Find Columbia Dissolution Of Marriage

Columbia dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Boone County Circuit Court. Columbia is the county seat of Boone County, and the 13th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for residents of the city. You can search for dissolution of marriage cases online through Case.net, visit the Circuit Clerk in person at the Boone County Courthouse, or request records by mail. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of dissolution of marriage records for Columbia, Missouri.

Where Columbia Residents File

Columbia is in Boone County. The Boone County Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for city residents. The courthouse is at 705 E. Walnut, Columbia, MO 65201. Call the Circuit Clerk at (573) 886-4000 with questions about filing or records.

The 13th Judicial Circuit covers Boone and Callaway counties. Columbia is the largest city in the circuit by a wide margin. The Family Court division handles all divorce, custody, and support cases. The courthouse is centrally located in Columbia, which makes it easy for city residents to access.

Columbia is a college town, home to the University of Missouri. The population includes a large number of students. If you are a student who has been living in Columbia, you may be able to file here depending on whether Missouri is your legal residence. The 90-day residency rule under RSMo 452.305 applies to all filers.

Search Dissolution Of Marriage in Columbia

Missouri Case.net is the best way to search for Columbia dissolution of marriage cases online. It is free to use. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Select the 13th Circuit (Boone County) to focus your search. The system shows docket entries, case status, parties, and attorneys. Records on Case.net go back to the mid-1990s.

Keep in mind that Case.net shows case information but not the actual documents. You cannot view or download the petition, judgment, or other filings through the website. For that, you need to contact the clerk.

For in-person searches, visit the Boone County Courthouse at 705 E. Walnut. The clerk staff can help you find a specific case. Bring the names of the parties or case number if you have it. You can look at the file and then ask for copies of what you need.

How to File for Dissolution in Columbia

At least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. Under RSMo 452.305, you file in the circuit court of the county where you or your spouse lives. Columbia residents file at the Boone County Circuit Court.

The petition needs to include both spouses' names and addresses, the marriage date and place, when you separated, and information about children. Missouri uses no-fault divorce. The only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not need to blame anyone.

There is a 30-day waiting period. The court will not finalize anything before those 30 days are up. If you have minor children, you will likely need to take a parent education course. Filing fees are set by the court. Call the clerk for the current amounts. Fee waivers are available for people who qualify based on income.

When children are part of a Columbia dissolution of marriage, custody is decided under the best interests standard in Section 452.375. Child support uses the Form 14 worksheet. Both parents must file a completed Form 14 with the court.

Copies of Columbia Dissolution Records

For copies of any dissolution document from Boone County, call the Circuit Clerk at (573) 886-4000 or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk charges a per-page fee for standard copies and a higher fee for certified copies. Certified copies are sometimes needed for official or legal matters.

The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records issues a Statement Relating to Divorce for $15. This is a verification document that shows the names, date, and county. Mail requests go to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. You can also call VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363 for phone orders. The Bureau keeps records from July 1948 forward.

Older Columbia area dissolution records may be available at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City, which is only about 30 miles from Columbia.

Columbia Legal Resources

Legal Services of Missouri has an office serving the Columbia area. They give free legal help to low-income residents with family law matters. The University of Missouri School of Law also runs legal clinics that sometimes help with dissolution cases.

The Missouri Bar lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney in Columbia. Missouri Legal Help has free forms and step-by-step guides for self-represented filers.

Dissolution records are public in Missouri under the Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). You do not need to be a party to the case to request access. Certain sensitive information like Social Security numbers will be redacted from public copies. The clerk office can explain what records are available and what the fees are.

Under RSMo 452.330, the court divides marital property using equitable distribution. The judge looks at each person's financial situation and what they put into the marriage. Section 452.403 lets the court order mediation for custody and visitation disputes if parents cannot agree on their own. Self-represented parties must complete a litigant awareness program under Rule 88.09 before the court will finalize the case.

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