Pettis County Divorce Decree Records
Pettis County divorce decree records are stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Sedalia, Missouri. The county was formed in 1833 from Cooper and Saline Counties and has kept court and divorce records since that year. The clerk handles all dissolution of marriage filings and can provide copies of decrees on request. You can also use the state's free Case.net tool to search for basic case data from any computer. This page covers everything you need to know about finding and requesting Pettis County divorce records.
Quick Facts
Pettis County Divorce Decree Overview
The Pettis County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce decrees in this jurisdiction. The county was named for Spencer Darwin Pettis, a U.S. Representative from Missouri. The county seat is Sedalia. Court and divorce records go back to 1833, and the Recorder of Deeds has marriage records from the same year. When a judge grants a dissolution of marriage, the clerk files the final decree as part of the permanent court record.
A divorce decree is the court's final order. It names both parties and includes the case number, court name, and judgment date. The decree also outlines child custody arrangements, support amounts, visitation schedules, property division, and spousal maintenance when applicable. Missouri follows a no-fault system. Under RSMo 452.305, the only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
These are public records. Contact the Pettis County Circuit Clerk at PO Box 156, Sedalia, MO 65302, or call (660) 530-3300 to request a copy.
Searching Pettis County Divorce Cases
Missouri Case.net is the state's free online court records system. To search Pettis County divorce cases, select the county as the court and enter a party name, case number, or filing date. Choose "Family/Domestic" as the case type. The results show party names, case status, hearing dates, and docket entries. The full decree text is not available online, but Case.net confirms whether a case exists and provides the case number you need to request a copy.
The circuit clerk accepts requests in person at the courthouse in Sedalia, by mail, and by phone. Provide the full names of both spouses and either the case number or the approximate year of the divorce. Copy fees apply. The genealogy guide for Pettis County lists the types of records held at the courthouse, including probate records from 1833.
Note: Online search results from Case.net are not certified and cannot substitute for official court documents.
Filing for Divorce in Pettis County
To file for divorce in Pettis County, one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days. The petition for dissolution is filed with the circuit court in Sedalia. The petition states the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is a 30-day waiting period under RSMo 452.320 after filing before the court can grant the divorce.
Pro se filers must use Missouri Supreme Court approved forms. The clerk's office can tell you which forms you need. These cover the petition, a parenting plan when children are involved, and financial disclosures. Filing fees apply, so call (660) 530-3300 for the current cost. Once both parties agree on terms or the judge makes a ruling, the decree is signed and recorded. If custody or support needs to change after the case closes, a motion to modify can be filed under RSMo 452.370. Pettis County is bordered by Saline, Cooper, Morgan, Benton, Henry, and Johnson Counties, so verify you are filing in the correct jurisdiction.
This resource covers the record types held at the Pettis County courthouse, including court and divorce records that go back to 1833.
State Divorce Records for Pettis County
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records keeps certified statements relating to divorce. These are not the same as a divorce decree. A certified statement only lists the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was recorded. It has no terms about custody, support, or property. For the full Pettis County decree, you must go through the circuit clerk in Sedalia.
Each certified statement costs $15.00. You can order by mail, in person at the Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. The state has kept divorce records since July 1, 1948. For Pettis County divorces before that date, the county clerk has records all the way back to 1833. The Missouri state portal explains the difference between these two types of documents.
The Missouri Association of Counties page shown above provides contact details for the Pettis County Circuit Clerk.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk. Counties near Pettis include: