Why is the county seat located in Jackson, MO rather than the larger city of Cape Girardeau?
Originally Cape Girardeau was the County Seat, but it was moved to Jackson in 1814 because of a land dispute. When Louis Lorimier died in 1812 his Spanish Land Grant had still not been approved by the Federal Government. In 1813 Territorial Governor William Clark said that the seat of government needed to be on non-disputed land with clear title, so he told the County Court that the Seat of Justice had to be moved from Cape Girardeau. Most historians believe that the reason his Spanish land grant was not approved was that during the Revolutionary War he sided with the British. All of the other Spanish Land Grants that were issued were approved at a much earlier time. Lorimier’s was finally approved but it was many years later. – per Steven Pledger, Archive Center Director
Obtain paid personal property tax receipt from the County Collector’s Office or a tax waiver from the County Assessor’s Office if you did not own a vehicle in Cape Girardeau County previously, proof of insurance, & renewal form or purchase information. Go to the License Bureau in Cape Girardeau (phone: 335-3659) or Jackson (phone: 243-5406).
How do I pay my traffic ticket?
Look on your ticket to see if you are scheduled to appear in municipal or county court. Contact Division III at 243-8446 with any questions.
Where do I file small claims cases?
Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, 203 N High Street, Jackson, MO. Phone: 335-8253.
How do I find the Child Support Office?
Contact the child support office in Cape Girardeau at 290-5720.
Where do I file for an Order of Protection?
Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, 203 N High Street, Jackson, MO . Phone: 334-6249.
How do I contact the Public Defender?
The Public Defender can be reached by calling 243-3949.
How and where do I get a marriage license?
Contact the Recorder of Deeds Office, #1 Barton Square, Suite 203, Jackson. Phone: 243-8123. Marriage License Information.
How do I change my billing address for tax purposes?
Contact the Assessor’s Office, #1 Barton Square, Suite 203, Jackson. Phone: 243-2468.
How do I get a copy of my paid personal property tax receipt?
Contact the County Collector’s Office at 243-4476.
How do I obtain an Auctioneer’s License?
County Collector’s Office, #1 Barton Square, Jackson. Phone: 243-4476. Auctioneer’s Licenses are issued for one month, three months, six months or one year. The fees are as follows: one month – $10.00; three months – $20.00; six months – $30.00; and one year – $50.00. In addition to this fee, there is also a $2.00 Clerk fee charged.
How do I know which Court Room I am supposed to be in?
Contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 243-8446.
Where do I go to report for Jury Duty?
Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, 203 N High Street, Jackson, MO. For jury duty questions call 243-1755.
Where do I go to pick up my Notary Public information?
The County Clerk’s Office handles the Notary Public information, 243-3547, #1 Barton Square, Suite 301, Jackson. A handbook and application can be obtained online here: http://sos.mo.gov/business/commissions/ The completed application must be sent to the Secretary of State with an application fee of $25.00. Once the approval is received, the notification with a surety bond from an insurance company must be submitted to the County Clerk‘s Office along with a $3.00 filing fee. It is the Notary Public’s responsibility to obtain the necessary stamp.
Where do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
Certified copies of birth certificates from 20 years ago to present can be obtained at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department, 1121 Linden, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702. Phone number: 335-7846. Mailing address for the Health Department is P.O. Box 1839, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702. Hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The cost for each certified copy is $15.00. Records can be obtained for birth anywhere in Missouri. Records prior to 20 years can be obtained at the Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-6387.
Where do I get a copy of a death certificate?
Certified copies of death certificates from 20 years ago to present can be obtained at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department, 1121 Linden, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702. Phone number: 335-7846. Mailing address for the Health Department is P.O. Box 1839, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702. Hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The cost for one copy is $13.00 and $10.00 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Records can be obtained for death anywhere in Missouri. Records prior to 20 years can be obtained at the Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-6387.
The Recorder of Deeds Office, #1 Barton Square, Room 203 Jackson. Phone: 243-8123. Recording Fees.
Where do I go to apply for a job?
Applications can be picked up at the County Clerk’s Office #1 Barton Square, Suite 301, Jackson, 243-3547. Each department typically hires on their own without going through County Clerk’s Office, so it is advised to contact each specific department.
Register in person at the County Clerk’s Office in Cape Girardeau or Jackson. Phone: 243-3547. You must be at least 17 1/2 years old to register to vote, but can not vote until your 18th birthday. You must provide proper identification. In order to vote in an upcoming election, registration must take place by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election date. Upon completion of the registration information, a Voter Registration ID card will be sent to you that indicates the ward and precinct you will vote.
A registration form can be downloaded and mailed to the County Clerk’s office here: Voter Registration Application.
Additional Questions?
More questions and answers to come – contact us if you would like to see any here!