Laclede County Divorce Records Search
Laclede County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in Lebanon. The 26th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce and family law cases here. If you need to look up a divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a filing, the clerk's office at 200 North Adams Avenue is the right place. Laclede County shares the 26th Circuit with several other counties in south-central Missouri. You can reach the clerk's office at (417) 532-2471 during business hours. Missouri's Case.net system also lets you search for Laclede County divorce cases online at no charge.
Laclede County Quick Facts
Laclede County Circuit Clerk Office
The Laclede County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records and court filings for the 26th Judicial Circuit. The office is at 200 N Adams Ave in Lebanon. The phone number is (417) 532-2471. Staff can pull case files, make copies, and certify documents for legal purposes. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours. A quick phone call ahead of time can confirm whether the file you need is ready.
Laclede County shares the 26th Circuit with Miller, Camden, Morgan, and Moniteau counties. The same judges rotate through these counties, but each county clerk maintains its own records. If your divorce was filed in Laclede County, the Lebanon office has the file. If it was filed in one of the other 26th Circuit counties, you need that county's clerk.
When making a record request, provide both party names and the approximate date of the divorce. A case number speeds up the search. Copy fees vary, so call ahead to check current rates before sending any payment.
| Office | Laclede County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N Adams Ave, Lebanon, MO 65536 |
| Phone | (417) 532-2471 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Laclede County Divorce Cases Online
You can search for Laclede County divorce records on Missouri Case.net. This free database holds over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results include case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a full docket of events. Divorce filings from the 26th Judicial Circuit in Laclede County show up in these results.
Case.net does not show everything. Sealed cases, expunged records, and juvenile matters are excluded. Cases with domestic violence issues may have restricted access. Records from before the 1980s may not be in the online system. For older Laclede County divorce records, call the clerk at (417) 532-2471.
The system updates in near real-time. New filings usually appear within 24 to 48 hours. You do not need an account to use Case.net. Just go to the site, select your search method, and enter the details.
Getting Laclede County Divorce Copies
For certified copies of divorce decrees, the Laclede County Circuit Clerk is the local source. Request copies in person at the Lebanon courthouse or by mail. Include both party names, the approximate date, and payment. Make checks payable to the Laclede County Circuit Clerk. Call (417) 532-2471 to confirm current copy fees before sending your request.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. This document only lists names, date, and county. It does not contain the full decree. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks. For the actual decree with all terms, go through the Laclede County clerk.
Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193) limits who can get certified copies of vital records. You must show a direct and tangible interest in the record. Valid ID is required, and mail requests need a notarized application. Court records like divorce filings are generally public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, though sealed portions are off limits.
Divorce Filing in Laclede County
At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days to file in Laclede County. The petition goes to the 26th Judicial Circuit Court in Lebanon. Missouri is no-fault, so you only need to show the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
The Missouri Courts family law forms page offers free divorce forms for download. The package includes a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms if children are involved. The 26th Circuit may have additional local rules. Check with the Laclede County clerk before filing to make sure your paperwork is complete.
Legal aid is available for those who need it. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service. Legal Services of Missouri gives free help to people who meet income requirements. Their hotline number is 1-800-829-4128.
Note: Filing fees change over time, so call (417) 532-2471 for the current amount before you file.
Historical Laclede County Divorce Records
Laclede County has maintained court records for many decades. The Circuit Clerk keeps all divorce filings from across the county's history. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have materials. Staff there do limited research for people who cannot visit. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280.
The state started keeping divorce records at the state level on July 1, 1948. Before that date, the Laclede County Circuit Clerk in Lebanon is the only source. For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays open while other sections are sealed for 72 years. Genealogy researchers should keep this in mind.
Laclede County Record Access Rights
Court records are generally public in Missouri. The Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.011) says government records should be open. Divorce filings are court records, so they are accessible in most cases. Judges can seal parts of a file if domestic violence or other sensitive matters are involved.
Vital records from the state fall under different rules. RSMo Chapter 193 restricts who can get certified copies. This applies to the state-level Certified Statement, not the local court file. If you have trouble getting a Laclede County divorce record, the Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law page explains your access rights.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from counties near Laclede County, check these neighbors: