Search St. Louis Dissolution Of Marriage

St. Louis dissolution of marriage records are managed by the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. Unlike most Missouri cities, St. Louis is an independent city and not part of any county. That means the city has its own circuit court for all legal matters, including dissolution of marriage. The Circuit Clerk at the Civil Courts Building keeps all case files. You can search for cases online through Case.net or visit the clerk office in person to request copies. This guide covers how to find, search, and obtain St. Louis dissolution of marriage records.

St. Louis Dissolution Of Marriage Court

St. Louis is one of the few cities in the country that operates as an independent city. It separated from St. Louis County in 1876. Because of this, the city has its own judicial circuit. The 22nd Judicial Circuit Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for people who live within the City of St. Louis.

The Circuit Clerk's office is at the Civil Courts Building, 10 N. Tucker Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63101. You can reach them by phone at (314) 613-7192. The clerk keeps all court records, including dissolution case files. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours on weekdays.

The Family Court division of the 22nd Circuit processes dissolution cases, along with child custody, support, and paternity matters. If you live in St. Louis County (which is a separate place), your case goes to the 21st Circuit instead. This distinction trips people up sometimes, so make sure you know which jurisdiction you live in.

Search Dissolution Of Marriage in St. Louis

You can search St. Louis dissolution of marriage records online through Missouri Case.net. This is the state's free court records search tool. Enter the name of a party and select the 22nd Circuit to narrow your results. Case.net shows docket entries, case status, party names, and attorneys. Records go back to the mid-1990s on this system.

Case.net gives you case information but does not let you download the actual documents. For that, you need to contact the clerk or visit the courthouse.

To search in person, go to the Civil Courts Building at 10 N. Tucker Boulevard. The staff there can look up cases by party name or case number. You can review the file and request copies of any documents in it. Bring some form of ID when you visit.

Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in St. Louis

To file for dissolution in St. Louis, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. Under RSMo 452.305, you file in the circuit court where you or your spouse lives. If you live in the City of St. Louis, you file at the 22nd Circuit.

The petition must include names, addresses, date and place of marriage, date of separation, and details about any minor children. Missouri is a no-fault state. You do not need to prove wrongdoing. The only ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

After filing, a 30-day waiting period applies. The court cannot enter a final judgment of dissolution before 30 days have passed from the date you filed. If there are children, the court may require you to take a parent education class. Filing fees are set by the circuit. Ask the clerk for the current amount. If you cannot pay, you may ask the court to waive the fee.

Property division in a St. Louis dissolution of marriage follows RSMo 452.330. The court splits marital property equitably. Child support is set using Form 14.

Copies of St. Louis Dissolution Records

Contact the 22nd Circuit Clerk at (314) 613-7192 for copies of dissolution records. You can also go in person to the Civil Courts Building. The clerk charges a per-page fee for regular copies. Certified copies cost more. Certified copies may be needed for legal matters such as name changes or real estate transactions.

For a simple verification that a dissolution took place, order a Statement Relating to Divorce from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. The fee is $15. The statement shows the names of both parties, the date, and the jurisdiction. Mail requests go to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Phone orders are available through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363.

The Bureau has records from July 1948 on. Older St. Louis dissolution records may be at the Missouri State Archives.

St. Louis Legal Resources

Legal Services of Missouri offers free legal help to qualifying low-income St. Louis residents for family law matters including dissolution. The Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service that can match you with a family law attorney in the St. Louis area.

Missouri Legal Help has free self-help guides and forms for people who want to handle their own dissolution case. The 22nd Circuit also has self-help resources at the courthouse. Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right forms and explain the process.

Dissolution of marriage records in Missouri are generally public under the Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can request access. Some sensitive information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers gets redacted from public copies.

Self-represented parties must complete a litigant awareness program under Rule 88.09. Fee waivers are available if you cannot pay. File a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with proof of your income.

Nearby Cities

These cities near St. Louis also have information about dissolution of marriage records and filings.