Access Stoddard County Divorce Records
Stoddard County divorce records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Bloomfield. The county has maintained court and divorce records since 1835, giving the public close to 190 years of case files. If you need to search for a divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or look into an older filing, the clerk's office is your starting point. You can also look up basic case information online through Missouri's Case.net system for more recent filings.
Stoddard County Quick Facts
Stoddard County Circuit Clerk Office
The Stoddard County Circuit Clerk handles all divorce records filed in the county. The mailing address is PO Box 30, Bloomfield, MO 63825. The phone number is (573) 568-4640. The courthouse is at 403 South Prairie Street in Bloomfield. 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 Stoddard County lists all county office contacts. The County Clerk is at PO Box 110, Bloomfield, MO 63825, at (573) 568-3339. The Recorder of Deeds is at PO Box 217 at (573) 568-3444. If a divorce involved property transfers or you need to check marriage records alongside divorce records, the Recorder's office is where those files are kept.
| Office | Stoddard County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 403 S Prairie St, Bloomfield, MO 63825 |
| Mailing | PO Box 30, Bloomfield, MO 63825 |
| Phone | (573) 568-4640 |
| County Clerk | (573) 568-3339 |
| Recorder | (573) 568-3444 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
Stoddard County Divorce Records Online
Search for Stoddard County divorce cases online at Missouri Case.net. This free tool covers all 114 Missouri counties and has over 45 million records. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows case type, status, parties, and docket entries. The system runs around the clock.
The Missouri Court Records portal for Stoddard County provides details about the Circuit Court at 403 South Prairie Street in Bloomfield. The site notes that civil and criminal records are available, online search is through Case.net, and mail requests are accepted with a written request and self-addressed stamped envelope.
Case.net won't display sealed records, juvenile cases, or expunged files. Cases filed before the mid-2000s may not be in the system. Stoddard County has records from 1835, but those older files are only at the clerk's office. Case.net printouts are not official documents. For legal use, get a certified copy from the clerk.
Getting Stoddard County Divorce Records
You can get copies of Stoddard County divorce records by visiting the courthouse in Bloomfield, calling the clerk's office, or sending a mail request. For in-person visits, go to 403 South Prairie Street during business hours with valid photo ID. Mail requests go to PO Box 30, Bloomfield, MO 63825. Include the full names of both spouses, approximate date of the divorce, your reason for the request, and a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.
According to FamilySearch's Stoddard County genealogy page, the Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce records from 1835. The Probate Judge has probate records from 1835 as well. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage and land records from 1863. The County Court Clerk has birth records from 1883 to 1886 and military records. The gap between court records (1835) and Recorder records (1863) suggests that some earlier deed records may have been lost or were organized differently in those early years.
The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness page for Stoddard County confirms that the Circuit Court Clerk has court and divorce records from 1835 and probate records from the same year. It also notes that the Stoddard County Health Department has birth certificates since 1920 and death certificates since 1980.
Copy fees typically range from $0.50 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call (573) 568-4640 to check current fees before mailing a request.
Divorce Filing in Stoddard County
At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days to file for divorce in Stoddard County. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Bloomfield. 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 Stoddard County clerk about local rules and any extra documents the court requires. Filing fees change from time to time. Call ahead to confirm. Uncontested divorces without children tend to move faster. Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 provides free legal help for qualifying residents.
Vital Records and Stoddard County Data
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services keeps divorce records from July 1, 1948 onward. The 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.
For records filed before August 28, 2009, the final decree remains public while other case file parts are sealed for 72 years. The Missouri State Archives may have historical materials for Stoddard County. Contact them at (573) 751-3280 or archives@sos.mo.gov.
Under Missouri law (RSMo Chapter 193), certified vital records are restricted to people with a direct and tangible interest. This includes the named parties, their spouse, parents, legal guardians, or attorneys. If you are requesting records for genealogy or other purposes, you may need to show documentation proving your connection to the case. The Stoddard County Circuit Clerk can tell you exactly what you need to bring.
Note: The Stoddard County Circuit Clerk is the only source for full divorce decrees; the state vital records office only issues summary statements.
Nearby Counties
If you need divorce records from areas near Stoddard County, check these neighboring counties: