Ralls County Divorce Records
Ralls County divorce records go back to 1821, making them some of the oldest court records in Missouri. The Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds office in New London manages all divorce filings, decrees, and related court documents. If you need to find a divorce case, get a copy of a decree, or check on a past filing, the clerk's office at the Ralls County Courthouse is the place to go. You can also search basic case information online through Missouri's Case.net system for more recent filings.
Ralls County Quick Facts
Ralls County Circuit Clerk Office
Circuit Clerk and Recorder Gina Jameson runs the office that keeps all Ralls County divorce records. The office is at the Ralls County Courthouse, 311 South Main Street in New London. You can reach them by mail at PO Box 466, New London, MO 63459. The main phone number is (573) 985-5631. For court fines and tickets, call (573) 985-5633 or (573) 985-5641. For deeds and marriage licenses, the number is (573) 985-5631.
The Missouri Association of Counties directory for Ralls County lists all county office contacts. The County Clerk is at 311 South Main Street, PO Box 400, New London, MO 63459, and can be reached at (573) 985-7111. If you need records from multiple offices, all are in the same courthouse building, which makes it easy to handle several requests in one trip.
| Office | Ralls County Circuit Clerk / Recorder of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Gina Jameson |
| Address | 311 S Main St, New London, MO 63459 |
| Mailing | PO Box 466, New London, MO 63459 |
| Phone | (573) 985-5631 |
| Court/Fines | (573) 985-5633 or (573) 985-5641 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Ralls County official website provides details on all county departments. County Clerk Brandy Flynn handles elections, plat books, and liquor licenses at (573) 985-7111. The Circuit Clerk's office also serves as the Recorder of Deeds, so you can handle divorce record requests and property document needs in the same visit.
Searching Ralls County Divorce Records Online
You can look up Ralls County divorce cases online through Missouri Case.net. This free state system has over 45 million records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties involved, and docket entries. It is available 24 hours a day at no cost.
Some limits apply to online searches. Case.net does not show sealed records, juvenile cases, or expunged files. Older cases filed before the mid-2000s may not be in the system. Ralls County has divorce and court records going all the way back to 1821, but the vast majority of those older files are only available through the clerk's office in New London. If you need records from the 1800s or early 1900s, you will have to contact the office directly or visit in person.
Case.net printouts are not official court documents. They work fine for personal reference, but if you need something for legal use, you must get a certified copy from the Circuit Clerk.
How to Get Ralls County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Ralls County divorce records in person, by mail, or by phone request. To visit in person, go to the courthouse at 311 South Main Street in New London during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. For mail requests, send a written letter to PO Box 466, New London, MO 63459. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.
According to FamilySearch's Ralls County genealogy page, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds has marriage, divorce, court, and land records from 1821. That is over 200 years of records. The County Clerk also has some birth and death records from 1883 to 1886, which can be useful for family research tied to older divorce cases.
Copy fees in Missouri typically range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call (573) 985-5631 to confirm the current fee schedule before you send a mail request. If you need the document for a legal proceeding, ask for a certified copy with the court seal.
Note: Ralls County was created in 1820 from Pike County, so very early records may overlap with Pike County files.
Filing for Divorce in Ralls County
To file for divorce in Ralls County, one spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days. You file the petition with the Circuit Clerk in New London. The Missouri Courts family law forms page has free downloadable forms including the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms for cases involving children.
Each circuit may have local rules beyond the state forms. Check with the Ralls County clerk for any extra documents or steps. Filing fees change from time to time. Call ahead to confirm what you will owe at filing. Uncontested divorces with no children move faster. Cases with custody or property disputes can take much longer to resolve.
Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 offers free legal help for people who qualify based on income. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service if you need help finding an attorney in the area.
Vital Records and Ralls County Divorce Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has records of divorces since July 1, 1948. They issue a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which shows names, date, and county but not the full decree. The fee is $15. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree is accessible but other parts of the file are sealed for 72 years after filing. This affects genealogy research and older case inquiries. The Missouri State Archives may have additional historical materials for Ralls County. Contact them at (573) 751-3280 or archives@sos.mo.gov.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Ralls County, check these neighboring counties: