What are Columbia Public Records?
As provided by the Missouri Sunshine Act, Columbia public records include any record or document that any public governmental body creates and maintains. These records can be written or electronically stored. Columbia public records however preclude:
- Internal letters or memoranda relating to a public governmental body comprising advice, opinions, and recommendations in connection with a decision-making process, unless the record is retained by the body or presented at a public meeting
- Private information that constitutes an infringement of personal privacy
- Information about pending litigation
- Information or documents connected to an ongoing law enforcement investigation
- Confidential information
- Taxpayer information and private financial data
Columbia Crime Statistics
Columbia City crime statistics are reported annually by the Statistical Analysis Center of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. It reported that Columbia City has a total number of 3,931 total crimes in 2018. This number includes 441 violent crimes and 3,490 property crimes. The violent crimes include five homicides, 84 rapes, 104 robberies, and 248 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 549 burglaries, 2,648 larcenies, 286 motor vehicle thefts, and seven arsons.
Comparing the 2018 crime report to the 2014 report will show that there was a massive decline of crimes in the city over five years. There was a decline in four of eight major crimes within the city. Robbery, burglary, larceny, and arson rates reduced by 10%, 27%, 14%, and 73% respectively. Rape, aggravated assault, and motor vehicle theft rates increased by 33%, 10%, and 69%. The rate of homicides remained the same for both years.
Are Columbia Criminal Records Public?
Columbia criminal records are public records that are available to interested parties upon request. Individuals can request their Columbia criminal records from the Boone County Sheriff Department in person, in writing, by phone, or by completing the online request form. Below is the location and contact details of the Boone County Sheriff Department:
Boone County Sheriff's Department
2121 County Dr.
Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: (573) 875-1111
Fax: (573) 874-8953
Email: bcsd@boonecountymo.org
At the state level, the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) maintains and issues criminal records across the state.
How to Obtain Columbia Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Columbia City Police Department is responsible for maintaining and issuing Columbia police reports and arrest records. To facilitate requests for any of these records, the police department provides an online Open Records Request form for interested persons to fill out. Alternatively, interested residents can log into the city’s public records portal and follow the steps it provides. Columbia arrest records and police reports are also available through in-person requests. To make an in-person request, call the Police Department’s record inquiries at (573) 874-7416 before proceeding (with a valid photo ID) to visit the Columbia Police Department at:
Columbia Police Department
600 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Columbia?
The CJIS Division of the MSHP generates and maintains sex offender information in Columbia and other places in Missouri. It makes sex offender information available for public viewing through the online Missouri Sex Offender Registry. Columbia residents can search the registry to access important information about sex offenders like their names and residence. Persons can also access sex offender information by calling the toll-free number for sex offender information which is 1-888-SOR-MSHP (767-6747).
How to Find Columbia Inmate Records?
The Boone County Sheriff’s Department maintains Colombia inmates records and other inmates records within the county. Interested persons can find Columbia inmate records on Boone County’s website. Alternatively, Columbia inmate records are available on the online search tool provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections. Residents can use the inmate search feature to search for inmates by name, race, and sex.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Columbia Jail?
Persons incarcerated within Columbia are housed in the Boone County Jail located at:
Boone County Jail
2121 County Drive
Columbia, MO 65202
Office: (573) 875-1111
Fax: (573) 874-8953
To visit an inmate, each visitor, prior to entry, must present a valid (non-expired) government-issued photo ID. Visitation day depends on the alphabetical first letter of the inmate’s last name:
- Monday A-B
- Tuesday C-F
- Wednesday G-J
- Thursday K-M
- Friday N-R
- Saturday S-Z
Sunday is an additional visiting day for trustee inmates. Visitation is held at the following times:
Male Visitation
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Female Visitation
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
8:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Court Records
Typically, Columbia court cases fall within the jurisdiction of the Boone County courts. Boone County is the 13th Circuit Court of Missouri Courts. The county also contains five municipal courts. Each of these courts has a class of cases that falls within their jurisdiction. For example, Municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases involving ordinance violations. The only municipal court within Columbia is located at:
Columbia Municipal Court
600 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 874-7230
Fax: (573) 874-7231
Email: municipalcourt@como.gov
Location of Courts in Columbia
The Boone County court system consists of the following courts:
Boone County Circuit Court
Boone County Circuit Court
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
Boone County Municipal Courts
Ashland Municipal Division
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
Centralia Municipal Court
114 South Rollins
Centralia, MO 65240
Phone: (573) 682-2139
Fax: (573) 682-5956
Columbia Municipal Court
600 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 874-7230
Fax: (573) 874-7231
Hallsville Municipal Division
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
Sturgeon Municipal Division
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
Are Columbia Court Records Public?
Generally, Columbia court records are public except where there is a court order or law to the contrary. Boone County and by implication Columbia court records are maintained by the office of the Boone County Clerk.
