Columbia County Court Records Search

Columbia County court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Appling, Georgia, covering civil filings, criminal case documents, real estate instruments, and other public records for one of the fastest-growing counties in the Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan area. This page explains how to search Columbia County court records online, what tools are available statewide, and how to access the clerk's office in Appling for records that require in-person or mail requests.

Columbia County Court Records: What You Need to Know

Columbia County sits in eastern Georgia as part of the Augusta-Richmond County metropolitan area, commonly called the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area). With a population of around 152,000, it is one of Georgia's fastest-growing counties, driven by residential development and proximity to Augusta. The Superior Court Clerk in Appling maintains all civil and criminal court records, recorded real estate instruments, UCC filings, and other official documents for the county.

Two large unincorporated communities serve as the practical population centers of Columbia County: Evans, with a population of about 37,718, and Martinez, with roughly 33,019 residents. Both are census-designated places and unincorporated areas, meaning they do not have their own municipal governments. All court filings for residents in Evans and Martinez go through the Columbia County Superior Court Clerk in Appling.

Georgia's open records law at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 gives the public access to most court records held by the clerk. The three-business-day response requirement applies to record requests here as in all Georgia counties. Exemptions under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 cover sealed proceedings and juvenile records. Most Columbia County court records are fully accessible.

Online Tools for Columbia County Court Records

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority is the primary statewide platform for online searches. The GSCCCA search portal covers real estate records, UCC filings, and civil case data for Columbia County. A regular subscription costs $14.95 per month. Columbia County, as a large and growing county with high property transaction volume, has extensive records in the GSCCCA real estate system.

PeachCourt at peachcourt.com offers e-filing and public case record access at $0.50 per page for documents. Columbia County, given its size and growth, likely participates in or will participate in the PeachCourt system for newer e-filed cases. The re:SearchGA system at researchga.tylerhost.net is worth checking as well for any Columbia County docket access it may provide.

The FANS alert system at fans.gsccca.org is particularly useful in Columbia County given the high volume of real estate activity in Evans and Martinez. You can set up name-based alerts for new deed recordings, mortgage filings, and liens in the county.

Columbia County Clerk Office: Appling Location

The Superior Court Clerk's office in Appling is the official source for all Columbia County court records. Despite the population being concentrated in Evans and Martinez rather than Appling itself, all records are kept at the courthouse in the county seat. Staff handle in-person searches, mail requests, and the issuance of certified copies. The office is open during regular business hours on weekdays.

For a drive to Appling from Evans or Martinez, plan ahead, as Appling is a small town with limited services. Bring a photo ID and the case information you have. Certified copies cost more than uncertified copies but are required for most legal proceedings. The eCert system at ecert.gsccca.org lets you order certified electronic copies of recorded instruments online.

Civil and Criminal Records in Columbia County

Columbia County Superior Court is part of the Augusta Judicial Circuit along with Richmond County. It handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, domestic relations matters including divorce and custody, and equity proceedings. Because Columbia County is growing rapidly, the court docket reflects an expanding population with increasing filing volumes across all categories.

Civil records available through the clerk include complaints, court orders, and final judgments. Criminal records cover indictments, plea agreements, and sentencing documents. Divorce and custody records are public unless sealed. Property records are especially significant in Columbia County given the active residential market. Deeds, mortgages, and liens for the Evans and Martinez communities all flow through the Appling clerk's office and are searchable through GSCCCA.

Evans and Martinez: Unincorporated Areas Served by Columbia County Courts

Evans and Martinez are the two largest population centers in Columbia County but are unincorporated census-designated places rather than incorporated municipalities. This means residents of Evans and Martinez do not have a separate city court; all court matters go through the Columbia County Superior Court in Appling. Property filings, civil cases, and criminal matters for both communities are part of the Columbia County court record system.

For people in Evans and Martinez searching court records, the process is the same as for any Columbia County resident: use the GSCCCA system online, check PeachCourt for newer filings, or visit the clerk's office in Appling. The FANS system can help Evans and Martinez property owners track new recordings on their parcels.

Communities in Columbia County

Columbia County's largest unincorporated communities are served by the county court system in Appling.

Nearby Counties

Columbia County borders these counties in the Augusta metro area and surrounding region.