Adair County Divorce Records
Adair County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Kirksville. If you need to find a divorce case, check on a filing, or get a copy of a decree, this is the place to start. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in Adair County, and records go back to 1841. You can search for divorce records in person at the clerk's office, by mail, or by looking up case details on Missouri's Case.net system. The clerk's staff can help you find what you need and tell you about any fees for copies.
Adair County Quick Facts
Adair County Circuit Clerk Office
The Adair County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce records in the county. Circuit Clerk Martha Cole runs this office. Staff here have 88 years of combined clerk experience, which means they know the filing system well. The office sits at 106 West Washington in Kirksville and is open on weekdays during normal business hours. You can reach them by phone at (660) 665-2552 or by email at martha.cole@courts.mo.gov. Walk-in visits are fine, but calling first can save you time.
The Adair County Circuit Court page has more details on the clerk's role and court staff. The office prepares and submits a yearly budget, manages circuit clerk bank accounts, and keeps court documents organized for state audits. For divorce records, the clerk can pull case files, make copies, and certify documents you need for legal use.
| Office | Adair County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Martha Cole |
| Address | 106 W. Washington, Kirksville, MO 63501 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 690, Kirksville, MO 63501 |
| Phone | (660) 665-2552 |
| martha.cole@courts.mo.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Missouri Court Records portal for Adair County lists the Circuit Court as handling domestic relations cases such as divorce actions, paternity actions, and protection orders. Judge Matthew Wilson serves as the Presiding Circuit Judge, and Associate Circuit Judge Kristie Swaim hears many of the domestic relations cases in Adair County.
Court records in Adair County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.010. Copy fees may apply when you ask for documents. The clerk's office can tell you the exact cost per page when you visit or call.
Adair County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Adair County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records search tool. It has over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket of what happened in the case. Divorce cases filed in the 2nd Judicial Circuit will show up here.
Some limits apply. Case.net does not show juvenile cases, sealed records, or expunged cases. If a divorce case was sealed by a judge due to domestic violence or other reasons, it won't appear in the search results. Cases from before the 1980s may not be in the system at all. For those older Adair County divorce records, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly.
The Adair County Circuit Clerk has divorce and court records going back to 1841. That is a long stretch of records. For anything that old, the clerk's office is your best bet since those files are not digitized.
Getting Divorce Records in Adair County
There are a few ways to get copies of Adair County divorce records. You can go in person to the courthouse at 106 W. Washington in Kirksville. You can also send a request by mail to P.O. Box 690, Kirksville, MO 63501. The clerk's office also takes email requests. When you ask for a record, have the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce if you can. This helps the staff find the right file fast.
If you want a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Adair County Circuit Clerk is the only place to get it. The state vital records office in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which shows the names, date, and county but not the full decree. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are not open to the general public, and only people with a direct and tangible interest in the record can get a certified copy. You will need to show valid ID and submit a notarized request if ordering by mail.
The state fee for a Certified Statement is $15. Local clerk fees can vary. Call (660) 665-2552 to check the current cost for copies at the Adair County courthouse.
Adair County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in Adair County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court. Adair County shares this circuit with Knox and Lewis counties. You file the paperwork with the Circuit Clerk in Kirksville.
Missouri Courts provide free divorce forms you can download from the Missouri Courts family law forms page. The forms package includes a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms if kids are part of the case. Each circuit may have its own local rules on top of the state forms, so check with the Adair County clerk for any extra steps or documents you might need.
The Missouri Bar offers a lawyer referral service if you want legal help. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid for people who qualify based on income.
Note: Filing fees vary and can change, so call the clerk's office at (660) 665-2552 for the most current amount.
Vital Records and Adair County Divorce Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps records of divorces reported since July 1, 1948. Their Certified Statement Relating to Divorce is useful when you don't know which county the divorce was filed in. You can order one by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. The fee is $15 per record. Mail requests go to: Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes about 4 to 8 weeks by mail.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Adair County lists contact details for all county offices. This can be helpful if you need to reach the Recorder of Deeds for related property records or the County Clerk for other document needs. The Recorder can be reached at (660) 665-3890.
The Adair County Health Department at 1001 South Jamison St., Kirksville (phone: 660-665-8491) handles birth and death certificates but does not issue divorce records. For divorce decrees, always go to the Circuit Clerk.
Historical Divorce Records in Adair County
Adair County has court and divorce records dating back to 1841. The county also has probate records from that same year. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives may have relevant materials. The archives research room in Jefferson City is open to visitors, and staff will do limited research for people who can't visit in person. You can email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 to ask about specific Adair County divorce records.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree section stays accessible, but all other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years after filing. This means some parts of older cases are restricted even though the final outcome is still public. Keep this in mind when doing genealogy research or looking into older Adair County divorce cases.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Adair County, check these neighboring counties: