Search Ralls County Divorce Decree
Ralls County divorce decree records are held at the Circuit Clerk's office in New London, Missouri. This is one of the oldest counties in the state, organized in 1820, and the clerk has kept court and divorce records since 1821. You can search for divorce cases by name, case number, or date. The clerk takes requests in person, by mail, and by phone. Missouri's online Case.net system also covers Ralls County court cases. This page walks you through the options for finding and obtaining Ralls County divorce decree documents.
Quick Facts
Ralls County Divorce Records
The Ralls County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian for all divorce records filed in this jurisdiction. Ralls County was created in 1820 from Pike County, and the clerk has maintained court and divorce records since 1821. That gives the county over two hundred years of dissolution records. These are public documents. Anyone can request basic case information under Missouri's Sunshine Law. You do not need to be a party to the divorce to get case details, though some financial information may be sealed.
A Ralls County divorce decree is the court's final order dissolving a marriage. It includes the names of both spouses, the case number, the date of the ruling, and the grounds for divorce. Missouri is a no-fault state under RSMo 452.305. The decree also addresses custody, support, and property division when those issues apply. Every decree is unique to the circumstances of that case.
Contact the Ralls County Circuit Clerk at PO Box 203, New London, MO 63459 to request a copy. The phone number is (573) 985-7111. Have the names and approximate date ready.
Searching Ralls County Divorce Cases Online
The Missouri Case.net system lets you search court records from any county in the state. This includes Ralls County divorce cases. You can look up cases by the name of a party, a case number, or a date range. The system shows case type, parties, hearing dates, and case status. It does not display the full decree. But it gives you the case number and confirms the case exists, which is what you need to request copies from the clerk.
Case.net is free and available around the clock. It works for quick lookups when you want to verify a case before calling the clerk. Some older cases might not be in the electronic system. For those, the clerk can do a manual search through paper records at the courthouse in New London.
Divorce Filing Steps in Ralls County
To file for divorce in Ralls County, one spouse submits a petition for dissolution of marriage to the circuit court. Missouri requires at least 90 days of residency in the state before you can file. The petition must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Once filed, RSMo 452.320 requires a 30-day waiting period. The other spouse gets served and can respond. If both sides agree on all terms, the case can move fairly quickly after the waiting period ends.
When children are involved, both parents submit a parenting plan under RSMo 452.375. This plan covers legal and physical custody, visitation, and child support calculations. Financial disclosures from both spouses are also part of the process. The court reviews everything and either approves the agreement or makes its own ruling. The judge then signs the divorce decree, and the clerk files it as a permanent record.
Filing fees change from time to time. Call the Ralls County clerk at (573) 985-7111 for current amounts.
Note: Parties without an attorney must use Missouri Supreme Court approved forms for their filing.
Missouri State Divorce Statements
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues certified statements relating to divorce. These are different from a decree. A certified statement shows the names of both spouses, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was recorded. That is all. No custody terms. No property details. They cost $15.00 per copy. You can order by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or online through VitalChek.
The state started recording divorces on July 1, 1948. For Ralls County divorces before that date, only the circuit clerk has records. The Missouri state portal has more details about the difference between state certified statements and full court copies.
Ralls County Divorce Decree Resources
The RAOGK genealogy guide for Ralls County details the types of records available at the courthouse. The circuit clerk has had probate records from 1821 and court and divorce records from the same year. The Recorder of Deeds holds marriage and land records from 1821 as well. This long history makes Ralls County a good source for genealogical research involving family court matters in northeast Missouri.
The RAOGK page also notes the county borders, which can help you figure out which jurisdiction handled a case if you are not sure.
The Missouri Association of Counties directory keeps updated contact details for every county clerk office in the state, including Ralls County.
Nearby Counties
If the divorce was filed in a neighboring county, you will need to contact that county's circuit clerk for records: