Madison County Dissolution Of Marriage

Madison County dissolution of marriage records are filed and stored at the Circuit Clerk office in the Madison County Courthouse in Fredericktown. The 24th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for Madison County, along with several other counties in the region. You can search dissolution records online, request copies at the courthouse, or write to the clerk by mail. Madison County was organized in 1818, making it one of the older counties in the state. This page explains how to find and get copies of dissolution of marriage records from Madison County.

Madison County Circuit Clerk

The Circuit Clerk in Madison County handles all court records, including dissolution of marriage files. The office is at the Madison County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, Fredericktown, MO 63645. Call them at (573) 783-2176.

The 24th Judicial Circuit is a large multi-county circuit. It covers Iron, Madison, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington counties. Even though the circuit spans several counties, each county has its own clerk office that stores local case files. So Madison County dissolution cases stay in Fredericktown.

The clerk keeps every document in a dissolution case file. The petition, response, temporary orders, property settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final judgment are all part of the record. You can request copies of any or all of these documents.

Standard copies have a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more. If you need a certified copy for another court proceeding or a legal matter, make sure to ask for it specifically when you place your request.

Search Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search Madison County dissolution of marriage records online through Missouri Case.net. This free database lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Case.net will show you docket entries, party names, attorneys, and case outcomes for dissolution cases in the 24th Circuit. Records from the mid-1990s onward are in the system.

For records older than that, you have to go through the clerk office. Visit the courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square in Fredericktown. Bring the names of both parties if you can. The staff can look up older cases in their filing system and pull the physical file for you to review.

You can also call ahead. The clerk office phone number is (573) 783-2176. They can check if a case exists and give you basic information. But for actual copies, you will need to come in or send a written request with the right fee.

Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage in Madison County

If you want to file for dissolution of marriage in Madison County, you need to meet the residency requirement. Under RSMo 452.305, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives.

Your petition must follow the rules set out in RSMo 452.310. It needs to state where each party lives, when and where the marriage took place, the separation date, the names and ages of children, and whether the wife is pregnant. Missouri only allows no-fault dissolution. You state that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

There is a 30-day waiting period after filing before a judge can sign the final decree. Uncontested cases can move fast after that. If you have children, the court requires a parent education program before the dissolution is finalized. Filing fees are set by the circuit and can vary. Ask the clerk for the current amount when you file.

Get Copies of Madison County Dissolution Records

For copies of dissolution of marriage judgments from Madison County, call the Circuit Clerk at (573) 783-2176 or go to the courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square in Fredericktown. Provide the party names or case number and pay the copy fee.

A dissolution verification statement can be ordered from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. The fee is $15 payable to DHSS. This statement shows names, date, and county of the dissolution. The Bureau has records from July 1948 forward.

Older records may be at the Missouri State Archives. The Archives stores historical circuit court files from counties across Missouri, including some from Madison County dating back to the 1800s.

Legal Resources for Madison County

Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal assistance to qualifying residents. They handle family law cases including dissolution of marriage. The Missouri Bar lawyer referral service can help you find a family law attorney in the Fredericktown area.

Self-help resources are available at Missouri Legal Help. You can find guides and forms for filing your own dissolution case. The Missouri Courts website also has downloadable standard forms.

Dissolution of marriage records are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo. Anyone can request to see a dissolution file. Certain private information like Social Security numbers will be blacked out on public copies.

Child support in Madison County dissolution cases uses the Form 14 worksheet per Section 452.340. Property division follows the equitable distribution rule in RSMo 452.330. Courts review the support guidelines every four years.

Cities in Madison County

Madison County includes Fredericktown and other small towns. All residents file for dissolution of marriage through the 24th Circuit Court in Fredericktown. No cities in Madison County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.

Nearby Counties