Columbia County Background Information
Arkansas contains Columbia County. The total population of Columbia County in 2020 was 22,801. In Columbia County, the current seat is Magnolia.
It was formed in 1852.
It was named for Christopher Columbus. He was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
The Magnolia, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Columbia County.
Columbia County Arrest Records
In Columbia County, arrest records are also kept on every crime within the jurisdictional area. Crimes are separated into two main categorizations in Columbia County. Violent crime and property crime are the classes in question. Property crimes can include things such as burglary, vehicle theft, and larceny. Robbery, aggravated assault, murder, and forcible rape make up the four main violent crime categorizations. In 2021, in Columbia County, there were 37 violent and 130 property crimes. Columbia County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at:
Columbia County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff: Leroy Martin
82 Columbia Road 300
Magnolia, AR 71753
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm, Fri 8am-3:30pm
Phone: (870) 234-5331
Email: info@columbiacountysheriffar.org
Columbia County Criminal Records
Columbia County records their criminal activity in the form of criminal records. These records cover murders, rapes, burglaries, arson, motor vehicle theft, assaults, and crimes of a sexual nature. In Columbia County and across the whole state of Arkansas, police officers are required to keep a refreshed list of all records of criminals. In order to get access to the records in question, Columbia County residents can use a search tool. Any individual on release or in jail can be searched for using the tool. Columbia County legally keeps current sex offender registers. Each and every offender living, working, attending school, or imprisoned in the Columbia County area must be on this list. All Columbia County residents may access an up-to-date copy of this register.
Citizens can see local offenders of Columbia County by using online searches, then give a zip code and decide the radius of their search. All offenders within that area will then be revealed to the searcher. People may also use the tool to search for specific offenders. The results will show all jailed and non-compliant offenders too.
Columbia County Court Records
The county courthouse manages all civil, family, and criminal cases in Columbia County. Court records in Columbia County are collected and preserved by the court clerk. The Court of Appeals of Arkansas holds power to assess all contested cases across the state. These 75 superior and trial courts across the 75 counties, including Columbia County, are overseen by the Court of Appeals. Columbia County court records can be accessed at:
Columbia County Courthouse
Circuit Clerk: Angela Keith
1 Courthouse Square #3
Magnolia, AR 71753
Phone: (870) 235-3700
Fax: (870) 235-3786
Email: angela.keith@columbiacircuit.org
NOTE - Average records in Columbia County can be sent by mail, email, or fax. Alternatively, all official records can only be directed via mail-in Columbia County.
Columbia County Public Records
The state keeps vital records on each and every member of the public in Arkansas, including Columbia County. All important life events are recorded in these documents. These records can contain vital records on divorces, marriages, births, deaths, and more. Columbia County, and other counties in Arkansas, assist in the collection of these vital records. Columbia County may be put in charge of accumulating and sending copies to the state.
Each individual county clerk collects marriage records in Arkansas. The Arkansas Department of Health collects all Columbia County records. The major vital records accumulated by the state are birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees, marriage licenses, divorce certificates, marriage certificates, and more. All vital state records, including those from Columbia County, are kept in one central registry. Statistical analysis can be carried out regarding the files.
The general public in Columbia County can access all public records. The state of Arkansas passed the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) back in 1967, meaning that members of the public now have the fundamental right to access any public records. The most recent amendment to this law came in the year 2017. Residents can obtain public records in Columbia County at:
Columbia County Clerk’s Office
Clerk: Tammy J. Wiltz
101 Boundary, Ste 101
Magnolia, AR 71753
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: (870) 235-3774
Fax: (870) 235-3773
Email: countyclerk@countyofcolumbia.net
Nonetheless, every record comes at a cost, as it takes both times to source the records and resources to print them. Birth certificates in Columbia County cost $12 for the first copy. Death certificates in Columbia County will set a person back $10. Marriage certificates in Columbia County will set a person back $10.
NOTE - If requesters would like to obtain records face-to-face, they must follow various rules in Columbia County. The office has opening times of 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. CST from Monday to Friday. If a requester wishes to attain files, they must bring some form of photo identification. State IDs and driver's licenses will do just fine. Columbia County insists upon public record applications being put in writing.
