Franklin County Divorce Records
What Are Franklin County Divorce Records?
Franklin County divorce records are official legal documents generated by the Circuit Court of Franklin County, Missouri, that formally document the dissolution of a marriage. These records encompass the complete court file associated with a divorce proceeding, including the petition for dissolution, summons, financial disclosures, custody agreements, property settlement agreements, and the final decree of dissolution. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 452.300, which governs the dissolution of marriage in the state, a marriage is legally terminated only upon the court's entry of a final decree, making that decree the foundational document in any divorce record.
Members of the public and parties to a divorce proceeding may require these records for a variety of legal and administrative purposes, including:
- Providing legal proof of a change in marital status
- Applying for a marriage license for a subsequent marriage
- Completing a legal name change with state and federal agencies
- Claiming Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
- Submitting documentation for mortgage or loan applications
- Supporting immigration petitions or visa applications
- Updating beneficiary designations on insurance policies or retirement accounts
The Franklin County Missouri Circuit Court maintains these records as part of its official judicial archive, and they are considered permanent legal instruments under Missouri law.
Are Franklin County Divorce Records Public?
Access to Franklin County divorce records is governed by a two-tier framework that distinguishes between court case files and certified divorce certificates. Court case files associated with divorce proceedings are generally considered public records under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.010, the Missouri Sunshine Law, which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy governmental records. Members of the public may inspect the general contents of a divorce case file at the Circuit Court Clerk's office, subject to applicable fees and procedural requirements.
However, certified divorce certificates and certain sensitive portions of the case file are subject to restricted access. The following categories of information are typically protected from unrestricted public disclosure:
- Financial account numbers and detailed asset schedules
- Social Security numbers of the parties or their dependents
- Records pertaining to minor children, including custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports
- Sealed portions of the file ordered confidential by the presiding judge
- Domestic violence-related filings that could endanger a party's safety
Certified copies of the final decree of dissolution are generally available only to the parties named in the proceeding, their legal representatives, and individuals who can demonstrate a legitimate legal interest. Missouri's vital records statutes further restrict access to statewide divorce index records maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Franklin County Circuit Court – Circuit Clerk's Office 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-6355 Franklin County Missouri
How To Find a Divorce Record In Franklin County in 2026
Locating a divorce record in Franklin County requires identifying the correct court of jurisdiction and submitting a properly documented request. All divorce proceedings in Franklin County are filed with the 20th Judicial Circuit Court, located in Union, Missouri. The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining these records:
- Identify the case information. Gather the full legal names of both parties, the approximate year the divorce was finalized, and, if available, the case number.
- Contact the Circuit Clerk's Office. Members of the public may visit the clerk's office in person during public counter hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or submit a written request by mail.
- Complete a records request form. The clerk's office provides standardized request forms at the counter. Requestors must specify whether they are seeking a certified copy of the final decree or access to the full case file.
- Submit valid identification. Government-issued photo identification is required for all in-person requests. Parties to the proceeding must additionally demonstrate their status.
- Pay applicable fees. Missouri courts charge per-page copying fees and a certification fee for certified copies. Current fee schedules are available at the clerk's counter.
- Await processing. In-person requests are typically fulfilled same-day for available records. Mail requests may require seven to fourteen business days.
Franklin County Circuit Court – Circuit Clerk's Office 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-6355 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Franklin County Missouri
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Franklin County Online?
Members of the public seeking to search Franklin County divorce records online may utilize Missouri's statewide case management system. The Missouri Case.net portal, maintained by the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator, provides public access to circuit court case information, including dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in Franklin County. Users may search by party name, case number, or filing date to locate relevant case records.
The following steps apply to an online search:
- Navigate to the Missouri Case.net public access portal
- Select "Franklin County" from the court location dropdown menu
- Enter the full or partial name of either party to the divorce
- Filter results by case type, selecting "Dissolution of Marriage" or "Family" as applicable
- Review the case summary, which includes filing dates, party names, and case status
- Note that full document images may not be available online for all cases; in-person or mail requests to the clerk's office may be necessary to obtain complete records
Missouri residents may also access general vital records information through the MO.gov residents portal, which provides guidance on obtaining marriage and divorce records at both the state and local levels.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Franklin County?
Members of the public may access certain Franklin County divorce records at no cost through available public resources. The Missouri Case.net portal provides free online access to case index information, including party names, case numbers, filing dates, and case status for dissolution proceedings. This service does not require registration or payment and is available at all times.
Additional no-cost access options include:
- In-person inspection at the Circuit Clerk's Office. Members of the public may inspect open case files at the clerk's counter without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
- Missouri State Archives. Historical divorce records for older proceedings may be accessible through the Missouri State Archives research services at no cost for basic index searches.
- Public law libraries. The Franklin County Courthouse maintains access to legal research resources that may assist in locating case information.
Certified copies and official court documents will incur standard court fees regardless of the method of access. Free access is generally limited to index-level information and in-person file review.
What's Included in a Divorce Record In Franklin County
A Franklin County divorce record constitutes the complete official file maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk for a dissolution of marriage proceeding. The contents of a standard divorce record include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage – the initiating document filed by the petitioner
- Summons and proof of service – documentation confirming the respondent was properly notified
- Respondent's answer or counter-petition, if filed
- Financial disclosure statements – including income, assets, debts, and expenses of both parties
- Separation agreement or marital settlement agreement – detailing division of property, debts, and spousal support
- Parenting plan and custody order, if minor children are involved
- Child support worksheets and related orders
- Motions, orders, and hearing transcripts filed during the proceeding
- Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage – the court's official judgment terminating the marriage
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs), if retirement assets were divided
The final decree is the most frequently requested document and serves as the primary legal proof of divorce for most administrative and legal purposes.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Franklin County?
Proof of divorce in Franklin County is most commonly obtained in the form of a certified copy of the Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Circuit Court Clerk. This document bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally recognized by government agencies, financial institutions, and foreign authorities.
Members of the public may obtain proof of divorce through the following channels:
- In-person request at the Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office, with valid photo identification and payment of applicable fees
- Mail request submitted to the clerk's office with a completed request form, copy of identification, and a check or money order for fees
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – The department maintains a statewide divorce index for proceedings finalized from 1948 to the present. Certified verification letters may be ordered through the Missouri vital records office, which processes requests for individuals who need confirmation of a divorce on record in Missouri
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Bureau of Vital Records 912 Wildwood Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65109 (573) 751-6387 Order a Copy of a Vital Record
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Franklin County?
Certain portions of a Franklin County divorce proceeding may be designated as confidential by court order or by operation of law. Under Missouri court rules and applicable statutes, a presiding judge retains the authority to seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause, such as the protection of minor children, the safety of a domestic violence survivor, or the preservation of sensitive financial information.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be treated as confidential include:
- Sealed case files – ordered by the court upon motion of either party or sua sponte by the judge
- Juvenile and custody records – documents pertaining to minor children are subject to heightened protection under Missouri law
- Domestic violence protective orders – filings that could reveal the location or safety information of a protected party
- In camera submissions – documents reviewed privately by the judge and not entered into the public record
- Financial account details – Social Security numbers and full account numbers are routinely redacted from public-facing documents pursuant to Missouri Supreme Court Rule 55.32
Members of the public seeking access to a sealed or restricted file must file a motion with the court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Franklin County?
The duration of a divorce proceeding in Franklin County varies based on the complexity of the case, the level of agreement between the parties, and current court docket conditions. Missouri law imposes a mandatory waiting period under § 452.305, which requires that at least thirty days elapse between the filing of the petition and the entry of the final decree.
Approximate timeframes by case type are as follows:
- Uncontested divorce (no minor children, no significant assets): Typically 30 to 90 days from filing, assuming all paperwork is properly completed and submitted
- Uncontested divorce with minor children: Generally 60 to 120 days, as parenting plans and child support worksheets require additional review
- Contested divorce: May range from six months to two or more years, depending on the number of disputed issues, the need for discovery, and the availability of hearing dates on the court's docket
- High-conflict cases involving business valuations, custody disputes, or significant assets: May extend beyond two years in complex circumstances
Factors that commonly extend the timeline include incomplete service of process, failure to reach agreement on property division, requests for continuances, and the scheduling demands of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court.
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Divorce Records?
Franklin County Circuit Court maintains divorce records in accordance with Missouri's records retention schedules established by the Missouri Secretary of State and applicable court rules. Final decrees of dissolution of marriage and the associated case files are classified as permanent records and are retained indefinitely by the Circuit Court Clerk.
Specific retention guidelines include:
- Final Decree of Dissolution: Permanent retention; never destroyed
- Complete case file (pleadings, orders, financial disclosures): Retained permanently as part of the court's official record
- Audio recordings of hearings: Retained for a minimum period as specified by Missouri Supreme Court administrative orders, typically ten years
- Microfilm and digital archives: The court has progressively digitized older records; physical files for older cases may be stored off-site but remain retrievable upon request
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services maintains a statewide divorce index covering proceedings from 1948 forward, providing an additional long-term reference resource accessible through the Missouri vital records program.
How To Get a Divorce In Franklin County
Initiating a divorce in Franklin County requires filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that either party may seek dissolution by alleging that the marriage is irretrievably broken, without the need to prove fault or misconduct by the other spouse.
The general process for obtaining a divorce in Franklin County proceeds as follows:
- Establish residency. At least one spouse must have been a Missouri resident for a minimum of 90 days prior to filing, as required by Missouri statute.
- Prepare and file the petition. The petitioner completes the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and files it with the Circuit Clerk's Office, along with a summons and any required supporting documents. Filing fees are assessed at the time of submission.
- Serve the respondent. The respondent must be formally served with the petition and summons in accordance with Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure.
- Observe the mandatory waiting period. Missouri law requires a minimum of 30 days between filing and the entry of a final decree.
- Negotiate and submit agreements. In uncontested cases, the parties submit a signed separation agreement, parenting plan (if applicable), and child support worksheets for the court's approval.
- Attend hearings. Contested cases require one or more hearings before the assigned judge. Uncontested cases may be resolved through a brief prove-up hearing or by submission of affidavits.
- Receive the final decree. Upon the court's approval, the judge signs the Final Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, which is then filed with the clerk and becomes part of the permanent court record.
Franklin County Circuit Court – Circuit Clerk's Office 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-6355 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Franklin County Missouri
How To Get Divorce Papers In Franklin County
Members of the public seeking blank divorce forms or filed copies of divorce documents in Franklin County may obtain them through several official channels. Missouri courts provide standardized self-represented litigant forms for dissolution of marriage proceedings, which are available at no cost.
Blank divorce forms may be obtained through the following sources:
- Franklin County Circuit Clerk's Office – Staff at the public counter can direct self-represented litigants to the appropriate packet of forms for their specific circumstances (with or without children, contested or uncontested)
- Missouri Courts Self-Help Center – The Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator maintains an online self-help resource with downloadable dissolution of marriage forms
- Missouri Legal Aid – Eligible low-income residents may obtain assistance completing divorce forms through Missouri Legal Aid offices serving Franklin County
Copies of filed divorce documents from an existing case may be obtained by:
- Submitting an in-person request at the Circuit Clerk's Office with valid identification and payment of copying fees
- Submitting a written mail request to the clerk's office with a completed request form and applicable fees
- Accessing case documents through the Missouri Case.net portal for cases where document images are available online
Missouri residents seeking general guidance on vital records related to divorce, including statewide divorce verification letters, may consult the resources available through the MO.gov residents portal for additional state-level services and agency contacts.
Franklin County Circuit Court – Circuit Clerk's Office 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-6355 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Franklin County Missouri