Walton County Court Records

Walton County court records are records of court cases and other legal proceedings created and stored by the county's judiciary. Such records are generally considered part of Florida’s court records. Court records can be generated and stored in various mediums, including written or typed documents, electronic files on a computer, maps, microfilm, pictures, and audio and video recordings.

Interested parties can request to view or copy court records at the Walton County Circuit Court. Records considered court records available for access include rulings, motions, court calendars and schedules, docket information, judgments, and general court information.

Are Court Records Public in Walton County?

In general, under the Florida Sunshine Law, Walton County court records are considered public information that authorized members of the public may access and copy. This means the public can submit a request to the local circuit court to access and copy the court records in its custody.

Even though court records are considered public and open to full access, some have restricted access and, in some cases, are fully exempt from public disclosure.

Some examples of records exempted or restricted under the Florida Sunshine Law include:

• Personal information such as bank accounts, credit card details, and social security numbers
• Any information that can be used to identify a petitioner or respondent in a petition for an injunction against domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence, stalking, or cyberstalking
• Any records that were prepared by an attorney or prepared at the attorney’s express direction
• Any information that exposes or reveals the identity of a minor who is the victim of a crime, such as human trafficking
• Any information revealing the identity of confidential sources or confidential informants

Sometimes, records with information exempted from public disclosure may still be released. The requester may petition for a court order to access the record in full or be granted access to the record with the restricted parts removed or redacted. Section 119.0714 of the Florida Sunshine Law provides further details on court records exempted from public view.

Walton County Court Records Search

Walton County gives the public various options to perform a court record search. Any interested parties can perform a Walton County court record search via any of the following options.

• Contact the Walton County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller in person at the office
• Use the online Walton County Court Record Search tool to search for court records online
• Mail a Court Document Request/View Form to the Clerk of Courts for any document that was not found online
• Try to search using any available third-party public record websites

Walton County Court Records Search by Name

The public has several options to select from when choosing to make a Walton County court records search by name. Available options include name-based offline requests in person or via mail. Online options include using the online record database operated by the Walton County Clerk of Courts.

Offline requests can be made by sending a written request or request form by mail or email to the clerk of courts at:

Walton County Clerk of Courts & County Comptroller
P.O. Box 1260
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

Records requests can also be made at any of the courts at the Walton County Courthouse or the County Coastal Annex. Offline requests are generally advised for records that cannot be found online.

Online name searches can be made using the online court record search option on the Walton County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller website. The online search provides options for public searches, attorneys, registered users, and party access. It should be noted that all options apart from public searches will require users to create an ID and password. Searches can be made using last names only but providing the entire name will usually provide faster and more streamlined results.

During offline requests, users will be charged a search fee of $2 per year for the case to be searched. Copy fees for physical copies requested are $1 per page and certification costs $2 per document. Payment is accepted in cashier’s checks, personal checks, and money orders. When requests are made in person cash and credit cards are also acceptable. For any inquiries, record seekers may email clerkrecords@waltonclerk.com.

Walton County Courts

The Walton County Circuit Court serves as the main trial court for Walton County Florida. It hears most types of cases in the county jurisdiction. Listed below are the locations of the courts within Walton County.

Walton County Circuit Court
Walton County Courthouse
571 US Highway 90 East,
P.O. Box 1260,
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Phone: (850) 892-8115

Walton County Circuit Court
South Walton Courthouse Annex
31 Coastal Centre Boulevard,
Suite 500,
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850) 267-3066

County Court of Walton County
Walton County Courthouse
571 US Highway 90 East,
P.O. Box 1260,
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Phone: (850) 892-8115

County Court of Walton County
South Walton Courthouse Annex
31 Coastal Centre Boulevard,
Suite 500,
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850) 267-3066

Walton County District Court Records

Florida’s trial court system is divided into several sections. Circuit courts and county courts are responsible for hearing most trials in Walton County. The circuit courts are the district court equivalents hearing most types of cases including the following:

• County court appeals
• Civil cases
• Criminal cases
• Family cases and domestic relations
• Probate cases
• Juvenile cases
• Landlord-tenant cases

Records of these court proceedings can be obtained from the court clerk of courts or the county circuit court where the case was heard.

Walton County Criminal Records

Interested parties may request Walton County criminal records and criminal background checks from law enforcement operating in the county. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office will provide a local criminal record search for Walton County only. In contrast, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will provide a check for criminal history information for the entire state.

To request criminal records from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, record seekers may visit the sheriff’s office public records office located at:

Walton County Sheriff’s Office
37 S. 10th Street
DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433
Phone: (850) 892-8111

During the request, applicants will be required to provide the name and date of birth of the subject plus any other identifiers such as nickname, alias, race, or sex. Requests can also be made online by selecting “background check” on the Records Request page of the sheriff’s office website.

On the page, scroll down to select a form and choose a background check. Next, the requester enters their name and contact details then the subject’s information such as full name, maiden name/aliases, and date of birth. After entering the information simply click send. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office provides local background checks free of charge.

The Division of Criminal Justice Information Services of the FDLE acts as the central repository of criminal records for Florida. The division offers several options for the public to access Walton County Arrest and criminal records.

• Instant Search: This is an instant online search with results available for email or print out immediately. Results from this option are uncertified and payment must be made online using a credit or debit card. Every search costs $24 plus an additional $1 processing fee for card payments
• Certified/Non-Certified Record Search: This is a more comprehensive search using the FDLE database and multiple search subjects may be included in one request. Results will be mailed to the requester using the options selected during the process. Requesters can also choose to have the records certified or translated into Spanish. Each search will cost a fee of $24 payable online via a credit card or debit card. Depending on the type of record, processing time takes between five and seven business days minus mail delivery time
• ORI Search: An ORI search is a request for a criminal record using an ORI number provided by the agency requiring the search. Simply enter the number into the search tool. The cost will vary depending on the agency or entity requesting the search and results will be sent directly to the recipients authorized by the ORI number

Walton County Criminal Court Case Lookup

A Walton County criminal case lookup can be done using the online Public Records Search on the Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller website. Users have the option to look up criminal court case records by name, case number, or date.

Record seekers can also request to copy or view court records by downloading and filling out a Court Document Request/View Form. The requester must fill out the form with their contact information and case information to locate the record. The form can be submitted by email to clerkrecords@waltonclerk.com or by faxing it to (850) 892-8017. The form can also be submitted in person at the circuit courthouse during office hours.

Get Walton County Civil Court Records

Records considered Walton County civil court records are records generated by civil court cases within the county. These records include docket information, civil claims, disputes, motions, judgments, and rulings. Records seekers can obtain these civil court records from the Walton County Circuit Court.

Civil Court records can be obtained from the Walton County Clerk of Court and County Comptroller. These records can be requested online, in person, via email, or by fax. A court document request/view form can be used to request copies or access to view civil court records from the clerk of courts. The form can be returned in person at the circuit court during office hours or by faxing it to (850) 892-8017 or emailing it to clerkrecords@waltonclerk.com. Processing time can take about 3 business days from receiving the request depending on the volume of records requested. Copies cost $1 per page including a search fee of $2 for every year searched. Certification of the record will cost an additional $2 per document. Payment is accepted in money orders, cashier’s checks, and personal checks. Cash and cards are also accepted during in-person requests.

Civil records can also be requested online using the public records case search. This online database allows record seekers to check for civil court records by date, name, and case file number.

Walton County Family Court Records

Walton County family court records are records of the domestic and family court cases heard in courts in Walton County. Family court records include records from the dissolution of marriage, divorce, separation, child and spousal support, visitation, adoption, and domestic violence.

Family court records can be obtained from the circuit court hearing the case or the Walton County Clerk of Court and County Comptroller. Records can be located and requested online using the public record search online database.

For records that cannot be found online record seekers can obtain family court records in person at the clerk’s office or using the court record request or view form same as any other court record. For any inquiries, interested parties can call the Walton County Clerk of Courts at (850)892- 8115 ext 7042 or email clerkrecords@waltonclerk.com.

Walton Dissolution of Marriage Records

Walton County dissolution of marriage records are records of cases relating to divorces and any other type of legal separation within Walton County. These types of cases are handled by the domestic relations section of the Walton County Circuit Court. To access these records, record seekers may submit requests to the circuit court clerk of courts in person, by mail, email, or via the online database.

Walton County Marriage and Divorce Records

Walton County marriage and divorce records can be obtained from different government agencies in Florida such as the county clerk of courts and the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage and divorce records from June 1927 to the present are available from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Records for events before June 1927 are available from the Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court.

Marriage and divorce records can be obtained from the Bureau of Vital Statistics in person or by mail. Record seekers may supply a written request or download and complete the Application for Marriage Certificate or the Dissolution of Marriage Certificate. The completed forms can be submitted in person at 1217 N Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 during office hours Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mailed requests can be sent to the bureau at:

Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics,
P.O. Box 210,
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042

Marriage and Divorce records cost a nonrefundable search fee of $5 which covers a search of one calendar year and one certified copy. Additional certified copies ordered at the same time will cost $4 each. Mail orders will include a $1 shipping and handling fee while rush orders will incur an additional $10 fee.

Payment during mailed requests can be made using checks or money orders made payable to Florida Vital Statistics. Cash and credit/debit cards are also accepted during walk-in requests. Normal processing time is 3 to 5 business days but records older than 1970 may require additional time. For any inquiries, contact the bureau by calling (904) 359-6900 or emailing VitalStats@FLHealth.gov.

Marriage and divorce records can also be obtained using the online and offline record request options provided by the Walton County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller.

Walton County Birth and Death Records

Walton County birth and death records can be obtained from the Walton County Office of the Florida Department of Health. Birth records under 125 years old are confidential and may only be accessed by the subjects of the record, their parents, and their legal representatives. Death records on the other hand remain confidential for 50 years after the event.

Birth records can be obtained from the Walton County health office in person or by sending the request by mail or by fax. The Birth Certificate Application or Death Record Application can be submitted in person at the office at 362 State Hwy 83 in DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 during office hours. The form can also be faxed to the office at (850) 892-8764 or mailed to:

Florida Department of Health-Walton County
Attn: Vital Records Section
362 State Hwy 83
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

Record seekers must provide a copy of a government-issued picture ID during their request, they must also mail or fax a copy of the ID depending on their chosen mode of submission. Birth certificates from the county Department of Health cost $12 per copy and death records cost $10. Payments are accepted in checks and money orders payable to the Florida Department of Health in Walton County. Cash, Visa, and Mastercard are also accepted as payment during walk-in requests.

Birth and death records are considered among vital records that are important when verifying an individual’s identity, parentage, age, and nationality.

Walton County Probate Court Records

Walton County probate court records are records concerning probate court cases within the county’s jurisdiction. These records detail cases involving wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Record seekers can obtain such records from the County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller.

Record requests can be made in person, by mail, email, fax, and online using the public records search database. The Court Record Request/View Form can be used to request copies of court records or permission to view court documents in the custody of the courts. The completed form can be submitted in person, via email at clerkrecords@waltonclerk.com, or by fax at (850) 892-8017. Individuals with questions can also contact the Walton County Records Management Liaison Officer (RMLO) at (850) 892-8115 ext 7042.

Walton County Property Records

Two agencies in Walton County Florida are responsible for generating and maintaining property records. These are the Walton County Property Appraiser and the Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller. These agencies maintain property records including deeds, liens, mortgages, and other records concerning real and tangible properties.

Record seekers can obtain property records by visiting the Walton County Official Records Search page found on the Clerk of Courts website. Record searches can be made according to different criteria including name, document type, and record date.

Property records can also be found using the search page available on the county appraiser's website. Record seekers can look up information about real and tangible properties in the county. Searches can be made by owner name, property location, and account number. For inquiries, requesters may contact the appraiser by calling (850) 892-8123 or emailing wcpa@waltonpa.com.

Walton County Court Records Online

Record seekers can access and copy Walton County court records online from government and third-party record websites. Third-party websites like Floridacourtrecords.us are online databases operated by private individuals and businesses which gather and compile records from multiple origins including official government databases and county courthouses.

Accessing court records online via third-party websites is convenient as records from multiple jurisdictions can be obtained from the comfort of a home or office. All that is required is an internet-capable device and a good connection. For ease of use, a simple name is usually used as the search criteria for looking up records on most websites.

However, records obtained from third-party websites may not be the most up-to-date or accurate. This is simple because of the disparity of the sources where they were obtained. Wherever possible users are advised to verify the records with official/government sources. Users should also be prepared to pay a subscription fee, usually monthly or yearly to access third-party record databases.