What Documents Do You Need for Divorce in Missouri

The Core Forms Every Missouri Divorce Requires

Missouri uses standardized forms issued by the Supreme Court and the Office of State Courts Administrator (OSCA). All of them are available free at selfrepresent.mo.gov. You don't need to buy blank forms from anyone — what you need is to know which forms apply to your situation, what order to complete them in, and how to avoid the mistakes that get filings rejected.

Here's the complete list:

Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (CAFC001)

This is the document that starts your case. It identifies both spouses, states the date and place of marriage, lists any minor children, and alleges that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You must also disclose whether the wife is currently pregnant (a requirement under RSMo § 452.310 that persists after HCS HBs 1908 & 2337 takes effect on August 28, 2026).

CAFC001 must be signed in front of a Notary Public. An unsigned or unnotarized petition will be rejected at the clerk's window.

Confidential Case Filing Information Sheet (FI-10)

This administrative form collects Social Security numbers and other sensitive identifiers for the court's internal database. It remains sealed — it never appears on Case.net or in public records.

Statement of Property and Debt (CAFC040)

A comprehensive inventory of everything you own and owe, separated into marital property and non-marital property. You'll list real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, personal property, credit card balances, student loans, mortgages, and any other obligations.

This form must be signed under penalty of perjury. In an uncontested case, the property schedule doubles as your proposed division agreement — what you list here is what the judge reviews.

Statement of Income and Expenses (CAFC050)

An itemized breakdown of your gross monthly income (from all sources) and your monthly living expenses. The court uses this to evaluate spousal maintenance requests and child support calculations.

Like the property schedule, this is a verified statement signed under oath.

Parenting Plan (CAFC501, Parts A & B) — If Children Are Involved

If you have minor children, the Parenting Plan is mandatory. Part A covers legal custody (decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and religious upbringing) and physical custody (the residential schedule). Part B covers detailed provisions for holidays, vacations, communication between the non-residential parent and the children, and relocation restrictions.

The Parenting Plan must be filed within 30 days of service. If both parents agree, you can file a joint plan. If you disagree, each parent files their own proposed plan, and the court decides.

Form 14 — Child Support Amount Calculation Worksheet

Missouri's child support system runs on Form 14, a line-by-line mathematical worksheet that calculates the presumed monthly child support obligation. It factors in both parents' gross income, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and the custody schedule.

You'll need recent pay stubs (at least the last two) and your most recent federal tax return to complete it accurately. The calculated amount is presumed correct — the judge can deviate from it, but only with written findings explaining why.

Fee Waiver (GN10 / FI-50) — If You Can't Afford Filing Fees

If you cannot afford filing fees, you can file a Motion and Affidavit in Support of Request to Proceed as a Poor Person. This form asks for a detailed breakdown of income, expenses, and assets; documentation of public benefits can support the request. A judge reviews it and either grants or denies the waiver.

In Jackson County, fee-waiver review is simplified if you provide documentation of qualifying public-benefit enrollment.

Vital Statistics Report (Certificate of Dissolution)

This state health department form records the divorce for official vital records. It's an administrative form — no notarization required — but it must be completed before the court will finalize your case.

Local County Requirements

Beyond the statewide forms, individual counties add their own requirements:

• St. Louis County requires financial document exchange under Local Rule 68.5: three years of tax returns, two most recent pay stubs, three months of bank and credit card statements, and recent asset valuations
• Greene County permits a Judgment by Affidavit (no hearing) for uncontested cases without minor children
• Boone County compresses the parent education class deadline to 30 days from filing

Check your specific circuit's local rules before filing. The circuit clerk's office can tell you what supplemental documents your county requires.

Organizing Before You File

The most common reason petitions get rejected or delayed isn't missing a form — it's incomplete forms. Every blank field, every missing notarization, every unsigned verification page creates a trip back to the clerk's office.

The Missouri Divorce Filing Process Guide includes pre-filing worksheets designed to help you gather and organize every piece of information you'll need before you sit down with the official forms. The property organizer alone walks through 15 asset categories so nothing gets overlooked on CAFC040.

See more Missouri guides →