Find Callaway County Divorce Records
Callaway County divorce records date back to 1821, making them some of the oldest court files in Missouri. The Circuit Clerk in Fulton manages all divorce case documents for the 13th Judicial Circuit. You can search Callaway County divorce records through the online Case.net portal or visit the courthouse on East 5th Street in Fulton. The clerk handles requests for copies of divorce decrees, petitions, and other court papers. If you need records from Callaway County for a legal matter, name change, or family research, the clerk office is your main source.
Callaway County Quick Facts
Callaway County Circuit Clerk Office
The Callaway County Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce records for the 13th Judicial Circuit. The office is at 10 E. 5th St. in Fulton. Staff at this office process new divorce filings, maintain case files, and hand out copies of documents to anyone who asks. Callaway County was formed in 1820 from Montgomery County, and divorce records have been kept since 1821. That is over 200 years of court files stored at the Fulton courthouse.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Callaway County shows the full list of county officials and their contact details.
This listing confirms the Circuit Clerk address, phone number, and other Callaway County office details for people seeking divorce records.
| Office | Callaway County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address |
10 E. 5th St. Fulton, MO 65251 |
| Phone | (573) 642-0785 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Other offices at the Callaway County courthouse include the County Clerk at (573) 642-2222 and the Recorder of Deeds at (573) 642-0787. The Recorder keeps marriage records and land records from 1821. If you need both marriage and divorce records for the same couple, you may need to visit two different offices in the same building.
Search Callaway County Divorce Records Online
The fastest way to look up Callaway County divorce records is through Case.net, the state court records system. Case.net covers all 114 Missouri counties. Pick "Callaway" from the county list, then search by name or case number. You will see the case type, file date, current status, and a log of every action taken. Case.net does not show full document images, but it tells you what papers are in the file.
Case.net has records going back to the 1980s for most counties. For older Callaway County divorce records, you need to contact the clerk in Fulton directly. The system is free to use and works on any device with a web browser. Search results update within 24 to 48 hours of a new filing.
To get copies of the actual documents, you must go through the Callaway County Circuit Clerk. You can visit in person at 10 E. 5th St. in Fulton or call (573) 642-0785 to ask about mail requests. Bring a photo ID for in-person visits. The clerk charges a fee for each copy. Certified copies cost more but are needed for legal purposes such as proving a divorce in another court or changing your name on official documents.
Callaway County Divorce Filing Steps
To file for divorce in Callaway County, you submit a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to the Circuit Clerk in Fulton. Under RSMo 452.300, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before you can file. The case goes to the county where you or your spouse lives. If you both live in Callaway County, you file here in Fulton.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse. The Callaway County Sheriff can handle service, or you can use a private process server or certified mail. Once service is complete, proof gets filed with the court. Missouri only allows no-fault divorce. Under RSMo 452.305, the sole ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. There is a 30-day wait after filing before the court can grant the divorce.
If both sides agree on property, custody, and support, the divorce can be finished quickly after the waiting period. Contested cases take longer. The judge may order mediation first. All papers filed in the case become part of the permanent record at the Callaway County courthouse.
Note: The 13th Judicial Circuit includes Callaway and Boone counties, so judges may rotate between the two courthouses.
What Callaway County Divorce Files Contain
Divorce records in Callaway County include every document filed during the case. The petition states what the filing spouse wants. The response comes from the other side. If the couple reached a deal, the settlement agreement lays out how they split property, handle debts, and arrange custody. The final decree is the judge's order that ends the marriage. This is the paper most people request from the Callaway County clerk.
A typical Callaway County divorce file contains the names and addresses of both parties, the date of the marriage, the date of separation, property division terms, child custody and support orders if children are involved, and any spousal maintenance amounts. The decree may also include a name restoration order if one spouse asked to go back to a prior name.
Under Missouri law, divorce court records are generally open to the public. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some files or parts of files may be sealed, especially those involving abuse or minor children. Sealed records are not available for public viewing. The Missouri Sunshine Law supports public access to government records, though vital records like divorce certificates have their own rules under Chapter 193 of the Missouri Revised Statutes.
State Resources for Callaway Divorce Records
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues Certified Statements Relating to Divorce. These are not the same as the full decree. A statement only shows the names of both spouses, the divorce date, and the county. It costs $15 per copy. The state has these on file for divorces since July 1948. You can order by mail or through VitalChek online.
For the full decree with all the details, contact the Callaway County Circuit Clerk. The state office in Jefferson City does not have copies of the actual court documents. If you are not sure which county the divorce was in, the state statement can help confirm that before you contact the right clerk office.
If you need a lawyer for a divorce in Callaway County, the Missouri Bar Association has a lawyer search by practice area and location. Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Call 1-800-829-4128 for their intake line.
Historical Callaway County Court Records
Callaway County holds some of the oldest records in Missouri. The county formed in 1820 and began keeping divorce records in 1821. These early files are stored at the courthouse in Fulton. The County Clerk also has birth records from 1883 to 1888 and death records from the same period. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage records from 1821. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1821 as well.
For genealogy research involving Callaway County divorce records, the FamilySearch wiki page lists what types of records exist and where they are held. Some older records have been microfilmed and may be available through libraries or research centers. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City also holds some historical records, though you may need to submit a research request or visit their reading room.
Nearby Counties
These counties are next to Callaway County. Make sure you file in the county where you live. The court must have jurisdiction for the case to proceed under Missouri law.