Columbia SC Phone Directory

Columbia is the capital of South Carolina. It sits in Richland County. The city has a population of about 136,000 people. Columbia holds key state and local offices that serve the public. This phone directory lists contact numbers for city departments, the clerk's office, the FOIA office, police, and court records in Columbia. Use the numbers and links on this page to reach the right office fast. All phone listings here are for public city services in Columbia, South Carolina.

Columbia City Clerk Phone Directory

The Columbia City Clerk handles public records for the city. Erika D. Moore Hammond MMC CPM serves as the clerk. She holds both the Master Municipal Clerk and Certified Public Manager titles. Her office is at 1737 Main Street in Columbia, SC 29201. Call (803) 545-3045 to reach the clerk by phone. The fax line is (803) 255-8936. You can also send email to cityclerk@columbiasc.gov.

The clerk provides several key services. These include agendas, minutes, and videos of city meetings. The office also gives process server details and handles records management. If you need to reach Columbia municipal court, the clerk can direct your call.

Columbia FOIA Office Contact

The Columbia FOIA office handles open records requests. FOIA stands for Freedom of Information Act. South Carolina law gives the public a right to view government records. The office is at 1401 Main Street in Columbia, SC 29201. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 667, Columbia, SC 29202. Call (803) 737-0000 for help with your request.

Walk-in visitors should use the Washington Street entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can help you fill out forms on site. Most requests take a few days to process. Some take longer if the records are old or large in scope.

South Carolina's FOIA law is found in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. It covers all public bodies in the state. Columbia follows these rules for all records requests. You can also submit your request through the city's FOIA portal online.

Note: Response times vary based on the size and type of your request. The FOIA office may charge fees for copies and staff time spent on large requests.

Phone Directory for Columbia Records

Columbia has a records management division under the city clerk. Moises Renteria runs day-to-day work in the division. Call (803) 545-3125 to reach him. This office keeps all city records in line with state law.

The division follows the Public Records Act of 1990. That law covers Sections 30-1-10 through 30-1-180 of the South Carolina Code. It sets rules for how long records must be kept. It also defines which records the public can view. Columbia stores, sorts, and destroys records based on these rules.

One unique resource is the set of historical city minutes. These go back to 1883. The SC Digital Library hosts minutes from 1883 to 1911 online. This gives researchers free access to old Columbia city records from home. Visit the records management page for more details on what is stored and how to ask for copies.

Columbia Police Phone Listings

The Columbia Police Department serves the city and works with Richland County law enforcement. The department handles patrol, investigations, and community programs. For non-emergency calls, use the phone directory listings on the Columbia Police website. Always dial 911 for emergencies.

The police department also maintains its own records division. This is separate from the city clerk. Officers file reports daily, and the public can request copies of certain reports. Traffic crash reports, incident reports, and arrest records are among the most common requests.

Columbia Police Records Access

You can get police records from the Columbia Police Department records unit. Visit the police records page for instructions. Some records are free. Others have a small copy fee. The type of record and the number of pages affect the cost.

Common records people request include:

• Crash and traffic accident reports
• Incident and offense reports
• Arrest records open to the public
• Body camera footage through FOIA

Not all records are open to the public. State law restricts access to some files. Juvenile records, ongoing case files, and certain victim data stay sealed. If you are not sure what you can get, call the records unit first. Staff can tell you what is available and what steps to take. Columbia police records requests can also go through the city FOIA office at (803) 737-0000 if the standard process does not work for your needs.

Note: Body camera footage requests may take longer to process. The department must review each clip before release to redact protected information under South Carolina law.

Columbia Municipal Court Records

Columbia Municipal Court handles city-level offenses. These include traffic tickets, code violations, and minor crimes within city limits. Richland County maintains all court records for the Columbia Municipal Court. This means you search for court data through the county system, not the city.

The SC Judicial Branch Public Index has records from 1988 to the present. You can search by name or case number. The index is free to use. It shows case dates, charges, and case status. For certified copies, you must contact the Richland County Clerk of Court.

Most people who need Columbia municipal court records can find what they need through the state public index. If the case is older than 1988, you may need to visit the courthouse in person. Call the Columbia City Clerk at (803) 545-3045 for help locating older municipal court files.

How to Use This Phone Directory

This Columbia phone directory page lists the main public offices you may need. Each section has a phone number, address, and website link. Start with the office that best fits your need. If you are not sure, call the city clerk first. The clerk can point you to the right department.

Here are tips for reaching Columbia city offices:

• Call during business hours, Monday through Friday
• Have your case or reference number ready
• Ask for the specific division you need
• Use email for non-urgent requests
• Check the website first for forms and FAQs

Many offices close for state holidays. Plan ahead if you need records before a deadline. Columbia city offices follow the standard South Carolina state holiday schedule. Wait times can be long on Mondays and right after holidays.

South Carolina FOIA and Columbia

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to access public records. Columbia follows this law for all city records. The full text of the law is in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. It applies to all public bodies in the state.

Under FOIA, you can request records in writing or in person. The city must respond within a set time frame. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal. The law also covers public meetings. Columbia city council meetings must be open to the public and posted in advance.

The Public Records Act of 1990 adds more rules for records retention. Columbia must keep records for set periods based on type. Financial records, meeting minutes, and contracts all have different retention rules. The records management division tracks all of this for the city of Columbia in Richland County.

Note: You do not need to state a reason for your FOIA request. The law does not require you to explain why you want the records. Columbia city staff should not ask you to justify your request.

Richland County Phone Directory

Columbia is the county seat of Richland County. The county handles many records that overlap with city services. Court records, property records, and vital records all go through the county. For a full list of Richland County office phone numbers and contact details, visit the county page.

View Richland County Phone Directory

Nearby South Carolina Cities

These cities are near Columbia in the Midlands region. Each has its own set of public offices and phone listings. Pick a city below to find contact numbers for that area.

View Major South Carolina Cities