Lafayette County Divorce Records
Lafayette County divorce records are on file with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Lexington. The 15th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce and family law cases for this county. If you need a copy of a divorce decree, want to search for a case, or need to check on a filing, the clerk's office is your primary resource. Lafayette County sits east of the Kansas City metro area in west-central Missouri. You can reach the clerk by mail at PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067 or by phone at (660) 259-6101. Online case searches are also available through Missouri's Case.net at no cost.
Lafayette County Quick Facts
Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lafayette County Circuit Clerk maintains all divorce records for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The mailing address is PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067. Phone is (660) 259-6101. Staff handle record requests, copy orders, and document certifications. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling first can help make sure the file is pulled and ready.
Lafayette County shares the 15th Judicial Circuit with Saline County. Judges rotate between the two counties, but each county clerk keeps its own records. If the divorce was filed in Lafayette County, the Lexington office has the case file. For cases in Saline County, you would contact that clerk instead.
When you request a record, have the full names of both spouses and the approximate filing date ready. A case number makes the search go faster. The clerk's staff can search by name if no case number is available. Copy fees vary, so call ahead for current rates.
| Office | Lafayette County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing | PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067 |
| Phone | (660) 259-6101 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Lafayette County Divorce Records Online
Missouri Case.net lets you search Lafayette County divorce records from any device. The free database contains over 45 million case records across all 114 Missouri counties. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show case type, current status, parties involved, attorneys of record, and a docket of everything that happened in the case. Divorce filings from the 15th Judicial Circuit in Lafayette County appear in the search results.
Case.net does have limits. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile cases are excluded. Cases involving domestic violence may be restricted. Records before the 1980s are often not in the system. For older Lafayette County divorce records, call (660) 259-6101 or visit the Lexington courthouse.
Note: Case.net is for search and viewing only. You cannot get certified copies through the website.
Copies of Lafayette County Divorce Records
You can request copies of Lafayette County divorce records in person, by mail, or by phone. For mail requests, send to PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067. Include both party names, the approximate date, and payment. Make checks payable to the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk. Call (660) 259-6101 for current copy fees.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Lafayette County Circuit Clerk is the only local source. The state vital records office issues a different document. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. That statement shows only names, date, and county. It does not include the decree itself. Mail those requests to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow 4 to 8 weeks by mail.
Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are restricted. Only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies. You need valid ID and a notarized application for mail requests. Court records are generally public, but sealed parts of a divorce file are off limits. The Missouri Sunshine Law covers your general rights to public records.
Filing for Divorce in Lafayette County
To file for divorce in Lafayette County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. The petition goes to the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in Lexington. Missouri uses a no-fault system. You only need to state that the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No proof of fault is required.
Free forms are on the Missouri Courts family law forms page. The package includes a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan. The 15th Circuit may have local rules beyond the state forms. Check with the Lafayette County clerk before you file to make sure everything is in order.
If you need legal help, the Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service. Legal Services of Missouri gives free legal aid to qualifying individuals. Their hotline is 1-800-829-4128. Lafayette County's location near the Kansas City area means there are many family law attorneys in the region.
Historical Lafayette County Divorce Records
Lafayette County has a long history of court records. The Circuit Clerk maintains divorce case files going back many decades. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have useful materials. Staff do limited free research for people who cannot visit in person. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 to ask about Lafayette County records.
The state started keeping divorce records at the state level on July 1, 1948. Before that, the only source for Lafayette County divorce records is the local clerk in Lexington. For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays open while other sections are sealed for 72 years after the filing date.
Researchers looking into Lafayette County family history should try Case.net first for anything from the 1980s forward, then contact the clerk for older files. The state archives may also have microfilm of historical court records from this region.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Lafayette County, check these neighboring counties: