New Madrid County Divorce Decree
New Madrid County divorce decree records are on file at the Circuit Clerk's office in New Madrid, Missouri. This is one of the original five counties of the Missouri Territory, organized in 1812. Court and divorce records go back to 1845. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or want to check whether a case was filed here, the clerk is your primary contact. Missouri's online Case.net system also lets you search for basic case information at no cost. This page explains how to find and request New Madrid County divorce records.
Quick Facts
New Madrid County Divorce Records
The New Madrid County Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce decrees filed in this part of southeast Missouri. The county was created on October 1, 1812, and court records date to 1845. The clerk is the only source for the actual divorce decree document. A decree is the final court order that dissolves a marriage. It contains the names of both spouses, the case number, the presiding judge, and the date the court entered its judgment. It also spells out terms for custody, support, and property division.
Missouri operates under a no-fault divorce system. Under RSMo 452.305, either spouse can file for dissolution by stating the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court does not assign blame. This applies to all divorces filed in New Madrid County. The 30-day waiting period after filing still applies before the court can sign the final decree.
Contact the New Madrid County Circuit Clerk at PO Box 68, New Madrid, MO 63869. The phone number is (573) 748-2228.
Searching Divorce Decree Cases Online
Missouri Case.net is the state's free portal for looking up court cases. You can search New Madrid County divorce records by entering a party name, a case number, or a date range. Select the correct court location and pick "Family/Domestic" as the case type. Results include party names, case status, and hearing dates. The system does not show the full decree, but it gives you enough to confirm a filing and get the case number.
Once you have the case number from Case.net, you can contact the clerk to get a certified copy of the decree. In-person visits, mail requests, and phone calls are all accepted. Provide the names of both parties and the case number to speed things up. The clerk may charge a per-page fee for copies.
Filing for Divorce in New Madrid County
Filing starts with a petition for dissolution. One spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days. The petition goes to the New Madrid County Circuit Court. It must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. No other ground is needed under Missouri law. After the petition is filed and served on the other party, there is a 30-day waiting period under RSMo 452.320.
If you do not have a lawyer, you must use forms from the Missouri Supreme Court. These include the petition itself, a parenting plan for cases with children, and financial disclosure forms. Filing fees apply. Call the clerk at (573) 748-2228 for current amounts. The clerk can tell you which forms to use but cannot give legal advice. Once the judge signs the decree, the case is closed and the decree becomes a permanent record. Modifications to custody or support can be filed later if circumstances change, as allowed under RSMo 452.370.
The genealogy resource above outlines the records held at the New Madrid County courthouse, including court and divorce records from 1845 and land records from 1807.
State Divorce Statements vs. New Madrid County Decrees
There is an important difference between a state certified statement and a county divorce decree. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues certified statements that only show the names of both spouses, the divorce date, and the county. That is all. No custody terms. No property details. No support amounts. If you need the full decree, the New Madrid County Circuit Clerk is the place to go.
State certified statements cost $15.00 each. They can be ordered by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek. The state has kept divorce records since July 1, 1948. For New Madrid County divorces before that date, only the county clerk has records, going back to 1845. The Missouri official state portal explains when you would need a certified statement versus a full decree copy.
This directory from the Missouri Association of Counties shows contact details for the New Madrid County Circuit Clerk and other county offices.
Divorce Decree Contents in New Madrid County
A New Madrid County divorce decree sets out everything the court decided when it ended the marriage. The standard sections include party names, the case number, the date of judgment, and the grounds for dissolution. Child custody arrangements are laid out in a parenting plan within the decree. Child support follows Missouri Supreme Court guidelines under RSMo 452.340. Property division covers both assets and debts, split according to factors in RSMo 452.330 like the length of the marriage and each spouse's financial situation.
Spousal maintenance may be included if one party qualifies. The decree may also address health insurance, retirement benefits, or the family home. Each decree is specific to its case. No two look exactly alike because the facts and terms are always different. If you need to understand what a particular decree says, getting a certified copy from the clerk is the best step.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a different county, reach out to that county's circuit clerk. Counties near New Madrid include: