Bay County Courts

Bay County has a population of approximately 199,00 residents. This represents about 0.8% of Florida's total population of 23.3 million. The county falls under Florida's 14th Judicial Circuit Court, which oversees several types of legal matters. Bay County courts handle approximately 37,200 legal matters each year across various case categories. These annual filings include around 14,677 criminal cases, 9,175 civil matters, 2,817 domestic relations cases, and an estimated 1,254 probate filings.

Trial courts in Bay County handle various legal matters across several divisions, depending on the jurisdiction of each court.

• Bay County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases involving claims exceeding $50,000, felony criminal cases, family law disputes, probate matters, mental health proceedings, and juvenile delinquency
• Bay County Court oversees cases with limited jurisdiction, including civil claims involving lesser amounts, misdemeanor offenses, traffic infractions, and violations of municipal and county ordinances

Most trial court proceedings are held in Panama City, the county seat and judicial hub of Bay County.

How To Access Bay County Court Records

Bay County court records are generally available to the public under Florida's Public Records Law and the Florida Sunshine Law. These laws allow public access to government documents unless specifically restricted by statute or court order. Most court filings, including civil, criminal, probate, and traffic cases, may be accessed online through official case search portals. Alternatively, interested persons may visit the courthouses to obtain them, depending on record availability and access policies.

On the other hand, certain details in court files remain confidential and are not publicly accessible. These include financial statements, psychotherapist treatment records, proprietary trade secrets, and personal medical information. Additionally, sealed records such as those relating to juvenile proceedings, adoptions, or mental health treatment are excluded from public disclosure.

To access Bay County court records, individuals are generally required to provide a valid government-issued photo identification along with either a case number or the names of the parties involved. These details assist in accurately locating the requested records. County court records may be accessed through any of the following ways:

Online

Individuals may view court case details in Bay County through the Clerk's official Case Search website. Searches may be performed using case numbers, party names, or docket types. Parties seeking expanded access, including full docket calendars, may request a secure login by submitting an access agreement by email.The Bay County Official Records portal also provides access to recorded documents such as deeds, liens, judgments, and other public filings dating back to at least 1987. Interested persons may view uncertified digital copies for free, while obtaining certified copies costs $1 per page plus $2 per certification.

For federal cases filed in the county, interested parties may access court records through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. While account registration is free, users are typically required topay a fee of $0.10 per page of any court record as outlined in PACER's official fee schedule. Available documents generally include case summaries, dockets, motions, court orders, and other filings.

Additionally, CourtCaseFinder aggregates publicly available court records from jurisdictions across the United States, including Bay County. Record seekers may use such services to search for basic case information by name, case number, or court type.

In-Person

Bay County court records may be accessed in person by visiting the courthouse that maintains the specific records. Each court has a clerk responsible for managing and providing access to the records of cases heard. Interested persons should contact the clerk's office before visiting to confirm requirements. Depending on the court, requesters may need to submit a written application or formal request form for record access.

Some courthouses in Bay County provide public-access terminals for individuals to search case records electronically. Anyone requesting physical copies of records is typically required to pay the applicable copying fees. Courts may charge $2.50 per page for certified copies prepared by the clerk's office. Uncertified or plain copies are usually available at a lower cost of $0.05 per page.

Old and Archived Court Records

In Bay County, court records from 1987 to the present are available online through the Clerk's Official Records portal. For older or archived records, individuals may contact the State Archives of Florida. This state repository preserves historically significant court documents, available in both microfilm and physical formats, with some dating back to the 1700s. A written request is required to access them, and availability depends on the record's age and condition. Interested individuals may contact the state archives for inquiries at:

How To File a Case in Bay County

To file a case in Bay County, a person must first determine the appropriate court with jurisdiction over the matter. In addition, it is also important that the plaintiff contacts the clerk of the court to ascertain whether the court is authorized to handle the case they intend to file. Afterward, the person will need to decide how to proceed with filing the case.

Completion of court-approved forms is required; these are available for download on the County Clerk's website's Forms page. Cases may be filed in person at the courthouse or electronically through the Florida Courts e‑Filing Portal, accessible via Florida Courts Help or directly at myflcourtaccess.com. Certain case types, such as small claims, may also be filed by mail with the appropriate court office. Each court may have specific filing requirements, so litigants should confirm procedures with the Clerk's Office beforehand.

Electronic filers must register as a self-represented litigant, sign and notarize their documents, and upload them in Word or PDF formats, as outlined in the portal's user guides. Filing a court case often requires payment of fees, which vary depending on the court and case type. Those unable to afford fees may apply for a waiver by submitting a completed fee waiver form to the clerk. The clerk may approve basic cost waivers immediately or forward the request to a judge for further consideration.

The following steps are generally required to file a case in Bay County:

• Identify the appropriate court based on the case type, and confirm jurisdiction through the Bay County Clerk of Court
• Draft a formal petition or complaint, clearly describing the facts, legal claims, and involved parties
• Attach any supporting evidence, affidavits, or exhibits, using the court-approved forms available for download from the Clerk's website under forms
• File the document by choosing one of the accepted methods. This typically includes filing in person at the courthouse, mailing the document (commonly permitted for small claims), or submitting it electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Pay the applicable filing fee based on case type unless a fee waiver is granted for indigent litigants

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

While state agencies are typically not authorized to act as personal attorneys or offer legal advice, individuals who are unable to afford private legal representation in Bay County may obtain assistance through local legal aid societies, courthouse-based support services, community legal clinics, and volunteer legal networks. Available legal aid and self-help options for low-income litigants in the county include the following resources and programs:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF) - This organization provides free civil legal assistance to Bay County residents on matters typically involving family law, housing, elder concerns, and domestic violence. Pro bono services are also generally available to low-income individuals, including families, senior citizens, veterans, and individuals affected by abuse
• Florida Free Legal Answers - This is a virtual clinic where eligible users may post civil legal questions online and receive responses from volunteer attorneys
• Florida Pro Bono Matters - This is a public platform that matches volunteer attorneys with clients needing free legal help. Requesters may be referred through participating legal aid organizations
• Florida Law Help- This is a comprehensive statewide legal aid directory and self-help platform maintained for Florida residents. Users may access legal forms, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and resources by topic or county.
• Florida Rural Legal Services - This platform offers assistance in areas including housing, family law, and public benefits. Eligibility may extend to low-income residents of Bay County
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service - The service connects individuals with licensed attorneys for a consultation. Some referrals may include reduced-fee or pro bono arrangements depending on case type and financial eligibility
• Bay County Bar Association - The organization assists Bay County residents seeking referrals to private lawyers

Additionally, interested individuals may explore self-help resources and legal assistance available at the state level, which typically include the following:

• Florida Courts Help - This platform offers extensive self-help guides and access to free legal answers and virtual legal clinics
• Veterans Legal Helpline - The service provides free legal assistance for veterans and their families
• Disaster Legal Helpline - The service offers assistance following natural disasters
• Bay County Clerk of Court (Family Law Self-Help Office) - This resource provides procedural guidance for family law, including small claims and name change petitions
• Florida Senior Legal Helpline - This resource offers guidance and free civil legal advice by phone to eligible residents aged 60 and above.

Other legal aid services and pro bono programs generally available to Bay County residents include the following:

• Bay Area Legal Services - The service primarily serves the Tampa Bay region. It also assists Bay County residents with housing, benefits, and family law matters
• Southern Legal Counsel - The service provides eligibility-based legal support in Bay County

Types of Courts in Bay County, Florida

Bay County is served by both a County Court and Circuit Court within the state's 14th Judicial Circuit. These courts handle a wide range of matters, including criminal, civil, family, probate, and small claims cases. Listed below are the jurisdiction of each court and contact information:

Bay County Circuit Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Felonies, lesser included offenses, civil cases with claims exceeding $10,000, medical malpractice cases, contractual disputes, personal injury cases arising from automobile accidents, and appeals from the magistrate court.
• Address and Contact Information -

Bay County Unified Family Court

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The court handles abuse prevention orders, most juvenile delinquency cases, probate matters, including wills, testamentary trusts, and guardianships, family law matters involving child custody and support, adoption proceedings, as well as domestic violence cases
• Location and contact information -

County Court of Bay County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The court handles most misdemeanors and violations of municipal or county ordinances. It also handles juvenile traffic cases, most civil and equity cases where the amount in controversy is less than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs
• Location and contact information -

Main Line (Bay County): (850) 747-5327

Fax: (850) 647-5629

300 East 4th Street

Panama City, FL 32402

Phone: (850) 763-9061

Fax: (850) 747-5188

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bay County Courts

Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions regarding the courts in Bay County, Florida: