Gasconade County Divorce Records
Gasconade County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Hermann. The 20th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases in this county, and records go back to 1821. Whether you need to find a past divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a filing, the clerk's office is the right place to start. You can search online through Missouri's Case.net, visit the courthouse in person at 119 E. 1st Street, or send a request by mail. The clerk's staff can help you find Gasconade County divorce records and let you know about fees for copies.
Gasconade County Quick Facts
Gasconade County Circuit Clerk Office
The Gasconade County Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce records for the county. The office is at 119 E. 1st St. in Hermann. You can call at (573) 486-5427 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 Gasconade County lists contact info for county offices. In Gasconade County, the Presiding Commissioner, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Recorder all share the same address at 119 E. 1st St., Hermann, MO 65041, and the same phone number (573) 486-5427. When you call, ask specifically for the Circuit Clerk if you need divorce records.
| Office | Gasconade County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 119 E. 1st St., Hermann, MO 65041 |
| Phone | (573) 486-5427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Circuit | 20th Judicial Circuit |
Court records in Gasconade County are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. Copy fees apply. Call the clerk for the current cost per page.
Gasconade County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Gasconade County divorce records through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records tool with over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket. Divorce cases from the 20th Judicial Circuit appear in results.
Some limits apply. Case.net does not show juvenile cases, sealed records, or expunged cases. Older cases from before the 1980s may not be in the digital system. For those older Gasconade County divorce records, contact the clerk's office in Hermann. They have files going back to 1821.
Gasconade County shares the 20th Judicial Circuit with Franklin and Osage counties. If you are not sure which county a divorce was filed in, you may want to check all three. Case.net lets you select a specific county from the jurisdiction dropdown.
How to Get Gasconade County Divorce Records
There are a few ways to get copies of Gasconade County divorce records. Visit the courthouse at 119 E. 1st St. in Hermann, or mail a request to the same address. When you ask for a record, have the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce ready. This helps the staff find the right file fast.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Gasconade County Circuit Clerk is the place. 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 in the record. Valid ID is needed, and mail orders from the state require a notarized request. The state fee is $15.
Local clerk fees vary. Call (573) 486-5427 to check the current cost for copies.
Note: Fees can change at any time, so verify the amount before sending a payment.
Filing for Divorce in Gasconade County
To file for divorce in Gasconade County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. The petition goes to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. You file the paperwork with the Circuit Clerk at 119 E. 1st St. in Hermann. The clerk can tell you what forms you need and what the current 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 if children are part of the case. The 20th Circuit may have local rules on top of the state forms. Ask the Gasconade County clerk about any extra steps.
Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid for people who qualify. The Missouri Bar offers a lawyer referral service too. In a smaller county like Gasconade, these resources can be especially helpful since there may be fewer local attorneys.
Vital Records for Gasconade 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 4 to 8 weeks.
The Gasconade-Osage County Health Department is at 300 Schiller St., Hermann, MO 65041. Phone is (573) 486-3129. 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 Gasconade County has genealogy details. Gasconade County was created on November 25, 1820, from Franklin County. The County Clerk has birth and death records from 1883 to 1892. The Circuit Court has divorce records from 1821. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1821. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1821.
Historical Gasconade County Divorce Records
Gasconade County has court and divorce records dating back to 1821. Hermann, the county seat, is well known for its German heritage and is one of Missouri's oldest towns. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have materials. The archives are open to visitors. Staff do limited research by mail. 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. Some sections of older cases are restricted even though the final outcome is public. Keep this in mind for genealogy research into older Gasconade County divorce cases.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Gasconade County, check these neighboring counties: