Columbia Marriage Records

Columbia marriage records are stored at the Boone County Recorder of Deeds office in the Boone County Government Center. Columbia is the county seat of Boone County and the fifth-largest city in Missouri, best known as a college town. The Recorder of Deeds handles all marriage license applications, maintains filed records, and issues certified copies. You can search for Columbia marriage records online through the county website, make a request by mail or phone, or visit the office in person. This guide walks through the full process for searching, applying, and getting copies of marriage records in Columbia.

Boone County Marriage Filings

Columbia does not issue marriage licenses at the city level. Missouri puts that job on each county's Recorder of Deeds. For Columbia, that is the Boone County Recorder of Deeds led by Recorder Bob Nolte, who took office on January 1, 2023. The office is inside the Boone County Government Center at 801 East Walnut, Room 132. Since Columbia is the county seat, the office is centrally located and easy to get to.

Boone County has marriage records going back to 1821. That makes it one of the oldest collections in Missouri. The Recorder's office keeps both the recent files and access to the historical records. If you need something from the early 1800s, staff can help locate it or point you to the Missouri State Archives for microfilm copies.

The Boone County Recorder website provides information about the office and its online search system for marriage records.

The online search system was updated on September 1, 2023. Users who had accounts before that date may need to create new ones.

Columbia Marriage License Office

You can reach the Recorder's office by mail, email, phone, or in person. All four methods work for requesting copies of marriage records. For new license applications, you must visit in person.

Columbia Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee in Boone County runs about $50 to $55. Certified copies cost $9 each. Non-certified photocopies are $1. If you pay with a credit or debit card, there is a $1.55 processing fee on top of the base amount. Missouri law under Chapter 451 RSMo sets the fee structure, which includes contributions to the Children's Trust Fund and domestic violence shelters.

Military personnel and veterans get a break on fees. Boone County waives fees for up to five certified copies for active duty members and veterans. This applies to marriage records and other documents recorded by the office. The Recorder also records military discharge papers (DD-214) at no charge.

Note: Certified copies are needed for Real ID compliance and name changes with the Social Security Administration.

Search Columbia Marriage Records

Boone County offers an online records search that covers marriage records, real estate, UCC filings, and tax liens. New users need to register for an account. The search system was rebuilt in September 2023, so if you had an older account you will need to set up a new one. The online tool lets you look up Columbia marriage records by name or date range.

Beyond the county system, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records holds state-level marriage data from 1948 onward. The Missouri State Archives has microfilm copies of Boone County marriage records from 1821, which is helpful for genealogy research. FamilySearch also indexes some Missouri marriage records for free. All marriage records in Missouri are public under the Sunshine Law, meaning anyone can request them without stating a reason.

Marriage License Requirements

Getting a marriage license in Columbia follows standard Missouri rules. Both applicants must appear together at the Boone County Recorder's office. Each person needs valid government-issued photo ID and a Social Security number. You must be at least 18 years old. If either person was married before, bring the date that marriage ended. There is no blood test and no waiting period. The license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in Missouri.

After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Boone County Recorder within 15 days. Two witnesses must sign the license at the ceremony. Once the completed license is filed, the marriage becomes part of the permanent public record in Boone County. Certified copies can be requested right away after filing.

Columbia Marriage Record Copies

Certified copies of Columbia marriage records are available from the Boone County Recorder for $9 each. You can get them in person, by mail, by phone, or by email request. The Recorder's office accepts credit and debit cards with a $1.55 processing fee. Cash and checks are also accepted. For mail requests, send a letter to the Boone County Recorder at 801 East Walnut, Room 132, Columbia, MO 65201. Include the names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and your payment.

The state offers another route. The Missouri Bureau of Vital Records in Jefferson City can issue certified copies of any Missouri marriage from their central index. You can order through VitalChek online, which adds a service fee. Under Chapter 193 RSMo, the state has kept centralized marriage data since 1948. For records older than that, the Boone County office and the Missouri State Archives are your best options. The Missouri Recorders Association can also help connect you to the right office if you need records from another county.

Nearby Cities

Columbia sits in central Missouri. There are no other qualifying cities with dedicated pages in the immediate area. For marriage records in other parts of the state, browse the full list of cities.

Boone County Records Page

The Boone County page has full details on the Recorder of Deeds office, all fees, and the complete online search system for marriage records.