Missouri Divorce Records: Official Certificates, Decrees, and Search Options

Missouri divorce records are official documentation of divorce proceedings. These records typically contain pertinent information about a divorce proceeding, including the terms of the divorce, the names of the parties involved, the date the divorce was finalized, e.t.c. Primarily, these records serve as legal proof that a marriage has ended, and divorcees may require them for specific legal processes, such as remarrying, changing one's name, or enforcing the terms of the divorce. Given the information they contain, these records are also ideal resources for genealogy and historical research.

The CDC Divorce Rate Statistics show that between 2021 and 2023, Missouri's divorce rate has been in steady decline, from 2.9 per 1,000 residents in 2021 to 2.6 per 1,000 residents in 2023. Considering Missouri's 2023 population estimate of 6,208,038 residents provided by the Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC), the state's 2023 divorce rate equates to about 17,003 divorce cases.

Official Types of Divorce Documentation in Missouri

Some of the official types of divorce documentation in Missouri include:

• Divorce Statement: This is a certified statement issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Bureau of Vital Records, containing basic information about a divorce. These include both spouses' names, the date of divorce, and the county of record. This document is intended solely for informational purposes and holds no inherent legal value.
• Divorce Decree: This is a court order that finalizes the dissolution of a marriage. It is issued by a judge at the conclusion of a divorce proceeding and contains the terms of the divorce, including the division of marital property, alimony, child custody, and child support obligations. Generally, the Circuit Court Clerk of the county where a divorce was granted is responsible for maintaining this record.
• Divorce Case Files: These are a collection of court documents that pertain to a divorce proceeding. They include documents filed by the parties to a divorce, as well as those generated by the court during the divorce proceeding. Some examples include the petition for dissolution of marriage, financial affidavit, and proposed parenting plans.

The table below identifies the custodian, purpose, and contents of different types of divorce documentation in Missouri.

Document Type	Issued By	Purpose	Contains
Divorce Statement	Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records	Provides basic information about a divorce.	Spouse names, divorce date, and the county where the divorce was recorded
Divorce Decree	County Circuit Court Clerk	Legal proof that a divorce proceeding has been finalized	The terms of the divorce such as marital assets distribution, determination of each spouse's custody rights, and alimony and child support obligations.

Public Access and Confidentiality of Missouri Divorce Records

Missouri divorce records are considered public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The law states that members of the public have a right to access records maintained by public governmental bodies, which includes judicial entities like courts.

Notwithstanding, sealed divorce records are considered confidential and inaccessible to the public without a court order. Furthermore, sensitive personal information, such as driver's license numbers, bank account details, state identification numbers, and Social Security numbers, found in divorce records may be redacted in accordance with Missouri Court Operating Rule 2 (COR 2).

What Information Do Missouri Divorce Records Include?

Missouri divorce records usually contain the following information:

• The spouses' full names and addresses
• The divorce date
• The county of record
• Case number
• Grounds for divorce

Other documents and information may also be included in divorce records, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. These include asset distribution, protective orders, child custody and support, and alimony details, when applicable.

Procedures for Locating Divorce Records in Missouri

The following are the official avenues interested individuals can use to locate divorce records in Missouri:

• Missouri State Archives
• Local Circuit Court Clerk's offices
• The Missouri CaseNet website
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records

Record Source	Office or Platform	Years Covered	Access Type	Fees
Missouri State Archives	Historical Records	Pre-2009	Manual search	Digital copy requests cost $3.00 and photocopy requests cost $1.00.
Judiciary Portal	Missouri CaseNet website	After 1979	Case search	Free
County Circuit Court Clerk	Local Circuit Courts	All years	Certified divorce decrees	Varies
The Bureau of Vital Records	Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services	July 1, 1948, to present	Divorce statement	$15 per record

How to Request Certified Copies of Divorce Records in Missouri

Record seekers may request and obtain certified copies of divorce records in Missouri through the Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records or the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized. The latter is responsible for issuing certified divorce statements, while the former maintains certified divorce decrees. The difference between these records is that certified divorce statements are informative documents that contain basic details about a divorce. Meanwhile, a certified divorce decree is legal proof that a divorce has been finalized.

Certified Divorce Statements

Vital records, including certified divorce statements, issued by the Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records, are not open to the public per CSR 10-10.090. They are only released to certain eligible individuals with direct and tangible interest in the record. These include, but are not limited to, spouses named in the record, their immediate family members, and official representatives. Thus, ineligible individuals may be required to present tangible interest documents or signed notarized statement when requesting certified divorce statements from the Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records.

Generally, requesters are charged $15 per certified divorce statement they request. They may make requests by completing the Vital Records Application form and submitting it along with the required fees and documents in person or by mail. In-person submissions may be made at a local public health agency or by scheduling an appointment with the Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City. Interested individuals may schedule an in-person appointment by calling 573-751-6387. Alternatively, requests may be mailed to:

Certified Divorce Decree

The procedure for requesting a certified divorce decree from a County Circuit Court Clerk's office typically involves the following steps.

• Step 1 - Identify the Circuit Court where the divorce was finalized: the clerk's office of this court is the primary custodian of decrees and case files of divorce proceedings the court handles.
• Step 2 - Prepare the identifiable information about the sought-after record: this is required to facilitate a search. They include the full names of both spouses and the date the divorce was finalized.
• Step 3 - Contact the Circuit Court Clerk's office: This is typically done to inquire about how the specific clerk's office operates, including the required fees and acceptable methods of requesting a divorce decree. These factors usually vary by county. For instance, certified divorce records may be obtained from the St. Louis Circuit Clerk's Office in person at:

Copy Type	Where to Request	Who Can Order	Legal Use
Certified divorce statement	The Missouri DHSS Bureau of Vital Records	Spouses, their immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with legal proof of tangible interest in the document	Historical and genealogical research
Certified divorce decree	County Circuit Court Clerk's office	Parties to the case	Legal proof of divorce and enforcement of the divorce terms

Why Search for Divorce Records in Missouri?

One common reason for conducting divorce record searches in Missouri is genealogical research. These records contain valuable details about the individuals involved, such as maiden names, that may be useful in establishing family connections. As a result, divorce records serve as important resources for tracing family histories.

Divorce records also act as legal proof that a previous marriage has ended, which is necessary when divorced individuals wish to remarry. Additionally, they may be required to enforce or modify the terms of the divorce, such as child support and alimony payments.

How Long Are Divorce Records Kept in Missouri?

According to the Missouri Courts Records Retention and Destruction Schedule, divorce records are permanently retained by the clerk's office of the Circuit Court where the divorce was finalized.