Search Phelps County Divorce Decree
Phelps County divorce decree records are held by the Circuit Clerk in Rolla, Missouri. The county was created in 1857 from Crawford County and was named for John S. Phelps, a U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri. Court and divorce records date back to 1857. If you need to find a dissolution of marriage case or get a certified copy of a decree, the clerk's office at the courthouse in Rolla is where to go. Missouri's Case.net also offers free online searching for basic case information. Here is how to access Phelps County divorce records.
Quick Facts
Phelps County Divorce Decree Records
The Phelps County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of all divorce records filed in this jurisdiction. The office at 200 N Main St in Rolla holds the original decrees, petitions for dissolution, and all related court orders. When a judge signs the final decree, the clerk files it permanently. These are public documents under Missouri law. You do not need to be a party to the case to get basic information, though some parts of a family law file may be restricted.
A divorce decree ends a marriage. It names both spouses, lists the case number and court, and states the judgment date. The decree also covers child custody, support, visitation, property division, and spousal maintenance. Missouri is a no-fault state. Under RSMo 452.305, either party can file by saying the marriage is irretrievably broken. No fault has to be proven.
Contact the Phelps County Circuit Clerk at 200 N Main St, Rolla, MO 65401, or call (573) 458-6105 to request copies.
Online Divorce Record Search for Phelps County
Missouri Case.net is the free online tool for searching court records from all Missouri circuits. To look up a Phelps County divorce, go to Case.net and select the right court. Enter a party name, case number, or date. Choose "Family/Domestic" as the case type. The system shows party names, case status, and hearing information. The full decree is not available online, but you get the case number and basic details to confirm a filing.
After finding the case on Case.net, contact the circuit clerk for a certified copy. The clerk takes requests in person, by mail, and by phone. Provide names of both parties and the case number or approximate divorce date. The genealogy guide for Phelps County has useful information about the types of records held at the courthouse, including probate records from 1857 and marriage records through the Recorder of Deeds.
Note: Results from Case.net are for reference only and do not serve as certified documents.
Divorce Filing in Phelps County
Filing for divorce in Phelps County starts with a petition for dissolution of marriage. One spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the circuit court in Rolla. It must state the marriage is irretrievably broken. A 30-day waiting period follows under RSMo 452.320.
People without lawyers use Missouri Supreme Court approved forms. These cover the petition, a parenting plan if there are children, and financial disclosure forms. The clerk's office can direct you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice. Filing fees apply. Call (573) 458-6105 for the current amount. When the judge signs the final decree, the clerk records it and the case closes. Phelps County is bordered by Maries, Crawford, Dent, Texas, and Pulaski Counties. Make sure you file in the county where you or your spouse live. Later changes to custody or support require a motion to modify under RSMo 452.370.
The genealogy resource above covers the records held at the Phelps County courthouse, with court and divorce records from 1857.
State-Level Divorce Records for Phelps County
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records provides certified statements relating to divorce. These statements are limited. They show the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county. No custody terms, no support amounts, no property details. For the full Phelps County divorce decree, you need to contact the circuit clerk in Rolla.
Certified statements cost $15.00 per copy. You can order by mail, in person at the Bureau in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. The state has recorded divorces since July 1, 1948. For older Phelps County divorces, the county has records back to 1857. The Missouri state portal explains when you need a certified statement versus a full decree copy. If you are not sure which county handled the divorce, the state's certified statement can help narrow it down since it includes the county of record.
The Missouri Association of Counties directory provides the Phelps County Circuit Clerk's contact information.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a different county, contact that county's circuit clerk. Counties near Phelps include: