Search Boone County Dissolution Of Marriage

Boone County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the Boone County Justice Center in Columbia. The 13th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Boone County, which is one of the busier courts in central Missouri. You can search dissolution records through Missouri Case.net, visit the clerk office at 705 East Walnut Street, or request records by mail or phone. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of Boone County dissolution of marriage records.

Boone County Dissolution Of Marriage Court

The Boone County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records in the county. The office is at the Boone County Justice Center, 705 East Walnut, Columbia, MO 65201. Call (573) 886-4000 for questions about dissolution of marriage records.

Boone County is part of the 13th Judicial Circuit along with Callaway County. The Family Court division of the circuit handles all domestic relations matters. That includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, child custody, child support, and paternity. Because Columbia is a university town with a large population, the court processes a high volume of family law cases each year. The clerk keeps the full file for every case, from the first petition through the final judgment.

Certified copies of dissolution decrees can be obtained from the clerk office. Fees apply for all copies and certifications. The office accepts requests in person, by mail, or by phone.

Boone County was created from Howard County in 1820. No records have been lost. The county has maintained court records for over 200 years.

Search Dissolution Records in Boone County

You can search Boone County dissolution of marriage records online through Missouri Case.net. This free system lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows docket entries, parties, attorneys, and case outcomes for dissolution cases filed in the 13th Circuit. It has records from the mid-1990s forward.

To search in person, go to the Boone County Justice Center at 705 East Walnut in Columbia during business hours. The staff can help you find a specific case. Bring the names of the parties or the case number. You can look at the case file and request copies.

Historical records may be at the Missouri State Archives. The Archives holds circuit court files from many counties dating back to the 1800s.

Note: Case.net shows case information but does not let you view or download the actual documents in a dissolution file.

Filing Dissolution Of Marriage in Boone County

To file for dissolution of marriage in Boone County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days. Under RSMo 452.305, you file in the county where you or your spouse lives. The petition must include the details listed in RSMo 452.310: residences, marriage date and place, when you separated, children's names and ages, whether the wife is pregnant, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

Missouri is a no-fault state. You can file on the ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken. A 30-day waiting period applies after filing. Parents with minor children must complete a parent education program. Self-represented litigants may also need to complete a litigant awareness program under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.09.

The Missouri Courts website has free forms you can download. Filing fees in Boone County vary depending on the type of case and whether children are involved.

Copies of Boone County Dissolution Records

Call the Boone County Circuit Clerk at (573) 886-4000 for copies. Visit the Justice Center at 705 East Walnut in Columbia. Give the clerk the party names or case number. Standard copies have a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more.

For a dissolution verification statement only, order from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 with $15. Order by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363. The Bureau has Boone County dissolution records from July 1948 forward.

Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo, dissolution of marriage records are generally public. You do not need to be a party to request copies. Some personal details like Social Security numbers may be redacted.

Boone County Dissolution Legal Resources

Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to qualifying low-income Boone County residents with family law matters. The Missouri Bar has a lawyer referral service that can match you with a family law attorney in Columbia.

Missouri Legal Help offers free self-help guides for filing dissolution of marriage. The 13th Circuit also has self-help resources at the Justice Center in Columbia for people who cannot afford an attorney.

Property division in a Boone County dissolution follows RSMo 452.330, which calls for equitable distribution. The court splits marital property in a way it considers fair, which does not always mean a 50/50 split. The judge looks at what each spouse contributed, the value of property each keeps, and the financial situation of each party after the dissolution. Child support uses the Form 14 worksheet under Section 452.340. If parents cannot agree on custody or parenting time, the court may order mediation under Section 452.403. Mediation can save time and money compared to a full trial. It also gives both sides more control over the outcome.

Cities in Boone County

Boone County includes the city of Columbia. Residents file for dissolution of marriage at the 13th Circuit Court in Columbia.

Nearby Counties