Divorce records in Franklin County, Missouri, can be accessed through several channels. FranklinMOCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Circuit Court that issued the decree, the Franklin County government offices, or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services vital records office. The state vital records office maintains divorce certificates, while the court holds the complete case file including the decree and related orders.
Franklin Divorce Records Search
Franklin County divorce records are maintained by two primary offices. The Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk keeps the full case file for every divorce granted in the county, including the original decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division documents, and all related filings. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, maintains a separate divorce certificate — a shorter document that confirms a divorce took place.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office is located at the Franklin County Courthouse in Union, Missouri. This is the office to contact for copies of divorce decrees, judgments, or any documents filed during the divorce proceeding.
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
The court's records typically include:
- Dissolution of marriage decrees
- Settlement and separation agreements
- Child custody and support orders
- Property division documents
- Motions and court orders filed during the case
For older or historical divorce records, the Missouri State Archives may hold records from county and circuit courts that are no longer actively maintained at the local level.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Franklin County
In Missouri, divorce cases — formally called "dissolution of marriage" proceedings — are handled by the Circuit Court. Franklin County falls within the 20th Judicial Circuit. When a divorce is finalized, the judge signs the decree, and it is filed with the Circuit Court Clerk at the courthouse in Union.
The Circuit Court Clerk's office retains the complete case record. If you need a copy of the actual divorce decree, property settlement, or custody order, this is the office to contact.
Separately, the court reports basic divorce information to the state. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records maintains a statewide index of divorce certificates — summary documents that confirm the divorce occurred, the names of the parties, and the date and county of the decree. These certificates are available for divorces recorded in Missouri from July 1948 forward.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Divorce decree or full case file | Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Settlement agreement or custody order | Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk |
| Divorce certificate (verification only) | Missouri Bureau of Vital Records |
| Historical divorce records (pre-1948) | Missouri State Archives or Circuit Court Clerk |
Franklin County Circuit Court Clerk
Missouri Bureau of Vital Records
You can also explore Missouri's marriage and divorce resources on the state government website for general guidance on the process. Public records requests to county offices may be submitted under Missouri's Sunshine Law; the Attorney General's office provides sample request language you can use.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Franklin County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (Missouri Vital Records) | $15.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Additional copy of divorce certificate (same order) | $11.00 | Included with initial order |
| Court record copy (per page, Circuit Court Clerk) | $0.50–$1.00 | Same day to several business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Circuit Court Clerk) | Varies; contact clerk | Same day to several business days |