Search Montgomery County Divorce Decree
Montgomery County divorce decree records are managed by the Circuit Clerk in Montgomery City. The office has kept court and divorce records since 1868, though the county itself was formed in 1818. If you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to look up case information, you have several options. The clerk accepts requests in person, by mail, and by phone. You can also use Missouri's Case.net to search basic case data online. This guide explains how to find and get Montgomery County divorce records.
Quick Facts
Montgomery County Divorce Decree Basics
The Circuit Clerk in Montgomery County is the sole custodian of all divorce decrees filed in this jurisdiction. When a judge grants a dissolution of marriage, the clerk records the final decree and keeps it as part of the permanent court file. The decree itself is a court order. It ends the marriage and sets out the terms both parties must follow going forward. These terms cover child custody, support payments, property division, and spousal maintenance if it applies. Montgomery County has held court and divorce records since 1868, though some earlier records may have been lost when the county was first organized in 1818 from St. Charles County.
Anyone can request basic information about a divorce case. These are public records under Missouri law. You do not have to be one of the parties. However, some parts of a family law file may be sealed or restricted, such as financial affidavits or records involving minors.
To get a copy, contact the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk at PO Box 339, Montgomery City, MO 63361, or call (573) 564-3331.
How to Search Divorce Records Online
The Missouri Case.net portal gives you free access to court case information from every circuit in the state. To search Montgomery County divorce records, go to Case.net and select the correct court. Enter the name of one of the parties. You can also search by case number or filing date. Choose "Family/Domestic" from the case type options to narrow the results to divorce and custody matters. The system shows party names, the judge, hearing dates, and case status. It does not show the full decree text.
Case.net is a good place to start when you are not sure if a divorce was filed here. It gives you the case number, which you then use to request a certified copy from the clerk's office. For genealogy work or older records, the Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness page has useful details about Montgomery County's record holdings.
Note: Online search results do not replace certified copies for legal use.
Divorce Decree Filing in Montgomery County
To file for divorce in Montgomery County, one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days. The process starts with a petition for dissolution of marriage filed at the circuit court in Montgomery City. Missouri uses a no-fault system under RSMo 452.305. The petitioner states the marriage is irretrievably broken. No other grounds are needed. After filing, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can enter the final decree.
People who file without a lawyer must use Missouri Supreme Court approved forms. These cover the petition, a parenting plan when children are involved, and financial statements. The clerk's office can direct you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice. Filing fees vary, so call the clerk at (573) 564-3331 for the latest amounts. Once the judge signs the decree, the clerk records it and it becomes part of the permanent court file.
The genealogy guide shown above lists the types of records held at the Montgomery County courthouse, including court and divorce records dating to 1868.
State-Level Divorce Records for Montgomery County
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records offers certified statements relating to divorce. These are limited documents. A certified statement shows only the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was recorded. It does not include custody arrangements, support orders, or property division terms. If you need the full decree, you must contact the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk.
Each certified statement costs $15.00. You can order by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or online through VitalChek. The state has recorded divorces since July 1, 1948. For older Montgomery County divorces, the clerk's office is the only option. The Missouri state portal lays out the difference between a certified statement and a full decree, which is important if you need the document for legal reasons like remarriage or property transfers.
The Missouri Association of Counties directory provides contact information for the Montgomery County Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
What Montgomery County Divorce Decrees Include
A divorce decree from Montgomery County follows the standard Missouri format. It names both parties and gives the case number. The date the judge signed the order is listed. The decree states the grounds, which in most cases is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under RSMo 452.320.
The decree covers several areas depending on the case. Child custody and visitation schedules are outlined if there are children. Child support amounts follow the Missouri Supreme Court guidelines per RSMo 452.340. Property and debt division is handled under RSMo 452.330, where the court considers factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and what each contributed. Spousal maintenance may be ordered if one party needs financial support. Some decrees also address retirement accounts, health insurance, or the family home. Each case is different, so each decree has its own set of terms.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a neighboring jurisdiction, contact that county's circuit clerk. Counties bordering Montgomery include: