As a courtesy, the City of Columbia makes two attempts to process each check before it is returned to our office for collection. The City currently charges $30.00 for all returned checks.

Returned checks that were written in payment of water/sewer services, solid waste services or monthly parking rental services are charged back in (along with the additional $30.00 fee) to the customer’s account and collected as part of the City’s delinquency routine.

Returned checks that were written in payment of a business license must be handled by contacting the Business License Division at (803) 545-3345.

To get the status of any returned check or to obtain instructions on how to pay for a returned check, you may contact the Payment Center at (803) 545-3404.

Returned checks may be turned over to a commercial collection agency, which affects the individual’s credit rating. If you have received notification from a collection agency regarding the collection of a returned check for the City, you may contact the collection agency directly or you may contact us at the number below.

Only cash, money orders or cashier’s checks are accepted for payment of returned checks. Returned checks must be paid for at the Payment Center, 3000 Harden Street, Columbia, SC. Please do not mail payment for a returned check to the individual division that the check was originally issued, as doing so will delay proper posting and resolution of returned check status. Questions on returned checks should be directed to (803) 545-3404.