Access Howell County Divorce Records
Howell County divorce records are maintained by Circuit Clerk Cynthia Lee at the courthouse in West Plains. The 37th Judicial Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for residents of this county. You can search for records in person, by phone, by mail, or online through Missouri's Case.net portal. The clerk's office has staff who specialize in family court matters, including a Civil and Family Court Supervisor, Crystal Howell. Whether you need a certified copy of a final decree or just want to check if a case exists, the office in West Plains is your primary resource.
Howell County Quick Facts
Howell County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk Cynthia Lee runs the office that stores all Howell County divorce records. The office is part of the 37th Judicial Circuit. It sits at 106 Courthouse in West Plains, MO 65775. You can call (417) 256-3741 or email cynthia.lee@courts.mo.gov. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
The Howell County Circuit Clerk website lists the full staff structure. Crystal Howell is the Civil and Family Court Supervisor. Allyson Bice handles Criminal and Traffic matters. The office is organized into three divisions. Division I covers Circuit Civil, Family Court, and the Juvenile Division. Division II handles Associate Civil, Small Claims, and Probate. Division III handles Associate Criminal and Traffic cases.
| Office | Howell County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Cynthia Lee |
| Address | 106 Courthouse, West Plains, MO 65775 |
| Mailing | PO Box 1011, West Plains, MO 65885 |
| Phone | (417) 256-3741 |
| cynthia.lee@courts.mo.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Howell County lists the Recorder of Deeds at (417) 256-3750. The Recorder has marriage licenses and property records, but divorce decrees are only available from the Circuit Clerk.
Howell County was created from Oregon and Ozark Counties in 1857. Named after Josiah Howell, a pioneer settler. The county courthouse was destroyed during the Civil War in fall 1863, and most records from before that date were lost. The county reorganized in 1866. So while some records go back to the 1860s, the earliest ones are limited.
Howell County Divorce Records Online
Search for Howell County divorce cases at no cost on Missouri Case.net. Select Howell County from the jurisdiction list and enter a litigant name or case number. Case.net has over 45 million records from all Missouri counties. For divorce cases, look for the Family/Domestic case type. The Missouri Court Records page for Howell County also confirms that you can specify "Family/Domestic" in your search query to narrow results.
Online records from pending civil cases are available from May 2006 onward. Older cases may not be in the online system. Case.net shows case numbers, filing dates, parties, docket entries, and case status. It does not let you download copies of the actual divorce decree. For documents, you must contact Clerk Cynthia Lee at (417) 256-3741.
Sealed cases, expunged records, and juvenile matters do not appear on Case.net. If a Howell County judge sealed a divorce case for reasons like domestic violence, those records are not publicly accessible through the online portal.
Requesting Howell County Divorce Copies
Contact the Circuit Clerk at (417) 256-3741 to request copies of Howell County divorce records. You can visit in person at 106 Courthouse in West Plains, call, or send a mail request to PO Box 1011, West Plains, MO 65885. Include the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. A valid photo ID is needed for in-person requests.
The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records can issue a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce that lists names, date, and county only. The fee is $15. Mail your notarized request to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks. Under RSMo Section 193.255, you need a direct and tangible interest in the record to get a certified copy.
The Howell County Health Department at 180 Kentucky Street in West Plains handles birth certificates (since 1920) and death certificates (since 1980), but not divorce records. For divorce decrees, always go through the Circuit Clerk.
Note: The fastest way to get Howell County divorce records is usually to visit the clerk's office in West Plains or call ahead.
Divorce Filing in Howell County
To file for divorce in Howell County, at least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for 90 days. The petition goes to the 37th Judicial Circuit Court. Missouri only permits no-fault divorce. The marriage must be 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 children are involved. The 37th Circuit may have local rules in addition to state requirements. Ask the clerk about any extra documents or steps.
After filing, the other spouse must be served. This can be done by the sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. A waiting period applies before the court can finalize things. Agreed divorces move faster. Contested cases may require mediation or a trial in front of a Howell County judge. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal aid to qualifying residents. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service for finding an attorney in West Plains.
Historical Divorce Records in Howell County
The FamilySearch page for Howell County notes that the Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds has marriage, divorce, court, and land records. The County Clerk kept birth records from 1883 to 1895 and death records from 1883 to 1893. Because the courthouse was destroyed in 1863, most records before that year are gone. The county reorganized in 1866, so the oldest surviving records date from around that time.
The Missouri State Archives may have additional historical materials. Their research room in Jefferson City is open for in-person visits. Staff do limited research for those who cannot visit. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280. For records filed before August 28, 2009, only the final decree is publicly accessible; other portions are sealed for 72 years.
Nearby Counties
Counties surrounding Howell County in southern Missouri: