Uncontested Divorce in Missouri

Missouri allows an uncontested divorce when spouses agree on every issue, but the court can’t finalize it until 30 days after you file.

By , Legal Editor
Updated by Editors of DivorceNet

You can get an uncontested divorce, known as a “dissolution of marriage,” in Missouri if you meet the following requirements:

  • at least one of you has lived in the state for 90 days
  • you and your spouse agree that your marriage is irretrievably broken, and
  • you agree on every issue in your case, including property, debts, alimony, and a parenting plan if you have minor children.

An uncontested divorce in Missouri usually costs little more than the court filing fee, which varies by county, and can be finalized as early as 30 days after you file, without a drawn-out court battle.

Read on to learn more about the process, including the paperwork you’ll need, any classes or programs the court might require, and what to expect at each stage.

What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Missouri?

In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse reach a settlement agreement (known as a separation agreement in Missouri) on all the critical issues in your case, including:

Missouri has very specific requirements for the parenting plan. Among other things, it must include:

  • a detailed schedule of when each child will be with each parent
  • a plan for exchanging the kids and handling transportation
  • how parents will communicate with each other and make important decisions on issues like education, health care, and extracurricular activities
  • provisions for health insurance coverage and uncovered health expenses for the children (along with child support payments), and
  • payment of other child-related costs like child care and education expenses.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.310.8 (2026).)

If you and your spouse agree on all of these issues and file all your forms together when you start the divorce process, you can skip some steps in the regular process of filing for dissolution of marriage in Missouri and getting your final divorce decree.

Even if you can’t file your divorce with a complete agreement, you won’t necessarily have to go to court to have a judge resolve the remaining disputes. But you’ll have to start a contested divorce until you reach an agreement, and you might need a mediator, a lawyer, or both along the way.

How to File for an Uncontested Divorce in Missouri

If you and your spouse have agreed on all the issues in your divorce, you can follow Missouri’s streamlined process for uncontested cases. Here’s what you need to know about meeting the state’s residency requirement, preparing your paperwork, and filing everything properly.

Missouri’s Residency Requirement for Divorce

To get a dissolution of marriage in Missouri, you must meet the residency requirement: Either spouse must have lived in Missouri for the 90 days just before you started the divorce proceeding. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305.1(1) (2026).)

Preparing Your Court Forms

Next, you’ll need to gather and complete several forms. Although you’ll decide which spouse is the “petitioner” and which is the “respondent,” that decision doesn’t really matter in an uncontested divorce because you’ve already agreed on everything.

The Missouri Courts’ Representing Yourself in a Family Law Case webpage offers statewide forms and instructions. When you’re filing an uncontested divorce, you only need the forms in the petitioner's Dissolution of Marriage Forms package. That’s because the package includes the respondent’s answer, which you’ll file with the petition and which should indicate agreement with everything in the petition. The package of forms also includes:

  • a statement of both spouses’ income and expenses
  • a list of your property and debts, along with your agreement for dividing them, and
  • your agreed parenting plan, which includes a child support calculation on the court’s Form 14 (a revised version took effect January 1, 2026).

Some local courts require additional forms, so check with the circuit clerk’s office ahead of time. You can find location information with this Find a Court search tool.

If you’re representing yourself, you must also complete the Litigant Awareness Program, either by watching an online video or reading written materials, and file your certificate of completion with the court. The program explains the steps in the Missouri divorce process and the risks of self-representation.

Filing Your Divorce Papers

If you’re the petitioner, bring your paperwork to the circuit courthouse in the county where either you or your spouse lives. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.300.5 (2026).)

Make sure you give your spouse a complete copy of the forms. (You don’t need formal service of process when you’ve filed the respondent’s answer and your agreement with the other paperwork.)

Attending a Hearing and Completing Your Uncontested Divorce in Missouri

After you file your divorce paperwork, Missouri has a 30-day waiting period before a judge can sign your final divorce judgment. Generally, you’ll need to appear for a final hearing, but some Missouri counties let the judge sign the final judgment based on your paperwork alone. If everything is in order and the agreements are fair, the judge will sign the final judgment of dissolution of marriage. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.305.1(1) (2026).)

Pregnancy no longer prevents the judge from entering a final divorce judgment in Missouri. If you have minor children, Missouri courts generally require both parents to attend a parent education program. Ask the circuit clerk what your county requires and how to sign up. (Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 452.305.1(1), 452.372.1 (2026).)

How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Missouri?

Generally, an uncontested divorce costs much less than a traditional, contested divorce. Many couples can complete the process without hiring lawyers, which can save a lot compared with the typical costs of divorce.

Court Fees

The basic cost of an uncontested divorce in Missouri is the court filing fee, which typically ranges from $100 to $250 depending on the county and, in some locations, on whether you have minor children. You might also need to pay a fee for a required parenting class.

If you can’t afford the court fees, you can ask the court to waive them. Ask the circuit court clerk for your county’s fees and, if needed, a waiver application form.

Other Costs

Beyond these court costs, your costs will depend on whether you get a completely do-it-yourself divorce or need some help with the process:

  • Online divorce services typically charge between $150 and $700 to complete the divorce forms and settlement agreement based on your answers to a questionnaire.
  • If you need help reaching a settlement agreement, divorce mediation costs vary widely, depending on the number and complexity of the issues. Typical total costs range from about $3,000 to $8,000, with each spouse normally paying half.
  • If you’re splitting retirement accounts related to your employment (like a 401(k) or pension), you’ll probably need to pay an expert to prepare the special court order known as a “qualified domestic relations order” (QDRO).

And, of course, hiring lawyers will increase your costs. But you can probably minimize lawyers’ fees by getting help only when you truly need it.

Do You Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Divorce in Missouri?

You probably don’t need a lawyer to get an uncontested divorce in Missouri. Many couples divorce without hiring lawyers, handling all the paperwork and filing themselves or using an online divorce service to simplify the process. That said, consider speaking with a qualified family law attorney if you have complex assets to divide (like retirement accounts or a family business), if you have questions about aspects of your divorce, or if you want an independent legal review of your settlement agreement to make sure that you haven’t missed anything or given up any of your legal rights. Keep in mind that court clerks can help you with basic information and procedural questions, but they can’t give legal advice.

You can find the official Missouri statutes on the Missouri Revisor of Statutes webpage. Type a section number into the search bar, or open Title XXX (Domestic Relations) and choose Chapter 452 (Dissolution of Marriage, Divorce, Alimony, and Separate Maintenance).

Missouri has four nonprofit legal aid programs that offer free legal help to those who qualify, each serving a different part of the state:

Even in an uncontested case, a settlement agreement locks in decisions about property, retirement accounts, and your children that are hard to undo later, so it’s worth having a family law attorney review it before you file.