Access Boone County Family Court Records
Boone County family court records are managed by the Circuit Clerk's office in Columbia, Missouri. As home to the University of Missouri and a population well over 180,000, Boone County processes a high volume of family court cases each year. Records include divorce filings, child custody orders, support cases, paternity actions, and protection orders from the 13th Judicial Circuit. You can search these records for free on Case.net or visit the courthouse on E. Walnut St. to get copies in person.
Boone County Quick Facts
Boone County Circuit Clerk Office
Cheryl Whitmarsh is the Circuit Clerk. The office is at 705 E. Walnut St., Columbia, MO 65201. Phone: (573) 886-4000. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office processes all court filings, maintains the docket, and handles record requests for the 13th Judicial Circuit.
The 13th Circuit covers Boone and Callaway counties. Boone County, with Columbia as its county seat, handles the majority of cases. The circuit has designated family court divisions with judges and commissioners who specialize in domestic relations matters. Given the size of the county, the Boone County family court sees a wide range of cases including complex custody disputes, high-asset dissolutions, and contested support modifications. The clerk's office has full electronic access through the Missouri Court Automation Program.
The Boone County Circuit Clerk website provides direct information about office procedures, fees, and how to request records. It is a helpful starting point if you need to plan a visit or want to know what to bring.
The website lists contact information, office hours, and details about available services. You can also find links to forms and other resources through the Boone County clerk's page.
Searching Boone County Family Court Records
Case.net is the primary search tool. Pick "Boone County - 13th Judicial Circuit" from the court list. Set the case type to "Family/Domestic." Search by party name, case number, or filing date. You get docket entries, party data, judgments, and hearing dates. The search is free and open to everyone.
Boone County has a large volume of family court cases. Case.net handles the search load well, but you may get many results for common names. Use the case number if you have it. That is the fastest way to pull up a specific Boone County record. The filing date search is useful if you know roughly when a case was filed. You can also use the "Track This Case" feature to get alerts about new activity in a case you are following.
Public documents filed on or after July 1, 2023 are viewable in full on Case.net. This means you can read petitions, orders, and judgments from your own device. Before that date, only basic docket information was available online. For older Boone County family court documents, you need to visit the Columbia courthouse or send a written request to the clerk.
Boone County Family Court Case Types
Dissolution of marriage makes up the biggest share of Boone County family court records. A standard file includes the petition, summons, response, temporary orders, financial disclosures, the parenting plan, and the final judgment of dissolution. In contested cases, you may also find motions, depositions, and trial transcripts. The judge's final order covers custody, support, property division, and maintenance (what some states call alimony). Under RSMo Chapter 452, the court must consider specific factors when deciding custody and support.
Child custody records are heavily sought in Boone County. With a university town population that includes many young families, custody cases come up often. The court considers the child's best interests, each parent's relationship with the child, the child's adjustment to school and community, and any history of abuse. These factors are laid out in the custody statutes and reflected in the court's written orders. Parenting plans detail the day-to-day schedule for custody and visitation.
Support orders use the Form 14 calculation. This worksheet factors in each parent's income, the cost of health insurance, childcare expenses, and other variables. The Boone County family court follows the same formula used across Missouri. Paternity cases, modification filings, and domestic violence protection orders are also in the family court records. Most are public under the Sunshine Law (RSMo 610), with the usual exceptions for adoption and juvenile matters.
Getting Copies from Boone County
Go to 705 E. Walnut St. in Columbia during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Ask for the case you need. Staff pulls the file and makes copies. Plain copies run $0.25 to $1.00 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost additional fees. You may need certified copies for use in other courts or with government agencies.
Mail requests go to the Boone County Circuit Clerk at 705 E. Walnut St., Columbia, MO 65201. Include the case number, party names, the type of document, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The clerk's office processes requests as they come in. Given the volume of cases in Boone County, mail requests may take a bit longer than in smaller counties. Calling ahead to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods is a good idea.
Note: Boone County has one of the busiest clerk's offices in Missouri, so plan for possible wait times during peak hours when requesting family court records.
Legal Resources in Boone County
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has a Columbia office that serves Boone County residents. They provide free legal help to eligible clients for divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence matters. They can also help you understand family court records and navigate the court system. The 13th Circuit has a strong network of legal aid providers given the county's size.
The circuit offers mediation and other alternative dispute resolution options for family court cases. These services can help parents reach agreements without going to trial. The Boone County courthouse has resources for self-represented litigants, including access to forms and procedural guides. The clerk's office can direct you to these resources, though they cannot fill out forms or give legal advice. If you need a lawyer and can afford one, the Missouri Bar Association offers a referral service.
Cities in Boone County
Columbia is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Boone County. It is home to the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College. The Boone County courthouse sits in downtown Columbia. All family court filings for Boone County are handled there. If you live in Columbia or the surrounding Boone County area, the clerk's office on E. Walnut St. is where you go for family court records.
Nearby Counties
Counties bordering Boone County in central Missouri:
Callaway County shares the 13th Judicial Circuit with Boone County and uses the same judges and commissioners for family court cases.