With more than 30 departments and divisions in St. Charles County Government, our switchboard operators receive a wide variety of calls every day, but some stand out as most frequently asked about topics. Our operators pulled together a list of the top five topics callers most often ask about to help you better understand County government.
1. Courts
The 11th Judicial Circuit Court of St. Charles County is a State office and not part of County Government. However, the Court operates out of a County building, County taxpayers pay the cost of operating the building and our switchboard operators assist with answering and directing phone calls.
The court is made up of the Civil, Criminal, Family, Juvenile, Probate, and Traffic court divisions. Questions about cases and court dates should be directed to the court handling the case. Copies of court documents and closed files that are not sealed can be obtained by emailing the request.
The Circuit Clerk’s office handles restraining orders, formally called ex parte orders of protection. Paperwork and assistance filing an adult abuse or child protection order can be obtained in the Circuit Clerk's office at 300 N. Second Street in St. Charles. For questions, call the Circuit Clerk at 636-949-3080.
The Circuit Clerk’s office also handles jury duty. Answers to questions about jury service that are not answered through the information on the summons can be found online or by calling Jury Information at 636-949-3088.
2. Building Permits, Inspections and Code Enforcement Issues
The Division of Building and Code Enforcement is under the Community Development Department and handles permitting and inspections for structures and related construction, as well as code enforcement issues such as tall grass and building disrepair. A list of building permits and application information is available online for contractors and homeowners interested in doing projects. Code enforcement information and a link to file code enforcement complaints also are available online.
3. Personal Property, Tax Payments and Tax Waivers
To get a Personal Property bill created, an Assessment Form must be filed with the Assessor’s Personal Property Office. Bills are paid to the Collector of Revenue Office. Similarly, to obtain a Certificate of Non-Assessment/No Taxes Due (sometimes called a tax waiver), the process is started in the Assessor’s Office and completed in the Collector’s Office. The offices work together but have different core functions:
Note: Neither the Assessor nor Collector of Revenue is responsible for setting budgets in political subdivisions or for establishing the tax levy/tax rate of individual political subdivisions. Political subdivisions include school districts, fire districts, ambulance districts, etc.
4. Marriage Licenses
The Recorder of Deeds issues marriage licenses and provides copies of licenses issued in St. Charles County. More details are available online. The office does not perform marriage ceremonies—those are handled through the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Due to scheduling, it is recommended that couples who would like to have a ceremony through the court schedule it first before applying for a marriage license.
5. Public Health
The St. Charles County Department of Public Health has three divisions and is located at 1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles.
- Health Services is in charge of handling the County’s COVID-19 response. Information about COVID-19 and vaccines is available online. For questions about COVID-19, please call the Information Hotline at 636-949-1899, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The division operates the department’s Immunization Clinic, Vital Records office (death and birth certificate copies); U.S. passport applications, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. Lab services also are available by appointment.
- Environmental Health is responsible for food service licenses and restaurant inspections, mosquito control, and consumer protection, including licensing and inspection of lodging facilities; childcare centers; pools, spas and other public aquatic facilities; fitness centers; and tanning centers. The division also operates the County’s recycling centers: Recycle Works West in Wentzville and Recycle Works Central in St. Charles.
- Humane Services operates the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center and handles animal control.
If you have questions about County government, call our main number at 636-949-7900. We are happy to help.