Search Boone County Marriage Records

Boone County marriage records are managed by the Recorder of Deeds in Columbia, Missouri. The office has marriage licenses and certificates going all the way back to 1821. Boone County is one of the more populous counties in the state, and the Recorder handles a large volume of marriage filings every year. You can search for Boone County marriage records in person at the Government Center, call the office, use the online search tool, or send a mail request. The staff can help with name searches and provide both certified and plain copies of marriage documents.

Boone County Recorder of Deeds

The Boone County Recorder of Deeds is at the Boone County Government Center in Columbia. Bob Nolte has served as Recorder since January 2023. The office handles marriage licenses, record storage, and copy requests. It also records real estate documents, military discharges, and other filings. Marriage records in Boone County go back to 1821, making it one of the longest continuous records in the state.

You can reach the Recorder through the Show Me Boone County website or the alternate site at boonemo.gov/recorder. Both sites have the same office info. Below is a view of the Boone County Recorder's page.

The Recorder's page provides details on services, fees, and how to access the online records search system.

How to Search Boone County Marriage Records

Boone County has an online records search system. The tool was updated on September 1, 2023. If you had an account before that date, you may need to create a new one. The online search covers marriage records, real estate, UCC filings, and tax liens. Visit boonemo.gov/recorder to access the search portal.

You can also search in person at Room 132 in the Government Center in Columbia. Give the staff the names and approximate date. They pull the file and can make copies while you wait. Certified copies of marriage records cost $9. Plain copies run $1 per page. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a processing fee of $1.55.

The Boone County Recorder's alternate site offers the same information and online tools. Here is a look at that page.

Mail, email, and phone requests are all accepted too. For mail, send your request to the Government Center address with a check for the fees. Email requests go to recorder@boonemo.gov. Include the names, date, and what type of copy you need.

Getting a Marriage License in Boone County

Both people must appear in person at the Boone County Recorder of Deeds. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. Missouri requires no blood test and has no waiting period. You apply, pay the fee, and get the license that same day.

The marriage license fee in Boone County is approximately $50 to $55. Cash, checks, and credit or debit cards are accepted (with a small processing fee for cards). The license is valid for 30 days and can be used in any Missouri county. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Boone County Recorder within 15 days as required by RSMo 451.130.

If either person was married before, you need to provide the date that marriage ended. Both must be at least 18 years old. Missouri eliminated all exceptions to the age requirement as of August 28, 2025. The Recorder's office also provides certified copies of marriage licenses that are accepted for Real ID compliance and name changes at Social Security.

Note: Military personnel and veterans are exempt from fees for up to five certified copies of their marriage license in Boone County.

Boone County Marriage Certificates

The Boone County Recorder holds original marriage certificates from 1821 to the present. A certified copy is $9. It includes the full details: names, date, place, officiant, and witnesses. This is the document you need for legal matters, name changes, and insurance updates.

At the state level, the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records has an index of marriages since July 1, 1948. The state only issues a Certified Statement Relating to Marriage, showing names, date, and county. For the complete certificate from a Boone County marriage, you must go through the Recorder in Columbia. The state statement can be ordered through VitalChek or by mail to the Bureau in Jefferson City. Under RSMo 193.255, certified copies require proof of tangible interest.

Historical Boone County Marriage Records

Boone County was organized in 1820, and marriage records date back to 1821. That gives the county over 200 years of marriage filing history. The Recorder's office in Columbia has all of these records. Older files may require more time to locate, but the office has been good about preserving its historical collection.

The Missouri State Archives holds microfilm copies of Boone County marriage records from 1821. The Archives' County and Municipal Records Database has some of these scanned and viewable online. FamilySearch also maintains microfilm copies that are free to use. For anyone tracing family marriages in Boone County, these resources provide deep coverage.

Public Records Access in Boone County

Marriage records are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Anyone can search for and view marriage filings at the Boone County Recorder's office. You do not need to be a party to the marriage. The online search tool is also open to the public for indexed data. Certified copies have stricter access rules under RSMo 193.255, requiring tangible interest.

The Missouri Recorders Association has contact details for all 114 county Recorders. If you need records from a county near Boone, the directory makes it easy to find the right office.

Cities in Boone County

Columbia is the county seat and the biggest city in Boone County. It is home to the University of Missouri. All marriage licenses for Boone County residents are filed through the Recorder of Deeds at the Government Center in Columbia.

Other communities in Boone County include Centralia, Ashland, Hallsville, and Harrisburg. Residents of these towns also use the Boone County Recorder for marriage licenses.

Nearby Counties

These counties surround Boone County in central Missouri. Each has its own Recorder of Deeds. Make sure you request your record from the county that issued the license.