Boone County Public Records /Boone County Court Records

Boone County Court Records

What Is Boone County Court Records

Court records in Boone County, Missouri, are official documents generated by the judicial system in the course of legal proceedings. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Each document type serves a distinct function: dockets provide a chronological index of case activity, pleadings contain the formal allegations and responses of parties, and judgments reflect the court's final determinations on matters before it.

Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by Boone County. Property records, for example, are held by the County Assessor and Recorder of Deeds, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Court records, by contrast, are generated exclusively through judicial proceedings and are maintained by the clerk of the relevant court.

The following courts in Boone County maintain official court records:

Circuit Court (13th Judicial Circuit) — handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters
Municipal Court (City of Columbia) — handles ordinance violations and traffic infractions within city limits
Probate Division — maintains records related to estates, guardianships, and conservatorships
Family Court Division — maintains records for dissolution of marriage, child custody, and support proceedings
Small Claims Court — maintains records for civil disputes involving limited monetary amounts
Associate Circuit Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, and preliminary hearings

Under § 610.010 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, public governmental bodies are required to maintain and make available records of their proceedings, which includes judicial records generated in the course of official court business.

Are Court Records Public In Boone County

Court records in Boone County are presumptively open to the public under Missouri law. The Missouri Sunshine Law, § 610.011 RSMo, establishes that all public records shall be open to the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This presumption of openness extends to judicial records maintained by the courts of the 13th Judicial Circuit.

The following categories of court records are generally available for public inspection:

Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
Judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and hearing schedules
Sentencing records in criminal matters
Probate filings, including wills admitted to record

It is important to distinguish between state and federal court records. Records from the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri are governed by federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system, not through Boone County's state court portals. State court records in Boone County are governed by Missouri Supreme Court Rules, particularly Rule 109, which addresses the maintenance and public access to court records. Certain records are exempt from public disclosure, including juvenile records, sealed case files, mental health records, and records protected by court order.

How To Find Court Records in Boone County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Boone County court records through several official channels. The following steps outline the process for accessing records in person or by request:

Identify the correct court. Determine which court handled the case — Circuit Court, Associate Circuit, Municipal Court, or Probate Division — based on the nature of the matter.
Gather case information. Collect the full name of the parties involved, the approximate filing date, and the case number if known.
Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the public counter during regular business hours. Staff can assist in locating case files using the court's case management system.
Submit a written records request. For certified copies or records not immediately available at the counter, a written request may be submitted to the Circuit Clerk. Fees for copies are set by statute under § 488.026 RSMo, which authorizes courts to charge per-page fees for reproduced records.
Use online portals. Many records are accessible through Missouri's online case management systems without requiring an in-person visit.
Request records by mail. Written requests accompanied by the applicable fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope may be submitted by mail to the Circuit Clerk's Office.

Boone County Circuit Clerk's Office 705 E. Walnut St., Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 886-4000 Boone County, Missouri Government

Public counter hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays.

How To Look Up Court Records in Boone County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Boone County court records without requiring an in-person visit.

Missouri Case.net Missouri's primary online case management system, Case.net, is maintained by the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator. Members of the public may search for Boone County Circuit Court records by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal includes civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and traffic case information. Docket entries, party information, charges, and disposition data are available for most cases filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit.

Navigate to casenet.courts.mo.gov
Select "Boone" from the county dropdown menu
Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying information
Review the case summary, docket entries, and party details

Columbia Municipal Court The Columbia Municipal Court handles ordinance violations and traffic matters within the City of Columbia. Case information for municipal matters may be accessed through the court's online portal or by contacting the court directly.

Missouri State Archives — Judicial Records Historical court records, including those from county and municipal courts, are preserved by the Missouri State Archives. The Archives holds records from the Supreme Court of Missouri, Appellate Courts, and County and Municipal Courts, and these materials are accessible through the Missouri judicial records portal maintained by the Secretary of State's office.

How To Search Boone County Court Records for Free?

Missouri law currently guarantees the right of public inspection of court records at no charge. Under § 610.026 RSMo, public bodies may charge fees only for copies of records, not for the act of inspection itself. Members of the public may review court records in person at the Circuit Clerk's Office without incurring any fee.

The following online resources are free to search:

Missouri Case.net — free public access to case summaries, docket entries, and party information for state court cases, including those filed in Boone County
Columbia Municipal Court online portal — free access to municipal case information for City of Columbia ordinance and traffic matters
Missouri State Archives judicial records portal — free access to historical court records held by the state

Fees apply only when requesting certified copies, paper reproductions, or records requiring staff research beyond routine retrieval.

What's Included in a Boone County Court Record?

The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents:

Civil Case Records

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Defendant's answer and any counterclaims
Motions filed by either party and corresponding responses
Court orders and rulings on motions
Final judgment or decree
Post-judgment filings, including appeals and enforcement actions

Criminal Case Records

Charging documents (indictment, information, or complaint)
Arrest warrant and probable cause statement
Arraignment records and plea entries
Pretrial motions and suppression hearing records
Trial transcripts and exhibit lists
Sentencing orders and conditions of probation or parole

Family Court Records

Petition for dissolution of marriage or legal separation
Parenting plans and custody agreements
Child support orders
Protective orders and restraining orders

Probate Records

Petition for probate of will
Inventory and appraisement of estate assets
Letters testamentary or letters of administration
Final settlement and distribution orders

Traffic and Municipal Records

Citation or complaint
Plea and disposition records
Fine payment records and compliance documentation

How Long Does Boone County Keep Court Records?

Boone County courts retain records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Missouri Supreme Court and the Missouri State Records Commission. Retention periods vary by record type and case classification.

Felony criminal case files — retained permanently or for a minimum of 50 years following case closure
Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure
Civil case files — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
Domestic relations and family court records — retained for a minimum of 50 years
Probate records — retained permanently due to their ongoing legal significance
Traffic and ordinance violation records — retained for a minimum of 3 to 5 years depending on case outcome
Juvenile records — subject to special retention and confidentiality rules; generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood

The Missouri State Archives preserves older court records transferred from county courts, ensuring long-term public access to historical judicial documents. Records no longer held by the Circuit Clerk may be requested through the Missouri judicial records collection maintained by the Secretary of State.

Types of Courts In Boone County

Boone County's court system operates within a defined hierarchy, from local municipal courts at the base to the Missouri Supreme Court at the apex.

13th Judicial Circuit Court — Boone County The Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction for Boone County and handles the broadest range of civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. It includes the Associate Circuit Division, Probate Division, Family Court Division, and Drug Court.

Boone County Circuit Court 705 E. Walnut St., Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 886-4000 Boone County, Missouri Government Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Columbia Municipal Court The Municipal Court for the City of Columbia is a division of the Circuit Court of Boone County, 13th Judicial Circuit, and handles cases involving alleged violations of city ordinances and traffic laws within Columbia's city limits.

Columbia Municipal Court 600 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201 (573) 874-7470 Municipal Court – City of Columbia Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District The intermediate appellate court reviews decisions from the 13th Judicial Circuit on appeal.

Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District 1300 Oak St., Kansas City, MO 64106 (816) 889-3600 courts.mo.gov

Missouri Supreme Court The court of last resort for all Missouri state court matters, including those originating in Boone County.

Missouri Supreme Court 207 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 751-4144 courts.mo.gov

What Types of Cases Do Boone County Courts Hear?

Each court within Boone County's judicial system handles a defined category of cases.

13th Judicial Circuit Court (General Division)

Felony criminal prosecutions
Major civil disputes exceeding the jurisdictional threshold for associate circuit
Domestic relations matters, including divorce, custody, and support
Juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect proceedings
Probate matters, including estate administration and guardianship

Associate Circuit Court

Misdemeanor criminal cases
Traffic violations under state law
Civil cases involving smaller monetary amounts
Preliminary hearings in felony matters
Small claims cases (currently up to $5,000)

Probate Division

Decedent estate administration
Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings
Mental health commitment hearings

Family Court Division

Dissolution of marriage
Child custody and visitation disputes
Child support modification proceedings
Orders of protection

Columbia Municipal Court

City ordinance violations
Local traffic infractions
Code enforcement matters within Columbia city limits

How To Find a Court Docket In Boone County

A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a specific case. Members of the public may access Boone County court dockets through the following methods:

Online via Missouri Case.net

Visit casenet.courts.mo.gov
Select Boone County from the court location menu
Search by party name, case number, filing date, or attorney name
Select the case from the results list to view the full docket, including all entries, hearing dates, and document filings

In Person at the Circuit Clerk's Office

Visit the Boone County Circuit Clerk's Office at 705 E. Walnut St., Columbia, MO 65201
Request access to the public case management terminal or ask staff to retrieve the docket for a specific case
Dockets are available for inspection at no charge; copies are subject to statutory fees

Municipal Court Dockets

Municipal court docket information for the City of Columbia is available through the Columbia Municipal Court office or its online portal
Scheduled hearing dates and case status information may be obtained by contacting the court directly at (573) 874-7470

Which Courts in Boone County Are Not Courts of Record?

A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry full legal authority subject to appellate review. Courts not of record, by contrast, do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings, and appeals from such courts typically proceed as trials de novo — meaning the case is reheard entirely in a higher court rather than reviewed on the existing record.

Under Missouri law, the distinction between courts of record and courts not of record is governed by § 476.010 RSMo, which defines courts of record as those required by law to keep a record of their proceedings. Municipal courts in Missouri, including the Columbia Municipal Court, are generally not courts of record. This means that appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo in the Circuit Court, where the matter is tried anew before a circuit or associate circuit judge.

At present, the following court in Boone County operates as a court not of record:

Columbia Municipal Court — handles ordinance violations and local traffic matters; appeals proceed as trials de novo in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court

All divisions of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court — including the Associate Circuit, Probate, Family Court, and General Civil and Criminal Divisions — are courts of record under Missouri law, and their proceedings are subject to formal appellate review based on the record created at the trial level.