Divorce records in Buchanan County, Missouri, are available through several channels. BuchananCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for cases filed in the county. You can also request records directly from the circuit court that issued the decree, the Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds, or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, which maintains divorce certificates at the state level. The method you use depends on the type of document you need and how you plan to use it.
Buchanan Divorce Records Search
Buchanan County divorce records are maintained by two primary offices. The Circuit Court of Buchanan County — part of Missouri's 5th Judicial Circuit — keeps the complete case files for all divorces (called "dissolutions of marriage" under Missouri law) filed in the county. These files include the original petition, the dissolution decree, property settlement agreements, custody and support orders, and any subsequent modifications.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, maintains a separate divorce certificate that confirms a dissolution occurred. This is a shorter document and does not include the full terms of the decree.
Records held by the circuit court typically include:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Decree of dissolution (final judgment)
- Settlement and separation agreements
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Motions, responses, and other case filings
To search for or request court records, contact the Buchanan County Circuit Clerk's office:
Buchanan County Circuit Clerk
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Buchanan
In Missouri, divorce cases are handled by the circuit courts. When a dissolution of marriage is filed in Buchanan County, the case goes through the Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit. After the judge signs the decree, the circuit clerk's office retains the original case file and all associated documents.
The state vital records office also receives a report of each finalized divorce. If you need a divorce certificate — a summary document confirming the dissolution — you can order one from the state. If you need the full decree or case file, you must go through the circuit clerk.
For Court Records (Decree, Settlement, Custody Orders)
Buchanan County Circuit Clerk
For Divorce Certificates (Vital Record)
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Bureau of Vital Records
You can also order a divorce certificate online through the state's vital records portal. Missouri divorce certificates are available for dissolutions that occurred from July 1948 to the present.
For Historical or Archived Court Records
Older Buchanan County court records may have been transferred to the Missouri State Archives, which holds historical judicial records from counties across the state. If you are searching for a divorce that occurred decades ago and the circuit clerk no longer has the file, the State Archives is the next place to check.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Buchanan
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (state vital records, standard mail) | $15.00 | 2–3 weeks |
| Additional copies of same divorce certificate (ordered at same time) | $11.00 each | Included with initial order |
| Divorce certificate (expedited processing via state) | $15.00 + expedited shipping fee | 5–7 business days |
| Certified copy of court record (circuit clerk) | $2.00 per page (certified) | Varies; typically same day to several business days |
| Non-certified court record copy (circuit clerk) | $0.50 per page | Varies; often same day if in person |