Richland County Residents Directory Access
The Richland County residents directory connects you to public records held by county and city offices in Columbia. Richland County is home to the state capital and several major government buildings. The Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Probate Court, and City of Columbia each manage their own record sets. You can search many of these records online or visit the Richland County Judicial Center on Main Street. This page explains where to look and how to get the records you need.
Richland County Quick Facts
Richland County Court Records
The Richland County Clerk of Court is at the Judicial Center, 1701 Main Street, Room 205, Columbia, SC 29201. The Clerk is Jeanette McBride. Phone: 803-576-1950. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can also mail requests to P.O. Box 2766, Columbia, SC 29202.
This office is the official record keeper for all criminal, civil, and family court cases in Richland County. The Clerk manages the Grand Jury, summons jurors, and collects all fees and fines set by the Circuit Court. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies run $5 to $10 per document, depending on the type. The Richland County residents directory for court records can be searched through the state public index online, or you can visit the courthouse in person.
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. Title 30, Chapter 4, most court records in Richland County are open to the public. Some information may be redacted under Section 30-4-40 to protect privacy. Juvenile cases and sealed proceedings are not available without a court order.
| Office |
Richland County Clerk of Court 1701 Main Street, Room 205 Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: 803-576-1950 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | Richland County Clerk of Court |
Richland County Property Records
The Richland County Register of Deeds is led by John Hopkins. Mailing address: PO Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202. Phone: (803) 576-1910. This office records all real estate documents for Richland County, including deeds, mortgages, plats, and related instruments.
You can search property records online through the county website. The index lets you look up records by owner name, address, or document type. Certified copies are available upon request. UCC filings and military discharge records are also kept on file here. The Richland County residents directory for property data is a useful starting point for anyone who needs to trace ownership or find liens on real estate in the county.
Note: Recording fees vary by document type, so check the Richland County Register of Deeds website for the current fee schedule before submitting documents.
Richland County Probate Court
The Richland County Probate Court handles estates, guardianships, marriage licenses, and mental health commitments. Estate records filed after October 2000 are available online through the Subscription Management System. Only approved parties with a direct interest can view estate files online.
Below is the Richland County Probate Court page where you can find forms and filing details.
Marriage licenses and guardianship records are also handled by this office at the Judicial Center.
The Family Court Voice Response System is available at (803) 576-3333. You need a 10-digit case number and the last four digits of a Social Security Number to use it. This gives you automated case status details by phone. The Family Court itself is on the 1st Floor, West Wing of 1701 Main Street. Phone: 803-576-3320. The filing fee to start a Family Court case in Richland County is $150.
Columbia City Records
Columbia is the county seat and capital of South Carolina. The Columbia City Clerk is Erika D. Moore Hammond. The office is at 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 545-3045. The City Clerk keeps the legislative record and official city seal.
For city-level records in Columbia, you can submit a FOIA request through the Columbia FOIA portal. This covers meeting minutes, city council records, and other municipal documents. Marriage licenses are not issued by the city; you get those from the Richland County Probate Court. Birth and death certificates come from SC DHEC. Property tax records are held by Richland County, not the city.
The Columbia City Clerk website is shown below for reference.
The FOIA portal link on this page lets you submit requests for city records online.
Richland County Residents Directory Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index covers Richland County court records as part of the statewide system. You can search by name, case number, or date. The system shows docket summaries, party details, and case status. Basic searches are free to use.
South Carolina State Records provides another way to search across multiple record types. The database includes court records, vital records, and property data from all 46 counties. You can filter results to Richland County. For vital records, the SC DHEC Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street in Columbia is the main state office. Since Richland County is home to the state capital, this office is just a short drive from the courthouse.
The following records are commonly searched through the Richland County residents directory:
- Criminal and civil court case files
- Real estate deeds and mortgage records
- Estate and guardianship records from Probate Court
- Marriage license records
- City of Columbia municipal records
Richland County Sheriff Records
The Richland County Sheriff's Department is at 5623 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223. This office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and warrant information. The department publishes a list of wanted individuals online. Inmate searches for the Detention Center are also available through the county website.
Public access terminals at the Richland County courthouse let you search court records during business hours. You can also search warrants through the Clerk of Court. Proper identification is recommended when conducting searches in person. Records are updated regularly to show new warrants, served warrants, and recalled warrants in Richland County.
Note: Ongoing investigations and juvenile cases in Richland County may have restricted information that is not available to the public.
Richland County Record Fees
Richland County charges the following fees for record copies:
- Standard copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 to $10.00 per document
- Family Court filing fee: $150.00
You can pay at the Clerk of Court window during business hours. Mail requests should include a money order or cashier's check. For property records, check with the Register of Deeds for their specific fee schedule. Most Richland County offices accept cash, checks, and card payments in person.
Cities in Richland County
Columbia is the main city in Richland County and serves as both the county seat and state capital. All county-level record searches go through the Richland County offices on Main Street.
Nearby Counties
Richland County borders several other counties. If your address is near a county line, confirm which county holds the records you need.