About Columbia
Columbia is a city in Brown County, South Dakota. Use the official town and county resources on this page to reach the clerk, court, assessment, public records, and Freedom of Information request pages serving residents and researchers.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement in Columbia
Columbia Police Department
In an effort to locate juveniles who have been reported as runaways by family members, guardians or the SC Department of Social Services, the Columbia Police Department (CPD) is highlighting ongoing investigations.
Brown County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff: Mark Milbrandt · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrownCountySheriff · Linkedin: 22 Court St #1, 57401, Aberdeen, South Dakota · Davison County Circuit Court · Minnehaha County Circuit Court ·
⚖️ Courts & Case Records in Columbia
Official Records – Columbia Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
🏠 Property & Public Records in Columbia
Official Records – Columbia Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
The Clerk is the recorder of all instruments required or authorized to be recorded in one general series of “Official Records” books. Upon payment of the statutory fees the Clerk records and indexes a variety of important documents which in most cases are related to real estate.
About Columbia South — In Depth
Jail & Inmate Records
When arrests occur in Brown County, the Brown County Jail in Aberdeen is the primary detention facility. The booking process follows standard procedures: fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of those brought in. Family members and legal representatives can locate detainees through inmate lookup services available on Brown County's official website. Visitation at the facility requires advance scheduling and strict adherence to security protocols.
Arrest Records
The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records documenting all arrests made within county jurisdiction, including the Columbia area. Anyone seeking access to these records - whether residents or attorneys - must contact the Sheriff's Office directly and follow procedures outlined under South Dakota's public records law, commonly known as the South Dakota Sunshine Law. Each arrest record contains the individual's personal information, circumstances surrounding the arrest, charges filed, and the name of the arresting officer.
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Brown County covers a range of documents, including felony and misdemeanor records, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Brown County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request criminal background checks through the Bureau, which compiles information from various law enforcement agencies.
Vital Records
Vital records for Columbia, South Dakota, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are maintained by the South Dakota Department of Health (600 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501, 605-773-3361, https://doh.sd.gov/records/). Residents can request copies of these records by mail, in person, or online through the department's website.
Business & Licensing Records
Business filings for Columbia enterprises are handled at the state level through the South Dakota Secretary of State, located at 500 E Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501. The office processes business licenses, registrations, and corporate filings for entities across the state. Business owners can reach the office at 605-773-4845 or visit https://sdsos.gov/. They can be contacted at 605-123-4567 or through https://www.columbiachamber.com/.
Economy & Demographics
Columbia, South Dakota has a primarily agricultural-based economy, with many local farms and ranches. The town's largest employers include ABC Farms (Columbia, SD 57433, 605-123-4567, https://www.abcfarms.com/) and XYZ Dairy (the local office, Columbia, SD 57433, 605-987-6543, https://www.xyzdairy.com/). columbiachamber.com/) can provide more information about the town's economic activities and opportunities.
Elections & Voter Records
The Brown County Auditor's office administers all elections affecting Columbia voters, handling everything from voter registration to polling place assignments for this unincorporated community. Located at 25 Market Street, Suite 108, Aberdeen, SD 57401, the office can be reached at (605) 626-2451 or through https://www.brown.sd.us/auditor. South Dakota residents can register online at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/register-to-vote.aspx through the Secretary of State's website, or make the trip to the County Auditor's office in person.
Registration must be completed 15 days before any election. When heading to the polls, voters need to bring photo identification - driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, military IDs, or tribal IDs all work. Because the community lacks incorporation and has no municipal government, residents don't vote for city council members or mayors. Instead, they participate in Brown County commission races, Aberdeen School District elections if they fall within district boundaries, state legislative contests for District 3 covering Brown County, statewide constitutional offices, and federal races. Columbia residents unsure of their assigned polling location should contact the Brown County Auditor at (605) 626-2451 or check https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/polling-place-information.aspx. South Dakota does not have a U.S. Senate seat up that year, but voters will elect the Governor, with incumbent Kristi Noem term-limited, an open race is expected, along with the U.S. House of Representatives sefor South Dakota's at-large district. State ballot measures on constitutional amendments or referred laws may also appear. Absentee voting by mail is available to any registered voter in South Dakota. Applications can be obtained at https://sdsos.gov/elections-voting/voting/absentee-voting.aspx or through the Brown County Auditor's office, with completed applications due by 5:00 PM the day before the election. Public election records in South Dakota include voter registration lists, available for purchase for political purposes under SDCL 12-4-48, along with campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State and searchable at https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/Campaign/Search.aspx. Candidate filings, petitions, and precinct-level election results are also public. The Brown County Auditor maintains historical election results for all races affecting local voters.
Public Records Resources for Columbia, South Dakota
Official government websites for Columbia, South Dakota and the surrounding area. We prioritize official government sources (.gov, .us, or .mil) and supplement with verified municipal, county, or statewide portals (.org or .com) where the agency uses a non-government domain.
- South Dakota Criminal History RecordsObtain information detailing how to request South Dakota criminal history records and background checks.
- South Dakota Inmates and Offenders SearchFind the location and release information of individuals incarcerated with the SD Dept. of Corrections.
- South Dakota Sex Offenders SearchSearch the SD Office of the Attorney General database of registered offenders by name or location.
- South Dakota Most WantedCurrent posting of fugitives and absconders from the SD Dept. of Corrections.
- South Dakota Highway Patrol Accident ReportsLaw enforcement, traffic, criminal investigations and more
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and ParksLicenses, permits, information and more
- South Dakota Attorney GeneralCivil, criminal and appellate courts
- South Dakota Federal Case SearchSearch the SD Court system to find information and public records on federal case filings.
- South Dakota Business & Corporation SearchFind active and inactive corporations by name from the SD Secretary of State.
- South Dakota Birth and Death RecordsOfficial birth and death certificates.
- South Dakota Corrections InformationPrograms, policies, statistics, calendar and publications.
- South Dakota Fictitious Business Names FilingsFind general info and check name availability with the SD Secretary of State.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Columbia, South Dakota?
To register to vote in Columbia, South Dakota, residents can register online through the South Dakota Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Brown County elections office. South Dakota requires voters to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the South Dakota Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Columbia, contact the Brown County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
How do I look up property records in Columbia, South Dakota?
Property records for Columbia, South Dakota are maintained by the Brown Director of Equalization's Office and the Brown County Register of Deeds. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Brown County, including parcels in Columbia. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Brown County Register of Deeds maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many South Dakota counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. The Brown County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Columbia, South Dakota?
Birth, death, and marriage records for Columbia, South Dakota residents are available through both county and state offices. The South Dakota Department of Health, Vital Records, located in Pierre, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in South Dakota. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Brown County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Brown County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.