Searching For Missouri Divorce Records Online

Out of three marriages in the United States, one usually ends up in divorce.  The divorce rate in America in 2010 is 3.6 per 1,000 people according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The divorce rate in the US does not seem to be coming down in spite of premarital counselling efforts. Additionally, the Department of Human Development & Family Studies stated that divorces in Missouri were 3.9 for every 1,000 people in 2003. Divorce records are public records. This conveys that any member of the public in need can obtain a copy of a divorce record in the state. In getting Divorce Records in Missouri, you can request access to such documents from the County Clerk’s Office in the county where the divorce was filed.
The central repository for divorce records is the Bureau of Vital Statistics which is operated and maintained by the State’s Department of Health and Senior Services. Another valued source for divorce records in the State of Missouri is the Office of the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed and ratified. Therefore, it is important that you know the exact county where the divorce was approved to do the search fast and easily. 
In requesting for a copy of a divorce record in any of the agencies aforementioned, you have to fill out an application form which be downloaded from the Department’s website. Requirements needed are the complete names of the bride and groom, the date and county of the separation, your relationship to the individuals named on the divorce decree, and the reason for your request. In case you are not sure of the exact year the divorce occurred, the office can conduct a maximum of five-year search.
In the State, a copy of a divorce record costs $15 and another $15 is charged for an additional if ordered at the same time. This fee will not be refunded regardless if a record is found or not. Such corresponding fee must be sent with your request. The only payment methods accepted by the Department are check and money order made payable to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. It is requisite that these must be drawn on a United States bank or issued by the United States Postal Service. Payment made in cash is strictly not accepted. 
Copies of divorce decrees in Missouri can actually be acquired online, by mail, by fax, or in person. The processing time for divorce record requests usually depend on what method is utilized and the number of requests the Office of Vital Statistics is receiving. The average turnaround time takes days to weeks considering the factors that affect the delivery or procurement of such records. If you want to obtain the divorce record in an expedited manner, the Department proffers expedited services for an additional charge; or if you want to acquire the record you need in the comfort of your home, you can do it online. 
The number of online service providers today is relatively high thereby providing customer and online users with a wide array of options to choose from. Service providers range from free to fee based. But if you’re after the quality of the results, then you’re better off with the one that charges a minimal charge but yields comprehensive results. What’s nice about these online service providers – both free and fee based – is that, unlike the usual way of obtaining public divorce records, you can do it in the comfort of your own home so long as you have a computer and an Internet handy. As such, you get to save time, money, and effort while procuring the records you need in a fast and practical manner.