Access St. Louis County Divorce Records
St. Louis County divorce records are handled by the 21st Judicial Circuit Court, one of the largest judicial circuits in Missouri. The county seat is in Clayton, where the main courthouse processes thousands of family law cases each year. The Family Court Division within the 21st Circuit has specific authority over all divorce, child custody, and support cases. Whether you want to search for a past divorce filing, obtain a certified copy of a decree, or start a new dissolution case, the Circuit Court in Clayton is your primary resource. St. Louis County also has multiple courthouse locations throughout the county for added convenience. You can search for recent cases online through Missouri's Case.net or visit the courthouse in person.
St. Louis County Quick Facts
St. Louis County Circuit Court
The 21st Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases for St. Louis County. This is one of the busiest circuits in Missouri. The Family Court Division has specific jurisdiction over divorce, child custody, child support, and other domestic relations matters. The main courthouse is at 105 S Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. There are also multiple courthouse locations spread across St. Louis County for different types of proceedings.
The St. Louis County Government website provides information about county services and departments. The 21st Circuit processes a large volume of family law cases each year, which means the staff is experienced in handling divorce record requests. You can search for cases in person at the Clayton courthouse or call ahead. Online lookup is also available through Case.net for cases from the 1980s forward.
| Court | 21st Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Division | Family Court |
| Address | 105 S Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105 |
| Phone | (314) 615-8029 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
It is important to know that St. Louis County is separate from St. Louis City. The city operates as an independent city with its own court system. If the divorce was filed in St. Louis City rather than St. Louis County, you need to contact the city's circuit court, not the 21st Circuit in Clayton. Make sure you know which jurisdiction handled the case before making a records request.
Searching St. Louis County Divorce Cases Online
You can search for St. Louis County divorce records 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 party name, case number, or filing date. Divorce cases from the 21st Judicial Circuit will appear with the case type, current status, party names, attorneys, and a full docket of entries.
Because St. Louis County is such a large jurisdiction, you may get a lot of results when searching common names. Try to narrow your search by including a filing date range or the first and last name of both parties if possible. Case.net shows whether a case is open or closed, and you can see the disposition of the case once it is finalized.
Case.net does not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile records. Cases from before the 1980s may not be in the system. For those older St. Louis County divorce records, contact the Circuit Clerk directly at the Clayton courthouse. The Missouri State Archives may also have historical records available for research.
Getting Copies of St. Louis County Divorce Records
To get copies of divorce records from St. Louis County, visit the 21st Circuit Court at 105 S Central Ave in Clayton. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search for your case by party name or case number and provide copies of documents in the file. You can also send a written request by mail. Include the full names of both spouses, the approximate date of the divorce, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
If you need a certified copy of the divorce decree, the Circuit Clerk at the 21st Circuit is the only source for the full document. The state Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City issues a Certified Statement Relating to Divorce for $15, but that only shows names, date, and county. It does not contain property division terms, custody orders, or other details. For the complete decree, you go through the St. Louis County court.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has divorce records from July 1, 1948. Mail the state office at Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), only individuals with a direct and tangible interest can get certified copies, and mail requests require a notarized application.
Note: St. Louis County handles Florissant divorce cases at the 21st Circuit Court in Clayton.
St. Louis County Divorce Filing Process
To file for divorce in St. Louis County, at least one spouse needs to have lived in Missouri for 90 days. You file the petition with the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. Missouri is a 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 available for download. The packet covers the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Income and Expense Statement, Property Statement, and Parenting Plan forms. The 21st Circuit may have its own local rules and procedures on top of the state requirements. Check with the clerk's office about any additional forms or steps specific to St. Louis County.
The St. Louis County Clerk handles administrative and election functions but does not issue divorce records. For divorce records, always contact the Circuit Court Family Division. Filing fees change over time, so call (314) 615-8029 for the current fee schedule. If you cannot afford to pay, you can file a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with supporting financial documentation.
Cities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County contains dozens of cities and municipalities. All divorce cases for residents living in unincorporated St. Louis County or its many cities are handled by the 21st Judicial Circuit Court in Clayton. Regardless of which city within the county you call home, your case goes to the same court system.
Other communities in St. Louis County include University City, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, and Ballwin. All residents of these communities file divorce cases at the 21st Circuit Court.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near St. Louis County, check these neighboring counties: