Search Franklin County Divorce Records
Franklin County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Union. The 20th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed here, and records go back to 1819. That makes Franklin County one of the oldest record collections in the state. If you need to look up a divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a filing, you can search online through Missouri's Case.net, visit the clerk's office in person at 300 E. Main Street, or send a request by mail. The clerk's staff can help you with Franklin County divorce records and explain fees for copies.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Circuit Clerk Office
The Franklin County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all divorce records in the county. The office is at 300 E. Main St. in Union. You can call at (636) 583-6355 for record requests. Walk-in visits work during business hours. The clerk handles court filings, case records, and certified copies of divorce decrees. Franklin County is one of the larger counties west of St. Louis, so the clerk's office handles a significant volume of cases.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Franklin County lists contact information for county offices. The County Clerk, Presiding Commissioner, and Recorder are at 400 E. Locust St. The Circuit Clerk is at 300 E. Main St. The phone number (636) 583-6355 is shared among several offices.
| Office | Franklin County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. Main St., Union, MO 63084 |
| Phone | (636) 583-6355 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Circuit | 20th Judicial Circuit |
Court records in Franklin County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.010. Copy fees apply for document requests. Call the clerk for the current cost per page.
Franklin County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Franklin County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records tool with over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. Look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket of events. Divorce cases from the 20th Judicial Circuit will appear in the results.
Some limits apply. Case.net does not include juvenile cases, sealed records, or expunged cases. Cases filed before the 1980s may not be in the digital system. For those older Franklin County divorce records, contact the clerk's office in Union. They have files going all the way back to 1819.
Franklin County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Gasconade and Osage 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.
Getting Franklin County Divorce Records
There are a few ways to get copies of Franklin County divorce records. Visit the courthouse at 300 E. Main St. in Union, or send a mail request. When you ask for a record, have the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. This helps the staff find the right file.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Franklin 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 not the full decree. 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 from the state. The state fee is $15.
Local fees at the Franklin County clerk's office can vary. Call (636) 583-6355 to check the current cost for copies at the courthouse.
Filing for Divorce in Franklin County
To file for divorce in Franklin County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. You file the petition with the Circuit Clerk at 300 E. Main St. in Union. The clerk can tell you what forms are needed and what the current filing fee is.
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. The 20th Circuit may have local rules. Check with the Franklin County clerk for any extra steps or documents.
Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid for people who qualify based on income. The Missouri Bar also offers a lawyer referral service. Franklin County is close enough to the St. Louis metro that there are many attorneys available in the area as well.
Note: Filing fees can change, so call the clerk's office for the most current amount before you file.
Vital Records for Franklin County
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records reported since July 1, 1948. You can order a Certified Statement by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. The fee is $15 per record. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
The Franklin County Health Department is at 15 South Oak Street, Union, MO 63084. Phone is (314) 583-7300. 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 Franklin County lists records for genealogy research. Franklin County was created on December 11, 1818, from St. Louis County. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1891. The Circuit Court has divorce records from 1819. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1819. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1819.
Historical Franklin County Divorce Records
Franklin County has court and divorce records dating back to 1819. That is one of the very oldest collections in Missouri. For records from that era, the Missouri State Archives may have materials that help. The archives in Jefferson City are open to visitors. Staff do limited research by mail or email. Contact 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. This means some sections of older cases are restricted. Keep this in mind when researching older Franklin County divorce cases.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Franklin County, check these neighboring counties: