Martinez Phone Directory
The Martinez phone directory covers government contacts, open records resources, and court services for this Columbia County community. Martinez is an unincorporated area with a population of about 33,019. Since it does not have its own city government, all public services run through Columbia County offices. The main county phone line is 706-868-3375. This page lists the numbers, links, and steps you need to reach the right office.
Martinez Quick Facts
Martinez Phone Directory and County Services
Martinez is not an incorporated city. It does not have a mayor, a city council, or a city clerk. All government services come through Columbia County. This means that if you need records, permits, tax info, or court documents, you deal with the county rather than a local city hall. For some people this is confusing at first. But once you know that Columbia County handles everything, the process gets simple.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners office at 706-868-3375 is the main line for general questions. Staff there can route you to the right department. If you know what you need, calling the specific department saves time. The county operates from offices at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809. Most departments keep hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Because Martinez does not have its own government, there is no separate records clerk for the community. All open records requests go through Columbia County. The same holds true for building permits, business licenses, animal control, and code enforcement. Keep this in mind when you look for a phone number. If a resource says "city hall," it means the county offices in Evans.
Martinez Phone Directory for Open Records
To get public records that relate to Martinez, you file your request with Columbia County. The county has an open records portal that lets you submit requests online. To inspect and receive records, submit your request through the Open Records Request Portal on the county website. The portal walks you through the process step by step.
The right to access these records comes from the Georgia Open Records Act. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, any person can request to inspect and copy public records held by a government agency. You do not need to live in Martinez or Columbia County. You do not need to state why you want the records. The law is broad. It covers emails, contracts, meeting minutes, budgets, inspection reports, and most other documents that county staff create or receive as part of their work.
The screenshot below shows the Columbia County open records request page where Martinez residents can submit their requests.
From this page you can start a new request, check the status of one you already filed, and find contact details for the records team. The county aims to respond within three business days, as the law requires. Larger requests that involve many files may take longer, but the county must give you a timeline if they need more time.
Fees follow state guidelines. The first quarter hour of staff time spent searching is free. After that, the county can charge based on the hourly wage of the lowest-paid employee who can pull the records. Paper copies cost about 10 cents per page. Electronic copies are often cheaper or free if the county can send them by email. Always ask about costs before the county starts the search so you know what to expect.
Columbia County Courts in the Martinez Phone Directory
Court records for Martinez residents are held by the Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk handles civil case filings, criminal case records, real property deeds, liens, and other recorded documents. The courthouse is located in Appling, the county seat. If you need to look up a case or file a document, the clerk's office is the place to call.
For statewide searches, the GSCCCA at gsccca.org/search lets you search deed records, lien records, and court filing indexes for all 159 Georgia counties. This is a free tool for basic searches. You can look up a name and see what documents exist in Columbia County without making a phone call or visiting the courthouse. The screenshot below shows the GSCCCA search portal.
The search tool shown above covers real estate records, UCC filings, and court indexes. There is no charge to view basic index data. You may need an account to access full document images. This is a good starting point for anyone in Martinez who wants to check property records or see if a lien exists before driving to the courthouse in Appling.
The Columbia County Probate Court and Magistrate Court also serve Martinez. The probate court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. The magistrate court deals with small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and arrest warrants. Each court has its own clerk and phone number. Call the county main line at 706-868-3375 if you need to be connected to one of these courts.
How the Martinez Phone Directory Works
Since Martinez lacks a city government, this phone directory points you to the Columbia County offices that serve the area. Think of it as a roadmap. Each section above covers a different type of record or service, and each one tells you which county office to call. The county government is large enough that it has dedicated staff for most common requests.
When you need a record, start by figuring out what kind it is. Administrative records like permits, licenses, and inspection reports go through the county administration offices. Court records go through the Clerk of Superior Court. Police records go through the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Property records can be searched online through the GSCCCA portal or requested from the clerk. Knowing which office holds your record means you call the right number on the first try.
The Georgia Open Records Act at O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 defines what counts as a public record. It is a broad definition. Any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photo, film, or recording made or received by a government agency in the course of its work qualifies. If Columbia County created it or received it, chances are you can ask to see it. The main exceptions involve ongoing criminal investigations, certain personnel matters, and records that are sealed by court order.
Tips for the Martinez Phone Directory
Call the county early in the day. Lines tend to be less busy before 10:00 AM. If you reach a voicemail, leave a clear message. Include your name, phone number, and a short note about what you need. Staff at Columbia County are generally responsive and return calls within a business day.
For open records requests, always put them in writing. A phone call is fine for quick questions, but the formal process under state law starts with a written request. Use the online portal if possible. It is the fastest method and gives you a way to track your request from start to finish. If you prefer paper, you can mail or hand-deliver a written request to the county offices in Evans.
If the county denies your request, they must tell you why. The denial must cite the specific section of O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 that permits the denial. You have the right to appeal or ask the Georgia Attorney General's office for help. Most requests are approved without issue, but it helps to know your rights in case a problem comes up.
Columbia County Phone Directory
Martinez sits in Columbia County, and all public records for Martinez residents are held at the county level. The Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court, the Probate Court, and the Magistrate Court all serve the Martinez area. For a full list of Columbia County government phone numbers, court contacts, and office locations, visit the Columbia County phone directory page.
Nearby Cities
Several cities near Martinez have their own government offices and phone directories. If you need contact info for an office in one of these areas, check the pages below.