Clark County Public Records Search

Clark County public records are kept at the courthouse in Kahoka, a small town in northeast Missouri along the Mississippi River. The Recorder of Deeds and Circuit Clerk handle different sets of files, from land deeds and liens to court cases and marriage logs. Clark County records date back to 1837. Some records are available online through the county's iCounty portal, while others require a call or visit to the office. This page covers the main ways to find, request, and get copies of public records in Clark County, Missouri.

Clark County Recorder of Deeds

The Clark County Recorder of Deeds keeps land records, liens, and other filed documents at the courthouse in Kahoka. Recorder Melissa Bevans oversees the office. You can reach it at (660) 727-8261. The courthouse is at 111 E. Court St., Kahoka, MO 63445. Deed transfers, mortgage filings, plat maps, and military discharges are all stored here. Records go back to 1837.

To get a copy of a land record, call the Recorder or visit in person. Staff can search by name, book and page number, or legal description. Fees for copies vary based on document type. Most requests are handled the same day if you visit. Mail requests take one to two weeks. The Clark County government website has basic contact information and some office details.

Here is a look at the Clark County government website and what it offers for records access.

The site lists hours, phone numbers, and some links to county departments. It is a good starting point before you call or visit the courthouse in Kahoka.

Court Records in Clark County

Clark County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk handles all court filings for civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Court records are public unless sealed by a judge. You can search Clark County court cases through Missouri CaseNet, the state's free online case lookup. CaseNet lets you search by name, case number, or date range.

For records not on CaseNet, contact the Circuit Clerk at (660) 727-3937. The clerk can pull paper files and make copies. Bring ID if you visit in person. Some older files take time to locate. Ask for a cost estimate before you request a full case copy, as fees can add up on large files.

The Missouri Association of Counties profile for Clark County lists all county office contacts in one place. This is handy when you are not sure which office handles a certain type of record.

Use this page to quickly find the phone number or address for any Clark County office.

Clark County Marriage and Vital Records

Marriage records in Clark County date back to 1837. The Recorder of Deeds stores marriage licenses and certificates. You can request copies by calling (660) 727-8261 or visiting the office. The state also keeps vital records at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for births, deaths, marriages, and divorces after 1910.

Birth and death certificates are not held at the county level in Missouri. Those go through the state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. Marriage records stay local. If you need a Clark County marriage certificate, the Recorder can pull it from their files. You will need the names of both parties and a rough date. Certified copies cost a small fee. Walk-in requests are usually handled within a few minutes.

Historical Public Records for Clark County

The Missouri State Archives holds historical Clark County records. These include birth and death records from 1883 to 1893, marriage records from 1837, land records from 1837, and probate files. If you are looking for very old Clark County records, the State Archives in Jefferson City is the right place.

Genealogy researchers use the Archives to find records that may not exist at the local level anymore. Some of the earliest Clark County documents were lost over the years. The state collection fills in those gaps when possible. The Missouri Secretary of State Archives page has search tools and contact info for mail requests.

Note: The Missouri State Archives accepts mail requests for copies of historical Clark County records at no charge for basic lookups.

Records Laws in Clark County

Missouri's Sunshine Law under Chapter 610 RSMo gives you a legal right to access most public records in Clark County. The law covers all county offices. When you make a records request, the office must respond within three business days. They can charge reasonable fees for copies but cannot charge for search time.

Some records are closed by law. Juvenile court files, certain law enforcement records, and some personnel files are exempt. Medical records and Social Security numbers are protected too. But most Clark County public records like deeds, court cases, tax records, and marriage files are open. You do not need to state a reason for your request. If a request is denied, the office must cite the specific statute that applies.

How to Get Clark County Records

You have three main options for getting public records from Clark County.

Online tools cover some record types. CaseNet has court records. The Clark County website and Missouri Association of Counties page have contact information. These are free but only show basic data. Full copies still need a direct request to the clerk or recorder.

In-person visits let you review files and get copies right away. The Clark County courthouse is at 111 E. Court St. in Kahoka. Both the Recorder and Circuit Clerk have offices in the building. Bring cash or a check for copy fees. Call ahead to confirm hours, as smaller offices sometimes have limited staff.

Mail requests work for people who cannot visit Kahoka. Send a letter with your name, contact information, the type of record you want, and identifying details. Mail it to 111 E. Court St., Kahoka, MO 63445. Include a check for the estimated fee. Allow one to two weeks for a response.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clark County in northeast Missouri. Each county keeps its own records at its own courthouse.