Boone County Court Records Search
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Boone County, situated in central Missouri with its county seat in Columbia, is home to the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri. This court serves as the sole trial-level court in the county and operates through several specialized divisions — including criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and municipal. The Boone County Circuit Clerk’s Office, headquartered at the Boone County Courthouse, manages all filings and serves as the primary custodian of court records. Residents, attorneys, and members of the public can access these records through a combination of online tools, in-person visits, and written requests.
For those beginning a court records search in Missouri, official judicial resources offer the most reliable starting point. The state’s judiciary maintains Case.net, a free online portal where the public can look up case information across all Missouri circuit courts, including Boone County. Additional information about court operations, local rules, and forms can be found through MissouriCourts.us. Between these statewide tools and the local clerk’s office, most publicly available court case information in Boone County can be located through official channels without cost.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Boone County?
Boone County offers multiple avenues for conducting a court case search. The method you choose depends on whether you need basic docket information or certified copies of specific filings.
Online Through Case.net
The Missouri courts Case.net portal is the primary electronic search tool for Boone County court records. Users can perform a litigant name search or search by case number or filing date. The portal displays docket entries, parties, hearing schedules, charges, and case dispositions at no cost. Since July 1, 2023, the system has also offered expanded remote public access, allowing users to view, download, and print many court documents directly from personal devices. Documents filed before that date may not be available electronically.
In Person at the Courthouse
The Circuit Clerk’s Office is open for walk-in visits during regular business hours. Public access terminals may be available at the clerk’s office for electronic searches. Staff can also assist with locating specific case records.
Boone County Courthouse
Address: 705 E. Walnut, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Circuit Clerk’s Office occupies the first and second floors of the courthouse.
By Mail or Fax
Each court division accepts written copy requests submitted with the appropriate division-specific form. Completed forms can be mailed or faxed to the relevant division along with payment for applicable fees.
Copy Fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Photocopies of court records | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copies | $2.50 per page |
| Clerical search time | $0.20 per minute |
Accepted payment methods generally include cash, money order, cashier’s check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
Are Court Records Public in Boone County?
Missouri maintains a strong presumption of openness for government records. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo) requires public governmental bodies — including courts — to make records accessible to anyone who requests them, subject to specific statutory exemptions.
Most Boone County court records fall within this public access framework. Docket sheets, case filings, judgments, orders, and dispositions in criminal, civil, and probate matters are generally available for inspection and copying. The expanded remote public access rules effective since mid-2023 have further broadened the ability to view court documents electronically through Case.net.
Records Exempt from Public Disclosure
Certain categories of court records are restricted or entirely confidential under Missouri law:
- Records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to § 610.140 RSMo
- Juvenile court proceedings
- Adoption case files
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Records of dismissed criminal cases or acquittals, under certain conditions
- Personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
When requesting records, the clerk’s office may require photo identification if the records involve confidential case types. If you believe a record has been improperly withheld, Missouri law provides a mechanism to challenge denials through the courts, and the Attorney General’s Sunshine Law resources offer guidance on open records rights.
Boone County Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court handles all felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions filed by the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office or by grand jury indictment. Criminal court records maintained by this division include charging documents, arraignment records, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and probation-related filings that are part of the court file.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal case records can be searched online at no charge through Case.net by defendant name or case number. For more detailed records or certified copies, contact the Criminal Division directly:
Phone: (573) 886-4016
Fax: (573) 886-4018
Location: Boone County Courthouse, 705 E. Walnut, Columbia, MO 65201
Requesting Copies of Criminal Court Records
To obtain copies, complete the Criminal Division Copy Request Form and submit it in person, by mail, or by fax. Include the following:
- The completed request form with case details
- Payment for applicable fees ($1.00 for the first page, $0.10 for each additional page)
- A photo ID if the records involve confidential information
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
County-level criminal background checks are not available in Missouri. Comprehensive criminal history reports must be obtained through the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. The CJIS aggregates criminal history data reported by law enforcement agencies across the state, including those in Boone County.
Background checks can be conducted through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS):
- Fingerprint-based search: $20.00 per request (requires an FD-258 fingerprint card)
- Name-based search: $15.00 per request
- Notarized results: Additional $2.00
The MACHS portal also allows users to locate fingerprinting sites, schedule appointments, and check the status of pending requests.
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, warrant information, and jail rosters independently from court records. The Sheriff’s Office provides several online services, including access to active arrest warrants and current detainee information.
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 2121 County Dr., Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: (573) 875-1111
Fax: (573) 874-8953
Email: bcso@boonemo.gov
Boone County Civil Court Records
The Civil Division of the Boone County Circuit Court handles lawsuits involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, foreclosures, landlord-tenant disputes, and other non-criminal litigation. Small claims cases — involving amounts up to the statutory threshold — are also processed within the circuit court system.
How to Access Civil Court Records
Civil case records can be searched through Case.net at no cost. The online portal provides docket information, party names, filing dates, and case dispositions. In-person inspection of civil case files is also available at the Circuit Clerk’s Office during business hours.
Requesting Copies
To request copies of civil court filings, complete the Civil Court Copy Request Form and submit it to the Civil Division by mail, fax, or in person. The form details required fees and items. Payment must accompany the request, and a photo ID is needed for confidential records.
Civil Division Contact:
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4045
Property-Related Records
While the court handles property-related litigation, recorded instruments such as deeds, liens, mortgages, and easements are maintained by the Boone County Recorder of Deeds. The Recorder’s Office offers an online search portal where users can look up real estate documents, tax liens, and marriage records. Registration is required to access the search system. The Recorder can be reached at (573) 886-4345 or by email at recorder@boonemo.gov.
Columbia Municipal Court
Traffic violations and municipal ordinance cases within the City of Columbia are handled by the Columbia Municipal Court, which operates as a division of the 13th Judicial Circuit:
Columbia Municipal Court
Address: 600 East Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 874-7230
Fax: (573) 874-7231
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (closed Fridays)
Boone County Family Court Records
The Boone County Family Court Division adjudicates cases involving dissolution of marriage, legal separations, paternity actions, child custody and visitation, child support, orders of protection (both adult and child abuse), juvenile matters, and name changes. Given the sensitive nature of these proceedings, some family court records carry additional access restrictions.
Searching Family Court Records
Public family court records are searchable online through Case.net. In-person searches can be conducted at the Family Court Division office inside the Boone County Courthouse. To facilitate a search, provide the litigant’s name, case number, or filing date.
Requesting Copies of Family Court Records
The Family Court Copy Request Form must be completed and submitted in person, by mail, or by fax. Required items include:
- The completed form with relevant case information
- Payment ($1.00 for the first page, $0.10 for each additional page)
- A photo ID for any records that involve confidential information
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) Records
Divorce decrees and related filings are maintained by the Family Court Division and are generally accessible as public records. Certified copies of dissolution decrees can be obtained through the clerk’s office. Financial affidavits and certain exhibits involving sensitive personal data may be filed under seal.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Boone County are issued and recorded by the Boone County Recorder of Deeds, not the court. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $9.00 and can be requested by phone at (573) 886-4345, in person at 801 East Walnut, Rm 132, Columbia, MO 65201, or online through OfficialRecordsOnline.com. A $1.55 processing fee applies for debit or credit card payments. Military personnel and veterans are exempt from fees for up to five certified copies. The Recorder also offers a Marriage Copy Request Form for mail-in requests.
Child Support
The Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Child Support Unit works in coordination with the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division, to enforce and modify child support orders. Court records related to child support proceedings can be accessed through the Family Court Division, though personal financial details are typically redacted.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records such as birth and death certificates are not court records. They are maintained by the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services. These records are confidential and available only to eligible requesters — the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, or legal representatives.
- Birth certificates: $15.00 per copy
- Death certificates: $14.00 (first copy), $11.00 (each additional copy)
Requests can be made in person at 1005 W. Worley St., Columbia, MO 65203, or by mail using the Missouri Death or Birth Certificate Application (also available in Spanish). Mail requests should be sent to the Registrar’s Office at P.O. Box 6015, Columbia, MO 65205-6015. Online requests are available through the provider listed on the department’s Vital Records page, with an additional $11.25 handling fee.
Boone County Probate Court Records
The Boone County Probate Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over estates of deceased persons, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and durable powers of attorney. The division also hears cases involving involuntary commitment of individuals with mental illness or substance abuse disorders, as well as proceedings related to sexually violent predators.
Types of Probate Records
Probate filings maintained by the Boone County Circuit Clerk include wills submitted for probate, petitions for letters testamentary or of administration, estate inventories, accountings, distribution orders, conservatorship petitions and annual reports, and guardianship appointment orders.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available online through Case.net, where users can search by the decedent’s name, ward’s name, or case number. Docket entries and basic case data are accessible electronically. In-person inspection of probate files is available at the Probate Division within the Boone County Courthouse during regular business hours.
Requesting Copies
To obtain copies of probate court documents, complete the Probate Division Copy Request Form and submit it with the appropriate fees and a photo ID (when required for confidential records). Requests can be made in person or by mail to:
Boone County Probate Division
Boone County Courthouse
705 E. Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201
Standard copy fees apply: $1.00 for the first page and $0.10 for each additional page. Certified copies are $2.50 per page. The Probate Division shares the same general courthouse phone line at (573) 886-4000.
For those needing to initiate a probate proceeding, the 13th Judicial Circuit publishes court forms specific to Boone County probate matters, including petitions, inventories, and fiduciary accounting templates. The Boone County Public Administrator may also be involved in cases where no suitable private party is available to serve as personal representative or conservator.