St. Louis County Dissolution Records

St. Louis County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Circuit Clerk at the St. Louis County Courts Building in Clayton. The 21st Judicial Circuit serves St. Louis County, one of the most populated jurisdictions in Missouri with nearly one million residents. The court handles a very large number of dissolution filings each year. You can search cases through Case.net online, visit the clerk in person at the courthouse in Clayton, or request records by mail. This page covers the key steps for finding and using St. Louis County dissolution of marriage records.

St. Louis County Dissolution Of Marriage Court

The St. Louis County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records in the county, including every dissolution of marriage case file. The office is at the St. Louis County Courts Building, 105 S Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. Call (314) 615-1500 for questions. The Circuit Clerk's office has details on services, fees, and hours on their website.

The 21st Judicial Circuit serves only St. Louis County. It is one of the largest circuits in Missouri by caseload. The court has many judges and commissioners assigned to family law matters. The clerk maintains the complete file for every dissolution case, including the petition, response, temporary orders, discovery documents, settlement agreements, parenting plans, and the final judgment.

Standard copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies are more expensive but are what most people need for legal purposes. If you need proof of your dissolution for remarriage, a name change, or updating government documents, ask for a certified copy of the decree.

Search Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search St. Louis County dissolution of marriage records online through Missouri Case.net for free. Search by party name, case number, or filing date. Case.net shows docket entries, parties, attorneys, and case outcomes for the 21st Circuit. Records go back to the mid-1990s. Older cases are available through the clerk's office only.

For in-person searches, go to the courts building at 105 S Central Ave in Clayton. The courthouse can be very busy, so plan for wait times. Bring the names of the parties or a case number. Staff can help you locate the case and make copies. You can also call ahead to ask about a case.

Case.net shows what happened in a case but does not let you view the actual documents. The full text of petitions, decrees, and agreements is not available online. For document copies, you must go through the clerk's office in person, by phone, or by mail.

Filing for Dissolution in St. Louis County

To file for dissolution of marriage in St. Louis 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. St. Louis County residents file at the courts building in Clayton.

Note that St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis are separate jurisdictions. If you live in the city, you file with the 22nd Circuit, not the 21st. If you live anywhere in St. Louis County outside the city limits, the 21st Circuit in Clayton is the right court.

The petition must include everything required by RSMo 452.310: residence of each party, date and place of marriage, separation date, names and ages of children, pregnancy status, and last four digits of Social Security numbers. Missouri is a no-fault state. The only ground needed is 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 parties need to finish the litigant awareness program under Missouri Supreme Court Rule 88.09. The 21st Circuit has a family court division with specific procedures, so check with the clerk when you file.

Getting Copies of Dissolution Records

For copies of a St. Louis County dissolution decree, contact the Circuit Clerk at (314) 615-1500 or visit the courthouse at 105 S Central Ave in Clayton. Provide the party names or case number. Standard and certified copies are available at different fee levels.

For a verification statement (names, date, and county only), you can order from the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records at 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Send $15 payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Phone orders go through VitalChek at 1-877-817-7363. The Bureau has dissolution records from July 1948 forward.

Historical dissolution records from St. Louis County may be at the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City. The Archives holds old circuit court files from many counties.

St. Louis County Legal Resources

Legal Services of Missouri provides free legal help to qualifying St. Louis County residents for dissolution and family law matters. The Missouri Bar lawyer referral service can connect you with family law attorneys in the St. Louis metro area.

For self-representation, Missouri Legal Help has step-by-step guides. The Missouri Courts website has approved forms for family law cases. The 21st Circuit also has a self-help center at the Clayton courthouse that assists people filing without an attorney.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo, dissolution records are generally public. You don't need to be a party to request access. Some sensitive information like Social Security numbers and financial account details will be redacted from public copies.

Cities in St. Louis County

St. Louis County has many municipalities. Residents throughout the county file dissolution of marriage cases at the 21st Circuit Court in Clayton.

Nearby Counties