St. Francois County Divorce Records
St. Francois County divorce records are stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Farmington, the county seat. This county has one of the oldest record collections in Missouri, with divorce and court records going back to 1822. Whether you want to look up a past divorce filing, get a certified copy of a decree, or start a new dissolution case, the clerk's office on Washington Street handles it all. You can search for more recent St. Francois County cases online through Missouri's Case.net, or you can visit the courthouse in person. The Recorder of Deeds also maintains marriage and land records from 1822 that can tie into divorce proceedings.
St. Francois County Quick Facts
St. Francois County Circuit Clerk
The St. Francois County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce case filings and record requests. The office is at 1 N Washington St, Suite 303, Farmington, MO 63640-3191. Call (573) 756-4551 ext 317 to reach the clerk. The Missouri Association of Counties directory for St. Francois County lists all county offices with contact details.
St. Francois County was created on December 19, 1821, from parts of Jefferson, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington counties. The Circuit Clerk has divorce and court records from 1822, making this one of the oldest collections in Missouri. The Probate Judge also holds probate records from 1822. The County Clerk at 1 W Liberty Ste 300 has birth records from 1883 to 1893 and death records from 1883 to 1892. These older records can be useful for genealogy research that overlaps with divorce case information.
| Office | St. Francois County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 N Washington St, Ste 303, Farmington, MO 63640 |
| Phone | (573) 756-4551 ext 317 |
| County Clerk | (573) 756-5411 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Recorder of Deeds, Jay Graf, can be reached at 1 W Liberty, Suite 100, Farmington, MO 63640. Phone is (573) 756-2323 ext 8. Email: recorder@sfcgov.org. The Recorder holds marriage records from 1822 and land records from the same year. If a divorce case involves property or you need proof of a marriage, this office can help.
Searching St. Francois County Divorce Cases Online
You can search for St. Francois County divorce records online using Missouri Case.net. The state database has over 45 million records from all 114 Missouri counties. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. Divorce cases from St. Francois County will show up with the case type, status, docket entries, and party information.
Case.net typically covers cases from the 1980s forward. For older St. Francois County divorce records dating back to 1822, you will need to contact the clerk's office directly. Those early records are on paper and not in any electronic system. Call (573) 756-4551 ext 317 and provide the names of both parties along with an approximate year for the best chance of finding what you need.
Note: Sealed and expunged cases do not appear on Case.net, and cases filed before August 28, 2009 have portions sealed for 72 years beyond the final decree.
Getting Copies of St. Francois County Divorce Records
You can get copies of divorce records by visiting the courthouse in Farmington or sending a mail request to the Circuit Clerk at 1 N Washington St, Ste 303, Farmington, MO 63640. Include the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the response. Copy fees apply, so call the clerk to check current rates before sending payment.
For a certified copy of the divorce decree itself, the St. Francois County Circuit Clerk is your only local option. The state Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce. That statement shows the names, date, and county. It does not contain the full terms of the decree. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has these statements for divorces from July 1, 1948 forward. The state fee is $15 per record, and processing by mail takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), vital records are not open to the general public. Only people with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies. You must provide valid ID and submit a notarized request for mail orders.
Divorce Filing in St. Francois County
Filing for divorce in St. Francois County requires at least one spouse to have lived in Missouri for 90 days. You file the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Farmington. Missouri is a no-fault state, so the only ground for divorce is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
The Missouri Courts family law forms page offers free downloadable forms. The packet covers the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms when children are part of the case. St. Francois County may have additional local rules. Ask the clerk when you submit your filing.
The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City holds historical records that may relate to older St. Francois County divorce cases. Email archives@sos.mo.gov or call (573) 751-3280 for research help. The Missouri Recorders Association also provides contact information for recorders across the state, including the St. Francois County office.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near St. Francois County, check these neighboring counties: