note: Since 1990, the Local Records Preservation Program has produced over 53,000 reels of microfilm and provided more than $6.5 million in grants to help local governments preserve county records across Missouri.
Types of Probate Court Cases in Missouri
Decedent estate cases are the most familiar type of Missouri probate court record. These open when someone dies with or without a will. The court oversees the full process from inventory to final distribution. When a person dies with a valid will, the court admits the will and appoints the named executor, called a personal representative in Missouri. When there is no will, the court appoints an administrator. Both types generate extensive records including the petition, the death certificate, an asset inventory, creditor claim filings, annual accounts, and a final settlement order.
Guardianship cases protect minors and adults who cannot care for themselves. The court appoints a guardian who makes personal and medical decisions for the individual. Conservatorship cases handle the financial side, placing property and funds under the management of a court-appointed conservator. The two are often filed together. Missouri law under Chapter 475 RSMo requires the court to appoint an attorney to represent any respondent in a guardianship or conservatorship proceeding. That attorney's fees are typically charged as costs against the respondent's estate. Annual reports are required for all active guardianships and conservatorships, and those reports become part of the permanent probate file.
Will filings are another category. In Missouri, an original will can be deposited with the county probate court for safekeeping even before the person's death. When a case opens after death, the will is retrieved and filed with the estate record. You can search Case.net or visit the Circuit Clerk to check whether a will has been filed in a particular county.
Missouri Probate Court Records Law
Missouri's probate code covers Chapters 472 through 475 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. Chapter 472 sets out general provisions, definitions, and court jurisdiction. Section 472.280 specifically addresses how probate records may be kept and permits storage in forms other than bound volumes. This provision supports the digital record systems used by most Missouri county clerks today. Chapter 474 addresses intestate succession, establishing the rules for how property passes to heirs when a person dies without a valid will.
Chapter 473 governs the administration of decedent estates. Personal representatives must file annual statements of accounts on the anniversary date of their appointment. Final settlements must be filed within six months and ten days after first publication of notice to creditors. Courts can hold personal representatives accountable for delays. Section 472.013 provides that any person harmed by fraud in a probate proceeding may seek relief in court. Proceedings must begin within two years of discovering the fraud. No action can be brought against an innocent beneficiary more than ten years after the fraud occurred. The Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rules further establish that probate records are presumed open to the public under Court Operating Rule 2.02.
Small Estate vs. Full Probate Administration
Missouri offers a simplified path for smaller estates under Section 473.097 RSMo. If the total estate value is $40,000 or less, after subtracting liens and encumbrances, an heir can file a Small Estate Affidavit to collect assets without going through full administration. The affidavit can be filed as early as 30 days after the date of death. If the small estate exceeds $15,000 in value, publication of notice to creditors is still required. Small estate filings cost approximately $65.50 to $75.00 depending on the county.
Full probate administration applies to estates above the $40,000 threshold. The process begins with a Petition for Letters Testamentary if there is a will, or Letters of Administration if there is none. Once letters are issued, the personal representative publishes notice to creditors and allows six months for claims. The typical statewide filing fee to open a full estate is around $155.50. Personal representatives receive compensation set by statute under Section 473.153 RSMo: 5% on the first $5,000, 4% on the next $20,000, 3% on the next $75,000, 2.75% on the next $300,000, 2.5% on the next $600,000, and 2% on amounts exceeding $1,000,000. Attorneys assisting with estate administration may receive similar compensation on the same statutory schedule.
Public Access to Missouri Probate Court Records
Probate court records in Missouri are open to the public by default. Court Operating Rule 2.02 states that "records of all courts are presumed to be open to any member of the public for purposes of inspection or copying." You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason for your request. This presumption applies to all Circuit Courts in Missouri, including each county's Probate Division. The Missouri Courts remote access page explains what documents can be viewed online and what still requires a courthouse visit.
Some information is removed from public copies of filed documents. Missouri rules require redaction of Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth, and names of individuals known to be minors. The person who files a document is responsible for making these redactions before submission. Courts do not review each filing for compliance. If a document was filed without proper redaction, the court will still accept it, but the rules allow for corrections.
Mental health commitment cases handled within the probate division are not available through Case.net. Some files may be sealed by a judge for compelling cause. Sealed records are uncommon in Missouri but do occur in specific circumstances.
How to Get Copies of Probate Court Records in Missouri
You can get copies of Missouri probate court records three ways. For documents filed on or after July 1, 2023, you can download them directly from Case.net. For older records or when you need certified copies, visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the county where the case was filed. Mail requests are also accepted by most clerk offices.
When you go to a courthouse, bring a valid photo ID. Give the clerk the case name or case number if you have it. The clerk will locate the file and make copies at a standard per-page rate. Most Missouri counties charge $0.25 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more and include a certification stamp from the clerk. Some offices charge a search fee for records research beyond a basic name lookup. Call ahead to confirm hours and fees. The Missouri Association of Counties maintains a directory of county government contacts that can help you find the right office.
The Missouri Bar operates a lawyer search tool at mobar.org to help connect people with attorneys who handle probate matters. Missouri Practice volumes 3 through 5C contain comprehensive guides to estate administration, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust law in Missouri. For historical records not yet available online, the Missouri State Archives research room in Jefferson City is open to in-person researchers and can provide microfilm copies of probate records dating back to the state's earliest counties.
Note: Copy fees and office hours change periodically. Always confirm with the specific county clerk before making a trip or submitting a mail request for Missouri probate court records.
Browse Missouri Probate Court Records by County
Each of Missouri's 114 counties maintains its own probate court records through the local Circuit Court Clerk. Select a county below to find contact information, local fee schedules, and specific search tools for that county's probate division.
View All 114 Missouri Counties →
Probate Court Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of Missouri's larger cities file probate cases at the county courthouse that serves their area. Select a city below for location-specific probate court information.