Bates County Divorce Records
Bates County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Butler, Missouri. The 27th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce filings in the county, and records date back to 1841. You can search for divorce cases at the clerk's office, send requests by mail, or look up case information online through Missouri's Case.net system. Whether you need a copy of a divorce decree or want to check on a case status, the clerk's office at 1 North Delaware in Butler is the place to go.
Bates County Quick Facts
Bates County Circuit Clerk
The Bates County Circuit Clerk holds all divorce records for the county. The office is at 1 North Delaware in Butler. Phone is (660) 679-5171. The clerk handles divorce filings, maintains case files, and provides copies of court documents. You can visit during weekday business hours. Bring both spouses' names and the date of the divorce if you have it.
Bates County was created on January 29, 1841 from Cass County. Divorce and court records go back to that year. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage and land records from 1839, and probate records start from 1841. All of these offices are in the same courthouse building in Butler. If your divorce record involves property transfers or an estate, the other offices can help with related documents.
The County Clerk at (660) 679-5121 has older birth and death records from 1883 to 1889. The Recorder of Deeds can be reached at (660) 679-3612 for marriage records. The Missouri Association of Counties page for Bates County has the full list of county officials and their contact numbers.
| Office | Bates County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 N. Delaware, Butler, MO 64730 |
| Phone | (660) 679-5171 |
| County Clerk | (660) 679-5121 |
| Recorder | (660) 679-3612 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Online Search for Bates County Divorce Cases
You can search for Bates County divorce records online at Missouri Case.net. This is the state's free court records search tool. It has over 45 million records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show the case type, whether the case is open or closed, all parties, attorneys, and docket entries listing each court action.
Case.net has limits. It does not include sealed or expunged records. Juvenile cases are hidden. Cases from before the early 1980s may not be in the database. If you search for a Bates County divorce and get no results, the case may be too old for the digital system or it may have been sealed. Call the clerk at (660) 679-5171 to check the paper files.
The Bates County Health Department at 501 N. Orange in Butler, phone (660) 679-6108, handles birth and death records. Divorce records are not available there. Always go to the Circuit Clerk for divorce documents.
Requesting Bates County Divorce Copies
To get copies of Bates County divorce records, visit the courthouse at 1 N. Delaware in Butler. You can also mail a request to the same address, Butler, MO 64730. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and your phone number. Copy fees vary by document, so call ahead to check costs.
The Bates County Circuit Clerk is the only office that can provide a certified copy of the actual divorce decree. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City issues a different document, a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce. That statement only has names, date, and county. It costs $15. Under RSMo Chapter 193, you need a direct and tangible interest in the record to get a certified copy. Mail requests must be notarized per 19 CSR 10-10.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records has divorce data since July 1, 1948. Mail requests go to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Expect 4 to 8 weeks for processing. VitalChek offers faster online and phone ordering. Make checks payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Do not send cash.
How to File for Divorce in Bates County
Filing for divorce in Bates County requires 90 days of Missouri residency. You file in the 27th Judicial Circuit Court. Free divorce forms are at the Missouri Courts family law page. The package includes the Petition for Dissolution, income and expense forms, property statements, and parenting plans for cases with children.
The 27th Circuit may have local rules in addition to the state requirements. Check with the Bates County clerk before filing. If you need legal help, Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 offers free assistance for those who qualify. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service and a Modest Means Program for reduced-fee legal help.
Missouri court records are generally public under the Sunshine Law at Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.011. The public can view and copy most divorce court records. But cases involving domestic violence or stalking may be sealed by a judge. Sealed records are not available to the public. The vital records version of divorce records has its own access rules under RSMo Chapter 193, which limits who can get certified copies.
Note: Filing fees can change, so call (660) 679-5171 to confirm the current cost before you file.
Historical Bates County Divorce Records
Bates County has records going back to 1841. That is nearly 185 years of court history. For genealogy researchers, this means you can trace family divorce records across many generations. The County Clerk also has birth and death records from 1883 to 1889, and the Recorder has marriage records from 1839.
The Missouri State Archives may hold additional materials. Their research room in Jefferson City is open to visitors. Staff can do limited research by phone at (573) 751-3280 or by email at archives@sos.mo.gov. For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays accessible, but other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years. This affects all Missouri counties.
Nearby Counties
Bates County is in western Missouri. These nearby counties have their own divorce records: