Butler County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Butler County are on file with the Circuit Clerk in Poplar Bluff. The 36th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases here, from initial filings through final judgments. You can search dissolution cases online using Case.net, visit the clerk at the courthouse, or request records by mail. Butler County sits in southeast Missouri and serves a rural population spread across a large area. This page covers how to search for and get copies of Butler County dissolution of marriage records.
Butler County Quick Facts
Butler County Dissolution Of Marriage Court
The Butler County Circuit Clerk keeps all court records, including dissolution of marriage files. The office is at the Butler County Courthouse, 100 N. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. Call (573) 686-8082 for questions. The 36th Circuit handles cases for Butler County.
Each dissolution file held by the clerk has the petition, any response from the other spouse, temporary orders, settlement papers, parenting plans when kids are involved, and the final decree. You can ask for copies of any part of the file. Standard copies have a per-page fee. Certified copies cost a bit more.
You can visit the Butler County government website for general county information and department contacts.
The Butler County government portal is shown in the screenshot below, which provides links to county departments and services.
County residents can use this site to find office hours and contact details for the Circuit Clerk.
How to Search Butler County Dissolution Records
Search Butler County dissolution of marriage records online at Missouri Case.net. This free database lets you look up cases by party name or case number. Case.net shows docket entries, parties, and case status for dissolution cases in the 36th Circuit. It has records from the mid-1990s forward. For older records, you need to check with the clerk directly.
You can also search in person. Go to the courthouse at 100 N. Main Street in Poplar Bluff during business hours. Staff can help you look up a case. Bring the names of the parties or a case number if you have one. You can review the file and request copies on the spot.
Keep in mind that Case.net shows case information only. It does not let you view or download the actual court documents. For those, contact the clerk.
When you search on Case.net, select the 36th Circuit from the dropdown menu. You can filter results by case type to narrow down dissolution cases. The system lists all parties and their attorneys. It also shows each filing and order in the case. This makes it easy to track the progress of a dissolution case from start to finish.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Butler County
To file for dissolution in Butler County, one spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days. Under RSMo 452.305, you file in the county where you or your spouse lives. Butler County residents file at the 36th Circuit courthouse in Poplar Bluff.
Your petition needs to include specific information. RSMo 452.310 lists the requirements: residence of each party, date and place of the marriage, date of separation, names and ages of minor children, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Missouri is a no-fault state. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
There is a 30-day waiting period after filing before the court can enter a final judgment. If children are involved, the court may require a parent education program. Filing fees are set by the circuit. Ask the clerk for current amounts. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may ask for a fee waiver.
Copies of Butler County Dissolution Records
To get copies of a dissolution judgment from Butler County, call the Circuit Clerk at (573) 686-8082. You can visit the courthouse at 100 N. Main Street in Poplar Bluff. Provide the party names or case number and the clerk will pull the file and make copies.
For a simple verification statement, order from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Send $15 to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. The Bureau has records of dissolutions from July 1948 on. You can also order through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363.
Historical records from Butler County may be at the Missouri State Archives. The Archives holds old circuit court case files from many counties.
Butler County Legal Resources
Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal aid to qualifying low-income Butler County residents. They can help with dissolution of marriage cases. The Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service for finding family law attorneys in the Poplar Bluff area.
Free self-help guides are on Missouri Legal Help. The Missouri Courts site has forms you can download. The courthouse may also have self-help resources on site.
Dissolution records are generally public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. You do not need to be a party to the case to request access. Some personal details like full Social Security numbers and financial account numbers will be redacted from public copies.
Under RSMo 452.330, the court considers several things when dividing marital property. That includes each party's economic situation, the conduct of the parties, and the value of the property each person holds. The court tries to make a fair and equitable division. Maintenance (sometimes called alimony) may also be awarded in some cases. The statute spells out what the judge must look at.