Columbia County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's site links the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal as E-File; the clerk's probate page states no separate e-filing rule. myflcourtaccess.com
• Attorneys view online court records after completing the clerk's registration agreement (CCIS user agreement). columbiaclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Columbia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. § 28.2401(3) adds a $4 service charge on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship and conservatorship.

Judges and divisions

3rd Judicial Circuit. Serves Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties (§ 26.021(3), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Columbia County Courthouse, 173 NE Hernando Avenue, Lake City, FL 32055; (386) 758-1342; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. columbiaclerk.com probate assignment

• The circuit's general magistrate hears probate and guardianship matters as specifically assigned in Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Suwannee and Taylor counties. thirdcircuitfl.org
• Judge Hill's office: 173 NE Hernando Avenue, Lake City, FL 32055; phone 386-243-6367. thirdcircuitfl.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 3rd Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Columbia County. Circuit order index.

• GAO 2026-020, General Assignment of Judges, July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Date: July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (signed June 2026). Assigns each Third Circuit judge to divisions by county, including Probate and Guardianship in each county, with the recusal order for each assignment.
• AO 2024-001, Appointment of General Magistrate. Date: Signed February 21, 2024; effective March 7, 2024. Appoints Christina Nieto Seifert as General Magistrate for the Third Judicial Circuit; the order lists probate, guardianship, mental health, trusts, substance abuse and adult protective services among the matters and sends emergent matters to the circuit judges.
• AO 2007-010, Sealing of Confidential Non-Criminal Court Files and Records. Date: Procedures effective December 1, 2006. Requires a written Motion to Seal and a noticed hearing before the assigned judge before a non-criminal court record is sealed or made confidential.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and wills

• The clerk's office cannot give legal or procedural advice; the clerk's page directs heirs to an attorney when a decedent solely owned real property. columbiaclerk.com
• The custodian of a will deposits the original with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death. The clerk charges nothing to deposit a will and also requires a death certificate filed with the original will. columbiaclerk.com
• Certified copies of a will cost $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification. columbiaclerk.com

Disposition without administration

• The packet for Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (small estate): the original will if one exists, a death certificate, the funeral home statement showing who paid the bill, signed and notarized consents from all heirs, and the bank statements, stock certificates, insurance checks or policy value forms for the assets. The form is not used when real property is involved. columbiaclerk.com
• Probate Division staff help complete the petition and present it to the presiding probate judge; the $231.00 filing fee is due when the petition is filed. columbiaclerk.com

Hearings and proposed orders

• Probate and guardianship hearings before the general magistrate are scheduled through Court Administration at (386) 758-2163; an attorney who reserves magistrate time files a Notice of Hearing within five days. thirdcircuitfl.org
• Proposed orders for Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Dixie and Taylor counties are e-mailed to the general magistrate at [email protected] with the circuit's certificate of service. thirdcircuitfl.org

Sealed records

• A non-criminal court record is sealed only after a written Motion to Seal and a noticed hearing before the assigned judge (AO 2007-010). thirdcircuitfl.org

Forms and checklists

• Clerk forms page (self-help forms link to Florida Courts), Columbia County Clerk
• General Magistrate page (certificate of service for proposed orders), Third Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• The homestead exemption requires that the owner was living in the dwelling on January 1 and made it a permanent home; the appraiser's page lists a $5000 widow's exemption under § 196.202 that ends on remarriage and says a death certificate may be requested at first filing. columbia.floridapa.com
• The Property Appraiser's main office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday except holidays; a Fort White office is at 118 SW Wilson Springs Rd. columbia.floridapa.com

Death certificates

• Death certificates are ordered through VitalChek, the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes online, or in person or by mail; in-person and mail orders cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present, and earlier deaths go to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. columbia.floridahealth.gov
• A copy of a valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID or military ID goes with every request. columbia.floridahealth.gov

Sources

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.

1. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • (3) The third circuit is composed of Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor Counties.
2. Third Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The Third Judicial Circuit is one of twenty trial court circuits in the State of Florida.
   • Its main administrative offices are in Lake City.
3. Third Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders index, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • GAO 2026-020
   • General Assignment Of Judges No. 2026- 020 July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
   • AO 2024-001-APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MAGISTRATE
   • SEALING OF CONFIDENTIAL NON-CRIMINAL COURT FILES AND RECORDS
4. Columbia County Clerk, Probate page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The term “probate” generally refers to the process by which a decedent’s assets, or estate, are administered.
   • cannot give legal or procedural advice
   • This form may not be used when real property is involved.
   • please come to the Probate Division for assistance
   • The filing fee of $231.00 is due at the time the Petition is filed.
   • there is no charge or filing fee to deposit a will with
   • also requires that a death certificate be filed with the original will
   • certified copies of the will at the rate of $1.00 per page, plus a $2.00 charge for certification
   • Original Last Will and Testament of the decedent, if one exists
   • Death Certificate
   • Copy of the statement from the funeral home showing by whom the bill was paid
   • Signed and notarized consents from all heirs, if any
   • Copy of the bank statement, stock certificates, insurance checks, policy value information forms, or any related information regarding the assets that you are attempting to transfer with this procedure
   • within 10 days after receiving information that the testator (a person who dies leaving a will) is dead
5. Columbia County Clerk, Probate Fees, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Opening Any Estate $231.00
   • Open Safe Deposit Box $231.00
   • Settlement of Minor’s Claims $231.00
   • Caveat $41.00
   • Notice of Trust $41.00
   • Foreign Wills $231.00
   • Disposition Without Administration $231.00
   • Summary Administration $1,000 $235.00
   • Summary Administration $1,000 $345.00
   • Formal Administration, Guardianship, Curatorship, Conservatorship $400.00
   • Guardianship Person Only $235.00
   • Veteran’s Guardianship $235.00
   • Petition of Incompetency $231.00
   • Reopen Fee $50.00
   • Filing Verified Inventory $85.00
   • Accounting Fee – Estate value $25,000 or less $20.00
   • Accounting Fee – Estate $25,000 up to and including $100,000 $85.00
   • Accounting Fee – Estate $100,000 up to and including $500,000 $170.00
   • Accounting Fee – Estate $500,000 $250.00
   • Maintain Professional Guardian Files $7.50
   • Appeal From Circuit to DCA – Additional $300 to DCA $100.00
   • Attorney Pro Hac Vice $100.00

   Note: The page prints both Summary Administration rows with the label $1,000, at $235.00 and $345.00. The under $1,000 and $1,000 or more split follows § 28.2401(1)(f) and (e); the page does not print it.

6. Columbia County Clerk, Contact page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Mailing & Physical Address
   • Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
   • 173 NE Hernando Avenue
   • Lake City, Florida 32055
   • Main: (386) 758-1342
   • Hours of Operation Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
7. Columbia County Clerk, Department phone directory, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Circuit Court – Probate / Baker / Marchman
   • (386) 758-1051
8. Columbia County Clerk, Search Records page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Court records include documents, information, and exhibits that the court maintains concerning a case.
   • Complete the registration agreement to view online records from the Columbia County Clerk of Court.
9. Columbia County Clerk, Forms page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Self-Help Forms can be obtained by visiting the Florida Courts’ website at flcourts.org/Family-Law-Forms
   • Form 2.602 Designation of Email Address for a Party Not Represented by an Attorney
10. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
11. Third Judicial Circuit, Columbia County page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Columbia County
    • 173 N.E. Hernando Ave. Lake City, FL 32055
    • Judicial Assignments for Columbia County
    • Judge Sara J. Carter
    • Judge Wesley R. Douglas
12. Third Judicial Circuit, General Assignment of Judges No. 2026-020 (July 1 to December 31, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN RE:General Assignment Of Judges No. 2026- 020 July 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
    • The judicial assignments for the Third Judicial Circuit are as follows
    • Columbia County
    • Probate and Guardianship Disqualifications and recusals to Judge Olin then Judge Douglas
    • Judge Garrett Hill

    Note: The page reproduces the order's text. The signed PDF (a scanned image, https://thirdcircuitfl.org/wp-content/uploads/General-Assignment-of-Judges-No.-2026-020-July-1-2026-December-31-2026-pdf-signed.pdf) pairs each judge with the assignment in a table; the judge named here is the one in the row that carries the quoted assignment.

13. Third Judicial Circuit, Judge Garrett Hill, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Judge Garrett Hill
    • Columbia County Court
    • County Family Probate & Guardianship
    • Mailing Address 173 NE Hernando Avenue Lake City, FL 32055
    • Phone: 386-243-6367
14. Third Judicial Circuit, General Magistrate page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Christina N. Seifert
    • PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP All hearings are coordinated through Court Administration at (386) 758-2163. If an attorney reserves time on the Magistrate’s calendar, the attorney must file a Notice of Hearing within five (5) days of reserving the time.
    • For Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Dixie, and Taylor Counties, please e-mail all proposed orders to the General Magistrate at [email protected] .
15. Columbia County Property Appraiser, Tax & Exemptions, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Homestead Exemption (Section 196.031, F.S.)
    • Every person who has legal or equitable title to real property in the State of Florida and in good faith makes it his or her permanent home is eligible to receive a homestead exemption of up to $50,000.
    • be prepared to provide the following information declaring that you were living in the dwelling which is being claimed for homestead exemption on January 1
    • $5000 Widow's Exemption (Section 196.202, F.S)
    • If the widow remarries, she is no longer eligible.
    • You may be asked to file a death certificate with the Columbia County Clerk of Court when filing for the first time.
16. Columbia County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Columbia County Property Appraiser - Jeff Hampton
    • Lake City, Florida
    • 386-758-1083
17. Columbia County Property Appraiser, Contact Us, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Columbia County Property Appraiser 135 NE Hernando Ave. Suite 238 Lake City, Florida 32055
    • phone: 386-758-1083
    • hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (Mon-Fri, except holidays)
    • Fort White Office 118 SW Wilson Springs Rd.
18. Florida Department of Health in Columbia County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek® , the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health.
    • Death Certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present. Any death prior to 2009 must be requested from the Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek® .
    • A legible copy of a valid driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or military identification card must accompany all requests.
    • $10 Death Certificate
    • Phone: 386-758-1068
    • 217 NE Franklin St. Lake City, FL 32055
19. Florida Department of Health in Columbia County, location page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 217 NE Franklin St., Lake City, FL 32055
    • General Business Hours: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m., Monday – Friday
20. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Fee for the opening of any estate of one document or more
    • Charge for caveat .......... $40
    • Fee for petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record .......... $230
    • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
    • estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
    • estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
    • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
    • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
    • Fee for veterans’ guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 .......... $230
    • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
    • Fee for petition for determination of incompetency .......... $230
    • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
21. Third Judicial Circuit, AO 2007-010, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • IN RE:SEALING OF CONFIDENTIAL NON-CRIMINAL COURT FILES AND RECORDS
    • The moving party files a written motion with the Clerk of Circuit Court entitled “Motion to Seal;”
    • The moving party sets the matter for hearing, pursuant to notice entitled “Notice of Hearing on Motion to Seal,” before the judge assigned to the division in which the case is pending;
22. Third Judicial Circuit, AO 2024-001, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • AO 2024-001-APPOINTMENT OF GENERAL MAGISTRATE
    • many matters to include probate, guardianship, mental health, trusts, substance abuse and adult protective services are brought before the Probate, Guardianship and Trust Division of this court
    • Christina Nieto Seifert is hereby appointed as General Magistrate for the Third Judicial Circuit of Florida
    • This order shall be effective as of March 7, 2024.
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Lake City, Columbia County, Florida, this 21st day of February, 2024.
    • emergent matters, styled as such, shall be referred to the Circuit Judges directly by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for review, not to the General Magistrate.