Columbia County Background Check Search

Columbia County background check records can be searched through the Clerk of Court in Lake City and through FDLE's statewide database. This north Florida county is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit and has a population of about 72,000 people. The clerk handles all local court filings, while FDLE keeps the state criminal history data. Both are important when doing a background check in Columbia County. The process is simple once you know where to look, and there are options for searching online and in person at the Lake City courthouse.

Columbia County Clerk of Court

James M. Swisher, Jr. serves as the Columbia County Clerk of Court. The office is at 173 NE Hernando Ave in Lake City. All court records for the county are filed here. Call (386) 758-1342 to ask about records, fees, or office hours. The staff can help with case searches, document copies, and filing questions. This is the one clerk office for all of Columbia County, and it handles every type of court record in the area.

The Columbia County Clerk website at columbiaclerk.com has online tools for looking up cases. You can search by name, case number, or date. The system shows case type, status, and filing dates for criminal, civil, and traffic matters. It is free to use and open to anyone. This is a solid first step for a Columbia County background check. For full documents, you might need to visit the office or call. Not every filing has complete text online, but the search shows what is on record so you know what to ask for.

The Columbia County Clerk website shows their case search system and court records tools.

Use this portal to start a background check search and find court case data in Columbia County.

Note: Columbia County is a smaller office, so wait times for in-person record requests are typically short.

Searching Columbia County Background Check Records

There are a few ways to search for background check records in Columbia County. The clerk's online case search is the fastest place to begin. Visit the Columbia County Clerk website and use the records lookup. Type in a name and the system shows all matching cases. You see case numbers, types, dates, and status. The search is free. It covers criminal cases, civil filings, and traffic matters in Columbia County.

For in-person searches, head to 173 NE Hernando Ave in Lake City. Bring your ID. Ask the staff to search by name. They can pull up cases in the system and show you what is on file. If you need copies, pay the per-page rate. The MyFloridaCounty portal works too. It covers official recorded documents for Columbia County, such as liens, deeds, and judgments. This database adds to your background check results by catching records that do not show up in a standard case search.

FDLE runs the statewide criminal history check. Submit a Level 1 name-based request through CCHInet for $24. Results come back fast and cover all 67 Florida counties. If you need just Columbia County court data, the clerk's search is enough. But for a statewide look at someone's criminal history, FDLE is the way to go.

Columbia County Background Check Fees

Background check costs in Columbia County line up with the rest of the state. A statewide name-based criminal history check through FDLE costs $24. You pay online with a credit card. This covers a Level 1 search. Level 2 fingerprint checks cost more. The price varies depending on the agency requesting the check and the LiveScan vendor you visit.

At the Columbia County Clerk of Court, copy fees follow state law. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. There is no charge to search the online case system. If you need certified copies for legal purposes, bring payment to the office in Lake City. Cash and checks are accepted. The staff can process copies the same day for most requests.

• FDLE Level 1 check: $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Public Records Law in Columbia County

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all government records open to the public unless a specific exemption applies. This covers Columbia County the same as every other county in the state. You do not need to be a Columbia County resident to ask for records. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk must provide access to any public record you ask for. This includes court cases, arrest records, and other official filings.

Some records are off limits. Sealed and expunged cases cannot be viewed. Certain juvenile files and active investigation records may also be restricted. But the vast majority of what you need for a Columbia County background check is open and available. If an office in the county turns down your request, the Attorney General's Open Government page has details on how to challenge the denial. The AG's office works to make sure Florida's public records law is followed by all agencies.

Note: Expunged records in Columbia County are destroyed or sealed and will not appear in any standard search.

Background Check Types for Columbia County

Florida law defines two main levels of background checks. Both are used in Columbia County. A Level 1 check is name-based. FDLE runs the name through the statewide criminal history database. It catches arrests, charges, and case outcomes from all counties. This is the most common type of background check. You order it through CCHInet for $24 and results come back in about a day.

A Level 2 check is more thorough. It uses fingerprints and runs through both FDLE and the FBI. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes spells out which roles need this type of check. It is for positions that involve working with people who are vulnerable. You get fingerprinted at an approved LiveScan provider. The nearest locations to Columbia County may be in Lake City or a nearby town. Results take a few business days because of the FBI component.

There is also the VECHS program. FDLE runs it under Chapter 943 of Florida Statutes. VECHS stands for Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System. Only registered groups can use it. It is built for organizations in Columbia County and across Florida that serve children, elderly, or disabled people.

Getting Record Copies in Columbia County

To get copies of court records, go to the Columbia County Clerk at 173 NE Hernando Ave in Lake City. Tell the staff what you need and they can search by name or case number. Pay per page for copies. Certified copies come with the clerk's stamp and signature. The Find a Clerk directory has contact info for all 67 Florida clerk offices, including Columbia County.

You can also mail a request. Write to the clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if available, and the type of record you want. Include payment for the expected fees. The clerk will process the request and mail copies back. For FDLE criminal history records, submit online through CCHInet or mail a request to Tallahassee. The online method is faster. If you want to check your own record, FDLE has a personal review page that lets you see what is in your own criminal history file.

Cities in Columbia County

Columbia County is home to Lake City, Fort White, and a number of smaller communities. All court records for these areas are stored at the Columbia County Clerk of Court in Lake City. No cities in Columbia County have a population over 75,000, so all background check court records go through the one clerk office on Hernando Ave.

Nearby Counties

Columbia County borders several north Florida counties. If you are searching for records on someone who may have lived nearby, check these counties as well.