Search Reynolds County Divorce Records
Reynolds County divorce records are held at the courthouse in Centerville by the combined Circuit Clerk-Recorder office. Records in this county go back to 1872, giving you over 150 years of case files to search through. Whether you need a copy of a divorce decree, want to look up a past filing, or plan to start a new case, the clerk's office in Centerville is the place to go. You can also use Missouri's Case.net system to search for more recent Reynolds County divorce cases from your computer at home. The staff can walk you through the process and help you find what you need.
Reynolds County Quick Facts
Reynolds County Circuit Clerk Office
The Reynolds County Circuit Clerk-Recorder handles all divorce records for the county. This is a combined office, which means one person manages both circuit court filings and recorded documents. The office is located at the courthouse on Courthouse Square in Centerville. You can reach them by mail at PO Box 39, Centerville, MO 63633-0039. The phone number is (573) 648-2494 ext 34. Call ahead to check hours before you visit since small county offices sometimes have limited schedules.
The Missouri Association of Counties directory for Reynolds County lists all county offices and their contact details. The County Clerk can be reached at a separate extension, (573) 648-2494 ext 12, and the Recorder at the main number. Reynolds County was created on February 25, 1845, from Shannon County. The clerk has birth records from 1883 as well as marriage, divorce, probate, and court records going back to 1872.
| Office | Reynolds County Circuit Clerk-Recorder |
|---|---|
| Address | Courthouse Square, Centerville, MO 63633 |
| Mailing | PO Box 39, Centerville, MO 63633-0039 |
| Phone | (573) 648-2494 ext 34 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Court records in Reynolds County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.010. The clerk charges fees for copies of documents. Call (573) 648-2494 ext 34 for current copy costs before making a trip to Centerville.
Searching Reynolds County Divorce Cases Online
You can search for Reynolds County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's official court records database. It holds over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Divorce cases filed in Reynolds County will appear in search results along with the case type, status, parties, and docket entries.
Case.net works well for cases filed from the 1980s forward. Older Reynolds County divorce records are not in the system. For anything filed before that era, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly. The system does not show sealed, expunged, or juvenile cases either. If a Reynolds County divorce was sealed by a judge, it won't come up in the search results.
Reynolds County has divorce and court records dating all the way back to 1872. That is a deep set of files. The Recorder of Deeds also holds land records from 1845 when the county was first formed. For older divorce records that are not online, call or write the clerk's office. Provide the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce to help staff find the right file.
Note: Cases filed before August 28, 2009 have restrictions where only the final decree is accessible and other portions are sealed for 72 years.
How to Get Reynolds County Divorce Records
There are a few ways to get copies of Reynolds County divorce records. You can go in person to the courthouse in Centerville. You can also send a written request by mail to PO Box 39, Centerville, MO 63633-0039. Include the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. A self-addressed stamped envelope speeds up the process.
If you need a certified copy of the actual divorce decree, the Reynolds County Circuit Clerk-Recorder is the only local source. The state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which shows names, date, and county but not the full terms of the decree. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are not open to the general public. Only individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record can get certified copies, and they must submit a notarized application.
The Missouri Divorce Certificate information page explains how divorce decrees can be obtained from the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted. The Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 has divorce records from July 1948 to the present. That state-level option is helpful when you don't know which county the divorce was filed in.
Filing for Divorce in Reynolds County
To file for divorce in Reynolds County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. You file the petition at the Circuit Clerk-Recorder office in Centerville. Missouri is a no-fault state, so you do not need to prove wrongdoing. The sole ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
The Missouri Courts family law forms page has free divorce forms you can download. The package includes the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms if children are involved. Reynolds County may have additional local rules on top of the state forms. Check with the clerk's office about any extra requirements specific to this county.
Filing fees vary by county and can change over time. Call (573) 648-2494 ext 34 for the current filing fee in Reynolds County. If you cannot afford the fee, you may file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with proof of your financial situation. The judge decides whether to waive the cost.
Vital Records and Reynolds County Divorce Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services maintains records of divorces reported since July 1, 1948. You can order a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce by mail, in person in Jefferson City, or through VitalChek online. The fee is $15 per record. Mail requests go to: Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing by mail takes about 4 to 8 weeks.
The Presiding Commissioner for Reynolds County can be reached at PO Box 10, Centerville, MO 63633-0010, phone (573) 648-2494 ext 14. The County Clerk is at the same address with ext 12. These offices can help with other county records that may relate to a divorce case, such as property records or vital statistics.
The Missouri State Archives may hold older Reynolds County records of interest to genealogy researchers. Staff in Jefferson City can do limited research for people who cannot visit in person. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 to ask about specific records.
Note: The fastest way to get a copy of a divorce record is usually to request it locally from the Reynolds County Circuit Clerk-Recorder.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Reynolds County, check these neighboring counties: