COLUMBIA PUBLIC RECORDS

What are Columbia City Public Records?

According to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, public records are documents prepared, maintained, used, and owned by a public body, unless exempted by statute. Columbia public records include all papers, books, photographs, maps, tapes, cards, recordings, or other documentary substances regardless of material construction or characteristics used, prepared, retained, or owned by a public body. Some records exempt and not considered to be made open to the public under the provisions of this South Carolina FoI Act are;

• Hospital staff records,

• Medical records,

• Adoption records,

• Income tax returns,

• Records of the Board of Financial Institutions concerning surveys and applications for branches and charters of savings and loan associations and banks,

• Examinations and surveys of Financial Institutions required by law,

• Information describing security devices and plans proposed, installed, adopted, or used by a public body, separate from costs for adoption, installation, or implementation of these devices and methods

• Academic records,

• Records linked to the circulation and registration of library materials that contain personally distinguishing details about the users of private, public, school, technical college, college, state library systems, institutional libraries, and universities supported in part or whole by public funds,

• Documents revealing the identities of library patrons requesting, using, or checking out library services or items, except non-identifying statistical and administrative reports of circulation and registration, and

• Other records that the law requires to be closed to the public.

Public records include most court records, property records, and business records.

Columbia City Crime Statistics

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division publishes crime statistics for Columbia City. Its 2018 publication shows that the Columbia City Police Department reported 8,256 crimes, a 0.76% drop in crime count than the previous year. Of the total count, the city police recorded 16 murders, 98 sexual batteries, 243 robberies, 704 aggravated assaults, 1,070 break and entries, 844 motor vehicle thefts, 5,251 larcenies, and 30 arsons. The city's crime rate in 2018 was 6186.5 crimes per 100,000. This data represents a 0.45% decline from the previous year.

Are Columbia City Criminal Records Public?

Columbia criminal records are partly open to the public. The Columbia City Police Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will only release conviction and arrest information to the requesting third-party. Under South Carolina law, only the record and law enforcement authorities’ owner can have access to a complete criminal record.

How to Obtain Columbia City Police Reports and Arrest Records?

Columbia city arrest records and police reports are obtainable from the Columbia City Police Department. Victims can obtain incident reports at no cost; however, all other police reports will cost $3 per request. Interested parties will need to tender a valid ID. They may also speed up the search by providing the case number on the record, if available. The Record Unit will only accept cash and checks. The addresses of the Columbia City Police Department are:

City Headquarters
1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 545-3577
Phone: (803) 545-3578

West Region Headquarters - District I
690 Club Road
Columbia, SC 29212
Phone: (803) 749-5830

The West Region includes Columbia City neighborhoods like Chestnut Hill Plantation, Thorntree, Heritage Village, Glenridge, Harbison State Forest, many apartment communities, and more than two million square feet of restaurants and retail stores.

North Region Headquarters - District I
3905 Ensor Avenue
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: (803) 401-8810

The North Region includes Columbia City communities like Hyatt Park, Keenan Terrace, Eau Claire Community Council, Earlewood, Elmwood Park, Greenview, and Bethel Bishop Community.

Metro Region Headquarters - District II
1800 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 545-3972

The Metro Region includes Columbia neighborhoods like Arsenal Hill, Main Street, Belvedere, Grove Park, Pinehurst, Bradley, Benedict College’s Campus, Finlay Park, USC’s Campus, Booker Washington Estate, and The Vista.

South Region Headquarters - District III
2132 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 737-5880

The South Region includes Columbia neighborhoods like Melrose Heights, Five Points, Rosewood, Deerwood, Shandon, Forest Hills, Hampton Park, Heathwood, South Kilbourne, Gregg Park, and Waverly Community.

East Region Headquarters - District IV
446 Spears Creek Church Road
Columbia, SC 29045
Phone: (803) 788-3018

The East Region includes Columbia City neighborhoods like Woodcreek Farms and Oakbrook Village communities while incorporating the area around Fort Jackson Training Base and near Kershaw County.

How to Find Sex Offender Information in Columbia City

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains a statewide Sex Offender Registry. Members of the public can search for registered sex offenders living in Columbia City by name, street address, or zip code. The SLED also provides a Community Notification System that enables registered users to monitor sex offenders living around them. Interested parties can register with a valid email address to receive mail updates.

How to Find Columbia City Inmate Records

People can look up inmates housed in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center by utilizing the offender information public access search tool. The record seeker should input the inmate’s first and last name to search this platform. Alternatively, registered users can use the secure access search tool to obtain inmate information.

How Do I Visit an inmate in Columbia City Jail?

Family and friends can visit inmates detained in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Inmates have the privilege of a one hour visit per week and can choose the time they want to receive visitors. The facility's visiting times are from Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The facility will only permit two visitors per time. Visitors must present a valid photo ID upon arrival at the lobby. A visitor’s inappropriate dressing may result in termination of appointment. The jail facility is located at:

201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia City, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 576-3200

Court Records

The trial court system of the U.S. State of South Carolina consists of Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrates, and Municipal Courts. There are 16 court locations in Columbia City.

Richland County Circuit Court
Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
Room 205
P.O. Box 2766
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1950
Fax: (803) 576-1785

Richland County Family Court
Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
Room 205
P.O. Box 2766
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1950
Fax: (803) 576-1785

Richland County Probate Court
Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
Suite 207
P.O. Box 192
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1961

Richland County Magistrate Court - Bond Court
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia City, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 576-3281
Fax: (803) 576-3303

Richland County Magistrate Court - Central Court
2500 Decker Boulevard
P.O. Box 192
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-2300
Fax: (803) 576-2325

Richland County Magistrate Court - Columbia City
3875 Lucius Road
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 576-2510
Fax: (803) 576-2519

Richland County Magistrate Court - Dentsville
2500 Decker Boulevard
Columbia City, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 576-2560
Fax: (803) 576-2569

Richland County Magistrate Court - Dutch Fork
1019 Beatty Road
Columbia City, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 576-2540
Fax: (803) 576-2545

Richland County Magistrate Court - Hopkins
2500 Decker Boulevard
P.O. Box 192
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-2530
Fax: (803) 576-2535

Richland County Magistrate Court - Lykesland
1403 Caroline Road
Columbia City, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 576-2500
Fax: (803) 576-2504

Richland County Magistrate Court - Olympia
1601 Shop Road
Suite B
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 576-2550
Fax: (803) 576-2555

Richland County Magistrate Court - Upper Township
400 Northeast Drive
Suite I
Columbia City, SC 29203
Phone: (803) 576-2570
Fax: (803) 576-2579

Richland County Magistrate Court - Waverly
2712 Middleburg Drive
Suite 106
Columbia City, SC 29204
Phone: (803) 576-2590
Fax: (803) 576-2599

Arcadia Lakes Municipal Court
6605 Arcadia Woods Road
Columbia City, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 782-2807
Fax: (803) 782-2923

Columbia City Municipal Court
811 Washington Street
P.O. Box 644
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 545-3150

Forest Acres Municipal Court
5205 North Trenholm Road
Columbia City, SC 29206
Phone: (803) 790-5947
Fax: (803) 978-2857

Are Columbia City Court Records Public?

Court records are open to the public in Columbia City, according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. However, a court may also seal court records such as records of pending criminal charges, making them unavailable to third parties.

The Circuit Court Clerk may also redact or remove confidential portions of a record if releasing such information undermines public safety. Examples of commonly redacted information in Columbia court records include:

• Records of criminal cases under investigation
• Expunged Columbia city criminal records
• Hospital medical staff information,
• Information on subjects medical records,
• Information about a subject’s adoption,
• Information describing utilized, installed, adopted, or proposed security devices and plans for a public body, apart from costs for their installation, adoption, or implementation,

Can you look up a Columbia City court case online?

It is possible to look up a Columbia City court case online by accessing the Richland Clerk of Circuit Courts’ searchable repository. Members of the public can conduct a case search by selecting the case type and providing details of the court case, such as the party's first and last name and case number. Interested parties can also filter results to fit the required search.

How to Obtain Columbia City Civil Court Case Records

The Richland Circuit Court Clerk provides a searchable database for civil court cases for the City of Columbia. People can search public civil Columbia court records by name and case number. The requester should select "Civil" under the “Case type” drop-down menu. It is also possible to filter search results for accurate search results. For civil cases heard in a Columbia City Municipal Court, the individual should select "Columbia City Municipal Court" under the “Court Agency” drop-down menu.

Alternatively, record seekers can visit the Courthouse at:

Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
Room 205 (29201)
P.O. Box 2766
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1952

How to Obtain Columbia City Criminal Court Records

The Richland Circuit Court Clerk maintains criminal court records for Columbia City. Record seekers can visit the Courthouse at:

Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
Room 205 (29201)
P.O. Box 2766
Columbia City, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 576-1952

Also, interested parties can conduct a criminal court record search via the search tool provided by the Richland Circuit Court Clerk. The online repository allows public members to search criminal cases by name and case number, among other search indexes. Record seekers should click on "Criminal" as the “Case Type” option and "Columbia City Municipal Court" under the Court Agency section. The portal will automatically filter the search results to display criminal cases filed in a Columbia City Municipal Court. It is also possible to filter search results for a more efficient search.

What are Columbia City Vital Records?

Columbia vital records provide information on significant events such as birth, death, marriage records, and divorce.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control maintains Columbia city vital records at the state level.

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201

The Office of the Richland County Probate Judge and the Richland County Clerk of Courts maintain marriage and divorce records, respectively.

Where and How to Obtain Columbia City Divorce Records

Columbia divorce records that are on file since July 1962 are available at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Divorce records are only open to the divorcees, their adult children, a present or former spouse of any of the divorced parties, and a legal representative. Members of the public can also request Columbia city divorce records. However, the state office will only provide the date and county of the divorce and affirm that it occurred.

Interested parties may obtain divorce records at $12 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy requested at the same time. The requester should provide a valid ID and submit a completed Application Form to:

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Divorce decrees are only available at the Richland County Clerk of Court's office. The requester can search and obtain copies of a divorce decree by calling (803) 576-1952 or contacting the office at:

Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street, Room 205 (29201)
Post Office Box 2766
Columbia City, SC 29202

Where and How to Get Public Columbia City Marriage Records

Columbia marriage records are not open to the public. However, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control can provide information copies of a marriage record. An information copy will contain a statement affirming that the marriage occurred and will provide the date and county where the couple obtained their marriage license. Interested parties can contact the state office at:

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Columbia City

Records of marriage events in Columbia City are obtainable from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The state office maintains records filed from July 1950 up until December 2018. Certified copies of Columbia City marriage records are only available to the registrants, their adult child(ren), former spouse, or legal representatives.

Eligible individuals can apply in person or via mail by submitting a request form and a valid ID to:

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

A certified copy of a Columbia marriage certificate issued by the SC DHEC costs $12, and additional copies of the same record cost $3 if requested at the same time. Applicants will need to provide:

• The name of the bride,
• The name of the groom,
• The month, day, and year of marriage,
• The County that issued the marriage license,
• The current mailing address of the record requester,
• A description of the relationship between the record requester and the married parties,
• The complete mailing address and the full name of the person receiving the mailed record,
• The daytime contact phone number and area code of the record requester,
• The signature of the record requester.

Requesters who have received no response within 30 days of submission may call the SC DEHC for an update or e-mail them at vrrequeststatus@dhec.sc.gov.

For Columbia City marriage certificates of events that occurred before July 1950 and after December 2018, the record seeker should query the Richland County Probate Judge at:

Richland County Judicial Center
1701 Main Street
2nd Floor Suite 207
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 576-1961

Where and How to Find Columbia City Birth Records

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issues certified copies of Columbia City birth records filed since 1915. Columbia birth records are not open to the public. Therefore, only the record's subject, parent, and legal guardian or representative can request a Columbia birth certificate. Immediate family members can only obtain a birth record if the record owner is deceased. They must submit a photocopy of the registrant's death certificate upon request.

Eligible parties must provide a completed application form, a valid ID, and a $12 non-refundable search fee (plus $3 per additional copies requested). They can request Columbia birth certificates online, by phone, mail, or in person at:

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Columbia City Birth certificates are open to the public after 100 years. Members of the public can contact the state office for uncertified copies of old records.

Where and How to Find Columbia City Death Records

Anyone interested in requesting Columbia death records can contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Only qualified relatives of the deceased or their legal representatives can obtain a certified copy of a Columbia death certificate. Other requesters can obtain an uncertified declaration that the death happened, including the county and the day of death. Eligible parties can request a Death Short Certificate, which contains little details, or a Death Long Certificate, including the record’s full details. The state office will charge a $12 non-refundable search fee and $3 for each additional copy requested.

Qualified relatives of the deceased who can receive certified copies of a Columbia death record includes:

• Parents
• Grandparents
• Spouse (not divorced)
• Siblings
• Children
• Grandchildren

Other people who qualify include those who can demonstrate proof that they have a substantial interest in a property or personal right and that the death record is required to settle that interest. Examples of such people are joint property owners and beneficiaries on life insurance policies.

Requesters can order copies online or by phone. Alternatively, they can submit a valid ID and a completed request form by mail or in-person to:

SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia City, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Columbia City death certificates are open to the public after 50 years. Interested parties can request uncertified copies of the record by submitting the required documentation to the state office.