Boone County Public Records

Boone County public records are held by several offices in Columbia, the county seat. The Recorder of Deeds, Circuit Clerk, and Collector each keep different types of documents that the public can search and copy. Boone County has roughly 183,000 residents and sits in central Missouri, making it one of the most active counties for record requests in the state. If you need land records, court case files, tax data, or vital documents from Boone County, there are both online and in-person ways to get them. The county has run an iCounty portal for years, which lets you look up records from home at any time.

Boone County Recorder of Deeds

The Boone County Recorder of Deeds is the main office for land and property records. This office files deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate documents. Records go back to 1821, when Boone County was first formed. The Recorder's office is on the third floor of the Boone County Government Center in Columbia. You can visit in person or call to ask about a specific record. Staff can pull documents by name, legal description, or document number, and they will make copies for a small fee.

The Boone County iCounty portal gives you free online access to recorded documents. You can search by grantor, grantee, document type, or date range. The site shows index data and, for many records, full document images. This tool is especially useful when you need to trace property history or check for liens on a parcel in Boone County. Marriage licenses cost $51 to file and are also recorded through this office.

The iCounty system covers deed records, trust deeds, releases, and other instruments filed with the Boone County Recorder. It is one of the more complete online portals among Missouri counties, and many people use it for title research, genealogy work, and checking lien status without having to drive to the courthouse.

Boone County Court Records

Court records in Boone County are filed through the 13th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk handles civil cases, criminal cases, family law matters, and probate filings. You can reach the clerk at (573) 886-8075. The office is in the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia. Case files, judgments, and court orders are all public records unless a judge has sealed them.

Missouri's CaseNet system at courts.mo.gov is the statewide tool for searching court records online. It covers all circuit courts, including the 13th Circuit that serves Boone County. You can search by name, case number, or date to find case details. CaseNet shows the case type, parties, charges, docket entries, and scheduled hearings. It does not show the full text of filings, but it gives you enough to know what a case involves and where it stands.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, found in Chapter 610 RSMo, most government records are open to the public. Court records in Boone County follow this rule with some exceptions. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain mental health proceedings are not available to the public. For everything else, you can request copies from the Circuit Clerk or view them through CaseNet.

The Boone County Assessor also keeps records tied to court actions, particularly tax-related cases and property disputes. The Boone County Assessor's office maintains property valuations, tax maps, and ownership data that connect to court filings when disputes arise over assessed value.

Tax Records in Boone County

The Boone County Collector handles property tax records. This office collects real estate and personal property taxes for the county. You can look up tax bills, check payment history, and see if there are any delinquent taxes on a property. Tax records are public. Anyone can ask to see them.

Tax sale records are also available through the Collector's office. When a property owner does not pay taxes, the county can sell a tax lien on the property. These sales are public proceedings, and the records from each sale are kept by the Collector. If you are researching a property in Boone County, checking for back taxes is an important step. The Collector's phone number is (573) 886-4375, and the office is in the same Government Center building on Walnut Street in Columbia.

Note: Tax records and payment history in Boone County can also be viewed through the Collector's website.

Boone County Vital Records

Vital records such as birth and death certificates are handled at the state level in Missouri. The Bureau of Vital Records, which is part of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, is the main source for certified copies. You can order them online, by mail, or in person at a local office. Boone County does not issue birth or death certificates directly, but the Recorder's office does keep local marriage records.

Marriage licenses in Boone County cost $51. You apply at the Recorder's office in Columbia. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID. There is no waiting period in Missouri. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Recorder, and it becomes a permanent public record. Historical marriage records in Boone County go back to the county's founding in 1821.

Divorce records are court records. They are filed with the 13th Judicial Circuit Clerk in Boone County. You can search for them on CaseNet or request copies at the courthouse. The clerk can provide both plain and certified copies of divorce decrees and related filings.

Historical Public Records

Boone County has some of the oldest records in Missouri. The county was established in 1820, and recorded documents date from 1821. Early land grants, deeds, court minutes, and probate files are part of the county's archive. Some of these older records have been transferred to the Missouri State Archives in Jefferson City for preservation.

The State Archives holds microfilm copies of many Boone County records, including early circuit court files, tax lists, and vital records. Researchers can visit the Archives in person or request copies by mail. For genealogy work, the Archives and the Boone County Recorder's office are both good starting points. The iCounty portal covers more recent records, while the State Archives fills in the gaps for older documents that may not be digitized yet.

Cities in Boone County

Columbia is the largest city in Boone County and home to the University of Missouri. All public records for residents of Columbia are filed at the Boone County offices in the Government Center. Other communities in Boone County include Ashland, Centralia, Hallsville, and Sturgeon. Public records for these areas are also held by Boone County offices.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Boone County in Missouri. If you are not sure which county holds the records you need, check the address of the property or person involved. Each county maintains its own set of public records.