Bollinger County Divorce Records
Bollinger County divorce records are on file with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marble Hill. The county was created in 1851 from Cape Girardeau, Stoddard, and Wayne counties, and court records date from that time. If you need to find a divorce filing, get a copy of a decree, or check on a case, the clerk's office in Marble Hill is where you go. You can also search for Bollinger County divorce cases through the statewide Case.net system online, or visit the county archives for historical records.
Bollinger County Quick Facts
Bollinger County Circuit Clerk
The Bollinger County Circuit Clerk is the custodian of all divorce records in the county. The courthouse is at 204 High Street in Marble Hill. Mailing address is PO Box 349, Marble Hill, MO 63764. Phone is (573) 238-1970. The office is open weekdays. Staff can pull case files, make copies, and certify divorce documents.
Bollinger County was created on March 1, 1851 from parts of Cape Girardeau, Stoddard, and Wayne counties. The Clerk of the Circuit Court has maintained court records since then. The Registrar holds marriage, divorce, and land records. The Circuit Judge maintains probate records. The County Clerk has older birth and death records from 1882 to 1892. All of these offices are at the Marble Hill courthouse, making it a single stop for multiple record types.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Bollinger County lists all county officials. The Presiding Commissioner is at (573) 238-2512. The County Clerk can be reached at (573) 238-1490. The Recorder of Deeds is at (573) 238-2500.
| Office | Bollinger County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 High St., Marble Hill, MO 63764 |
| Mailing | PO Box 349, Marble Hill, MO 63764 |
| Phone | (573) 238-1970 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Bollinger County Archives for Divorce Records
Bollinger County has a county archives separate from the courthouse. The Bollinger County Archives is at 302 High St., PO Box 536, Marble Hill, MO 63764. Phone is (573) 238-3413, and you can email them at bocoarchives@clas.net. Hours are Monday through Wednesday 8am to 4pm, plus the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8am to 4pm.
This archives can be a good source for older Bollinger County divorce records and related court documents. If the Circuit Clerk's office doesn't have what you need for very old cases, the archives may. Their Saturday hours are helpful if you can't visit during the week. Having both the clerk's office and the archives in Marble Hill means you can check both in one trip.
Searching Bollinger County Divorce Cases Online
Missouri Case.net lets you search for Bollinger County divorce cases from anywhere with internet access. This is a free tool run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. It has over 45 million records covering all 114 Missouri counties. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case type, status, parties, attorneys, and docket entries.
Case.net does not show sealed, expunged, or juvenile cases. Records from before the 1980s may not be in the system. For older Bollinger County divorce records, you will need to call the clerk at (573) 238-1970 or visit the archives. If a divorce case was sealed by a judge for reasons like domestic violence, it won't appear online. The court file in those situations is not available to the public.
The Bollinger County Health Center at 107 Highway 51 North, Marble Hill, MO 63764, phone (573) 238-2817, handles birth and death records but not divorce documents. For divorce records, always contact the Circuit Clerk.
Getting Copies of Bollinger County Divorce Decrees
To get copies of Bollinger County divorce records, visit the courthouse at 204 High St. in Marble Hill. You can also mail a request to PO Box 349, Marble Hill, MO 63764. Include the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. Call (573) 238-1970 to check copy fees before sending a request.
The Circuit Clerk is the only local office that provides certified copies of divorce decrees. The state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City issues a different document, a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce. It shows only names, the date, and the county. Cost is $15 per record. Missouri law under RSMo Section 193.255 limits who can receive certified copies of vital records. You must have a direct and tangible interest. Mail requests need to be notarized under 19 CSR 10-10.
The state has kept divorce records since July 1, 1948. Mail requests to the Bureau go to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks. VitalChek offers phone and online ordering for faster service. Make checks payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Note: For the fastest service, go to the Marble Hill courthouse in person rather than waiting on a mail order.
Filing for Divorce in Bollinger County
To file for divorce in Bollinger County, at least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for 90 days. The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage goes to the circuit court. Free forms are available on the Missouri Courts family law forms page. They include the petition, income and expense forms, property statements, and parenting plans for cases involving children.
The circuit may have local rules that add to the state requirements. Check with the Bollinger County Circuit Clerk before filing. If you need legal help, Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free assistance for qualifying residents. The Missouri Bar offers a lawyer referral service and the Modest Means Program for reduced-fee legal help.
Court records in Missouri are generally public under the Sunshine Law at Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.023. But divorce records involving domestic violence or stalking can be sealed by a judge. Vital records, including the state's divorce certificates, have separate access rules under RSMo Chapter 193. The court file at the clerk's office is public, while the state vital record version is limited to people with direct interest.
Historical Bollinger County Divorce Data
Bollinger County has court records from 1851 when the county was established. The county archives at 302 High St. in Marble Hill holds historical documents that can supplement what the Circuit Clerk has. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may also have Bollinger County materials. Their research room is open to visitors, and staff handle limited research requests at no cost. Call (573) 751-3280 or email archives@sos.mo.gov.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree is accessible but other parts of the file are restricted for 72 years. This statewide rule applies in Bollinger County too. Keep this in mind for genealogy research or when looking into older dissolution cases.
Nearby Counties
Bollinger County is in southeast Missouri. Nearby counties for divorce records include: