Clinton County Divorce Records
Clinton County divorce records are on file with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Plattsburg. The 43rd Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in this county, and records go back to 1833. If you need to find a past divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a filing status, the clerk's office is the first place to go. You can search online through Missouri's Case.net, visit in person, or send a mail request. Staff at the clerk's office can help you find Clinton County divorce records and let you know about the fees for copies.
Clinton County Quick Facts
Clinton County Circuit Clerk Office
The Clinton County Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce records for the county. The office is at 207 N. Main in Plattsburg. You can call at (816) 539-4903 for help with record requests. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours. The clerk handles court filings, case records, and certified copies of divorce decrees. Staff here deal with divorce filings and record lookups on a regular basis.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Clinton County lists contact info for all county offices. The County Clerk is at 207 N. Main, phone (816) 539-3713. The Recorder of Deeds is at PO Box 275, phone (816) 539-3719. The Presiding Commissioner can be reached at PO Box 445, phone (816) 539-2195. For divorce records, you want the Circuit Clerk specifically.
| Office | Clinton County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 207 N. Main, Plattsburg, MO 64477 |
| Phone | (816) 539-4903 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Circuit | 43rd Judicial Circuit |
Court records in Clinton County are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. Copy fees apply for document requests. Call the clerk for the current per-page cost.
Clinton County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Clinton County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records search tool with over 45 million case records from all Missouri counties. Look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket. Divorce cases from the 43rd Judicial Circuit will show up in the results.
Some limits apply. Case.net does not show juvenile cases, sealed records, or expunged cases. Cases filed before the 1980s may not be in the digital system. For older Clinton County divorce records, contact the clerk's office in Plattsburg directly. They have files going back to 1833.
Clinton County shares the 43rd Judicial Circuit with Caldwell and Daviess counties. If you are not sure which county a divorce was filed in, you may want to search all three. Case.net lets you narrow your search by county.
How to Get Clinton County Divorce Records
There are a few ways to get copies. Visit the courthouse at 207 N. Main in Plattsburg, or mail a request to the same address. When you ask for a record, provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. This makes it easier for the staff to locate the right file.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Clinton 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 document shows names, date, and county but does not have the full decree text. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records access is limited to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record. You need valid ID and a notarized request for mail orders from the state. The state fee is $15.
Local fees at the Clinton County clerk's office can vary. Call (816) 539-4903 to check the current cost for copies.
Filing for Divorce in Clinton County
To file for divorce in Clinton County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. The petition goes to the 43rd Judicial Circuit Court. You file the paperwork with the Circuit Clerk at 207 N. Main in Plattsburg.
Missouri Courts provide free divorce forms on the Missouri Courts family law forms page. The forms include a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms if children are involved. Check with the Clinton County clerk for any local rules or extra documents needed.
Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid for people who qualify. The Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service as well. These can help if you need guidance on the filing process.
Note: Filing fees vary and can change, so call the clerk for the most current amount before you file.
Vital Records for Clinton County
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 Clinton County Health Department is at 106 Bush, Plattsburg, MO 64477. Phone is (816) 539-2144. 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 Clinton County has genealogy details. Clinton County was created on January 2, 1833, from Clay and Ray counties. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1893. The Circuit Court has divorce and court records from 1833. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1833. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1833.
Historical Clinton County Divorce Records
Clinton County has court and divorce records dating back to 1833. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives may have materials. The archives in Jefferson City are open to visitors. You can email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 to ask about specific Clinton County divorce records.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays accessible, but other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years after filing. This means some sections of older cases are restricted even though the final outcome is public. Keep this in mind for genealogy research into older Clinton County divorce cases.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Clinton County, check these neighboring counties: