To open a Missouri divorce, you need a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage plus a set of supporting documents filed with it. At minimum, that means the petition, a Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet, a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage, a Statement of Income and Expenses, and a Statement of Property and Debt. With minor children, add a proposed Parenting Plan and a Form 14 child support worksheet. Several of these must be notarized.
Filing with a complete package is the difference between a case that moves and one that stalls at the clerk’s window.
What Documents Do You File to Start a Missouri Divorce?
The Missouri Courts publish the standard statewide forms. The core set:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form CAFC010). The opening document, verified under oath before a notary. Under Section 452.310, it must allege the marriage is irretrievably broken and include details about both spouses, the marriage, any children, and the orders you are requesting.
- Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (Form FI-10). Case data for the court’s records, including contact information.
- Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage. A vital records document feeding Missouri’s statistics, later used to prove the divorce.
- Statement of Income and Expenses (Form CAFC050). Monthly income and expenses, notarized. It cannot be filed blank.
- Judgment and Decree of Dissolution of Marriage. The proposed final order. Courts differ on when this gets submitted.
Filing fees are set at the county level, so confirm the amount with the circuit clerk where you file. If you cannot afford it, an In Forma Pauperis application asks the court to waive the fee.
What Extra Documents Are Required If You Have Children?
Two more, and they carry the most weight in the case:
- Parenting Plan (Form CAFC501). Section 452.310.8 requires each party to submit a proposed plan within 30 days after service or entry of appearance. It sets out legal and physical custody, a specific residential and holiday schedule, exchanges, communication, decision-making, and how disputes get resolved.
- Form 14 child support worksheet. Missouri’s presumed support calculation under Section 452.340 and Supreme Court Rule 88.01. An updated Form 14 took effect January 1, 2026, so use the current version.
Courts also require completion of a parent education program before judgment in cases involving children.
Do You Meet Missouri’s Residency Requirement?
Before any of it matters, confirm you qualify. Under Section 452.305:
- One spouse must have resided in Missouri for at least 90 days immediately before filing
- At least 30 days must pass after the petition is filed before the court can enter a judgment
File in the circuit court of the county where either spouse resides.
What Financial Records Should You Gather Before Filing?
The forms ask for numbers you will need to back up later. Pull these together early:
- Tax returns for the past three years, with all schedules, W-2s, K-1s, and 1099s
- Pay stubs for the three months before filing
- Bank and brokerage statements, three most recent for every account
- Retirement and pension statements, vested or not
- Mortgage statements and deeds for any real property
- Credit card and loan statements showing current balances
- Insurance policies, including health, life, and auto
- Childcare, health insurance, and medical or orthodontic costs for the children from the past 12 months
- Business records if either spouse owns a business, plus any recent appraisals
- Marriage certificate, and any prenuptial or postnuptial agreement
Gathering these before filing saves money later, since your attorney is not billing time to chase documents you could pull yourself.
What Does St. Louis County Require?
The 21st Judicial Circuit adds local requirements under Rule 68:
- Income and Expense and Property Statements go in with the first pleading. The clerk will not accept the pleading without them unless waived, and entries reading “varies” or “TBD” need a judge’s approval (Rule 68.2).
- Everything is filed electronically, including entries of appearance (Rule 68.1).
- The responding spouse files financial statements within 60 days of service or entry of appearance.
- Mandatory document exchange within 75 days of service covers tax returns, wage stubs, account and retirement statements, appraisals, mortgage and debt statements, and trust instruments (Rule 68.5). Documents not exchanged on time can be excluded from evidence.
- A separate paternity case, with no filing fee, is required when paternity must be established for a child in the divorce.
The City of St. Louis sits in the 22nd Circuit and has its own local rules, so confirm which apply to you.
FAQ
Do Missouri divorce papers have to be notarized?
Yes, several. The Petition for Dissolution, Statement of Income and Expenses, and Statement of Property and Debt are signed before a notary public.
Can I file for divorce in Missouri without my spouse’s signature?
Yes. Your spouse’s agreement is not required. If they will not sign an answer or entry of appearance, they are served with the petition and summons.
What happens if I leave a section of a form blank?
Incomplete forms get rejected or delay your case. Write “N/A” where a question does not apply rather than skipping it, and never file the income and expense statement blank.
How long after filing can the divorce be finalized?
No sooner than 30 days after the petition is filed. Contested cases involving custody or property usually take considerably longer.
Getting Your Divorce Paperwork Right the First Time
A complete, accurate filing sets the tone for everything that follows. Incomplete financial statements and missing parenting plans are among the most common reasons Missouri divorce cases lose time early.
At Raza Family Law Solutions, we prepare and file divorce paperwork for St. Louis clients and work toward resolution through mediation and collaborative practice wherever the situation allows. Schedule a consultation to review what your case will require.