Scott County Divorce Records
Scott County divorce records date back to 1822 and are maintained by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Benton. The clerk's office handles all divorce filings, decree copies, and case lookups for the county. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy, or check on the status of a filing, this is where you start. You can visit in person, call the office, send a mail request, or look up basic case details through Missouri's online Case.net system.
Scott County Quick Facts
Scott County Circuit Clerk Office
The Scott County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records for the county. The mailing address is PO Box 587, Benton, MO 63736. The phone number is (573) 545-3596. The physical courthouse is at 131 South Winchester Street in Benton. Staff can help you search for cases, pull files, and make copies of divorce decrees and other court documents.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Scott County lists all county office contacts. The County Clerk is at PO Box 188, Benton, MO 63736, at (573) 545-3549. The Recorder of Deeds is at PO Box 78 at (573) 545-3551. The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1822, which can be useful if a divorce case involved property transfers or if you need to trace marriage records alongside divorce records.
| Office | Scott County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 131 S Winchester St, Benton, MO 63736 |
| Mailing | PO Box 587, Benton, MO 63736 |
| Phone | (573) 545-3596 |
| County Clerk | (573) 545-3549 |
| Recorder | (573) 545-3551 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Scott County government website provides additional details on all county departments. Scott County is in southeast Missouri and handles a steady volume of family law cases through its Circuit Court. The county seat of Benton is where all court business takes place.
Scott County Divorce Records Online
Search for Scott County divorce cases online at 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, and docket entries. It runs 24 hours a day at no cost.
The Missouri Court Records portal notes that the Scott County Circuit Court handles civil, criminal, and family law cases. Divorce records are available through the Circuit Clerk's office. Copy fees vary but are typically about $1 per page.
Case.net won't show sealed records, juvenile cases, or expunged files. Scott County has divorce records from 1822, but most older files are only at the clerk's office in paper form. Even for recent cases, Case.net only provides basic details. Full documents and certified copies must come from the clerk.
How to Get Scott County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Scott County divorce records by visiting the courthouse in Benton, sending a mail request, or calling the clerk's office. For in-person visits, go to 131 South Winchester Street during business hours and bring valid photo ID. For mail requests, write to PO Box 587, Benton, MO 63736, and include the full names of both spouses, approximate divorce date, your reason for the request, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.
According to FamilySearch's Scott County genealogy page, the Circuit Clerk has divorce and court records from 1822. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage and land records from 1822 as well. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1822. The County Clerk has birth records from 1883 to 1886. These older records offer a rich resource for anyone doing family history research.
Copy fees are generally around $1 per page in Scott County. Certified copies cost more because the clerk adds an official court seal. Call (573) 545-3596 to check current fees before sending your request. If you need the document for legal use, always ask for a certified copy.
The state vital records office in Jefferson City only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, which shows names, date, and county but not the full decree. The Scott County Circuit Clerk is the only source for complete divorce documents.
Filing for Divorce in Scott County
One spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days before filing for divorce in Scott County. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Benton. Free forms are on 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.
Check with the Scott County clerk about local rules or extra steps. Filing fees can change, so call (573) 545-3596 to confirm the current amount. Uncontested cases tend to move faster. Contested divorces with custody or property disputes take longer to resolve. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 offers free legal help for qualifying residents.
Historical Records and Scott County Divorce Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records from July 1, 1948 onward. Their Certified Statement costs $15. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for processing.
Scott County's records going back to 1822 make it one of the older record-keeping counties in Missouri. For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree is accessible but other parts of the case file are sealed for 72 years. The Missouri State Archives may have historical materials for Scott County. Contact them at (573) 751-3280 or archives@sos.mo.gov.
Note: Scott County's county seat is Benton, not to be confused with Benton County, which is a separate county in Missouri.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Scott County, check these neighboring counties: