Find Boone County Deed Records
Boone County deed records are managed by the County Clerk's office in Columbia, Missouri, which also handles recorder of deeds functions. Organized in 1820, Boone County is one of the oldest counties in Missouri and holds land records stretching back over two centuries. Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, making Boone County one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. You can search deed records at the courthouse, through the county's online tools, or by contacting the clerk's office for copies and research help.
Boone County Deed Records Quick Facts
Boone County Clerk and Recorder Office
Boone County is one of the Missouri counties where the County Clerk also serves as the Recorder of Deeds. The Boone County Clerk's office handles all recording functions, including deed filings, marriage licenses, and military discharge records. The office is at the Boone County Government Center in Columbia.
Because Columbia is a university town, real estate activity in Boone County runs higher than in most central Missouri counties. Students, faculty, healthcare workers, and growing businesses all drive property transactions. The clerk's office records warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, assignments, plats, and surveys. Under RSMo Chapter 59, the office keeps a Direct Index by grantor and an Indirect Index by grantee. These indexes let you trace the full ownership chain for any parcel of land in Boone County.
The Boone County Clerk/Recorder website shown above gives you access to office information, online services, and contact details. You can reach the office during regular business hours for in-person searches or document filings.
Boone County Deed Records Online Search
Boone County offers online records search through the county website. You can look up recorded documents by grantor name, grantee name, book and page, or date range. The online system covers recent years. For older records, an in-person visit may be needed. Electronic recording is also available for title companies and attorneys who want to submit documents online.
The Boone County government website links to the clerk's office, online services, and other county departments. From here you can navigate to the recorder's page, look up elected officials, and find general county information. The site also has links to e-recording vendors active in Boone County.
For historical records, the Missouri State Archives holds Boone County land records from 1820 through 1969. These cover the earliest settlement period in central Missouri. The Missouri Land Survey Database is another free resource for looking up surveys filed with the county recorder.
Note: Per RSMo 59.003, all requests for Boone County records after December 31, 1969 go to the County Clerk in Columbia.
Boone County Deed Records Filing Fees
Recording fees in Boone County follow the statewide schedule set by Missouri law. A standard deed costs $24 for the first page and $3 for each additional page. Non-standard documents get a $25 penalty under RSMo 59.310. Plats run $44 for the first 18" x 24" page. Surveys start at $24 for the first page of that size.
Copy fees are about $1 per page uncertified, with certified copies costing a bit more. Part of each fee goes to state funds. The Local Records Preservation Fund and Missouri Land Survey Fund each get $1. The Missouri Housing Trust Fund gets $3. The Statutory County Recorder's Fund also gets a share. These fees support record preservation across all Missouri counties. Boone County accepts checks payable to the County Clerk and most offices take credit cards with a convenience fee.
Document Standards for Boone County
All deeds filed in Boone County must meet Missouri's formatting rules under RSMo 59.310. Paper must be 8.5" x 11", white or light, at least 20 pounds. Black ink on one side. Minimum 8-point type. First page requires a 3-inch top margin with the document title, date, all grantor and grantee names, addresses, and the full legal description.
Every deed needs a notary acknowledgment with a valid seal per RSMo Chapter 486. Signatures must be in dark ink with typed or printed names below. The Recorders' Association of Missouri publishes detailed formatting guidelines. Documents that miss the mark can still be recorded with the $25 penalty fee.
Boone County E-Recording and TOD Deeds
Boone County accepts electronic recordings, which is a big advantage for title companies and attorneys in the Columbia area. E-recording lets you submit documents online and get them recorded in as little as five minutes. Under RSMo 59.563, recorders can accept documents in electronic format. Multiple vendors handle e-recording in Missouri, including iCounty Technologies, Simplifile, and CSC.
Transfer on Death deeds are another option for Boone County property owners. Under RSMo 461.025, a TOD deed names a beneficiary to receive property at the owner's death, skipping probate. The deed must include a legal description and be recorded before the owner dies. The owner keeps full control during their lifetime. This is useful for homeowners in Columbia who want a simple way to pass property to their heirs.
Cities in Boone County
The City of Columbia is the county seat and the largest city in Boone County. All deed records for properties in Columbia are filed with the Boone County Clerk/Recorder. Columbia residents looking for property records should go to the county office, not city hall. Columbia has a dedicated page on this site with more details about local deed record resources.
Other communities in Boone County include Ashland, Centralia, Hallsville, and Harrisburg. All deed records for these areas go through the same county clerk's office in Columbia. The State Historical Society of Missouri, headquartered in Columbia, also has collections useful for historical property research in Boone County.
Public Access to Boone County Records
All deed records in Boone County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (RSMo Chapter 610). Anyone can inspect and copy records without stating a reason. The clerk's office must provide access during normal business hours.
Nearby Counties
Boone County borders several central Missouri counties. If a property is near the county line, check these neighbors for related records.