Lincoln County Dissolution Of Marriage
Lincoln County dissolution of marriage records are on file with the Circuit Clerk at the Lincoln County Courthouse in Troy. The 45th Judicial Circuit handles family law cases for Lincoln and Pike counties. Troy is the county seat and one of the growing communities in the greater St. Louis metro area. You can search dissolution cases online, visit the clerk in person, or request records by mail. This page covers the steps for finding dissolution of marriage records, filing a case, and getting copies of court documents in Lincoln County.
Lincoln County Quick Facts
Lincoln County Dissolution Of Marriage Court
The Lincoln County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records, including dissolution of marriage case files. The office is at the Lincoln County Courthouse, 201 Main St, Troy, MO 63379. Call (636) 528-6300 for details. The 45th Circuit serves both Lincoln and Pike counties.
Each dissolution case file includes the petition, the response, any temporary orders for custody or support, the settlement agreement, parenting plans, and the final judgment. The clerk can make copies of any document for a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and carry the court seal.
Lincoln County was created from St. Charles County in 1818. It is one of the oldest counties in Missouri. No court records have been reported lost. The county has grown significantly in recent decades due to its proximity to St. Louis, which means the court handles a higher volume of filings than many similarly sized rural counties.
The Lincoln County government website has information about county offices and services.
Lincoln County has been growing rapidly because of its location just north and west of St. Charles County. This population growth means the court handles more dissolution filings now than it did a decade ago. The 45th Circuit serves both Lincoln and Pike counties, and the judges travel between the two courthouses.
Uncontested dissolution cases can sometimes be finalized shortly after the mandatory 30-day waiting period. Contested cases involving custody, child support, or division of property take longer and may require multiple court hearings. The clerk office can help with basic procedural questions but cannot give legal advice.
Search Dissolution Records in Lincoln County
You can search Lincoln County dissolution of marriage records online through Missouri Case.net. Case.net is free and lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date. It shows docket entries, parties, attorneys, and case outcomes. Records from the mid-1990s forward are in the database.
To search in person, visit the courthouse at 201 Main St in Troy during business hours. Bring the names of the parties or a case number. The clerk staff can help you find the right file. You can look at documents and request copies on the spot.
Case.net is a good starting point. It gives you case status and basic details. But the actual court documents, like the petition and decree, are only available through the clerk.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage
One spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days to file for dissolution. RSMo 452.305 says you file in the county where you or your spouse resides. Lincoln County residents file at the Troy courthouse.
The petition must include what RSMo 452.310 requires: the residence of each party, the date and place of marriage, when you separated, names and ages of children, pregnancy status, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Missouri is no-fault. The ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
After filing there is a 30-day wait. Parents with minor children must take a parent education class. Filing fees are set by the 45th Circuit. Contact the clerk at (636) 528-6300 for current amounts.
Copies of Lincoln County Dissolution Records
Call (636) 528-6300 or visit the courthouse at 201 Main St in Troy. Give the clerk the names or case number. They will make copies for a fee. Certified copies are also available.
For a dissolution verification statement, order from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Send $15 to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Records from July 1948 forward are on file. You can also order by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363.
The Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City may have older Lincoln County court records dating back to 1818. That makes Lincoln County one of the oldest in the state, so very early dissolution records could be in the Archives.
If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, ask the clerk when you order. Certified copies carry the court seal and have legal standing that standard copies do not. The certification fee is a few dollars more per document.
Lincoln County Legal Help
Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal aid to qualifying residents. The Missouri Bar has a referral service for family law attorneys.
Missouri Legal Help offers free self-help guides. The Missouri Courts site has downloadable forms for dissolution filings. These standardized forms work in every Missouri circuit, including the 45th in Lincoln County.
Dissolution records are public under Chapter 610 RSMo. Anyone can request access. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers and financial accounts is redacted from public copies. You do not need to be a party to the case to ask for records.
If you are handling your dissolution without a lawyer, download the standard forms from the courts website. Fill in every section before going to the courthouse. The clerk will check your paperwork for completeness but cannot advise you on legal matters.
In Lincoln County dissolution of marriage cases with children, support is calculated using the Form 14 worksheet per Section 452.340. Property is divided under the equitable distribution rule in RSMo 452.330. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask about filing an In Forma Pauperis motion.