Find Audrain County Divorce Records

Audrain County divorce records are held at the courthouse in Mexico, Missouri, by the Circuit Clerk. The 12th Judicial Circuit Court processes all divorce filings here, and the clerk has records stretching back to 1837. Whether you want to search for a specific divorce case, request a copy of a decree, or check on a filing status, the clerk's office at 101 North Jefferson is where you start. You can also look up Audrain County divorce cases through the statewide Case.net online portal.

Audrain County Circuit Clerk Office

The Audrain County Circuit Clerk maintains all divorce records for the county. The office is in Room 304 of the courthouse at 101 North Jefferson in Mexico. Phone is (573) 473-5230. Staff can help you find divorce cases by party name or case number. They make copies of decrees and other filings. Bring a valid ID if you want certified copies.

Audrain County was created on January 12, 1837 from Callaway and Cooper counties. The Circuit Clerk has court and divorce records dating back to that year. The Recorder of Deeds, located in Room 102 of the same building at (573) 473-5830, keeps marriage and land records from 1837 as well. The County Clerk in Room 203 at (573) 473-5820 has older birth and death records from 1883 to 1892. All of these offices are in the same courthouse, which makes it easy to get multiple types of records in one trip.

The Missouri Association of Counties page for Audrain County has a full list of county officials and their contact details. The Presiding Commissioner can be reached at (573) 581-0040 for general county government questions.

Online Search for Audrain County Divorce Cases

Missouri Case.net is the state's free online search tool for court records. You can look up Audrain County divorce cases by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net covers all 114 Missouri counties and has more than 45 million records. It shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket of events.

Case.net works well for recent cases. Older records from before the early 1980s may not be in the system. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile cases are excluded. If a judge sealed a divorce case due to domestic violence, it won't show up in search results. For records not found online, call the Audrain County Circuit Clerk at (573) 473-5230.

The Audrain City/County Health Unit at 605 East Promenade, Mexico, MO 65265, phone (573) 581-1332, handles birth and death certificates. They do not issue divorce records. Divorce records come only from the Circuit Clerk.

Requesting Audrain County Divorce Documents

You can get copies of Audrain County divorce records by visiting the courthouse at 101 N. Jefferson in Mexico. You can also send a mail request to the Circuit Clerk at the same address. Include both spouses' names, the approximate date of the divorce, and your phone number. Fees for copies vary by document type. Call (573) 473-5230 to check costs before sending a request.

For a certified copy of the full divorce decree, you must go through the Audrain County Circuit Clerk. The state vital records office in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which contains just names, the date, and the county. The state fee is $15 per record. Under Missouri law (RSMo Section 193.255), only individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record may receive a certified copy. All mail-in applications must be notarized per 19 CSR 10-10. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records processes mail requests at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Processing by mail through the state takes about 4 to 8 weeks. For faster results, contact the Audrain County clerk directly. In-person requests at the courthouse are usually the quickest way to get what you need.

Note: Make checks to the state payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Do not send cash.

Filing for Divorce in Audrain County

To file for divorce in Audrain County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing the petition. Cases go through the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. You can download free forms from the Missouri Courts family law page. The forms cover the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, income statements, property statements, and parenting plans when children are involved.

The 12th Circuit may have local rules that go beyond the state forms. Ask the Audrain County clerk about any extra requirements. Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help at 1-800-829-4128 for people who qualify based on income. The Missouri Bar offers a lawyer referral service and a Modest Means Program for reduced-fee legal representation.

Historical Divorce Records in Audrain County

Audrain County has some of the older court records in this part of Missouri. Divorce and court records date to 1837. Marriage and land records at the Recorder of Deeds also go back to 1837. Probate records start from the same year. For anyone doing genealogy work, this is a rich source of information going back nearly 190 years.

The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may hold additional historical records from Audrain County. The archives research room is open to visitors. Staff do limited free research by email at archives@sos.mo.gov or phone at (573) 751-3280. For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree is accessible but other parts are sealed for 72 years after filing. This applies to all Missouri counties including Audrain.

Court records in Missouri are generally public. The Sunshine Law at Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.023 says each public body must make records available for inspection and copying. But vital records like divorce certificates fall under their own rules in RSMo Chapter 193. The court file itself is public at the clerk's office, while the vital record version is restricted to people with direct interest.

Nearby Counties

If you need divorce records from counties near Audrain, check these neighbors:

• Callaway County
• Boone County
• Monroe County
• Ralls County
• Montgomery County