Find Divorce Records in Texas County
Texas County divorce records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk's office in Houston, Missouri. The clerk keeps every divorce petition, response, settlement agreement, and final decree for the county. Records date back to 1845. If you want to find a specific divorce case, get a certified copy of a decree, or learn about the filing process, the clerk in Houston is your primary source. Online searches through Case.net are also an option for more recent filings, and you can send mail requests for copies.
Texas County Quick Facts
Texas County Circuit Clerk Office
The Texas County Circuit Clerk is the official record keeper for all divorce cases. The office is located at 519 N Grand Ave, Suite 202, Houston, MO 65483-1273. Call (417) 967-3742 to speak with staff. They handle new filings, maintain case records, and provide copies of court documents. Whether you need a plain copy to review or a certified copy for legal use, this is the office to contact.
The Missouri Association of Counties page for Texas County lists all county offices in one directory. The County Clerk is at 210 N. Grand Ave, Suite 311, Houston (phone: 417-967-2112). The Recorder of Deeds is at 210 N Grand Ave, Suite 209 (phone: 417-967-8438). The Recorder has marriage and land records from 1845 that may relate to your divorce case, especially if there are property questions.
| Office | Texas County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 519 N Grand Ave, Suite 202, Houston, MO 65483-1273 |
| Phone | (417) 967-3742 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
The Texas County government website provides additional contact details. The Presiding Commissioner can be reached at 210 N Grand Ave, Suite 301 (phone: 417-967-3222). All these offices are within walking distance in Houston, making it convenient to handle multiple record requests in one visit.
Looking Up Texas County Divorce Records Online
You can search for Texas County divorce records through Missouri Case.net. This free statewide system has records from all 114 Missouri counties. Enter the name of a party or a case number to pull up case information. Results include the case type, parties listed, docket entries, attorneys, and current status.
Case.net covers recent Texas County cases well. Older records from before the system went digital are less likely to appear. Sealed cases, expunged records, and juvenile matters will not show in search results. For anything that does not appear online, contact the clerk at (417) 967-3742. Staff can check paper records and archived files.
The Missouri Court Records portal notes that Texas County Circuit Court is in Houston and that divorce records go back to 1845. Copy fees are typically around $1 per page, plus extra for certification. These fees can change, so verify with the clerk before sending payment.
Getting Texas County Divorce Record Copies
To get copies, you have three options. First, visit the clerk in person at 519 N Grand Ave, Suite 202, in Houston. Staff can pull the file and make copies right then. Bring your ID and know the names of the spouses. Second, send a written request by mail to Texas County Circuit Clerk, 519 N Grand Ave, Suite 202, Houston, MO 65483-1273. Include names, approximate date, and your contact details. Third, call (417) 967-3742 to ask about email requests.
For a state-level Certified Statement Relating to Divorce, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records can help. The fee is $15 per record. State records go back to July 1, 1948. Mail to Bureau of Vital Records, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Processing takes 4 to 8 weeks. The state certificate shows names, date, and county only. For the full decree, you need the Texas County Circuit Clerk.
Note: Certified copies carry the court seal and clerk signature, which makes them valid for legal use such as name changes or property transfers.
Divorce Filing in Texas County
To file for divorce in Texas County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. File the petition with the Circuit Clerk in Houston. Missouri only recognizes no-fault divorce. You state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Under RSMo Section 452.310, you include the marriage date, separation date, and details about children if any.
Download free forms from the Missouri Courts family law forms page. The forms cover the petition, income and expense statement, property statement, and parenting plan. Texas County may have additional local requirements, so ask the clerk before you file. After filing, serve the other spouse through a process server, sheriff, or certified mail. Missouri has a 30-day waiting period before the court can make the divorce final.
If both spouses agree on everything, the case can be resolved shortly after the 30-day wait. Contested cases involving disputes over property, children, or support take longer. The court may order mediation before setting a trial date. Legal aid is available through Legal Services of Missouri at 1-800-829-4128 for those who qualify.
Historical Divorce Records in Texas County
Texas County has divorce and court records stretching back to 1845. The FamilySearch Wiki for Texas County documents that the Circuit Clerk has these records along with other court files from the same period. The Recorder of Deeds has marriage and land records from 1845. Probate records also go to 1845. Birth records from 1883 to 1886 are with the County Clerk.
For genealogy work, these old records can connect family lines and show how property was divided. The Texas County Courthouse at 519 North Grand Avenue in Houston is the central location. The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have microfilmed Texas County records too. Contact the archives at (573) 751-3280 or email archives@sos.mo.gov.
Under Missouri law, divorce records filed before August 28, 2009 have portions sealed for 72 years after the filing date. The final decree stays public, but other parts of the file may be restricted. This matters most for genealogy researchers looking at older Texas County cases.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Texas County. Check them if you need divorce records from a neighboring area: