Lewis County Divorce Records
Lewis County divorce records are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Monticello, the county seat. The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce and family law cases for Lewis County, which it shares with Adair and Knox counties. If you need to search for a divorce filing, request a copy of a decree, or check on a case, the clerk's office is where you go. Lewis County is a small rural county in northeast Missouri, right along the Mississippi River. You can reach the clerk by mail at PO Box 8, Monticello, MO 63457 or by phone at (573) 767-5352 during business hours.
Lewis County Quick Facts
Lewis County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lewis County Circuit Clerk is the custodian of all divorce records in the county. The mailing address is PO Box 8, Monticello, MO 63457. Phone is (573) 767-5352. Staff can search for case files, make copies, and certify documents. The office is open on weekdays during regular hours. Lewis County is one of Missouri's smaller counties, so the clerk's office generally has quick turnaround on requests.
Lewis County shares the 2nd Judicial Circuit with Adair and Knox counties. The same judges hear cases across all three, but each county maintains its own records. If the divorce was filed in Lewis County, the Monticello office has the file. If it was filed in Adair or Knox County, contact those clerks instead.
When making a request, provide both party names and the approximate date. Having a case number helps, but the clerk can search by name. Copy fees vary by county, so call ahead to check rates.
| Office | Lewis County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Mailing | PO Box 8, Monticello, MO 63457 |
| Phone | (573) 767-5352 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Lewis County Divorce Records Online
Missouri Case.net lets you search Lewis County divorce records for free online. The system contains over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show case type, current status, parties, attorneys, and a complete docket. Divorce filings from the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Lewis County appear in the results.
Some records are not in Case.net. Sealed and expunged cases do not show up. Juvenile matters are excluded. Cases with domestic violence may have restricted access. Records before the 1980s are often not in the online system. For older Lewis County divorce records, call the clerk at (573) 767-5352 or send a written request.
Case.net updates in near real-time and is free to use. No account is needed. New filings usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of being entered by the clerk.
Getting Lewis County Divorce Copies
You can request copies of Lewis County divorce records in person at the Monticello courthouse or by mail. Send mail requests to PO Box 8, Monticello, MO 63457. Include both party names, the approximate filing date, and payment. Make checks payable to the Lewis County Circuit Clerk. Call (573) 767-5352 to confirm copy fees before sending your request.
For a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Lewis County Circuit Clerk is the only local source. The state vital records office in Jefferson City issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. That document shows only names, date, and county. It does not have the full decree text. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services processes those requests. Mail to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow 4 to 8 weeks.
Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193) limits who can get certified vital records. You must have a direct and tangible interest. Valid ID and a notarized application are needed for mail orders. Court records like divorce filings are generally public, though sealed portions are off limits by court order.
Divorce Filing Process in Lewis County
To file for divorce in Lewis County, one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for at least 90 days. The petition goes to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Monticello. Missouri is a no-fault state. The only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
Free divorce forms are available from 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 if children are involved. The 2nd Circuit may have local rules beyond the state forms. Check with the Lewis County clerk to be sure your filing is complete.
Legal help is available. The Missouri Bar offers a lawyer referral service. Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal aid at 1-800-829-4128. Lewis County's rural location means some residents may need to look for attorneys in nearby larger communities like Kirksville or Hannibal.
Note: Filing fees can change, so call (573) 767-5352 for the current amount before you file your petition.
Historical Lewis County Divorce Records
Lewis County has court records going back many decades. The Circuit Clerk maintains all divorce filings from across the county's history. For very old records, the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have relevant materials. Staff there do limited research for people who cannot visit in person. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 to inquire.
Missouri started keeping divorce records at the state level on July 1, 1948. Before that, the Lewis County Circuit Clerk in Monticello is the only source. For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays accessible while other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years after filing. This is important for anyone doing genealogy research or looking into older Lewis County cases.
Lewis County sits along the Mississippi River, and some residents historically had connections to Clark and Marion counties nearby. If you can't locate a divorce in Lewis County, the case may have been filed in a neighboring county.
Lewis County Divorce Record Access
Court records are generally public in Missouri under the Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.011). Divorce filings are court records, accessible to the public in most cases. A judge can seal parts of a file if domestic violence or other sensitive matters are at issue. The clerk's office can tell you about any restrictions on a specific file.
Vital records from the state fall under RSMo Chapter 193, which limits who can get certified copies. This applies to the state Certified Statement, not the local court file. The Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law page has more details on public record access in Missouri.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Lewis County, check these neighboring counties: