Holmes County Court Records Search
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Holmes County, Florida, is a rural county in the Florida Panhandle with Bonifay as the county seat. All civil and criminal proceedings filed within the county fall under the jurisdiction of the Florida 14th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Court records generated by these proceedings — including dockets, orders, judgments, motions, and transcripts — are presumptively open to the public under Florida law, subject to specific exemptions.
Florida residents searching for court case information can find useful orientation through FloridaStateCourts.us, which can help locate publicly available court case data. Official searches can also be conducted through the Holmes County Clerk's online portal, at the courthouse in person, or by contacting the Clerk of Court directly. The sections below break down each court type, what records each office maintains, how to request them, and what restrictions apply.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Holmes County?
The primary custodian of Holmes County court records is the Holmes County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, an elected constitutional officer. The Clerk's office maintains separate departments for criminal, civil, family law, probate, and juvenile matters — each handling distinct case types and their associated records.
Three ways to access Holmes County court records:
- Online — Court Records Portal: The Clerk's website offers a Court Records Online search that allows anyone to search civil and criminal case records by party name or case number at no charge. This is the fastest method for basic case lookups.
- Online — Official Records Portal: Property documents, marriage records, and other recorded instruments are searchable through the Official Records portal, which supports searches by party name, document type, date range, instrument number, or book and page number. Basic record viewing and printing are available at no cost through this portal.
- In person or by mail: Physical case files may be reviewed at the courthouse. Copies are available for a fee per Florida Statute § 28.24, which sets clerk service charges statewide.
Holmes County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
Address: 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-1100 | Fax: (850) 547-6630
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Holmes County?
Under Florida Statute Chapter 119 — commonly known as Florida's Sunshine Law — it is the policy of the state that all government records, including court records, are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Court records specifically are regulated by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420, which declares court records open to the public while carving out enumerated confidential categories.
Under Florida law and Rule 2.420, the following types of records are confidential and exempt from public inspection:
- Unexecuted arrest and search warrants
- Estate inventories and accountings filed with probate proceedings
- Complete presentence investigation reports
- Adoption records — confidential in their entirety
- Juvenile dependency case files — accessible only to parents, legal guardians, the child, and attorneys who have filed notice of appearance
- Birth records under 125 years old (restricted to authorized parties under Florida Statute § 382.025)
- Death records under 50 years old that disclose cause of death
- Protected information concerning victims of sexual or child abuse offenses
- Records deemed confidential under federal or state law
- Complaints against judges or licensed court-regulated entities, until probable cause is determined
Section 28.24 of the Florida Statutes sets the fee framework for the Clerk's services. Records copies generally cost $1.00 per page, and document certification carries an additional $2.00 per document fee. These rates apply to property records as well.
Holmes County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Holmes County is divided between the Circuit Court and the County Court depending on the severity of the offense:
- Circuit Court — has jurisdiction over all felony cases (offenses punishable by death or state prison). The Circuit Court also handles juvenile delinquency matters when a child under 18 is alleged to have committed a felony, misdemeanor, contempt, or local ordinance violation.
- County Court — has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases (offenses punishable by incarceration in a county correctional facility) and all criminal traffic violations that may result in incarceration upon conviction.
Criminal case records maintained by the Criminal Department of the Clerk's office include arrest warrants, charging documents (informations and indictments), plea agreements, pretrial motions, trial transcripts, jury verdicts, and sentencing orders. These records can be searched through the Clerk's online Court Records portal or reviewed in person at the courthouse.
Arrest records in Holmes County are generated and held by the Holmes County Sheriff's Office rather than the Clerk. The Sheriff's Office handles booking, detention, and release records.
Holmes County Sheriff's Office
Address: 1173 E. Highway 90, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-3681 (Jail inquiries: Option 3; Inmate/Arrest Search: Option 1)
Sheriff: John Tate
Website: holmescountysheriff.org
Individuals seeking to seal or expunge a criminal record should consult the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for instructions on the application process, as the Clerk's Criminal Department refers all such requests there.
Holmes County Civil Court Records
Civil case jurisdiction in Holmes County follows a tiered structure based on the dollar amount in dispute:
| Court Level | Jurisdiction | Case Types |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Civil | $50,000 and above | Negligence, malpractice, contracts, foreclosures, eminent domain, real property |
| County Civil | $8,000.01 – $30,000 | General county civil actions |
| Small Claims | Up to $8,000 | Minor monetary disputes |
The Circuit Civil Division handles the most complex cases, including mortgage foreclosures, declaratory judgments, injunctions, replevins, habeas corpus proceedings, and writs of certiorari. Because of the legal complexity involved, the Clerk's Circuit Civil staff does not provide forms or filing advice — parties are advised to retain an attorney.
The County Civil Department manages both the general county civil docket and Small Claims Court. Small claims cases — disputes not exceeding $8,000 (excluding costs, interest, and attorney fees) — are designed to be accessible without legal representation, though attorneys are permitted. Key procedural details for small claims filers include:
- The Statement of Claim form is available at the County Civil Department; if signed outside the office, it must be notarized
- Cases must be filed in the county where the incident occurred
- Verify a business defendant's registered agent at Sunbiz.org before filing
- Service of process options: certified mail (actual postal cost) or Sheriff service ($40.00 per Florida defendant)
- Subpoena issuance costs $7.00, plus the $40.00 Sheriff service fee
- All parties must appear at the pretrial conference; if the plaintiff fails to appear, the case will be dismissed
- When a judgment is paid, the plaintiff must provide the defendant a notarized Satisfaction of Judgment for recording with the Clerk
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real estate — are recorded and maintained by the Clerk's recording division and accessible through the Official Records portal. To receive e-verified copies, users can access the Clerk's E-Verify Documents portal. The Holmes County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector maintain separate databases for property assessments and tax records.
Holmes County Property Appraiser
Address: 226 N. Waukesha Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-1113 | Fax: (850) 547-2445
Holmes County Tax Collector
Address: 224 N. Waukesha Street, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-1115 | Fax: (850) 547-0202
Holmes County Family Court Records
The Circuit Court Family Law Division handles all domestic relations matters in Holmes County. The division processes and maintains records for the following case types:
- Dissolution of marriage (divorce) and annulment
- Child custody, child support, and parental rights proceedings
- Domestic violence, repeat violence, and dating violence injunctions
- Adoptions (confidential)
- Paternity
- Name changes for adults and minor children
- Emancipation proceedings
- Foreign judgment registrations
- Termination of parental rights under Florida Statute § 63.087
Divorce proceedings in Florida require that at least one party have been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months before the petition is filed. The dissolution action is regulated by Florida Statutes Chapter 61 and the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. Florida Supreme Court self-help packets are available for parties representing themselves, though consulting an attorney is strongly recommended for contested matters. Self-represented litigants can access Florida Supreme Court family law forms through the Florida Courts website. Legal Aid assistance is available at (850) 769-3581.
Domestic violence injunctions (also called protective orders or restraining orders) can be filed at the Family Law Division counter until 4:00 p.m. on business days. Emergency situations after 4:00 p.m. should be reported to the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. The injunction can restrict an abuser from the home, workplace, or school, and may also address child custody and support obligations.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Clerk's office. Both applicants must appear in person with valid government-issued photo ID. The fee schedule is as follows:
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Without marriage counseling (3-day waiting period applies) | $86.00 |
| With marriage counseling certificate (waiting period waived) | $61.00 |
| Lost or duplicate license | $30.00 |
| Amended license | $30.00 |
Payment is accepted in cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit card (3.5% service fee applies to card payments). A Florida marriage license is valid for 60 days only and is valid solely for ceremonies performed in Florida. The Clerk's office does not perform marriages. The Application for Marriage License is available to download and complete before the appointment.
Divorce certificates (June 6, 1927, to present) are available through the Florida Department of Health. Certified copies of divorce records from court files can be obtained from the Clerk's Family Law Division for the standard per-page and certification fees under § 28.24.
Birth certificates for Holmes County residents are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Holmes County. Records from 1917 to the present are available statewide. The fee is $15.00 per certificate, payable by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, or debit card. Under Florida Statute § 382.025, birth records under 125 years old are confidential and may only be issued to the registrant (if 18 or older), parents listed on the record, a legal guardian (with guardianship papers), or a legal representative with documentation. A Birth Certificate Application is available on the Holmes County DOH website, and valid photo ID is required with all requests.
Death certificates are available through the Florida Department of Health in Holmes County for records from 2009 to present, with the fee set at $10.00 per certificate (plus applicable postage and handling charges). Under § 382.025, death records under 50 years old that show cause of death are confidential and restricted to immediate family members — spouse, parent, child, grandchild, or sibling. Any person 18 or older may obtain a certified copy of a death record that omits cause of death information. A Death Certificate Application is required and must accompany valid photo identification.
Holmes County Probate Court Records
The Probate Department of the Holmes County Clerk's office maintains all probate and related proceedings handled by the Circuit Court. The department keeps records across a broad range of case types:
Estate and trust matters:
- Estates of deceased persons, including intestate administration and testate (will-based) probate
- Trusts and related filings
- Appointments of personal representatives and their accounting submissions
Guardianship matters:
- Guardianships of minors
- Guardianships of incapacitated adults
- Voluntary appointments of a guardian over an adult's property
Mental health and substance abuse proceedings:
- Involuntary examinations and placements under the Baker Act (mental health)
- Substance abuse cases under the Marchman Act
- Involuntary treatment proceedings for tuberculosis
- Adult protective services cases
- Expedited judicial intervention concerning medical treatment
Most probate case records are generally public, but estate inventories and accountings are specifically listed as confidential under Florida Rule 2.420 — meaning those particular documents are not available for unrestricted public inspection.
To request probate records, contact or visit the Probate Department at the Holmes County Courthouse, 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425. All Clerk departments share the main phone number of (850) 547-1100. Online case information can be searched through the Court Records Online portal using a party name or case number. For complete document copies, in-person or mail requests to the Clerk's office are required, with fees assessed per Florida Statute § 28.24 at $1.00 per page for copies and $2.00 per document for certified copies.