Okaloosa County Court Records
What Is Okaloosa County Court Records
Okaloosa County court records are official documents created, maintained, and preserved by the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's Office pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.13. These records document judicial proceedings that occur within the jurisdiction of Okaloosa County courts. The records include case filings, judgments, orders, pleadings, and other documents related to civil, criminal, probate, family, and traffic cases.
The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court serves as the custodian of these records as mandated by Article V, Section 16 of the Florida Constitution. As the official recordkeeper, the Clerk is responsible for:
- Maintaining accurate and complete court records
- Ensuring proper indexing of all court documents
- Providing public access to non-confidential records
- Preserving records according to state retention schedules
- Implementing security measures to protect confidential information
Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
101 E. James Lee Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5000
Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller
Are Court Records Public In Okaloosa County
Court records in Okaloosa County are generally considered public records in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including court documents, with certain exceptions.
Members of the public may access non-confidential court records through various methods provided by the Okaloosa County Clerk's office. However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or may have restricted access due to statutory provisions. These exemptions include:
- Records sealed by court order pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420
- Records containing confidential information as defined in Florida Statutes § 119.071
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) as protected under Florida Statutes § 985.04
- Records pertaining to domestic violence cases as outlined in Florida Statutes § 741.30
- Mental health proceedings records pursuant to Florida Statutes § 394.4615
- Adoption records as protected under Florida Statutes § 63.162
The Clerk's office is required to redact certain personal information from court records before making them available to the public, including social security numbers, bank account information, and other sensitive data as specified in Florida Statutes § 119.0714.
How To Find Court Records in Okaloosa County in 2025
Individuals seeking court records in Okaloosa County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court provides multiple avenues for obtaining court records:
- In-person requests may be submitted at either of the Clerk's office locations:
Okaloosa County Clerk of Court - Crestview
101 E. James Lee Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Okaloosa County Clerk of Court - Fort Walton Beach
1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: (850) 651-7200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Online access is available through the Clerk's official records search portal, which provides 24/7 access to public court records.
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Written requests may be submitted by mail to either office location, including:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Type of case
- Date range of records sought
- Requestor's contact information
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Public records requests can be submitted through the Okaloosa County online portal or by calling (850) 689-5050.
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 28.24, fees may apply for copies of court records. Standard fees include $1.00 per page for regular copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies. Additional research fees may apply for requests requiring extensive staff time.
How To Look Up Court Records in Okaloosa County Online?
The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court provides comprehensive online access to court records through its electronic records system. Members of the public may search for and view court records remotely through the following steps:
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Navigate to the Okaloosa County Clerk's online services portal.
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Select "Search Records" from the available options.
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Review and accept the Court Records Search Disclaimer which outlines the terms of use and limitations of the online system.
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Choose the appropriate search option:
- Case Search - Allows searching by case number, party name, or business name
- Docket Search - Provides access to court calendars and scheduled hearings
- Judge's Calendar - Shows cases scheduled before specific judges
- Traffic Citations - Enables searching by citation number or name
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Enter the required search criteria and submit the query.
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Review the search results and select specific cases to view detailed information.
Users should note that pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain confidential information may be redacted from online records. Additionally, some case types may have restricted online access in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.0714.
The online system provides access to records dating back to 1995, though older records may have limited information available electronically. For records prior to this date, users may need to submit requests in person or by mail.
Can You Search Okaloosa County Court Records for Free?
Okaloosa County provides several options for free access to court records, though certain services may incur fees as authorized by Florida Statutes § 28.24. The following free access options are available to the public:
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Basic online searches through the Clerk's public records portal are available at no cost. This includes searching case indices, viewing case dockets, and accessing basic case information.
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In-person inspection of public records at the Clerk's office locations in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach is available free of charge during regular business hours.
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Public access terminals located at the courthouse facilities provide free on-site access to electronic court records.
Services that may incur fees include:
- Printed copies of court documents ($1.00 per page for standard copies)
- Certified copies of court records ($2.00 per page)
- Records requiring extensive research or staff time (special service charge may apply)
- Subscription services for high-volume users or specialized access
The Clerk's office accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and major credit cards for any applicable fees. Fee waivers may be available for indigent persons pursuant to Florida Statutes § 57.081 upon submission of an approved application for determination of civil indigent status.
What's Included in a Okaloosa County Court Record?
Okaloosa County court records typically contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings. Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, court records include:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments, or informations)
- Pleadings and motions filed by parties
- Court orders, judgments, and decrees
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence admitted during court proceedings
- Financial information including filing fees, court costs, and payments
- Case disposition information
- Probation and sentencing details in criminal cases
- Docket entries showing chronological case activities
- Service of process documentation
- Witness and exhibit lists
- Jury information (for applicable cases)
The specific contents of a court record vary depending on the case type and stage of proceedings. Family law cases may include additional documents such as parenting plans, child support worksheets, and financial affidavits. Criminal cases typically include arrest reports, charging documents, and sentencing information.
Certain information may be redacted or restricted from public view in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.0714, including social security numbers, bank account information, and other sensitive personal data.
How Long Does Okaloosa County Keep Court Records?
Okaloosa County retains court records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 257.36. The retention periods vary based on case type and document classification:
- Felony case records: Maintained for a minimum of 10 years after final disposition, with capital felony and life felony cases retained permanently
- Misdemeanor case records: Retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
- Civil case records: Maintained for a minimum of 5 years after final judgment
- Probate case records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years after case closure
- Family law cases: Maintained for varying periods depending on case type, with divorce records retained for 10 years
- Traffic cases: Retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition
- Juvenile records: Maintained until the subject reaches 24 years of age, with certain exceptions
The Clerk of Court has implemented a records management program that includes both physical and electronic preservation methods. Historical court records of significant value may be preserved permanently, regardless of the standard retention schedule.
Records that have met their retention requirements may be destroyed in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Rule 1B-24.003, though indexes to these records are typically maintained permanently to provide reference information about destroyed records.
Types of Courts In Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County's judicial system operates within Florida's First Judicial Circuit and includes several types of courts with distinct jurisdictions and functions:
Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is Okaloosa County's court of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $30,000, probate, guardianship, and family law cases. Circuit judges are elected to six-year terms and must be members of the Florida Bar for at least five years prior to taking office.
Okaloosa County Circuit Court
101 E. James Lee Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 689-5000
Florida Courts - Okaloosa
County Court
The County Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $30,000, small claims (up to $8,000), traffic infractions, and ordinance violations. County judges serve six-year terms and must be members of the Florida Bar.
Okaloosa County Court
1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone: (850) 651-7200
First Judicial Circuit of Florida
Federal Court
Okaloosa County falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, which handles federal cases arising in the county.
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
1 North Palafox Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: (850) 435-8440
Northern District of Florida
What Types of Cases Do Okaloosa County Courts Hear?
Okaloosa County courts adjudicate a wide range of case types in accordance with their jurisdictional authority under Florida law. The following categories represent the primary types of cases heard in Okaloosa County courts:
Circuit Court Cases:
- Felony criminal prosecutions (punishable by more than one year imprisonment)
- Civil actions with amounts in controversy exceeding $30,000
- Domestic relations matters (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship proceedings
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency
- Appeals from County Court decisions
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Mental health proceedings
County Court Cases:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases (punishable by less than one year imprisonment)
- Civil actions with amounts in controversy up to $30,000
- Small claims cases (up to $8,000)
- Traffic infractions and violations
- County and municipal ordinance violations
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- First appearance hearings in criminal cases
Case assignment is determined by the nature of the case and the amount in controversy, as established by the Florida Constitution Article V and Florida Statutes § 34.01 (County Court jurisdiction) and § 26.012 (Circuit Court jurisdiction).
How To Find a Court Docket In Okaloosa County
Court dockets in Okaloosa County provide chronological listings of scheduled court proceedings and filed documents for specific cases. Members of the public may access court dockets through several methods:
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Online access is available through the Okaloosa County Clerk's website, which provides a searchable database of court dockets. Users may search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Date range
- Judge
- Case type
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In-person requests may be submitted at the Clerk's office public terminals located at:
Okaloosa County Courthouse - Crestview
101 E. James Lee Boulevard
Crestview, FL 32536
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex - Fort Walton Beach
1940 Lewis Turner Boulevard
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Daily court calendars are posted in the courthouse lobbies and outside individual courtrooms, showing cases scheduled for that day.
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Telephone inquiries regarding docket information may be directed to the Clerk's office at (850) 689-5000 (Crestview) or (850) 651-7200 (Fort Walton Beach).
Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain case types may have restricted docket information available to the public. Court dockets are typically updated daily, though there may be a slight delay between court actions and their appearance on the docket.
Which Courts in Okaloosa County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Okaloosa County, all courts currently operating are courts of record as defined by Florida law. This means that all proceedings are documented through official transcripts, audio recordings, or other means of preserving the record. However, it is important to note certain historical and jurisdictional distinctions:
Prior to constitutional revisions, Florida maintained a system that included justice of the peace courts and municipal courts that were not courts of record. These courts have been abolished, and their functions have been absorbed into the unified court system.
While all current Okaloosa County courts maintain official records, there are differences in record-keeping requirements and appellate procedures:
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Small claims proceedings in County Court, while courts of record, operate under simplified rules of procedure pursuant to Florida Small Claims Rules.
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Traffic infractions heard in County Court follow specific procedures outlined in Florida Statutes § 318.14, though they remain courts of record.
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Code enforcement hearings conducted by the Okaloosa County Code Enforcement Board are administrative proceedings rather than judicial courts, though records of these proceedings are maintained pursuant to Florida Statutes § 162.07.
All judicial proceedings in Okaloosa County Circuit and County Courts are recorded, and transcripts may be requested through the Clerk's office or from court reporters assigned to specific proceedings.
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