Montgomery County Family Court Records
Montgomery County family court records are filed at the Circuit Clerk's office in Montgomery City, Missouri. The 12th Judicial Circuit handles all family law cases for this county, which shares the circuit with Audrain and Warren counties. Divorce cases, custody filings, support orders, and paternity records are all on file at the courthouse on E. 3rd St. You can search Montgomery County family court records for free using Case.net, or visit the clerk's office for copies. Certified copies of court documents are available in person or by mail. The clerk's staff can help you find what you need during regular business hours.
Montgomery County Quick Facts
Montgomery County Circuit Clerk
The Montgomery County Circuit Clerk's office is at 211 E. 3rd St. in Montgomery City, MO 63361. Phone number is (573) 564-3355. The clerk is open Monday through Friday during normal court hours. The office handles all filings for Montgomery County as part of the 12th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Audrain and Warren counties. Judges rotate between the three courthouses, so hearing schedules in Montgomery County depend on the circuit-wide calendar.
Staff at the clerk's office process new filings, collect court fees, issue subpoenas and summons, and keep the official case files for every family law matter. That includes dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, custody, child support, and modification cases. The clerk also maintains the court seal used for certified copies. Walk in with a valid ID to view any public record. Staff can search by party name or case number and make copies while you wait.
Note: Montgomery County is a smaller jurisdiction in the 12th Circuit, so the office may have limited staffing compared to the Audrain County office in Mexico.
Search Montgomery County Court Records Online
Case.net is the free online tool for looking up Montgomery County family court records. Select "Montgomery County - 12th Judicial Circuit" from the court list and pick "Family/Domestic" as the case type. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show docket entries, party names, case status, and hearing dates. There is no fee. The system runs day and night.
Since July 1, 2023, Missouri has been expanding remote access to court documents through Case.net. The 12th Circuit went live on August 20, 2023, as part of the Circuits 12 through 21 rollout. Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2023, in Montgomery County are now viewable from your own device. Documents from before that date still require a trip to the Montgomery City courthouse to view on a public terminal. This expansion was a big step for smaller counties where residents may have to drive a long distance to get to the courthouse.
You can use the "Track This Case" feature on Case.net to follow an active Montgomery County family court case. The system sends email or text notifications when new filings, docket entries, or hearing changes are posted. You set it up once and stay informed without having to check the site.
Family Court Record Types in Montgomery County
Dissolution of marriage records are the most common type in Montgomery County. A case file includes the petition, response, temporary orders, the parenting plan, child support worksheets, and the final judgment of dissolution. The judgment formally ends the marriage. It spells out custody arrangements, child support amounts, spousal maintenance if any, and property division. Missouri uses equitable distribution under RSMo 452.330. The court divides assets fairly, not always equally.
Custody terms in Montgomery County follow RSMo 452.375. Joint legal custody means both parents share decisions about the child's health, education, and welfare. Joint physical custody means the child spends real time with each parent. The law creates a rebuttable presumption favoring equal parenting time. Child support is figured using state guidelines under RSMo 452.340, which look at income, daycare costs, and the child's financial needs.
Paternity actions establish legal fatherhood and often lead to custody and support orders. Modification cases happen when a parent wants to change an existing order due to a change in circumstances. Protection orders from domestic violence cases are part of the family court record, but some victim details may be restricted. Adoption files are confidential.
Getting Copies of Montgomery County Records
Walk into the clerk's office at 211 E. 3rd St. in Montgomery City. Bring a valid ID. Tell the staff which case you need. They pull the file and make copies. Plain copies cost $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $1.50 to $4.00 per document. The office accepts cash, money orders, and cashier's checks. Call (573) 564-3355 to check on personal checks.
Mail requests are another option. Write to the Circuit Clerk at 211 E. 3rd St., Montgomery City, MO 63361. Include the case number if known, the names of the parties, the approximate date of the filing or judgment, and which documents you need. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Turnaround depends on how busy the office is. Certified copies take a bit longer because the clerk must verify and seal each document.
Legal Services of Missouri serves Montgomery County residents who need free legal help with family court matters. They handle divorce, custody, child support, and protection order cases for qualifying individuals. They can also help you understand court records and explain what docket entries mean. If you cannot afford a lawyer, this is the resource to try first.
Filing in Montgomery County Family Court
To file a dissolution in Montgomery County, one spouse must have lived in Missouri for at least 90 days per RSMo 452.305. File at the clerk's office. The clerk assigns a case number. A 30-day waiting period starts. The court may issue temporary orders during this time. The most common ground for dissolution under RSMo 452.320 is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken."
Forms for self-represented filers are at Missouri Courts self-help page. The 12th Circuit uses Missouri's eFiling system for attorneys. The Missouri Sunshine Law makes most family court records public once filed. Supreme Court Operating Rule 2 requires that sensitive information like Social Security numbers be redacted from documents before filing. If redaction is missing, the clerk raises the document's security level until the court rules.
Nearby Counties
If you need family court records from counties near Montgomery, these neighboring jurisdictions may help: