Missouri Divorce Checklist
divorce.law/resources/divorce-checklist/missouri/
Prepared: 5/20/2026
Data updated: 3/1/2026
Estimated Timeline
30 days minimum waiting period (uncontested cases typically finalize in 30-90 days from filing); contested cases with children average 6-12 months; complex contested cases involving significant property, custody disputes, or trial can take 12-18 months or longer in Missouri circuit courts
Documents to Gather
- Certified copy of Marriage Certificate
- Missouri driver's license or state-issued ID
- Social Security cards for both spouses and all minor children
- Children's birth certificates(if applicable)
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement(if applicable)
- Protective or restraining order documentation(if applicable)
Financial Documents
- Last 3 years of federal and state tax returns (including all schedules and W-2s)
- Pay stubs from the last 90 days for all employment
- Bank statements for all accounts (last 12 months)
- Retirement and pension account statements (401k, 403b, IRA, defined benefit)
- Investment and brokerage account statements
- Real estate deeds, mortgage statements, and property appraisals
- Vehicle titles, loan statements, and valuations
- Credit card statements and other debt documentation (last 12 months)
- Business ownership documents and financial statements(if applicable)
- Life, health, auto, and homeowners insurance policies
- Child-related expense documentation (daycare, tuition, medical)(if applicable)
Key Steps
1. Before Filing
- Verify Residency Requirements
- Determine Grounds for Dissolution
- Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
- Obtain Your Marriage Certificate
- Create a Parenting Plan (If Minor Children Are Involved)
2. Filing Process
- Complete the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form CAFC001)
- Prepare Required Financial Disclosure Forms
- File the Petition and Supporting Documents with the Circuit Court
- Prepare the Certificate of Dissolution for Vital Records
3. After Filing
- Serve Your Spouse with the Petition and Summons
- Wait for Respondent's Answer or Entry of Default
- Complete Mandatory Parenting Education Classes (If Children Involved)
- Submit Parenting Plans Within 30 Days of Service
- Participate in Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution (If Ordered)
- Complete Discovery and Financial Disclosure Exchange
- Attend the Final Hearing and Obtain the Judgment of Dissolution
Key Deadlines
Quick Reference
To file for divorce in Missouri, you must first establish that at least one spouse has resided in the state for 90 consecutive days under § 452.305 RSMo. File a notarized Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form CAFC001) with the circuit court in the county where either spouse lives, along with the Confidential Filing Information Sheet (FI-10), Redaction Certification (GN320), and Certificate of Dissolution. Filing fees range from $102.50 to $233.50 depending on the county — fee waivers are available through an In Forma Pauperis application. After filing, serve your spouse via sheriff, process server, or waiver of service. The respondent has 30 days to file a verified Answer (Form CAFC010-R). Both parties must complete financial disclosures using Form CAFC050 (Income and Expenses) and Form CAFC040 (Property and Debt). If minor children are involved, parenting plans (Form CAFC501) are due within 30 days of service, and both parents must complete court-ordered parenting education classes under § 452.372 RSMo. Missouri imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period before the court can finalize the dissolution. Uncontested cases typically conclude within 30 to 90 days, while contested cases may take 6 to 18 months.