Columbia County Directory Search

Columbia County keeps a public phone directory for all government offices, and every listing is free to look up. The county seat is Lake City, where most offices are based. You can call the main county line to get routed to any department, or you can look up numbers online through the county website. This page brings together the most useful phone contacts for Columbia County government. From the Clerk of Courts to the Property Appraiser, each office has its own line and hours that are listed below for quick access.

Columbia County Government Contacts

Columbia County runs its government offices out of Lake City. The main county line is (386) 752-6543. Staff at that number can direct you to any department in the county. The county website lists departments with phone numbers and office addresses so you can find what you need before calling.

Florida's public records law makes all government phone numbers open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says you do not need a reason to ask for a phone number or the name of a government employee. The county has to share it. This applies to every office in the Columbia County phone directory.

For state-level employee searches, the MyFlorida 411 directory at 411.myflorida.gov covers all state agencies.

The 411 tool works well for finding state employees who may have an office in or near Columbia County. For county government staff, the local directory is the better source. Most departments in Columbia County are small enough that one call to the main line gets you where you need to go pretty quickly.

Columbia County Clerk of Courts

The Clerk of the Circuit Court handles most public records in Columbia County. Call (386) 758-1041 for the main clerk line. This office manages court records, official records such as deeds and mortgages, marriage licenses, and all formal public records requests for the county. The office is in the Columbia County Courthouse in Lake City.

Public records requests can be made by phone, mail, or in person. The clerk's website at columbiaclerk.com has details on the process. Under Florida law, the first 30 minutes of staff time on a records search costs nothing. If the search takes longer, the clerk must quote you a price before proceeding. You will not get a surprise bill.

Court records are searchable online. You can look up case info by name or case number. The system covers civil, criminal, and family court filings in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. The search is free. No account or login is needed to use it.

For certified copies, there is a per-page fee. Call (386) 758-1041 for current rates. If a record you need is held by a different county office, the clerk can point you in the right direction.

Search Columbia County Records Online

Columbia County has online search tools for court records, official records, and property data. The clerk's portal lets you search court cases and recorded documents from home. The Property Appraiser and Tax Collector also have their own websites with search features. All of these are free to use.

Florida's open records law treats digital records the same as paper ones. If a document is public, you can get a copy whether it is stored in a file cabinet or a computer system. Chapter 119 does not make a distinction. For most online searches in Columbia County, there is no charge unless you want a certified copy.

The Florida Public Records Check portal offers a statewide search option. This can be useful if you are not sure which county holds the record you want.

The statewide tool at stateofflorida.com/public-records-check pulls from multiple databases. For records you know are in Columbia County, the local clerk's online tools will usually give you more detail and faster results.

Property and Tax Records

The Columbia County Property Appraiser keeps records on every parcel in the county. Call (386) 758-1083 for questions about property values, ownership, or exemptions. The office runs a free online search tool where you can look up any property by address or owner name. Results show assessed values, exemption details, and ownership history.

The Tax Collector handles property tax payments, vehicle tags, and some license services. The main number is (386) 758-1085. You can pay taxes online or at the office in Lake City. Tax records are public under Florida law. Anyone can request copies of payment histories without giving a reason for the request.

Both the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector are separate offices with their own staff and phone lines. If you call one and need the other, they will give you the right number or transfer your call.

How to Find Columbia County Phone Numbers

You have several options for tracking down a number in the Columbia County directory. The county website is the fastest route for most people. You can also call or write.

• Browse departments on the Columbia County website
• Call the main county line at (386) 752-6543
• Reach the Clerk of Courts at (386) 758-1041
• Search state employees at 411.myflorida.gov
• Call the Florida State Info Center at 1-866-693-6748

Government employee names and phone numbers in Columbia County are public records. Email addresses are public too. Some personal information for law enforcement officers and judges may be exempt from disclosure. The clerk's office will tell you if an exemption applies when you make your request. For basic directory info like office phone numbers, there is no cost and no waiting period. Florida law is clear on this point.

Key Columbia County Phone Numbers

These are the most used numbers in the Columbia County phone directory. The main county line is the best first call when you are unsure where to start. The Clerk at (386) 758-1041 handles court records, official records, and formal records requests. Mornings tend to have shorter hold times. If you have a simple question, try calling before noon for the quickest response.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County includes Lake City, Fort White, and some smaller communities. Lake City is the county seat and the largest city. Each municipality has its own local government with separate phone contacts. None of these cities currently have dedicated pages on this site, but their contacts are all public under Florida law. You can find city phone numbers through each city's website or by calling the main Columbia County line at (386) 752-6543 for help.

Nearby County Phone Directories

Columbia County borders several counties in North Central Florida. These neighboring counties have phone directory pages on this site.