Putnam County Dissolution Records
Putnam County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Circuit Clerk at the Putnam County Courthouse in Unionville. The 3rd Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for this county, which sits in north-central Missouri near the Iowa border. You can search dissolution cases through Case.net, visit the clerk in person, or request copies by mail. Putnam County is one of the smaller counties in the state, and the clerk office handles both civil and criminal court files. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of Putnam County dissolution of marriage records.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Dissolution Of Marriage Court
The Putnam County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records, including dissolution of marriage files. The office is at the Putnam County Courthouse, 1601 Main St, Unionville, MO 63565. You can call them at (660) 947-2674. The 3rd Judicial Circuit serves Grundy, Harrison, Mercer, and Putnam counties. Because these four counties share a circuit, the judge rotates between courthouses on a set schedule.
The clerk keeps the full case file for each dissolution. This includes the petition, response, temporary orders, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final judgment. You can ask for copies of any document. Standard copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and carry the court seal.
The courthouse is open during regular business hours on weekdays. It is best to call ahead if you plan to visit, since the judge may not be in Putnam County every day. The clerk staff can still help with records and filings on days when the judge is at another courthouse in the circuit.
Search Dissolution Of Marriage in Putnam County
You can search Putnam 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 3rd Circuit. The system has records from the mid-1990s forward. Older dissolution records are on file at the clerk office only.
To search in person, go to the Putnam County Courthouse at 1601 Main St in Unionville. The court staff can help you find a specific case. Bring the names of the parties or the case number if you have it. You can look at the file and ask for copies while there.
Case.net shows case information but does not let you view or download the actual documents. To get the full decree or any filed paperwork, you need to contact the clerk directly or visit the courthouse.
Filing for Dissolution Of Marriage
To file for dissolution of marriage in Putnam County, at least one spouse must have lived in Missouri for 90 days before filing. Under RSMo 452.305, you file in the circuit court of the county where you or your spouse lives. If either spouse lives in Putnam County, you can file at the courthouse in Unionville.
The petition must include certain facts required by RSMo 452.310. This means the residence of each party, the date and place of the marriage, the date of separation, the names and ages of any children, 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.
After filing, there is a 30-day waiting period before the court can enter a final judgment. If children are involved, parents must complete a parent education program. Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.09 also requires self-represented parties to complete a litigant awareness program. Filing fees in the 3rd Circuit are set by the court and may vary depending on the type of case.
You can get the forms you need from the Missouri Courts website. The state provides standardized forms for people who want to file without a lawyer. These forms cover the petition, the summons, parenting plans, and financial statements.
Copies of Putnam County Dissolution Records
For copies of the full dissolution judgment and case file from Putnam County, contact the Circuit Clerk at (660) 947-2674. You can go in person to the courthouse at 1601 Main St in Unionville. Give the clerk the party names or case number. They will pull the file and make copies for a fee.
For a dissolution verification statement only, you can order from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records. Mail your request to 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109 with $15 payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. You can also order by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363. The Bureau has records of Missouri dissolutions from July 1948 forward.
Historical dissolution records from Putnam County may be at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The Archives holds circuit court case files from many counties going back to the 1800s. Putnam County was organized in 1845, so records from that era may be available there.
Putnam County Legal Resources
Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents in Putnam County. They handle family law matters including dissolution cases. The Missouri Bar runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with family law attorneys in the area.
Missouri Legal Help has free self-help guides for people who want to file their own dissolution. The Missouri Courts website has standardized forms you can download. In a small county like Putnam, many people choose to represent themselves, especially in uncontested cases where both spouses agree on terms.
Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo, dissolution of marriage records at the circuit court are generally open to the public. You do not need to be a party to the case to ask for access. Some details like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers may be blacked out from public copies.