Columbia County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Columbia County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to government documents may find publicly available information related to Columbia County public records through ColumbiaCountyRecords.us, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Columbia County, Pennsylvania maintains a range of records that are accessible to the public under state law, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and administrative files. The availability and completeness of any particular record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the record, and applicable legal exemptions.

Records that may be found through official channels include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
Tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Budget and financial documents
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use and zoning records

Online Access: Members of the public may search property and land records through the Columbia County Assessment Office online portal. Court records for Pennsylvania are accessible through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal, which provides docket information for cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas.

In-Person Requests: Requests may be submitted in person at the Columbia County Recorder of Deeds or the Prothonotary's Office, both located at the Columbia County Courthouse, 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office at 35 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Requests must include a description of the record sought, the requester's contact information, and the preferred format for response. Under the Right-to-Know Law, agencies are required to respond within five business days of receiving a written request.

Phone/Email: The Columbia County main line is (570) 389-5600. Individual office contact information is available through the Columbia County official website.

What Are Public Records in Columbia County?

Public records in Columbia County are defined under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.102, as any information, regardless of physical form or characteristics, created or received by a Commonwealth agency or local agency that documents a transaction or activity of the agency. The following record types are maintained by specific offices within the county:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family): Maintained by the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, Columbia County Courthouse
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens): Maintained by the Columbia County Recorder of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage): Birth and death records are maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; marriage licenses are issued by the Register of Wills
Business records (fictitious names, licenses): Filed with the Pennsylvania Department of State
Tax and assessment records: Maintained by the Columbia County Assessment Office
Voting and election records: Maintained by the Columbia County Election Bureau
Meeting minutes and agendas: Available through the Columbia County Commissioners' Office
Law enforcement records: Maintained by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and applicable municipal police departments, subject to applicable exemptions

Is Columbia County an Open Records County?

Columbia County operates in full compliance with Pennsylvania's statewide open records framework. Under the Right-to-Know Law, 65 P.S. § 67.301, all records of a local agency are presumed to be public records unless they fall within a specific statutory exemption, are protected by a privilege, or are required to be kept confidential under another law. This presumption places the burden on the agency to demonstrate why a record should not be disclosed, rather than on the requester to justify access.

The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records serves as the oversight body for the Right-to-Know Law and provides guidance to both agencies and requesters. As stated by the Office of Open Records, "The Right-to-Know Law provides citizens with the right to access public records of Commonwealth and local agencies." Columbia County agencies are required to designate an Open Records Officer to receive and process requests, and to post that officer's contact information publicly.

The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law; all requests are processed in accordance with the procedures established under state statute.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Columbia County?

The fee structure for public records in Columbia County is governed by the Right-to-Know Law and the fee schedule established by the Office of Open Records. Current standard fees are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Black and white paper copies (letter/legal)	$0.25 per page
Oversized paper copies	Actual cost
Electronic copies (CD/DVD)	$1.00 per disc
Certification of a record	$1.00 per record
Postage	Actual cost

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting records in person.
Copy fees: $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies.
Certification fees: $1.00 per certified document.
Electronic format fees: $1.00 per disc for records provided on CD or DVD; no charge for records transmitted by email.
Search fees: Agencies may not charge a search or retrieval fee under current Pennsylvania law.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but include cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though agencies retain discretion to reduce or waive fees in certain circumstances. Fees for records maintained by the Recorder of Deeds or the Register of Wills may differ and are set by separate statutory authority.

Does Columbia County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at the maintaining agency's office during regular business hours. Under Pennsylvania law, no fee may be charged for the inspection of a public record; charges apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System Web Portal provides free online access to court docket information for cases filed in Columbia County's Court of Common Pleas.
The Columbia County Assessment Office provides free online access to property assessment and tax records.
The Pennsylvania Department of State provides free online access to business entity registrations and fictitious name filings.
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are available at no cost through the Columbia County Commissioners' Office and, where posted, on the county's official website.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records at the office without charge, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Columbia County?

Any person may submit a public records request in Columbia County. Under the Right-to-Know Law, there is no residency requirement, and requesters are not required to state the purpose for which they are seeking records. Identification is not required for most requests, though providing contact information is necessary for the agency to respond.

Specific provisions apply to certain record types:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted under Pennsylvania law to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest. The Pennsylvania Department of Health administers these restrictions.
Criminal history records: Access to full criminal history information is governed by the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act and may require the subject's consent or a demonstrated legal purpose.
Juvenile records: Access is restricted by statute and court order.

Non-residents of Pennsylvania retain the same rights as residents to request public records under state law. Individuals requesting their own records may be entitled to access information that would otherwise be restricted when requested by a third party.

What Records Are Confidential in Columbia County?

Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under Pennsylvania law. The Right-to-Know Law at 65 P.S. § 67.708 enumerates specific categories of records that agencies are not required to disclose, including:

Sealed court records and records subject to a court protective order
Juvenile records and proceedings
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
Personal identifying information, including Social Security numbers and financial account data
Medical and psychological records protected under HIPAA and state law
Adoption records
Child welfare and protective services records
Personnel records, with limited exceptions for certain employment-related information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to an agency
Security plans, emergency response procedures, and critical infrastructure details
Attorney-client privileged communications

As noted by the Office of Open Records, "Not all government records are public records. Some records are protected by law and may not be disclosed." Agencies applying an exemption must cite the specific provision of law that supports the withholding of the record. Requesters who believe a record has been improperly withheld may appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records within 15 business days of the agency's denial.

Columbia County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Columbia County Recorder of Deeds
35 West Main Street, Suite 53
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5632
Columbia County Recorder of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays

Columbia County Prothonotary (Court Records)
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5614
Columbia County Prothonotary

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Columbia County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5636
Columbia County Register of Wills

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Columbia County Assessment Office
35 West Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 389-5642
Columbia County Assessment Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Pennsylvania Office of Open Records
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 346-9903
Pennsylvania Office of Open Records

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM