Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through WashingtonFLRecords.us as well as through official county and state agency portals. Washington County, Florida maintains a broad range of government-generated documents that are accessible to the public under state law, including court filings, property records, vital records, election records, and law enforcement reports. The availability of specific records may vary depending on the custodial agency, the nature of the record, and applicable statutory exemptions.
Records that members of the public may find include:
- Civil, criminal, and probate court records
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
- Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
- Voter registration and election records
- Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs
- Land use, zoning, and building permit records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Washington County Clerk of Courts maintains an online portal for court-related records. The Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations provides access to business entity filings statewide. Voter registration data and election records are accessible through the Washington County Supervisor of Elections website. Some records require account registration or identity verification prior to access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Washington County Clerk of Courts to inspect or request copies of court and official records. The office is located at 1293 Jackson Avenue, Suite 101, Chipley, FL 32428. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should identify the specific record sought and provide any known case numbers, party names, or document identifiers to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Washington County Clerk of Courts at the address above. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under § 119.07, Florida Statutes, agencies are required to acknowledge requests promptly and provide records within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Washington County Clerk of Courts: (850) 638-6285
- Washington County Supervisor of Elections: (850) 638-6253
- Florida Department of Health in Washington County: (850) 638-6240
Members of the public may submit a formal public records request to the Washington County Supervisor of Elections through the office's designated online form.
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined broadly under Florida law to include all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with official agency business. Under § 119.011(12), Florida Statutes, a "public record" encompasses materials regardless of physical form or characteristics that are made or received by a public agency in the transaction of official business.
The following record types are currently maintained by Washington County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Washington County Clerk of Courts |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Washington County Clerk of Courts |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Florida Department of Health in Washington County |
| Business licenses and fictitious name registrations | Florida Division of Corporations / County |
| Property tax and assessment records | Washington County Property Appraiser |
| Voter registration and election records | Washington County Supervisor of Elections |
| County commission minutes and agendas | Washington County Board of County Commissioners |
| Law enforcement records | Washington County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Washington County Planning and Zoning Department |
The Florida Department of Health in Washington County serves as the custodian for vital records including birth and death certificates issued within the county.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws, which establish one of the broadest public records frameworks in the United States. Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, all state and local government agencies — including Washington County offices — are required to make non-exempt public records available for inspection and copying upon request.
As stated by the Washington County Supervisor of Elections, "The Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) requires the Washington County Supervisor of Elections to make non-exempt records available to any person." This obligation applies to all county offices, constitutional officers, and agencies operating within the county.
The 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, which serves Washington County, further notes that "under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records," illustrating the breadth of the state's open records requirements. County agencies do not require requestors to state a reason for their request, and no residency requirement applies.
Florida's Sunshine Law operates in conjunction with the Public Records Law to ensure that government meetings, deliberations, and documents remain accessible to the public. Washington County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all offices operate in accordance with Chapter 119 requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The fee structure for public records in Washington County is governed by state statute and varies by record type and custodial office. Under § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, agencies may charge the following standard fees:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Single-sided copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14") | $0.15 per page |
| Double-sided copies | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | $1.00 per page + $2.00 certification fee |
| Electronic records (where applicable) | Actual cost of duplication |
| Extensive use of agency resources (staff time) | Actual cost of labor above first 15 minutes |
Fees for vital records such as birth and death certificates are set separately by the Florida Department of Health and are subject to change. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or when records are sought for specific statutory purposes, at the discretion of the custodial agency.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Washington County government offices. Under Florida law, any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The fee structure described above applies only to copies, not to in-person inspection.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- Washington County Clerk of Courts Online Portal — Court case information and certain recorded documents are searchable at no cost through the clerk's public access terminal and online system.
- Washington County Supervisor of Elections — Election information including voter registration data and election results is available at no charge through the office's website.
- Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) — Business entity records are searchable free of charge at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz.
- Washington County Property Appraiser — Property assessment records are available for free inspection through the county property appraiser's online database.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may view records in person at no cost, but obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule established under state law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may request public records in Washington County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Members of the public are not required to provide identification, explain the reason for their request, or demonstrate a personal interest in the records sought.
Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:
- Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification for standard public records requests. However, certain records — such as personal vital records — may require proof of identity or legal relationship to the subject.
- Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for the vast majority of public records requests under Chapter 119.
- Non-residents: Non-residents of Florida retain full rights to request and receive public records from Washington County agencies.
- Requesting records about oneself: Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements depending on the custodial agency.
- Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, such as sealed court files or records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requestor's identity.
The Washington County Supervisor of Elections public records request process reflects these statewide standards, requiring no justification from the requestor.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Not all government records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes specific exemptions from the Public Records Law, codified primarily in § 119.071, Florida Statutes, as well as in numerous other statutes addressing particular record types. The following categories are currently exempt from mandatory public disclosure:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed or expunged by court order pursuant to § 943.0585 or § 943.059, Florida Statutes
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile offenders and dependency proceedings
- Active criminal investigation records — Documents that, if disclosed, would impede an ongoing law enforcement investigation
- Social Security numbers and financial account information — Personal identifying information protected under § 119.071(5)
- Medical and health records — Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — Sealed pursuant to Chapter 63, Florida Statutes
- Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by the Department of Children and Families
- Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses and personal information of government workers, are exempt under § 119.071(4)
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security plans and infrastructure vulnerability assessments — Exempt to protect public safety
Agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any claimed exemption at the time a request is denied or partially fulfilled.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Clerk of Courts
1293 Jackson Avenue, Suite 101
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6285
Washington County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Supervisor of Elections
1331 South Blvd., Suite 3
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6253
Washington County Supervisor of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Florida Department of Health in Washington County
1338 Hwy 77, Suite A
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6240
Florida Department of Health in Washington County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Washington County Property Appraiser
1331 South Blvd., Suite 1
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6235
Washington County Property Appraiser
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Washington County
1331 South Blvd.
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6203
Washington County FLHSMV Service Center
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office – Washington County
1293 Jackson Avenue
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6254
State Attorney's Office – Washington County
Lookup Public Records in Washington County
- Public Records Request – Washington County Supervisor of Elections
- Florida Department of Health in Washington County – Contact and Records
- Election Records – Washington County Supervisor of Elections
- Washington County FLHSMV Driver License and Motor Vehicle Services
- State Attorney's Office – Washington County Criminal Records