Clay County Courts

Home to about 259,000, Clay County is the fifth-most populous county in Missouri. The county accounts for approximately 4.2% of the state's total population, and Liberty serves as its county seat. Annually, courts in Clay County handle about 1,140 felony and 4,658 misdemeanor case filings.

Clay County is served by various types of courts, depending on the type of case and the court's jurisdiction. The Clay County Circuit Courthas jurisdiction over criminal, family law, juvenile, and civil cases involving amounts exceeding $25,000, as well as probate and estate administration.

There are also municipal courts serving towns and cities in the county. These courtsexercise jurisdiction over traffic infractions, violations of city ordinances, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings in criminal cases

While the primary trial court facility is located in Liberty, Clay County's judicial services are also accessible through various municipal courthouses located across its incorporated cities, including Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Gladstone, North Kansas City, Pleasant Valley, and Oakview.

How To Access Clay County Court Records

Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes grants individuals the right to inspect or copy public records, including those of the Clay County courts. While most court records are publicly accessible, there are access restrictions to certain court records. These typically include juvenile records, medical records, sealed records, and records containing criminal investigative reports.

Individuals interested in accessing Clay County Court records must provide the case numbers and a valid, government-issued photo ID. They may access court records through any of the following methods:

Online

To access Clay County court records online, interested persons may use the Missouri Judiciary's Case system. They may use an offender's name, case number, or filing date as the search criteria on the portal.

Record seekers may also search Clay County court records through CourtCaseFinder. Access to federal court records for cases heard in Clay County is possible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) service. Individuals must register for a free PACER account and pay the required fees to access court records maintained in the database.

In-Person

Individuals may access Clay County court records by visiting the appropriate Clerk of Court's office. Each court maintains its court records through the clerk's office. Requesters may obtain such records by submitting a written request or by completing a designated request form provided by the court.

Court records filed on or after July 1, 2023, may be accessed through public computer terminals available at the clerk's office. Copies are available at $1.00 per page. For certified copies, the fee is $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.

Old and Archived Court Records

The Missouri State Library, Archives & Public Records preserves and provides access to historical records containing court files and related information, including those from Clay County. Individuals may access such old court records in person at:

Generally, interested persons may find records before 1990 by visiting the Clay County Courthouse or consulting the Clerk's Archives facility.

How to File a Case in Clay County

Before filing a case in Clay County, an individual must determine the appropriate court and division with jurisdiction over that type of case. Once identified, the case must be filed in a court where the defendant resides or where the incident occurred. The clerk of the court will review the filing to ensure it complies with the applicable court rules, including the required format and contents of the legal document.

Clay County uses the Missouri Electronic Filing System for attorneys and authorized applicants. This is accessible through Missouri Case.net. However, individuals representing themselves may file paper documents in person at the courthouse.

Individuals may request a fee waiver or file as an indigent applicant by completing the applicable Clay County Waiver of Costs form. The completed form must be submitted to the Circuit Clerk, who forwards it to the presiding judge for approval per Clay County local court rules 5.4.1. If the judge grants the waiver, the clerk will process the petition or other court documents free of charge. In summary, parties interested in filing a case in Clay County may follow these steps:

• Know the appropriate court that can handle the case they intend to file
• Prepare the required documents, including case details, affidavits, available evidence, and any other documents to support the case
• Complete any specific court-approved form available on the court website
• Pay the filing fees or apply for a waiver
• File the case electronically or in person with the clerk of the relevant court

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a vital role in ensuring access to justice. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

Generally, state agencies are not permitted to serve as personal attorneys or provide legal advice to individuals. In Clay County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation for lawsuits may access free legal assistance offered by various local legal aid societies, county courthouses, and pro bono panels operated by the county bar association.

Legal help and self-help resources available to individuals who do not have enough money for legal representation in the county include the following:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Aid of Western Missouri - The organization provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals in Clay County. Areas of support typically include housing, family law, consumer matters, elder issues, and veterans' affairs
• UMKC‑LAWMO Self‑Help Law Clinic - This legal clinic generally assists Clay County residents with civil legal issues such as housing and public benefits cases
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• West Central Missouri Volunteer Attorney Project (WCMVAP) - This organization connects eligible persons with volunteer attorneys in civil matters
• Missouri Lawyer Search and Pro Bono Resources - This platform connects individuals with volunteer (pro bono) and reduced‑fee lawyers across the state

Additional legal aid services and self-help resources are available for residents of Clay County, including:

• Missouri Courts Self-Help Center - This platform provides statewide materials, forms, and self-representation guides
• Missouri Self‑Help Portal - This resource offers general instructions and document guidance for self-represented litigants statewide

Types of Courts in Clay County, Missouri

Residents of Clay County may seek justice at the Circuit Court and Municipal Courts. The county also has some federal courts. The jurisdiction of each court and contact information are listed below:

Clay County Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - civil cases involving amounts more than $25,000, criminal cases including felony, juvenile, family, and probate matters, as well as jury trials, and appeals from Municipal Courts.
• Address and Contact Information -

Clay County Municipal Courts

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - traffic infractions, misdemeanor cases, and violation of city ordinances.
• The Municipal Court locations in Clay County are listed below:

Claycomo Municipal Court

Excelsior Municipal Court

Gladstone Municipal Court

Kearney Municipal Court

North Kansas Municipal Court

Oakview Municipal Court

Pleasant Municipal Court

Liberty Municipal Court

Federal Courts in Clay County

The following are the federal courts in the county:

United States District Court - Western District of Missouri

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Federal civil and criminal cases involving the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Government, and other federal statutes
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - Western District of Missouri

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Bankruptcy cases and related proceedings
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Clay County Courts

These are the commonly asked questions about Clay County courts in Missouri: