Ray County Divorce Records Search
Ray County divorce records date back to 1824 and are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Richmond. The 8th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed in Ray County. If you need to find a divorce case, get copies of a decree, or check the status of a filing, you can contact the clerk's office by phone, visit in person, or search online through Missouri's Case.net system. Copies of court documents cost $1 per page, and the staff can help you find exactly what you need.
Ray County Quick Facts
Ray County Circuit Clerk Office
The Ray County Circuit Clerk manages all divorce records for the county. Circuit Clerk Michelle Woods runs the office at 100 West Main Street in Richmond, MO 64085. The criminal and traffic division is on the 3rd floor, and the civil and probate office is on the 2nd floor. For divorce records, you will likely deal with the civil office on the 2nd floor.
The Ray County official website lists all court contact numbers. The civil court clerk line is (816) 776-2335. The criminal court clerk and main Circuit Clerk number is (816) 776-3377. The County Clerk can be reached at (816) 776-4502, and the Recorder of Deeds at (816) 776-4500. If your divorce involved property transfers, the Recorder's office would have those land records on file.
| Office | Ray County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Michelle Woods |
| Address | 100 W Main St, Richmond, MO 64085 |
| Civil/Probate | (816) 776-2335 (2nd Floor) |
| Criminal/Traffic | (816) 776-3377 (3rd Floor) |
| Copy Fee | $1 per page; email copies add $2 plus postage |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Missouri Association of Counties directory for Ray County confirms the clerk's contact details and address. All county offices are in the same courthouse building on West Main Street in Richmond.
Ray County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Ray County divorce cases online through Missouri Case.net. This free tool covers all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, and docket entries. It is available 24 hours a day.
The Missouri Court Records portal for Ray County provides additional information about the Circuit Court. Ray County is part of Missouri's 8th Judicial Circuit. The site confirms that copies cost $1 per page and that email copies come with an additional $2 charge plus postage. This is useful if you can't visit in person but still need documents.
Case.net has limits. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and expunged files won't show up. Older cases may not be in the system. Ray County has divorce records from 1824, but most files from the 1800s are only in the clerk's office. Case.net printouts are informational only and not official court documents.
Getting Ray County Divorce Records
There are several ways to get copies of Ray County divorce records. Visit the courthouse at 100 West Main Street in Richmond during business hours and bring valid photo ID. You can also call (816) 776-2335 for the civil division to ask about a specific case. Mail requests work too. Send a written letter to 100 W Main St, Richmond, MO 64085 with the names of both spouses, approximate divorce date, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.
Copies cost $1 per page at the Ray County clerk's office. If you need documents emailed, there is a $2 surcharge plus postage costs. Certified copies cost extra because the clerk must add the official court seal. For legal proceedings, always request a certified copy. Regular copies work for personal reference or genealogy research.
The state vital records office in Jefferson City issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. This summary shows names, date, and county but not the full decree. For the complete document, you must go through the Ray County Circuit Clerk.
Historical Divorce Records in Ray County
Ray County has some of the older court records in Missouri. According to the Ray County MOGenWeb court records page, divorce records are available from 1824 to present. Circuit Court records with indexes go back to the period from 1821 to 1882. That is a remarkable span of records and a great resource for genealogy researchers.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records from July 1, 1948 onward. Their Certified Statement costs $15 and can be ordered by mail, in person, or online through VitalChek. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for processing.
For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree section stays accessible, but other parts of the case file are sealed for 72 years after filing. The Missouri State Archives may hold additional historical materials for Ray County that can help with older research.
Note: Ray County is close to Kansas City, so some divorces for people living on the Ray County side of the metro area are filed here rather than in Jackson County.
Filing for Divorce in Ray County
One spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days to file for divorce in Ray County. The petition goes to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court. File the paperwork with the Circuit Clerk at the Richmond courthouse. Free divorce forms are available from the Missouri Courts family law forms page.
The forms include a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms for cases with children. Local courts may require extra documents. Check with the Ray County clerk about any specific requirements for the 8th Circuit. Filing fees change, so call ahead to confirm. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 offers free help for income-eligible residents.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Ray County, check these neighboring counties: