Okaloosa County court records in Florida are available through several channels. OkaloosaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through official court resources, including the Clerk of Court's record search portal, in person at the court office, or through public terminals in the courthouse in Crestview.
Okaloosa Court System & Jurisdictions
Okaloosa County is part of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, which also serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. The local court system is divided into two main courts — Circuit Court and County Court — each handling different categories of cases.
Circuit Court
The Circuit Court handles more serious cases. These include:
- Criminal cases for felonies
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount over $50,000
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony (family law forms approved by the Florida Supreme Court)
- Probate and wills cases
- Juvenile cases, including delinquency and dependency proceedings
- Appeals from County Court
The courthouse is located at 101 E. James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536. Phone: (850) 689-5000. More details are available on the Okaloosa page on the Florida Courts website.
County Court
The County Court is where most people have their first court experience. It handles:
- Misdemeanors
- Traffic violations
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount up to $50,000
- Small claims cases — up to $8,000
- Eviction cases
Federal cases involving the county are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida with a division in Pensacola.
Okaloosa Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, contact the Clerk of Court's office. Clerk of Court's online services provide the ability to check case information and scheduled hearings. The court calendar is also available through public terminals directly in the courthouse.
To search for a specific hearing, you will need the case number or the party's last name. If you do not know the case number, use the court records search on the Clerk of Court's website to find it first.
Note: The schedule may change due to hearing rescheduling or emergencies. Before visiting the court, it is advisable to call (850) 689-5000 to confirm the time and date of the hearing.
How to Get a Copy of a Okaloosa Court Document
Copies of court documents are issued by the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller's office. There are two types of copies:
- Uncertified copy — an unofficial copy for review. Suitable for personal use.
- Certified copy — has an official seal and the clerk's signature. Required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for legal procedures.
How to order a copy
- Online: Submit a request through the Clerk of Court's online services portal. Documents can also be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal — form filing instructions.
- In person: Visit the office in the courthouse.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, document title, and contact information.
Mailing address for the office:
To obtain a certified copy, specify that you need a certified copy, and be prepared to pay an additional certification fee. Some records — such as juvenile cases or sealed cases — have restricted access according to Florida law. Before ordering, check with the clerk if the document is public.
Okaloosa Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for copies of court documents in Florida are regulated by Florida Statutes § 28.24. Below are the main rates applicable at the Okaloosa County Clerk of Court's office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of a court document (standard size, per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per document |
| Search fee, per name, per year | $2.00 |
| Copy of a non-standard size document | May vary — check with the clerk |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, money order, or credit/debit card. For online orders, an additional electronic payment processing fee may apply. It is best to confirm current rates and acceptable payment methods directly on the Clerk of Court's website or by phone, as fees may be revised according to changes in legislation.