Hickory County Divorce Record Search
Hickory County divorce records go back to 1858 and are stored at the courthouse in Hermitage. The 30th Judicial Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage filings here. Circuit Clerk Cee Cee Smith runs the office that manages these records. You can search for divorce cases in person at the courthouse, by mail, or by checking the state's Case.net system for basic case information. Whether you want a copy of a final decree or need to verify if a case was filed, the clerk's office in Hermitage is the starting point for any Hickory County divorce record request.
Hickory County Quick Facts
Hickory County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Cee Cee Smith is the official custodian of all divorce records in Hickory County. Her office is at the Hickory County Courthouse, 23645 Polk Street, Suite 201, in Hermitage. The mailing address is PO Box 345, Hermitage, MO 65668. You can reach the office by phone at (417) 745-6421 or by fax at (417) 745-6670.
The clerk's office has marriage records from 1872 and divorce and court records from 1858. Hickory County was created on February 14, 1845, from Benton and Polk Counties. The county was named after Andrew Jackson's nickname, "Old Hickory." Some of the earliest records were lost or damaged, which is why divorce records start from 1858 rather than the county's founding date.
| Office | Hickory County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Cee Cee Smith |
| Address | 23645 Polk Street, Suite 201, Hermitage, MO 65668 |
| Mailing | PO Box 345, Hermitage, MO 65668 |
| Phone | (417) 745-6421 |
| Fax | (417) 745-6670 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Hickory County lists the County Clerk at PO Box 3, Hermitage, and the Recorder at PO Box 101, Hermitage, with a phone number of (417) 745-6833. The Recorder handles marriage licenses and property records, not divorce records.
Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the courthouse. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and provide copies for a fee.
Hickory County Divorce Records Online
Missouri Case.net lets you search for Hickory County divorce cases at no cost. Select Hickory County from the jurisdiction list and enter a litigant's name. Case.net has over 45 million records from all Missouri counties. You can find case numbers, filing dates, case types, status, parties, and docket entries. Divorce cases in the 30th Judicial Circuit show up when you search by the family/domestic case type.
Online records vary by filing date. Cases filed after May 2006 tend to have more complete information. Older cases may have limited data or may not appear at all. Sealed records and expunged cases are not visible on Case.net. If you need a copy of the actual divorce decree, Case.net cannot provide that. You must go through the Hickory County Circuit Clerk for documents.
How to Request Hickory County Divorce Documents
For a full divorce decree from Hickory County, contact the Circuit Clerk at (417) 745-6421 or visit the courthouse in Hermitage. You can also mail a request to PO Box 345, Hermitage, MO 65668. Include the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. Ask about fees when you call or write.
If you just need basic confirmation that a divorce took place, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues Certified Statements Relating to Divorce. These show the names, date, and county only. The fee is $15, and mail requests to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 must be notarized. Under RSMo Section 193.255, you need a direct and tangible interest in the record to get a certified copy. Processing takes about 4 to 8 weeks by mail.
The FamilySearch page for Hickory County is a helpful resource for genealogists looking into older divorce records. It lists what types of records exist and where they are held. Probate records from 1845 are also available through the probate judge's office.
Note: For records filed before August 28, 2009, only the final decree section is publicly accessible; other parts are sealed for 72 years.
Divorce Filing in Hickory County
Filing for divorce in Hickory County requires that at least one spouse has lived in Missouri for 90 days. The petition goes to the 30th Judicial Circuit Court. Missouri only allows no-fault divorce. You must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Download free forms from the Missouri Courts family law page. The forms include a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan when kids are involved. The 30th Circuit may have local rules, so check with Clerk Cee Cee Smith about anything extra you need to file.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse. This can be done through the sheriff, a process server, or certified mail. The court requires a waiting period before finalizing. Agreed cases move faster than contested ones. If the parties can't agree, the case may go to mediation or a trial in Hickory County.
Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal help to people with limited income. Call 1-800-829-4128 for intake. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service if you want to hire an attorney for your Hickory County divorce.
Historical Records in Hickory County
Hickory County's divorce records stretch back to 1858. The Missouri State Archives may hold additional historical materials. Their research room in Jefferson City is open to visitors, and staff do limited research by request. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280. Records from before the Case.net era are not available online and require a direct request to the clerk's office.
Marriage records in Hickory County start from 1872. The County Clerk also kept birth records from 1883 to 1893. If you are tracing family history, these overlapping record sets can give you a fuller picture of events in the county.
Nearby Counties
Counties near Hickory County that may hold related divorce records: