Boone County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Boone County?

Public records in Boone County, Missouri are defined under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.010 as any record, whether written, printed, photographed, or electronically stored, that is made or received by a public governmental body in connection with the transaction of public business. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these records subject to the provisions of Missouri's Sunshine Law.

Boone County maintains a broad range of public records across multiple offices and departments. The following record types are currently available to the public:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, tax liens, and assessments are recorded by the Boone County Recorder of Deeds. Members of the public may search property records including tax assessments, recorded documents, and building and zoning information through the county's official portal.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are administered through Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and the Recorder of Deeds office.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Boone County Clerk and the Missouri Secretary of State.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are managed by the Boone County Assessor and Collector of Revenue.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Boone County Clerk's Office.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of county commission meetings, board sessions, and public hearings are available through the Boone County Clerk.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are published by Boone County Government.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Boone County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use decisions are maintained by the Boone County Planning and Building Inspection Department.

The Boone County Recorder of Deeds serves as the primary custodian for real estate documents and marriage licenses, while the Missouri State Archives maintains historical county and municipal records accessible through the Missouri State Archives research portal.

Is Boone County an Open Records County?

Boone County fully complies with Missouri's open records framework, commonly known as the Sunshine Law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.011, it is the public policy of the state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law. This statute establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that any record not specifically exempted must be made available upon request.

Key provisions of the Missouri Sunshine Law applicable to Boone County include:

Public governmental bodies must respond to a records request within three business days of receiving it.
If a record cannot be provided within three business days, the custodian must acknowledge the request and provide an estimated completion date.
Denial of access must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory basis for the exemption.

Boone County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law. All county departments and offices are bound by the provisions of the Missouri Sunshine Law, and requests are processed in accordance with those statutory requirements.

How to Find Public Records in Boone County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Boone County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record being requested. Property and real estate records are held by the Recorder of Deeds; vital records are available through Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services; court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk.
Search online portals first. Many records are accessible without a formal request. The county's online records search service allows members of the public to view real estate documents, tax liens, and marriage records filed in Boone County at no cost.
Submit a written Sunshine Law request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written request to the appropriate custodial office, citing the Missouri Sunshine Law. Requests should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Submit requests in person, by mail, or electronically. Most Boone County offices accept requests via all three methods. In-person requests may be submitted during regular business hours at the relevant office location.
Await acknowledgment. The custodial office must acknowledge the request within three business days and either provide the records or notify the requester of an estimated fulfillment date.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are ready, the requester must pay any applicable copying or research fees before records are released.

For vital records specifically, certified copies of Missouri birth and death certificates are available through Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services vital records services.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Boone County?

Current fees for public records in Boone County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.026, public governmental bodies may charge fees for providing access to public records, provided those fees do not exceed the actual cost of document search, duplication, and research.

Standard fees currently applicable in Boone County include:

Photocopies: Generally $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies, though individual offices may set rates reflecting actual costs.
Certified copies of recorded documents: The Recorder of Deeds charges fees established by Missouri statute for certified copies of deeds, liens, and other recorded instruments.
Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates carry fees set by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, currently $15.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
Research fees: If a request requires more than one hour of staff research time, the custodial office may charge for staff time at the actual cost of that time.
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may not exceed the cost of the physical media used to provide the records.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial office.

Does Boone County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Boone County, consistent with Missouri law, which does not permit governmental bodies to charge for the mere inspection of records on-site. Members of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without incurring a fee, provided the records are not exempt from disclosure.

Several categories of records are currently available at no cost through official government portals:

Real estate and recorded documents — The Recorder of Deeds online search service provides free access to real estate records, tax liens, and marriage records filed in Boone County.
Property tax and assessment records — Members of the public may access property tax assessments, recorded documents, and zoning information through the county's property records search portal at no charge.
Historical county records — The Missouri State Archives provides free access to county and municipal records databases, microfilm collections, and death certificates dating from 1910 to 1975 through its county and municipal records research resources.

Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

Who Can Request Public Records in Boone County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, may request public records from Boone County governmental bodies under the Missouri Sunshine Law. The law does not restrict access to Missouri residents, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requesters are not required to be residents of Boone County or the State of Missouri.
Identification: Most offices do not require requesters to present identification for general public records requests. Identification may be required when requesting records that contain personal information, such as one's own vital records.
Purpose: Requesters are generally not required to state the purpose of their request. Custodial offices may not condition access on the disclosure of the requester's intended use of the records.
Non-residents: Non-residents of Missouri retain full rights to request and receive public records under the Sunshine Law.
Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records pertaining to themselves, such as their own criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, including juvenile court records, sealed court files, and adoption records, are restricted regardless of the requester's identity and may only be accessed pursuant to a court order.

What Records Are Confidential in Boone County?

Not all government records in Boone County are subject to public disclosure. Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.021 enumerates specific categories of records that public governmental bodies may close to public inspection. The following record types are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Missouri law.
Ongoing investigation records — Records related to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are exempt from disclosure.
Medical records — Health and medical records are protected under both Missouri law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only under specific statutory conditions or court order.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services are confidential.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for records relating to the performance of public duties.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Commercially sensitive information submitted to government bodies may be withheld.
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records that could compromise public safety or critical infrastructure security are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles embedded in Missouri's Sunshine Law framework.

Boone County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Boone County Recorder of Deeds serves as the primary custodian for real estate documents, tax liens, and marriage licenses filed in Boone County. Members of the public may visit the office in person, submit requests by mail, or access many records through the office's online portal.

Boone County Recorder of Deeds 801 E. Walnut Street, Room 231, Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 886-4350 Boone County Recorder of Deeds

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (Vital Records) 1005 W. Worley Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 874-7355 Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services

Boone County Clerk's Office 801 E. Walnut Street, Room 235, Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 886-4375 Boone County Clerk

Boone County Circuit Court Clerk 705 E. Walnut Street, Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 886-4000 Boone County Circuit Court

Boone County Sheriff's Office 2121 County Drive, Columbia, MO 65202 (573) 875-1111 Boone County Sheriff's Office