Can you look up a Columbia Court Case Online?
Most Columbia court cases are available online. The Missouri Courts provides an online case search portal where residents can look up information about cases decided by Missouri Courts. Users can navigate this portal using information like the litigant’s name, filing date, case number, or judgment index. The portal also offers links for informative support to help new users access it quickly and receive the information they need.
How to Obtain Columbia Civil Court Case Records?
Interested persons can obtain Columbia civil court case records by contacting the Boone County Circuit Clerk's Office located at:
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut
Columbia, MO 65201
The office opens from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
How to Obtain Columbia Criminal Court Records?
The Boone county criminal division maintains records for all felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions cases filed by the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, and/or by a Grand Jury. Interested persons can inquire about criminal case records through the Missouri state court's automated case management system. To request criminal court records, contact the division at:
Boone County Courthouse
705 East Walnut Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 886-4000
Fax: (573) 886-4044
To request court records relating to ordinance violations, contact the Columbia Municipal Court at:
Columbia Municipal Court
600 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: (573) 874-7230
Fax: (573) 874-7231
What are Columbia Vital Records?
Columbia vital records provide the official documentation of details about life events that occur within the city. These records which are kept and issued by the government include Columbia birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records. Columbia vital records are available both at the county and state level. The Boone County Recorder of Deeds keeps records of divorces and marriages. Columbia birth and death records are maintained by the Columbia-Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The Bureau of Vital Records of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) also maintains and issues copies of all records of births, marriages, deaths, and divorces in Missouri. Some Columbia vital records are however not available for public access. Access to these vital records can be limited to certain authorized individuals, such as the holder of the record, immediate members of their family, or their legal representatives.
Where and How to Obtain Columbia Divorce Records?
To obtain Columbia divorce records, interested residents are to contact the Office of the Boone County Recorder of Deeds at the contact information below:
Boone County Government Center
801 East Walnut, Rm 132
Columbia, MO 65201-7728
Phone: (573) 886-4345
Fax: (573) 886-4359
Email: recorder@boonecountymo.org
Alternatively, the Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS maintains state divorce from July 1938 to date. Individuals can make in person or mail requests for divorce records by completing the Certified Statement Relating to Divorce form, notarizing it (if it is a mail request), and submitting it with a valid ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A divorce record costs $15, and an additional $15 for each extra copy of the record requested.
Where and How to Get Public Columbia Marriage Records?
To obtain Columbia marriage records, contact the Office of the Boone County Recorder of Deeds at:
Boone County Government Center
801 East Walnut, Rm 132
Columbia, MO 65201-7728
Phone: (573) 886-4345
Fax: (573) 886-4359
Email: recorder@boonecountymo.org
To request Columbia marriage records through mail, interested persons should complete the marriage copy request form and send it to the above contact. Marriage records can also be accessed on the county recorder’s website.
Persons may also make requests for marriage records to the Bureau of Vital Records of the DHSS either in-person or by mail requests. Interested persons are to complete the Certified Statement Relating to Marriage, notarize it and submit it together with a valid ID, payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
A marriage record attracts a $15 charge for the first copy, while each additional copy costs $15.
Where and How to Find Columbia Birth Records?
Requests for Columbia birth records can be made at the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services located at:
1005 West Worley Street
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: (573) 874-7355
Persons that can request Columbia birth records include:
- The registrant
- Immediate family member
- Legal guardian (with valid guardianship papers)
- Legal representative
To request Columbia birth records by mail, download and complete the record application form (also available in Spanish). Birth records cost $15. Acceptable means of payment include money orders, credit and debit cards, and checks. Applicants are to send the completed form and appropriate payment by mail to:
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
Registrar’s Office
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205-6015
Applicants are to present either a copy of a valid photo ID or two different items with their names. Mailed applications should be signed and should include a self-addressed stamp.
Another option for Columbia birth records requesters is to contact the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services at:
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m
Where and How to Find Columbia Death Records?
Interested persons can find and request certified copies of Columbia death records Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services located at:
1005 W Worley Street
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone: (573) 874-7355
Persons eligible to request death records include:
- The registrant
- Immediate family member
- Legal guardian (with valid guardianship papers)
- Legal representative
To request Columbia death records by mail, complete the record application form (also available in Spanish). A copy of a death record costs $14 while each additional copy will attract an $11 charge. Payments can be made through money orders, credit and debit cards, and checks made payable to the city of Columbia. Send completed applications, together with appropriate payment by mail to:
Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
Registrar’s Office
P.O. Box 6015
Columbia, MO 65205-6015
Requesters will be required to present either a copy of a valid photo ID or two different items with their names. Mailed applications should be signed and should include a self-addressed stamp.
Alternatively, in-person and mail requests for Columbia death records can be made to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services at the contact below:
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Records
930 Wildwood
P.O. Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Monday - Friday; between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
