Saline County Divorce Records
Saline County divorce records are managed by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Marshall. The county has maintained divorce and court records since 1836, giving the public access to nearly 190 years of filings. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or check the status of a court filing, the clerk's office is the right starting point. You can look up basic case details online through Missouri Case.net or contact the clerk directly for full documents and certified copies.
Saline County Quick Facts
Saline County Circuit Clerk Office
The Saline County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records filed in the county. The office is at 19 East Arrow Street, Room 205, in Marshall. You can call (660) 886-2300 during regular business hours. Walk-ins are welcome, though calling first can help the staff pull your file before you arrive.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Saline County lists all county office contacts. The County Clerk is at 9 East North Street Annex in Marshall, reachable at (660) 886-3331. The Recorder of Deeds is at 19 East Arrow Street, Room 206, at (660) 886-2677. Since the Circuit Clerk and Recorder are in the same building, you can handle divorce record requests and property document needs in one trip.
| Office | Saline County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 19 E Arrow St, Rm 205, Marshall, MO 65340 |
| Phone | (660) 886-2300 |
| County Clerk | (660) 886-3331 |
| Recorder | (660) 886-2677 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Saline County official website provides additional contact details. The County Clerk can also be reached at (660) 886-9050. The fax number is (660) 886-2603. The Presiding Commissioner is at 19 East Arrow Street, Room 101, at (660) 886-7777. The county government offices are all close together in Marshall, making courthouse visits straightforward.
Saline County Divorce Records Online
Search for Saline County divorce cases online at Missouri Case.net. This free system has over 45 million records from all Missouri counties. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. The results show case type, status, parties, and docket entries. Case.net is available 24 hours a day at no cost.
Some case types may be restricted or sealed. Juvenile records, expunged cases, and files sealed by a judge won't appear in online results. Cases filed before the mid-2000s may not be in the digital system. Saline County has divorce records going back to 1836. For anything that old, you must contact the clerk in Marshall. Even for more recent cases, Case.net only shows basic information. Full documents and certified copies still come from the clerk's office.
Case.net printouts are not official court documents. They are fine for personal reference or initial research, but for legal proceedings you will need certified copies from the Saline County Circuit Clerk.
How to Get Saline County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Saline County divorce records by visiting the courthouse in person, sending a mail request, or calling the clerk's office. For in-person visits, go to 19 East Arrow Street in Marshall and bring valid photo ID. The clerk can look up your case and make copies while you wait. Mail requests should include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, your reason for the request, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.
Copy fees in Missouri generally run $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more because the clerk adds an official seal. Call (660) 886-2300 to confirm current fees before mailing a request. If you need the document for legal use, ask for a certified copy. Regular copies are fine for personal reference.
The Saline County Circuit Clerk is the only source for full divorce decrees. The state vital records office in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which is a short summary showing names, date, and county. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified vital records from the state.
Note: The Recorder of Deeds at (660) 886-2677 handles marriage and land records from 1821, which can be useful for property questions tied to a divorce.
Saline County Divorce Filing Steps
To file for divorce in Saline County, one spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Marshall. Free forms are on 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 forms for cases with children.
Check with the Saline County clerk about any local rules or extra documents the court requires. Filing fees vary and can change. Call ahead for the current amount. Uncontested cases with no children tend to move fast. Contested divorces with custody or property fights take longer.
Historical Records and Saline County Divorce Data
According to FamilySearch's Saline County genealogy page, the Circuit Clerk has divorce and court records from 1836. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage and land records from 1821. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1834. The County Clerk has some birth records from 1883 to 1886. These older records are a great resource for genealogy and family history research.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records from July 1, 1948 onward. The Certified Statement costs $15 and can be ordered by mail to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for mail processing. The Missouri State Archives may have additional historical materials for Saline County.
For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree remains public while other parts of the case file are sealed for 72 years. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal help for qualifying residents.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Saline County, check these neighboring counties: