Access Bollinger County Divorce Decree
Bollinger County divorce decree records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marble Hill. The clerk is the official keeper of all court records for this southeast Missouri county, and that includes dissolution of marriage cases. If you need to look up a divorce case or get a copy of a decree, the clerk's office handles those requests. You can also check Missouri's Case.net system for basic case information online. This page explains the steps for searching and obtaining Bollinger County divorce records.
Quick Facts
Bollinger County Divorce Records
The Bollinger County Circuit Court at 204 High Street in Marble Hill is the sole source for divorce records in the county. The circuit clerk maintains the original petition for dissolution, all motions and filings during the case, and the final decree signed by the judge. Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, most court records are open to the public.
To request a copy of a divorce decree, call the clerk at (573) 238-1900 and ask for Extension 6. Provide the names of both parties and an approximate date. You can also fax a request to (573) 238-2773. For mail requests, send your letter to 204 High Street, Marble Hill, MO 63764 with the same details plus a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copy fees.
The clerk's office processes requests in the order they are received. Response times can vary depending on how busy the office is and how easily the file can be found. The more details you provide, the faster the search will go.
Searching Bollinger County Divorce Cases Online
Case.net is Missouri's free online court records search tool. It covers all circuit courts in the state, including Bollinger County. You can search by litigant name, filing date, case number, or scheduled hearing. The results show the case type, status, parties involved, and hearing dates. The system does not display the actual decree document.
This tool is useful for confirming that a case exists before you contact the clerk. Once you have the case number from Case.net, you can call the clerk and request the specific document you need. It saves time and helps avoid unnecessary trips to the courthouse.
Since Bollinger County does not have its own online records portal, Case.net is the primary way to search for divorce cases remotely. The system is free and available at any time.
Bollinger County Divorce Decree Filing
To file for divorce in Bollinger County, one spouse submits a petition for dissolution of marriage to the circuit court. Missouri law under RSMo 452.305 requires only that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is no need to prove fault. At least one party must have been a Missouri resident for 90 days before filing.
RSMo 452.320 imposes a 30-day waiting period after the petition is filed. The court cannot finalize the divorce before this time is up. During this period, both parties negotiate the terms or prepare for a contested hearing. If the divorce is uncontested, the process is fairly straightforward. The judge reviews the agreement, and if everything is in order, signs the decree.
Parties without legal representation must use Missouri Supreme Court approved forms. The clerk's office can point you to these. Filing fees apply and vary, so check with the clerk for current amounts when you file.
Note: Missouri requires a 30-day waiting period before any divorce can be finalized after the initial filing.
What a Bollinger County Divorce Decree Contains
The divorce decree is the final court order in a dissolution case. It names both spouses and lists the court, case number, and date. The decree states the grounds for dissolution. In Missouri, the standard ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under RSMo 452.305. The decree then details every term of the divorce.
For couples with children, the decree contains a parenting plan. This covers physical and legal custody, a visitation schedule, and child support. Support amounts follow Missouri's guidelines. Spousal maintenance is included if the court awarded it, with the amount and duration specified. Property division covers everything from real estate to bank accounts to personal items. Debts get assigned too. Some decrees include terms about insurance, retirement accounts, or tax matters. The decree is a binding order, and both parties must follow it.
State-Level Divorce Statements
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues certified statements for divorces. These documents contain only the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was recorded. They cost $15.00 each. The state began keeping these records on July 1, 1948.
Certified statements are not divorce decrees. They do not include custody, support, property, or any other terms. For the full decree, contact the Bollinger County Circuit Clerk in Marble Hill. The Missouri state portal explains the difference between these two types of documents. State certified statements can be helpful if you are not sure which county handled the divorce, since the state office can search across all Missouri counties.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records stay in the county where the case was filed. If you need records from a county near Bollinger, check with these offices: