Okaloosa County Court Records Search
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Okaloosa County stretches across the Florida panhandle from the beaches of Fort Walton Beach and Destin to the inland community of Crestview, its county seat. The county operates within Florida’s First Judicial Circuit, sharing that circuit with Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. All court records in Okaloosa County are indexed and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, which operates from two courthouse locations and offers a robust set of online tools for record searches, document requests, and certified copy purchases.
For those looking to research Florida court records, a number of official resources are available at the state and local level. FloridaStateCourts.us provides links and information that can help identify court structures and locate publicly available case data across the state. In Okaloosa County specifically, the Clerk’s online case search system, public records request channels, and the E-Certify portal allow both in-person and remote access to court filings. Public access terminals at the courthouses offer another option for individuals who prefer to review records on-site.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Okaloosa County?
Okaloosa County court cases can be located through the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s online case management system, in person at either courthouse, or through written requests submitted by mail or email.
Online Case Search
The Clerk operates the Case Search portal, which provides public access to court record indices dating from approximately 1990 to present, with document images available from 2009 onward for most case types. To conduct a search:
- Navigate to the Clerk’s Case Search portal.
- Accept the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
- Enter a case party’s name, case number, or citation number. Optional filters include filing date range, disposition date range, and court type (circuit civil, municipal ordinance, parking, small claims, and others).
- Complete the reCAPTCHA verification and select “Search”.
Results display by summary, name, party type, case number, status, citation number, and booking number. Selecting a case number or party name reveals additional details such as charges, dispositions, fees, assessments, and case events. Court dockets can also be viewed by selecting “Court Docket” in the left navigation.
To view imaged court documents online, registration is required. Applicants must complete the Okaloosa County Access Agreement form and email it to onlineaccess@okaloosaclerk.com. Login credentials are typically provided within three business days.
In-Person Access
Court records can be viewed or purchased at either Clerk office location:
Okaloosa County Courthouse
Address: 101 East James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5000
Courthouse Annex Extension
Address: 1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: (850) 651-7200
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday (contact the office for specific hours)
Written Requests
To obtain copies of court documents not available online, complete the Request for Court Records form and submit it by email to publicrecords@okaloosaclerk.com or by mail to the Courthouse Annex Extension address above. Mail requesters should include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
E-Certify Portal
Electronically certified court documents can be purchased through the Clerk’s E-Certify portal. Each certified document includes a unique digital signature with advanced encryption. If a document is not yet available for viewing online, requesters can submit a view-on-request or email request@okaloosaclerk.com or publicrecords@okaloosaclerk.com to have it made available.
Record Copy Fees
Per Florida Statute 28.24, standard charges apply:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court records | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per document |
| Searching records | $2.00 per year per name searched |
| Exemplified copies (in addition to copy charge) | $7.00 |
| Authenticated certificates | $7.00 |
Additional service charges are detailed in the Clerk’s filing fee schedule. Record inspections—viewing records without obtaining copies—are typically provided at no cost.
Are Court Records Public in Okaloosa County?
Court records in Okaloosa County are presumed open for public inspection and copying under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420. This rule, along with Title V of the Florida Statutes, establishes the framework for transparency within Florida’s judicial system.
However, Rule 2.420 also defines significant exceptions. The court system limits access to certain records to comply with privacy laws, preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings, and prevent disclosure of sensitive information. Records and information categories that are confidential or exempt from public access include:
- Juvenile dependency records — Protected from general disclosure
- Adoption records — Sealed and accessible only by court order or to authorized parties
- Grand jury proceedings — Confidential while in progress and restricted afterward
- Sealed records — Cases sealed by court order, including certain expunged criminal records
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and similar data must be redacted under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425
- Certain victim information — Prohibited from public release under Florida’s Sunshine Law
Rules 2.420© and (d) provide a comprehensive list of exempt records and the circumstances under which confidential documents may be released. Florida’s Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) further governs public access to government records, including those held by law enforcement.
