Find Divorce Records in St. Charles County
St. Charles County divorce records are filed and stored at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in the city of St. Charles. Circuit Clerk Cheryl Crowder oversees the office that handles all divorce case filings, document copies, and certified records for the county. St. Charles County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Missouri, which means a high volume of court filings each year. You can search for divorce records in person at the courthouse, request copies by mail, or look up recent cases on Missouri's Case.net system. The clerk's office charges just $0.25 per page for regular copies and $1.50 for certified copies, which are some of the lowest rates in the state.
St. Charles County Quick Facts
St. Charles County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Cheryl Crowder runs the office that keeps all divorce records for St. Charles County. The St. Charles County Circuit Clerk official page lists the office address as 300 N. Second St., Suite 217, St. Charles, MO 63301. The phone number is (636) 949-3080 and fax is (636) 949-7390. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marriages are performed by appointment only at (636) 949-7380.
Copy costs in St. Charles County are low compared to many other Missouri counties. Regular copies run $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $1.50. These rates make it affordable to get copies of divorce decrees and other court filings. The clerk's office can search for cases by party name or case number and pull copies while you wait if you visit in person.
| Office | St. Charles County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Cheryl Crowder |
| Address | 300 N. Second St., Suite 217, St. Charles, MO 63301 |
| Phone | (636) 949-3080 |
| Fax | (636) 949-7390 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| Copies | $0.25/page regular, $1.50 certified |
The Missouri Association of Counties directory for St. Charles County also lists the County Executive at 100 N. Third St., St. Charles, MO 63301, phone (636) 949-7520. The Recorder of Deeds is at 201 N. Second St., Suite 338, at (636) 949-7505. St. Charles County uses a Registrar instead of a traditional County Clerk. Brenda Hinton serves as the St. Charles County Registrar.
St. Charles County Divorce Records Online
You can search for St. Charles County divorce records online through Missouri Case.net. This state database holds over 45 million case records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Divorce cases from the 11th Judicial Circuit will show up with case type, status, parties, attorneys, and full docket entries.
Case.net is a solid tool for cases filed from the 1980s forward. It does not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile cases. If a St. Charles County divorce was sealed by a judge, it won't appear in the results. For cases older than the 1980s, contact the clerk's office at (636) 949-3080 to request a search of the paper records. The staff handles these requests during regular business hours.
The Missouri Public Divorce Records guide explains that divorce records in Missouri are maintained by Circuit Court Clerk offices. Records are publicly accessible. Offline access requires a personal visit to the courthouse where the divorce was filed. For St. Charles County, that means the courthouse at 300 N. Second Street.
Divorce Filing Process in St. Charles County
To file for divorce in St. Charles County, at least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for 90 days. You file the petition at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Charles. Missouri is a pure no-fault state. The only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
The Missouri Courts family law forms page has free forms you can download. The packet includes the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms when children are part of the case. St. Charles County may have additional local rules. Ask the clerk when you file. Judgment indexes and lien information are also available in the Circuit Clerk's Office for cases involving property disputes.
Filing fees change periodically. Call (636) 949-3080 for current rates. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can request a waiver by filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the court. Provide documentation of your income and expenses. The judge reviews these requests case by case.
Note: All O'Fallon and St. Peters divorce cases are handled at the St. Charles County Circuit Court at 300 N. Second Street in St. Charles.
State Vital Records and St. Charles County
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps records of divorces reported since July 1, 1948. You can order a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. This statement shows names, date, and county but not the full decree. Mail requests go to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes about 4 to 8 weeks.
For the complete divorce decree from St. Charles County, you must go through the Circuit Clerk's office. The state only issues summary statements. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are restricted. Only individuals with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies, and mail requests must be notarized.
The Missouri State Archives may have historical St. Charles County records for research. Contact them at archives@sos.mo.gov or (573) 751-3280. For divorce records filed before August 28, 2009, only the final decree is accessible while other portions remain sealed for 72 years after filing.
Cities in St. Charles County
St. Charles County includes several major cities. All divorce cases for residents of these cities are handled at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Charles. No matter which city you live in within the county, your divorce case goes to the same courthouse at 300 N. Second Street.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near St. Charles County, check these neighboring counties: