Bay County Court Records Search
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Bay County is situated along the Gulf Coast in northwestern Florida, with Panama City serving as the county seat. The county falls within Florida’s Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, which also covers Holmes, Jackson, Calhoun, Washington, and Gulf counties. All trial-level matters—felonies, misdemeanors, civil disputes, family law proceedings, probate, and juvenile cases—are heard in either the Bay County Circuit Court or the Bay County Court, both located at the Bay County Courthouse. The Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is the constitutionally designated custodian of all court records and official records in the county.
Residents of Florida who need to locate case filings, verify judgments, or obtain certified documents can search through official clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouse, and online case-lookup tools. The statewide resource at FloridaStateCourts.us provides an additional starting point for identifying publicly available court case information across Bay County and other Florida jurisdictions. The most authoritative records, however, come directly from the Clerk’s office and the court’s own electronic systems.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Bay County?
Bay County offers several methods for locating court case records, whether you need to check a docket, confirm a case number, or obtain copies of filed documents.
Online Case Search
The Clerk of Court maintains a free Case Search tool that covers all case types filed in Bay County courts. To use it:
- Visit the Case Search portal and accept the disclaimer.
- Enter a party’s last name or first name, a case number, or a citation number.
- Complete the captcha verification and click search.
- Review the list of matching results. Click any case number to access docket entries and additional details.
Records retrieved through this portal are informational and do not constitute the official court record. For certified copies, users must either visit the Clerk’s office or use the e-Certify online service.
Official Records Search
For recorded documents—such as final judgments, liens, deeds, mortgages, and marriage licenses—the Clerk maintains a separate Official Records Search covering documents recorded from January 1, 1987, to the present. Users can search by party name, document type, recording date, or instrument number.
In-Person Access
Walk-in visitors may search court records and request copies at the Clerk’s office during business hours:
Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Address: 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2269, Panama City, FL 32402
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Email: webbaycoclerk@baycoclerk.com
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays)
By Mail
Written record requests can be sent to the Clerk’s mailing address. Complete the Public Records Request Form and specify the documents needed, the number of copies, and any identifying information (case number, party names, dates). Include payment by cash, money order, cashier’s check, or credit/debit card information. The Clerk’s office does not accept personal checks.
Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photographic copies (8½ × 11 or 8½ × 14) | $1.00 per page |
| Copies larger than 8½ × 14 | $5.00 per page |
| Certification | $2.00 per document |
| Exemplification | $7.00 per document |
| Records search | $2.00 per year searched |
| Fax copies (local) | $1.00 per page |
| Fax copies (long distance) | $1.25 per page |
Payment is accepted by cash, credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover), money order, or cashier’s check. A convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions.
Are Court Records Public in Bay County?
Florida’s constitution and the Sunshine Law (Florida Statute § 119.01) establish a broad presumption that government records—including court records—are open to the public. Any person may request access without providing a reason. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 governs the specific framework for public access to judicial branch records and defines which records are confidential.
Records Open to the Public
Most court filings in Bay County are publicly accessible, including complaints, answers, motions, court orders, judgments, docket sheets, and dispositions. The Clerk’s online Case Search portal and Official Records database provide free informational access to these records.
Confidential and Restricted Records
Rule 2.420 identifies more than 20 categories of information that are automatically confidential in court records. Key restricted categories include:
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Adoption case files
- Sealed and expunged criminal records
- Records containing health or mental health treatment information
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers
- Substance abuse treatment records
- Certain family law records containing financial or personal information
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records restricted by specific court order
Redaction Obligations
Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425, parties and their attorneys must file a Notice of Confidential Information along with any document that contains confidential data. Filers are responsible for designating and redacting sensitive information before submission. Under Florida Statute § 119.071(2)(a), the Clerk’s office will redact Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit or debit card numbers from official records upon written request, at no charge. The request must identify the specific book and page number containing the information to be removed and may be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax.
Bay County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Bay County are prosecuted in either the Circuit Court (felonies and serious offenses) or the County Court (misdemeanors and ordinance violations). The Clerk of Court maintains case files for both courts, while law enforcement agencies hold arrest records, incident reports, and booking information.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Clerk’s Case Search tool allows users to look up criminal cases by defendant name, case number, or citation number. Docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information are viewable online. Documents classified as confidential under Rule 2.420 will not appear in search results.
Certified copies of criminal court records can be purchased through e-Certify or requested in person at the Clerk’s office. Standard copy fees are $1.00 per page plus $2.00 for certification.
Bay County Sheriff’s Office
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated Bay County and maintains arrest records, incident reports, and booking data. BCSO also operates a publicly available jail inmate search tool for locating current inmates.
To request records from the Sheriff’s Office:
Bay County Sheriff’s Office
Custodian of Public Records: Mrs. Beth Nelson
Address: 3421 N. Highway 77, Panama City, FL 32405
Phone: (850) 747-4700
Fax: (850) 914-2093
Email: beth.nelson@bayso.org
Requests can be submitted online through the BCSO’s GovTransfer public records portal, in person, by mail, or by fax. Requesters must provide details such as party names, incident descriptions, and approximate dates to facilitate the search. A government-issued ID may be required for records containing sensitive information.
Panama City Police Department
For records involving arrests made within the City of Panama City, contact the Panama City Police Department Records Department:
PCPD Records Department
Address: 1209 East 15th Street, Panama City, FL 32405
Phone: (850) 872-3100
Fax: (850) 872-3198
Email: policeprr@panamacitypolice.gov
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a statewide criminal-history database. An instant name-based search costs $24 per record plus a $1 online processing fee. Results from FDLE are not certified; individuals who need a certified criminal history must request one separately through FDLE. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records do not appear in FDLE search results.
Bay County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Bay County is divided among three tiers based on the amount in controversy. Circuit civil cases involve claims exceeding $50,000, county civil cases cover amounts between $8,001 and $30,000 (effective under current jurisdictional limits), and small claims handle disputes up to $8,000.
Court Divisions
The Civil Court division of the Bay County Clerk’s office manages records for all three tiers, including auto negligence, professional malpractice, contract and indebtedness, mortgage foreclosures, eminent domain, administrative agency appeals, and habeas corpus proceedings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records are searchable through the Clerk’s online Case Search tool by party name or case number. Copies can be requested in person, by mail using Form L (the public records request form), or through the e-Certify service for electronically certified documents.
Civil Filing Fee Schedule
| Case Type | Amount | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Small claims | Under $100 | $55.00 |
| Small claims | $101–$500 | $80.00 |
| Small claims | $501–$2,500 | $175.00 |
| Small claims | $2,501–$8,000 | $300.00 |
| County civil | $8,001–$15,000 | $300.00 |
| County civil | $15,001–$30,000 | $400.00 |
| Circuit civil | $50,001 and up | $400.00 |
| Real property/foreclosure | $50,000 or less | $400.00 |
| Real property/foreclosure | $50,001–$250,000 | $905.00 |
| Real property/foreclosure | Over $250,000 | $1,905.00 |
| Tenant eviction | Flat rate | $185.00 |
Additional fees apply for issuing summons ($10.00), preparing summons ($7.00), cross-claims in circuit court ($395.00), and appeals from county to circuit court ($281.00). The complete Civil Fee Schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
Small Claims Forms
The Clerk’s office provides small claims forms. All small claims matters involve disputes of $8,000 or less in damages, exclusive of interest, court costs, and attorney fees. Circuit civil procedures can be technically complex, and the Clerk’s office does not provide forms for circuit-level civil matters—parties may wish to consult an attorney or review the Florida Statutes and Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
Bay County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Bay County are heard by the Unified Family Court division of the Circuit Court, located at a dedicated facility separate from the main courthouse. The Family Law division of the Clerk’s office handles filing, docketing, and record maintenance for all family proceedings.
Bay County Unified Family Court
Address: 533 East 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Types of Family Law Cases
Cases heard in this division include dissolution of marriage (divorce), annulment, legal separation, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, name changes, and stepparent adoptions.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family law case records can be searched through the Clerk’s online Case Search tool. Copies may be obtained in person at the Clerk’s office, by mail using the public records request form, or through e-Certify for electronic certified copies. Certain family court records containing personal financial information, Social Security numbers, or health information may be restricted from public view under Rule 2.420.
Filing Family Law Forms
Family law forms—including packets for dissolution of marriage, annulment, child support, paternity, name change, contempt, and stepparent adoption—can be purchased from the Clerk’s office or downloaded from flcourts.gov. Simplified dissolution petitions and domestic violence injunctions can be filed electronically through TurboCourt, an interactive online preparation and filing service (fees apply). Additional family law forms specific to the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit are available on the circuit’s website.
Marriage Licenses
The Clerk of Court issues marriage licenses from the Recording/Marriage License department in Room 110 of the Bay County Courthouse. Both applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and must know their Social Security numbers. If either party was previously married, the full date of the prior divorce, annulment, or spouse’s death is required.
The marriage license application can be started online before visiting the office. Key details:
- Standard marriage license fee: $86.00
- Reduced fee with premarital preparation course certificate: $61.00
- Florida residents face a 3-day waiting period (waived with the premarital course)
- License is valid for use anywhere in Florida for 60 days
- Minimum age: 18 (or 17 with parental consent; the Parental Consent Form is available on the Clerk’s website)
Certified copies of marriage licenses can be obtained in person at Room 110, by email (send the completed Marriage License Request Form to recording@baycoclerk.com), or by mail to P.O. Box 2269, Panama City, FL 32402, Attn: Marriage License Department.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Bay County are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Bay County. Applicants must complete the vital records application form and present valid photo identification. Only authorized individuals—the registrant, parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives—may obtain certified copies. Others must provide an affidavit of authorization.
Florida Department of Health in Bay County
Address: 597 West 11th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (800) 255-2414
Death records less than 50 years old that include the cause of death or a complete Social Security number are restricted under Florida Statute § 119.071 to the decedent’s spouse, parents, adult children or grandchildren, siblings, or individuals with documented estate interests.
Bay County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Bay County are handled by the Circuit Court’s Probate division, with the Clerk of Court serving as custodian of all probate case files. Probate is the court-supervised process for distributing a deceased person’s assets to heirs or beneficiaries according to a will or, in the absence of a will, under Florida law.
Types of Probate Proceedings
The probate division handles the following matters:
- Wills (deposited with the Clerk but not filed until the testator’s death)
- Formal administration of estates
- Summary administration (simplified probate for smaller estates)
- Ancillary administration (for out-of-state decedents with Florida assets)
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Cases under the mental health code
Probate Court Location
Bay County Probate Court
Address: 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Visitors should call ahead to confirm record availability before visiting.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summary administration (estate less than $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration ($1,000 or more) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration, guardianship, ancillary administration | $400.00 |
Additional fees may apply for issuing letters of administration, recording orders, and obtaining certified copies. The Probate fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online using the Clerk’s Case Search tool by entering the decedent’s name, the personal representative’s name, or the case number. In-person and mail requests follow the same procedures used for other court records—complete the public records request form, provide identifying details, and submit payment. Certified copies for official purposes can be ordered through e-Certify or at the Clerk’s counter.
Probate Forms
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit publishes downloadable probate forms on its website, including petitions for summary administration, orders admitting wills to probate, and waivers and consents. The Clerk’s office can also provide guidance on which forms are needed for a particular filing, though staff cannot offer legal advice.