Buchanan County
Established in 1838, Buchanan County was formerly known as Roberts County but was renamed in 1839 after former U.S. president James Buchanan Jr. It is located in the northwest part of Missouri and has a population of around 84,000 residents. The City of St. Joseph serves as the county seat.
The Buchanan County Circuit Court serves at the core of the county's judicial system. It falls under Missouri's 5th Judicial Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. Typically, the Circuit Court comprises several divisions that address specific legal matters, including family law, probate, small claims, felonies, and juvenile cases. Furthermore, the Associate Circuit Division deals with less serious civil cases and misdemeanor offenses. In addition, the Municipal Courts in Buchanan County handle warrants and violations of city ordinances.
Documents and files created during legal proceedings in Buchanan County are preserved as public court records. The Clerks of the Circuit and Municipal Courts typically manage these records and store them at the county courthouses. Examples of public court records include case filings and information, court orders, legal agreements, testimonies, and transcripts. In compliance with court orders and Missouri law, certain court records are kept confidential and are unavailable to the public.
Interested persons may obtain the following types of public court records in Buchanan County:
- Civil Court Records
- Criminal Court Records
- Probate Court Records
- Family Law Court Records
- Small Claims Court Records
Generally, anyone can visit Missouri's case search portal to look up public court records and docket entries in Buchanan County. Users can select the court where the case was filed and search by the litigant's name, filing date, case number, or case type.
Individuals may also inquire about obtaining case files and docket information maintained by the Buchanan County Circuit Court by contacting the Circuit Clerk at:
Buchanan County Courthouse
5th Judicial Circuit Court
411 Jules Street
Saint Joseph, MO 64501
Email: info@5thcircuit.net
Phone: (816) 271-1462
Additionally, interested persons may complete and submit the online records request form to access court records maintained by the Municipal Court in St. Joseph.
