Bay County Court Docket Search
Bay County court docket records are available through the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Panama City. The 14th Judicial Circuit handles all cases filed in this area of northwest Florida. You can search Bay County court docket entries online or go to the courthouse in person. Case types include criminal felonies, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and traffic cases. The clerk's office keeps track of every filing, motion, and hearing date for all cases on the Bay County court docket. Public access to these records is guaranteed under Florida's public records law, and anyone can request to see them.
Bay County Quick Facts
Bay County Clerk of Court Office
The Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official keeper of all court docket records in the area. This office processes new case filings, maintains hearing calendars, and stores documents for every case in Bay County. The clerk is an elected constitutional officer who serves the public. Whether you need to look up a case, get a copy of a filed motion, or check when a hearing is set, the clerk's office is where to start.
The Bay County Clerk website gives you access to online court docket search tools and other services. The office sits in the Bay County courthouse in Panama City. Staff can help you search for records during normal hours. They handle a high volume of court docket cases since Bay County is one of the larger counties in the 14th Circuit. The 14th Circuit also covers Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties, but each has its own clerk.
| Office | Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 E. 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 |
| Website | bayclerk.com |
Searching Court Docket Records in Bay County
You have several ways to find court docket records in Bay County. Online search is the most common. The clerk's website has a case search tool. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show basic docket details like case type, status, and scheduled hearings.
Statewide portals also cover Bay County. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal handles document filing and docket tracking for all 67 Florida counties. You can check the status of any case filed in Bay County through this system. The MyFloridaCounty site lets you search official records that may tie into court docket cases, such as liens or property transfers.
For appellate cases from Bay County, use the ACIS portal. This system covers all of Florida's appellate courts. You do not need to register to search public documents on ACIS. It shows docket entries, case documents, and filing history for appellate cases that came from the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Bay County.
If you prefer to visit in person, go to the Bay County courthouse in Panama City. The clerk's staff will search court docket records and make copies for you. Bring the name of a party or a case number for the fastest results. Walk-in searches are free, but copies have a small per-page fee.
Bay County Court Docket Public Records
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes court docket records public in Bay County. Any person can inspect and copy these records. The law is clear: providing access is a duty of each agency. You never need to give a reason for your request.
Not all records are open. Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists what stays confidential. Juvenile records, adoption cases, and mental health files are sealed. Personal info like Social Security numbers and bank details get blacked out from court docket documents before the public sees them. Under Administrative Order AOSC24-65, the general public has Level E access to electronic records in Bay County. This means you can see case numbers, party names, and docket entries online without an account. Higher access requires registration and a stated purpose.
Note: Bay County court docket records are updated on a regular basis, but there may be a short delay between a filing and when it shows up in the online system.
Court Resources for Bay County
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site connects you to all 67 county clerk offices in the state. You can find Bay County contact info, services, and links through the association page. The Florida Courts website has self-help guides, court forms, and details on all 20 judicial circuits.
Bay County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The circuit courts page explains how this circuit works and which counties it covers. The 14th Circuit handles felony cases, family law, probate, and civil matters over $50,000 in Bay County. County courts in Bay County deal with misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims up to $8,000, and civil cases up to $50,000. Both levels of court create docket entries that you can search.
Cities in Bay County
Bay County includes Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Springfield, and several smaller towns. All court docket cases are filed at the Bay County courthouse in Panama City. No cities in Bay County currently have a separate page on this site, but residents of every city and town use the same Bay County Clerk of Court for docket records.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Bay County or sit nearby in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Make sure you file your case in the correct county.