Access Clark County Divorce Records
Clark County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Kahoka. The 1st Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in the county, and records go back to 1837. Whether you need to find a past divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or check on a filing, the clerk's office is your starting point. You can search online through Missouri's Case.net, visit in person, or send a request by mail. The clerk's staff can help you find divorce records in Clark County and tell you about fees for copies.
Clark County Quick Facts
Clark County Circuit Clerk Office
The Clark County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce records in the county. The office is at PO Box 10, Kahoka, MO 63445. The courthouse itself is at 111 E. Court St. in Kahoka. You can call at (660) 727-3292 for help with record requests. Walk-in visits are welcome during weekday business hours. The clerk handles court filings, case records, and certified copies of divorce decrees.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Clark County lists contact info for county offices. In Clark County, the County Clerk and Circuit Clerk share the same mailing address at PO Box 10. The Recorder is also at PO Box 10, phone (660) 727-3280. The Presiding Commissioner can be reached at PO Box 188, phone (660) 727-3280.
| Office | Clark County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 E. Court St., Kahoka, MO 63445 |
| Mailing | PO Box 10, Kahoka, MO 63445 |
| Phone | (660) 727-3292 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit |
Court records in Clark County are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.010. Copy fees may apply when you request documents. The clerk can tell you the exact cost per page.
Clark County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Clark County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records search tool with over 45 million case records. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket. Divorce cases filed in the 1st Judicial Circuit show up in the results.
There are some limits. Case.net does not show juvenile cases, sealed records, or expunged cases. Cases from before the 1980s may not be in the digital system. For older Clark County divorce records, you need to contact the clerk's office in Kahoka directly. They have records going back to 1837.
Clark County is a small, rural county in the northeast corner of Missouri. The 1st Judicial Circuit serves this area. Being a smaller county, the clerk's office may have more time to help you with your search than bigger urban offices.
How to Get Clark County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Clark County divorce records a few ways. Visit the courthouse at 111 E. Court St. in Kahoka, or mail a request to PO Box 10, Kahoka, MO 63445. When you ask for a record, provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. This helps the staff locate the right file.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Clark County Circuit Clerk is the place to get it. The state vital records office in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce. That shows names, date, and county but not the full decree text. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records access is limited to people with a direct and tangible interest. You need valid ID and a notarized request for mail orders. The state fee is $15.
Local clerk fees can vary. Call (660) 727-3292 to check the current cost for copies at the Clark County courthouse.
Filing for Divorce in Clark County
To file for divorce in Clark County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. You file the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Kahoka. The clerk can tell you what forms are needed and what the filing fee is.
Missouri Courts provide free divorce forms on 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 children are involved. The 1st Circuit may have local rules on top of the state forms, so ask the Clark County clerk about any extra steps.
Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid for people who qualify. In a rural county like Clark, this service can be especially valuable since there may be fewer local attorneys to choose from.
Note: Filing fees can change, so call the clerk's office for the most current amount before you file.
Vital Records and Clark County Divorce Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records reported since July 1, 1948. Their Certified Statement costs $15. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes about 4 to 8 weeks.
The Clark County Health Department is at 670 North Johnson, P.O. Box 12, Kahoka, MO 63445. Phone is (660) 727-2356. They handle birth and death certificates but do not issue divorce records. For divorce decrees, always go to the Circuit Clerk.
The FamilySearch page for Clark County lists records available for genealogy research. Clark County was created on December 16, 1836, from Lewis County. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1892. The Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce and court records from 1837. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1837. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1837.
Historical Clark County Divorce Records
Clark County has court and divorce records dating back to 1837. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives may have materials that help. The archives in Jefferson City are open to visitors, and staff do limited research for people who can't visit. You can email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree section stays accessible, but other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years after filing. Some sections of older cases are restricted even though the final outcome is public. Keep this in mind for genealogy research into older Clark County divorce cases.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Clark County, check these neighboring counties: