Lincoln County Divorce Records Search
Lincoln County divorce records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Troy. The 45th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce filings and family law cases for the county. Lincoln County has been one of the faster-growing counties in Missouri due to its location near the St. Louis metro area. 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 at 45 Business Park Drive is the primary resource. You can call (636) 528-6300 ext 253 during business hours or look up cases on Missouri's Case.net.
Lincoln County Quick Facts
Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Office
The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records for the 45th Judicial Circuit. The office is at 45 Business Park Dr in Troy. Phone is (636) 528-6300 ext 253. Staff can pull case files, process copy requests, and certify documents for legal use. Walk-in visits work during business hours. A phone call first can save time if you need a specific file pulled.
The 45th Judicial Circuit covers Lincoln County along with Pike County. Judges rotate between the two counties, but each clerk maintains its own case files. If the divorce was filed in Lincoln County, the Troy office has the record. Pike County cases would be at that county's clerk instead.
Lincoln County has grown significantly in recent years. More residents means more court filings. The clerk's office handles a higher volume of cases than many other rural Missouri counties. Having both party names and the approximate date ready helps the staff find your file efficiently.
| Office | Lincoln County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 45 Business Park Dr, Troy, MO 63379 |
| Phone | (636) 528-6300 ext 253 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Lincoln County Divorce Records Online
You can search Lincoln County divorce records through Missouri Case.net. This free database has over 45 million records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show case type, status, parties, attorneys, and a docket of everything that happened. Divorce cases from the 45th Judicial Circuit in Lincoln County appear in the results.
Not every record shows on Case.net. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile cases are excluded. Cases with domestic violence components may be restricted. Records from before the 1980s are often not in the system. For older Lincoln County divorce records, call (636) 528-6300 ext 253 or visit the Troy courthouse in person.
Case.net is free and needs no account. It updates in near real-time, with new filings appearing within a day or two. The system works on any device with internet access.
Getting Lincoln County Divorce Copies
The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk provides copies of divorce records in person and by mail. For mail requests, send to 45 Business Park Dr, Troy, MO 63379. Include both party names, the approximate filing date, and payment. Make checks payable to the Lincoln County Circuit Clerk. Call to confirm current fees before sending.
For certified copies of the actual decree, the Lincoln County clerk is the only local source. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. That document lists only names, date, and county. It doesn't include the full decree. Mail those requests to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are not public. Only those with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies. Valid ID and a notarized application are required for mail orders. Court records are generally accessible, but sealed portions are restricted by court order.
Note: The state charges $15 per record and $15 for each additional copy of the same record.
Filing for Divorce in Lincoln County
At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days to file in Lincoln County. The petition goes to the 45th Judicial Circuit Court in Troy. Missouri is no-fault. The only ground needed is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
The Missouri Courts family law forms page has free divorce forms for download. These include a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan. The 45th Circuit may have local requirements. Check with the Lincoln County clerk before filing to make sure everything is in order.
Legal aid options include the Missouri Bar lawyer referral service and Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128. Lincoln County's nearness to the St. Louis area means there are many family law attorneys available in the region. Troy itself has local legal professionals who handle cases in the 45th Circuit regularly.
Historical Lincoln County Divorce Records
Lincoln County has maintained court records for many years. 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 useful materials. Staff do limited research for those who cannot visit. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280.
The state began keeping divorce records centrally on July 1, 1948. Before that, the Lincoln County clerk in Troy is the sole source. For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree stays accessible while other file sections are sealed for 72 years.
Lincoln County's growth means newer records far outnumber the older ones. The clerk's office processes an increasing number of divorce filings each year. Case.net is the best starting point for any case from the 1980s forward. Contact the clerk for anything older.
Lincoln County Public Records Access
Court records in Missouri are generally public under the Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.011). Divorce filings fall under court records and are accessible to the public. A judge can seal parts of a file when domestic violence or other sensitive issues are involved. The clerk's office at (636) 528-6300 ext 253 can tell you about any restrictions on a specific case.
The Missouri Attorney General's Sunshine Law page explains your rights to public records. Vital records from the state (RSMo Chapter 193) have different, stricter rules than court records.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Lincoln County, check these neighboring counties: