What are Columbia County Public Records?
Columbia County public records consist of information stored, maintained or generated by official agencies while conducting public business. Public records may include papers, letters, books, tapes, photographs, graphs, maps, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other materials capable of storing information. Public records in Columbia County must be owned, maintained, used, or received by government agencies while performing their duties. Also, the documents are unrestricted by physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission.
Nevertheless, some records are not available to the public due to sensitive information. Examples of such information that are exempt from Columbia County public search include:
- Ongoing or pending law enforcement investigation
- Private information about individuals such as medical history, educational records, and more
- Records of government personnel personal lives
- Records obtained due to attorney-client privileges
- Trade secrets
- Records that may jeopardize the safety of parties involved
In addition to official sources, public county records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific record or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Columbia County Crime Statistics
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), through its Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) program, Columbia County recorded 158 violent crimes, 894 property crimes, and two arsons in 2019. A breakdown of the figures shows one murder and nonnegligent manslaughter case, 17 rape cases, 19 robbery cases, and 121 aggravated assault cases. The property crimes included 361 burglary cases, 483 larceny-theft cases, and 50 motor vehicle theft cases.
In comparison, the 2018 crime statistics report for Columbia County recorded 134 violent crimes, 858 property crimes, and three arsons. The violent crimes are further categorized into four murder and nonnegligent manslaughter cases, 17 rape cases, 11 robbery cases, and 102 aggravated assault cases. Meanwhile, property crimes consist of 356 burglary cases, 468 larceny-theft cases, and 34 motor vehicle theft cases.
Are Columbia County Criminal Records Public?
Yes, Columbia County criminal records generally fall under the umbrella of public records. In compliance with the Florida Public Records Law, anyone can inspect or obtain criminal records in Columbia County. However, some documents that are sealed, expunged, or protected by law are restricted from public view. The Columbia County Sheriff Office provides public access to law enforcement records or reports within its jurisdiction. Individuals interested in Columbia County can obtain them in person or by mail. The Records Division of the CCSO allows requesters at the lobby from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
In addition, requesters can send an email request or obtain the records by U.S. mail:
Mailing Address:
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL32055
Attention: Records
How to Obtain Columbia County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Columbia County police reports and arrest records are obtainable from the Records Division at the Columbia County Sheriff Office Administrative Complex (Operations Center). Individuals interested in these records can access them in person or via mail. The Operations Center permits requesters at the lobby from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 752-9212
As an alternative, requesters can send a request via mail:
Mailing Address:
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
Attention: Records
New recent case reports are free for the first victim copies. Afterward, records cost $0:15 per single-sided page and $0:20 for double-sided pages. On the other hand, multiple reports that include three reports or more cost $0:15 for each single-sided page and $0:20 per double-sided page. It is the same price for reports involving lengthy research or retrieval from the archive. Note, the charges will also include the employee's hourly rate.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Columbia County
The Columbia County Sheriff Office (CCSO) keeps and provides public access to sex offender information within the county. Individuals interested in Columbia County sex offender information can contact the Sheriff's office location. Information obtainable may include sex offender name, address, date of birth, physical description, and booking photograph. The CCSO also provides a sex predator page where it updates registered local offenders.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
As an alternative, interested persons can find Columbia County sex offender information on the Sexual Offender and Predator Search website. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement collates and provides statewide coverage to registered sex offenders within its jurisdiction. Here, requesters can access sex offender information using the offender search and neighborhood search. The offender search enables users to fill out the last name and first name of a sex offender to obtain sex offender records. Meanwhile, the neighborhood search provides access to specific locations. Requesters must fill out the address, city, zip code, and radius.
How to Find Columbia County Inmate Records
Interested persons can find Columbia County inmate records via the Who's in Jail portal maintained by the Sheriff's Office. The portal allows users to search for inmate information using the last name, first name, middle name, begin booking date, and end booking date. Some of the information available on the portal include the inmate's booking number, booking date, age on booking date, bond amount, address, type of offense, and booking photograph. In addition, requesters can search for inmate information about current and released inmates.
As an alternative, requesters may contact the Columbia County Sheriff Office location to obtain the inmate records:
Columbia County Sheriff's Office
4917 U.S. Highway 90 East
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 755-7000
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Columbia County Jail?
Family and friends can visit an inmate at the Columbia County jail location. However, visitors must ensure they are on the inmate's visiting list. The county jail allows inmates to register a maximum of four visitors for onsite video visitation, while remote video visitation does not require visitors to be on the list. Visitors must create an account and schedule a visit 24 hours in advance for both onsite and remote video visitations. The jail facility allows visitations from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
For onsite visitation, inmates are permitted two hours per visit, once a week. Each visit allows only one visitor at a time. That is, registered visitors may choose to split the two hours allocated. Note, visitors who wish to use the onsite visitation option must be at least 18 years old. They must also present valid photo identification at the lobby. Examples of acceptable photo identification include driver's license, state ID, and more. Aside from the photo identification, visitors may be required to fill out their names, arrival time and date, departure time and date, the purpose of visit, and the name of the inmate visited.
Columbia County Jail
389 NW Quinten Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 755-7000
In addition, the county jail prohibits items such as bags, purses, or other items capable of concealing contraband into the visitation area. Therefore, there may be a need to search a visitor or their belongings before and after visitation. On the other hand, remote visitation may last up to 30 minutes per visit. Each remote video visitation costs $9:95. Although there is no age limit for visitors, all remote visits are still subject to approval from the jail facility.
What are Columbia County Court Records?
Court records are public records and are available upon request. Interested individuals can inspect or obtain copies of all Columbia County court records that occurred within its jurisdiction. Columbia County courts include both the circuit courts and county courts. The circuit courts oversee all types of civil and criminal cases within the jurisdiction, while county courts only oversee certain civil and criminal cases. Below are the county courts locations:
Columbia County Circuit Court
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1041
Fax: (386) 719-7401
County Court of Columbia County
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1041
Fax: (386) 719-7401
Are Columbia County Court Records Public?
In compliance with the Florida Public Records Law, Columbia County court records are public records. Interested individuals can submit record requests at the appropriate government office to access court records in Columbia County. These documents are obtainable for free or at a fee. Although, the documents accessible do not include confidential records protected by law or court order. Examples of court records that may not be available to the general public include domestic violence cases, juvenile court proceedings, and more.
How to Obtain Columbia County Civil Court Case Records
Interested individuals can obtain Columbia County civil court records from the Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining and issuing copies of civil court records in Columbia County. Requesters may choose to obtain Columbia County civil records in person, by mail, or online. Individuals who wish to obtain the records in person or by mail can contact the office location or address their requests to:
Physical address:
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Mailing Address:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
Attention: Public Records Liaison
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
How to Obtain Columbia County Criminal Court Records
The Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller maintains and issues copies of Columbia County criminal court records to interested persons upon requests. Requesters must provide relevant information to aid the records search. Also, they can obtain Columbia County criminal court records in person, by mail, or online. For in-person and mail requests, interested persons must contact the Clerk's office location or send a mail:
Physical address:
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Mailing Address:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
Attention: Public Records Liaison
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
What are Columbia County Vital Records?
Columbia County vital records are documentation of important life events created or maintained by the government. These documents may include birth records, death records, marriage records, and divorce records. In compliance with the Florida Public Records Law, individuals interested in Columbia County vital records must contact the record custodian to submit record requests and correct fees for the desired documents. Nevertheless, certain vital records in Columbia County are only available to eligible or authorized individuals.
Where and How to Obtain Columbia County Divorce Records
Requesters can obtain Columbia County divorce records at the Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. The Clerk's office serves as the record custodian for divorce records from 1927 till the present. Interested individuals can access the documents in person, by mail, or online. The official record search database provides online access to documents maintained by the Clerk's office. Meanwhile, requesters can also contact the office location or send a mail request:
Physical address:
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Mailing Address:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
Attention: Public Records Liaison
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Where and How to Get Public Columbia County Marriage Records
The Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the record custodian for all marriages within its jurisdiction. Individuals interested in Columbia County marriage records can obtain copies in person, by mail, or online. The Clerk's office provides online public access to all official documents through the official record search database. Anyone can access marriage records information by filling out the names of the parties involved, date range, and other relevant details. On the other hand, requesters who intend to obtain the marriage records in person must contact the Clerk's office location. Interested persons can also send their requests via mail.
Physical address:
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Mailing Address:
Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Columbia County
Attention: Public Records Liaison
173 NE Hernando Avenue
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1342
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Columbia County
All marriage records in Columbia County are considered public under the Florida Public Records Law. Therefore, there are no confidential marriage records in Columbia County.
Where and How to Find Columbia County Birth Records
Columbia County birth records are available at the Florida Health Department in Columbia County. Requesters can access death records from 1917 till the present. For birth records before 1917, interested persons must contact the state office:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Columbia County birth records are confidential records. Therefore, only eligible or authorized persons can obtain copies of birth records in Columbia County. The list of eligible or authorized persons include:
- The registrant (must be of legal age - 18)
- Parents named on the record
- Legal guardian
- Legal representative
- Law enforcement agents or agencies
- Any person with a tangible interest
Eligible persons must provide valid photo identification and other relevant documents to prove their eligibility status. Examples of acceptable photo identification include driver's license, passport, military identification card, state identification card, and more. Requesters can obtain Columbia County birth records in person, by mail, or online. Also, they must submit completed birth records request forms. Columbia County birth records cost $15 per copy.
Interested individuals who intend to obtain the birth records in person can contact the Florida Health Department in Columbia County office location:
Florida Department of Health in Columbia County
217 NE Franklin Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1068
While mail requests should be addressed to:
Mailing Address
217 NE Franklin Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Where and How to Find Columbia County Death Records
Individuals interested in Columbia County death records can find them at the Florida Health Department in Columbia County. The health department in Columbia County maintains and issues copies of death records from 2009 till the present. Requesters can obtain Columbia County death records before 2009 from the state's office:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Note, the Florida Health Department in Columbia County provides access to death records without the cause of death and death records with the cause of death. Anyone can obtain copies of death records without the cause of death. However, death records with the cause of the death are confidential and only accessible by eligible persons. Examples of eligible persons include but are not limited to:
- The decedent's spouse
- The decedent's parent
- Sibling
- Child
- Grandchild
- Any person with interest in the decedent's estate
Eligible persons who wish to obtain Columbia County death records with the cause of death must present valid photo identification and submit completed death records request form. A death record in Columbia County costs $10 and is obtainable in person, by mail, or online. Requesters who wish to obtain Columbia County death records via mail can address their mail to:
Mailing Address
217 NE Franklin Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Interested individuals can also access the death records at the office location:
Florida Department of Health in Columbia County
217 NE Franklin Street
Lake City, FL 32055
Phone: (386) 758-1068
