About Clark County
Clark County is located in the northeastern corner of Missouri, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east, which forms the state line with Illinois. Clark County seat is Kahoka, a small community that is the administrative and commercial center of this rural county. Clark County was established in 1836 and named after William Clark of the famous Lewis and Clark County Expedition. Clark County includes approximately 507 square miles of rolling prairie and agricultural land. As of the 2020 Census, Clark County had a population of approximately 6,634 residents, making it one of Missouri's less populous counties. Clark County is characterized by its rich agricultural heritage, with corn and soybean farming dominating the scene. Notable landmarks include the Fox River, which flows through Clark County, and several historic sites related to early settlement. Clark County Courthouse in Kahoka, located at 111 East Court Street, houses several key county offices including the County Clerk, Recorder of Deeds, and Assessor. Clark County Recorder of Deeds maintains land records and property documents, while the County Clerk handles vital records and election administration. The Assessor's Office, also located in the courthouse, manages property assessments and tax records. Clark County's economy remains largely agricultural, though small businesses in Kahoka and other communities provide essential services. Clark County retains much of its 19th-century character with historic buildings and a close-knit rural community atmosphere that distinguishes it from more urbanized Missouri counties.
Court Records & Case Information
The primarily through the Clark County Circuit Court serves Clark County and is located at 100 S Main St. The court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases for this county. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Missouri online court portal.
Clark County Circuit Court is located in Kahoka, Missouri and is the court of general jurisdiction for Clark County. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations. The court also has jurisdiction over probate matters, juvenile cases, and small claims.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement & Arrests
- Mugshots and booking information may be available through direct request to the Sheriff's Office.
- Citizens may request arrest records, incident reports, and booking logs by submitting a written or in-person request to the Sheriff's Office.
- The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B provides additional coverage for Clark County and maintains records of state-level arrests and highway incidents.
- Fees for copies of records are established by statute and typically range from 10 to 25 cents per page for standard documents.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Jail & Inmate Records
- The bond and bail process in Missouri allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail staff.
Courts & Case Records
- The court can be contacted through the office’s website. Missouri's case management system, Case.net, provides online access to circuit court records statewide at www.courts.mo.gov/casenet.
- The system is free to search, though certified copies of documents require payment of fees and must be obtained from the Circuit Clerk's office.
- Clark County Circuit Clerk maintains the official court records and handles filing of new cases, collection of court fees, and issuance of certified documents.
- Filing fees vary by case type but typically range from $46 for small claims to over $200 for major civil actions.
- The Associate Circuit Court division handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims (up to $5,000), and minor civil matters.
Property & Public Records
- Researchers should contact the Recorder's office directly to inquire about online access options or digitized records.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained for statutory fees, typically $1.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page, plus certification fees.
Vital Records
Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.
- Birth certificates cost $15 for a certified copy, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $13 each.
- Death certificates cost $13 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies.
- Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests or 2-3 weeks for online orders, with expedited service available for additional fees.
- Marriage licenses are issued by Clark Recorder of Deeds of Deeds, and applicants must apply in person at the courthouse with valid identification and payment of the license fee (typically $58).
- Divorce decrees are court records maintained by Clark County Circuit Clerk as part of case files and can be accessed through the court system.
Business & Licensing
Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.
- This database is freely searchable online at www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations through the Business Entity Search portal.
- Users can search by business name, registered agent, or charter number to view formation documents, registered agent information, annual report status, and corporate officers.