Frequently Asked Questions

The Juvenile Office is located at 1111 North Robberson Street Springfield, MO 65802

A child (16 or younger) who has committed a "delinquent act" has violated a state law or municipal ordinance. (Examples include shoplifting, stealing, assault, possession of drugs and property damage.) The same law violations committed by an adult would be considered a criminal act.

Parents can complete a Juvenile Complaint Form regarding their child which is available at the Juvenile Office. (Parents should be aware that if it is a case that can come under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court a fee of $30.00 may apply.) The completed Juvenile Complaint Form will be assigned to a Deputy Juvenile Officer (DJO) who will schedule a conference to meet with the parent and child. Based on information gathered from the parent, child, and initial screenings or assessments, the DJO will develop a plan for intervention which may include one or more of the following:

• Refer the child to various community resources (i.e. anger management classes, drug/alcohol intervention programs, tutoring services, individual and/or family counseling)
• Refer the child to a Probation Officer for Informal Supervision. If your child is referred to Probation, the officer will set up a schedule of supervision to make regular contact with your child and make referrals to community resources.

NOTE: If your child is violent toward you, others, or themselves you should call 911 and make a report to the Juvenile Office.

If a parent locates alcohol, drugs, and/or paraphernalia (such as a lighter or pipe used for smoking the drug), the parent can call 911 and the Police or Sheriff's deputies will make a report that will automatically be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. A Juvenile Officer will contact the family to schedule a conference and begin the process of gathering information that will help develop a plan for intervention and services for the child. If a parent suspects but has no evidence their child is using drugs or alcohol, they can make a referral to the Juvenile Office by filling out a Juvenile Complaint Form.

If a petition has been filed against your child, you will both receive a summons to appear at the Juvenile Office for a court date. The Greene County Sheriff's Department usually delivers the summons. Your court date will appear on the front page of the summons. If your date is continued or changed by the Court, you will be notified in writing of the new date. If you are unsure of your court date you may ask the Juvenile Officer handling your case.

The Juvenile Office cannot change your court date. You will need to contact the attorney representing you or your child who can request a change in the court date.

Payments must be made in cash or by money order. Money orders should be made payable to the Family Services Justice Fund. You can make payments in person at the Juvenile Office or mail your payment to:

Greene County Juvenile Office
Family Services Justice Fund
1111 N. Robberson
Springfield, MO 65802

Payments may also be made by credit card at the Greene County Juvenile Office or online.

You are responsible for contacting your Juvenile Officer as soon as possible to let them know your new address and/or phone number.

If you have an attorney your attorney should contact the Juvenile Office regarding access to your record. 

If you do not have an attorney you may fill out an Application for Juvenile Records at the Juvenile Office. After you submit the application it will be reviewed to determine if the records you have requested can be made available to you. Section 211.321 RSMo provides that the court record shall be accessible only to persons the court has determined to have a legitimate interest in such files and records. These records can take up to a week to be processed. Depending on the quantity of records requested fees may apply.

Missouri adoption records are closed. You can however, request a search be initiated for information regarding birth parents. All requests for information must be in writing and must include verification of your identity. The request should specify whether you are seeking non-identifying information (i.e. medical history, educational level) and/or identifying information (i.e. date of birth, social security number). It may also be necessary for your adoptive parents to give their consent for the search. If there was an agency that was involved in your adoption you might consider contacting them for assistance. 

Pursuant to Section 453.121.10 RSMo, the Children's Division maintains a registry where biological parents, siblings, and adoptive adults may indicate their desire to be contacted by each other. 

If you have further questions about what to do to obtain adoption records you may contact an attorney or call the Juvenile Office and ask for the Adoption Specialist.