Holmes County Court Docket

Holmes County court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Bonifay. The 14th Judicial Circuit serves Holmes County along with Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Washington Counties. You can search court docket records online or visit the clerk office at the courthouse. Whether you need to check a hearing date, find a case filing, or get copies of court documents, the Holmes County clerk office is the place to go. Florida law treats court docket records as public records, so anyone can look them up without explaining why they need the information.

Holmes County Clerk of Court

The Holmes County Clerk of the Circuit Court runs all court docket operations from the courthouse in Bonifay. This small office handles every case type that comes through the local courts. Staff file new cases, log docket entries, store documents, and issue copies. The clerk is an elected constitutional officer with broad duties that include court records, official records, and county financial management.

The Holmes County Clerk website has office details and information on services. Because Holmes County is a smaller county, the clerk office handles a lower case volume than urban areas. This can sometimes mean faster service for record requests. Walk-in visits to the Bonifay courthouse are the most reliable way to get court docket copies. Call first if you need records from older cases that might be in storage.

Search Holmes County Court Docket Online

You can search court docket records for Holmes County through several online tools. The clerk website at holmesclerk.com is the first place to look for local case data.

The site provides access to case information and clerk services. You can search by name or case number to pull up court docket entries for Holmes County cases. Results show filing dates, case type, status, and scheduled hearings. The clerk handles both circuit and county court records, so all case types are available from this one office.

Statewide portals also give you access to Holmes County court docket data. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal tracks all documents filed electronically across the state. The ACIS system covers appellate cases from the Florida Supreme Court and all District Courts of Appeal. You do not need an account for basic public searches on these systems. The MyFloridaCounty portal lets you search official records in Holmes County that may relate to court docket cases, like liens or property transfers.

Note: Holmes County has a smaller population, so court docket searches by name tend to return fewer results than in larger counties.

Public Access to Holmes County Court Dockets

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public a right to inspect and copy court docket records. This covers all records held by the Holmes County Clerk. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The law also says that moving to digital records cannot take away the right of access. Providing records to the public is a duty of the clerk's office.

Some court docket records in Holmes County stay confidential. Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420 covers what records are sealed or restricted. Social Security numbers, bank account details, and medical information get redacted from public copies. Juvenile cases and adoption records are not available to the general public. Administrative Order AOSC24-65 from the Florida Supreme Court sets up 15 user roles for electronic access. The public can see case numbers, party names, and docket entries without registering. If you need deeper access to a Holmes County case, you may need to be a party to it or file a motion with the court.

Court Docket Structure in Holmes County

Holmes County is in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Circuit court handles general jurisdiction cases including felonies, family law, divorce, probate, and civil matters over $50,000. County court covers traffic cases, misdemeanors, small claims, and civil disputes up to $50,000. Both courts produce docket records that the clerk maintains.

Each case in Holmes County gets a unique case number and a running docket. Every document filed, every hearing set, and every order issued by the judge goes on that docket. This creates a complete record of the case from beginning to end. Lawyers and self-represented parties can file through the E-Filing Portal. The Florida Courts website explains how the 20 judicial circuits work and what cases each level of court handles across the state. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site has contact information for all 67 county clerks.

Holmes County Court Resources

Forms and self-help guides are available through the clerk office and the Florida Courts website. The Florida Courts site has family law forms and instructions that apply to Holmes County filings. If you have trouble with e-filing, call the support desk at (850) 577-4609 during business hours.

For specific questions about court docket records in Holmes County, contact the clerk at (850) 547-1100. Legal aid groups in the 14th Circuit may offer free services to people who meet income guidelines. The clerk office can point you to these resources if you need help but cannot afford a private lawyer.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Holmes County in the Florida panhandle. Each county maintains its own court docket records through its clerk office.