Okaloosa County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Okaloosa County are heard in the Circuit Court (felonies) and the County Court (misdemeanors, criminal traffic offenses, and municipal/county ordinance violations). Felony cases and misdemeanors associated with concurrent felony charges are heard exclusively in the Circuit Court.
Searching Criminal Court Records
Criminal court case records can be accessed through the Clerk’s Case Search portal using a defendant’s name, case number, citation number, or booking number. The portal provides docket information, charges, dispositions, and case events. Imaged documents require a registered account.
Written or in-person requests can also be directed to the Clerk’s office at either courthouse location. Use the Request for Court Records form for documents not available online. Copies cost $1.00 per page, with certification at $2.00 per document.
Sheriff’s Office Records
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office maintains law enforcement records, including arrest reports and booking information. The Records Section accepts requests by phone, email, or in person. Most records are provided at no charge, though fees may apply for complex or extensive research.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office — Headquarters
Address: 50 2nd Street, Shalimar, FL 32579
Phone: (850) 651-7434
Email: recordsrequest@sheriff-okaloosa.org
The Sheriff’s Office also publishes arrest information online, including mugshots and charge details.
Statewide Criminal History
An Okaloosa County criminal records search retrieves only arrests made within the county. For arrests in other Florida counties or a statewide search, individuals should contact the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE charges $24.00 per statewide background check, with additional processing fees potentially applicable.
Okaloosa County Civil Court Records
The civil courts in Okaloosa County are divided by the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court handles civil actions exceeding $50,000 (excluding interest and costs), as well as equity cases, eminent domain, quiet title, and tax assessment disputes. The County Court has jurisdiction over civil claims at or below $50,000.
Civil Court Filing Fees
The Clerk’s fee schedule details filing costs:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Circuit Civil (over $50,000) | $400.00 |
| Circuit Civil — Real property/mortgage foreclosure ($50,000 or less) | $400.00 |
| Circuit Civil — Real property/mortgage foreclosure ($50,001–$249,999) | $905.00 |
| Circuit Civil — Real property/mortgage foreclosure ($250,000+) | $1,905.00 |
| County Civil ($8,001–$15,000) | $300.00 |
| County Civil ($15,001–$50,000) | $400.00 |
| Small Claims (under $100) | $55.00 |
| Small Claims ($100–$500) | $80.00 |
| Small Claims ($501–$2,500) | $175.00 |
| Small Claims ($2,501–$8,000) | $300.00 |
| Removal of Tenant | $185.00 |
| Garnishment | $85.00 |
Accessing Civil Court Records
Civil court records can be retrieved through the Clerk’s online Case Search portal, in person at the Crestview or Fort Walton Beach offices, or by submitting a written request. The E-Certify portal allows online purchase of electronically certified civil documents. A party name or case number is typically needed to locate specific records.
Okaloosa County Family Court Records
The Family Court Division within the First Judicial Circuit handles all domestic relations matters filed in Okaloosa County. Case types include dissolution of marriage (divorce), annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, name changes, domestic violence injunctions, repeat violence petitions, and adoptions.
Filing Fees for Family Law Cases
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage & Annulments | $408.00 |
| Simplified Dissolution of Marriage (includes final judgment and certified copies) | $421.00 |
| Adoptions, Termination of Parental Rights, Name Change, Delayed Birth Certificate | $400.00 |
| Other Family Law Cases (F.S. Chapters 39, 61, 747, 752, or 753) | $300.00 |
| Modification/Reopen Fee | $50.00 |
| Counterclaim/Counterpetition by Respondent | $295.00 |
| Family Mediation (combined income over $50,000 but under $100,000) | $120.00 per person/session |
| Family Mediation (combined income under $50,000) | $60.00 per person/session |
Requesting Family Court Records
Records of family law cases can be retrieved using the same methods available for other court records—online through the Clerk’s Case Search portal, via the E-Certify system for certified copies, by written request using the Request for Court Records form, or in person at either courthouse. Not all family court records are available to the general public. Adoption records, juvenile dependency files, and documents containing confidential personal information may require the requester to be a case participant or obtain a court order for access.
Marriage Records
The Clerk of the Circuit Court issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Okaloosa County. Marriage records can be searched online through the Clerk’s self-service portal by navigating to “Marriage Search and Application” and entering a spouse’s name, recording date range, or marriage date range. Uncertified copies of marriage documents can be viewed and printed for free through this search tool.
Certified copies of an Okaloosa County marriage license cost $3.00 each and can be obtained in person at the Clerk’s office. For marriages more than 30 days old that occurred after 1983, certified copies can also be ordered through the E-Certify portal. For pre-1983 marriage records, an in-person or written request is necessary; email requests are accepted at request@okaloosaclerk.com.
Marriage license application fees:
- Standard marriage license: $86.00
- With 4-hour marriage preparation course completion: $61.00
Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk and can be searched or requested through the same channels as other court records. Certified copies cost $2.00 plus $1.00 per page. At the state level, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains divorce verification abstracts dating from June 6, 1927, to present.
Birth and Death Records
The State Department of Health in Okaloosa County handles vital records. Birth certificates cost $15.00 each from the local Vital Statistics Office. Per Florida Statute 382.025, only eligible individuals—the registrant (18 or older), a listed parent, listed guardian, legal representative, or authorized person—may obtain a birth record. Requesters must submit an Application for Florida Birth Record with a valid government-issued photo ID. Third-party requests require an accompanying Affidavit to Release Birth Certificate.
Death certificates also cost $15.00 each. Death records without cause of death are considered public records. Records including cause of death are restricted to eligible parties, such as immediate family members. Requests require an Application for Florida Death Record.
Vital records requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or by fax to:
Okaloosa County Vital Records
Address: 221 Hospital Drive Northeast, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Phone: (850) 833-9255
Fax: (850) 833-9275
Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Birth certificates can also be obtained from the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s offices in person, with a $6.25 surcharge in addition to the $15.00 base fee.
Okaloosa County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Okaloosa County Circuit Court oversees cases related to the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianship matters, and mental health proceedings. The Florida Probate Code (Chapters 731–735 of the Florida Statutes) and the Florida Probate Rules (Rules 5.010–5.530) govern these proceedings.
Probate case types heard in Okaloosa County include formal administration, summary administration, disposition of personal property without administration, guardianship of person, guardianship of property, determination of incompetency, admission of foreign wills, and trust-related matters.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Opening any Estate | $231.00 |
| Caveat/Notice of Trust | $41.00 |
| Admit Foreign Wills | $231.00 |
| Disposition of Personal Property without Administration | $231.00 |
| Summary Administration (under $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary Administration ($1,000 or more) | $345.00 |
| Formal Administration | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of Person Only | $235.00 |
| Guardianship of Property | $400.00 |
| VA Guardianship | $235.00 |
| Petition for Determination of Incompetency | $231.00 |
| Reopen Fee | $50.00 |
Accounting audit fees vary by estate value: $20.00 for estates valued at $25,000 or less, $85.00 for estates up to $100,000, $170.00 for estates up to $500,000, and $250.00 for estates exceeding $500,000. Inventory for estates valued above $25,000 costs $85.00.
Accessing Probate Records
Probate court records are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The same retrieval methods apply as for other case types—online through the Case Search portal (probate cases appear under the “CP – Probate” case type filter), via the E-Certify system, in person, or by submitting a written request by mail or email. Certain probate documents, such as estate inventories and accountings, are confidential and may not be available for public inspection without a court order or party authorization.
For probate-related questions, contact the Clerk’s Customer Service at (850) 651-7200, Option 4 (Fort Walton Beach) or (850) 689-5000 (Crestview). Additional guidance is available on the Clerk’s probate information page.