Walton County court records are public files held by the Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. These records cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases filed in the county.
Most people can view basic case details for free through the clerk’s online search system. Older paper files and certified copies may require a visit, a phone call, or a written request.
This page explains how to look up Walton County court records, what each record type contains, what fees apply, and where to turn for help. Every fact listed here comes from the Walton County Clerk of Court website or official Florida state resources.
Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller Office
The Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller serves as the official record keeper for all court filings in the county. A. Ken Burton Jr. holds the position of Clerk. The main office sits at 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, except for scheduled holidays. The main phone number is (850) 892-8115. A second location, the South Walton Courthouse Annex, sits at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, and can be reached at (850) 267-3066.
Walton County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit also includes Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. The circuit court handles felonies, civil cases over $50,000, family law, probate, and juvenile matters. The county court handles misdemeanors, small claims, traffic infractions, and civil cases under $50,000. Both levels of court route their records through the same clerk’s office in DeFuniak Springs.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller |
| Clerk | A. Ken Burton Jr. |
| Main Office Address | 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 |
| Main Office Phone | (850) 892-8115 |
| Annex Address | 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 |
| Annex Phone | (850) 267-3066 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT |
| Records Email | ClerkRecords@WaltonClerkFL.Gov |
| Records Fax | (850) 892-8017 |
| Judicial Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida |
What Walton County Court Records Include
Walton County court records cover every case type filed in the county since records began. Each case file holds the case number, party names, the names of attorneys, the date the case was filed, hearing dates, the type of case, and the final judgment or order. Civil case files may also include complaints, motions, and exhibits. Criminal case files may include arrest reports, charging documents, plea paperwork, and sentencing orders. Family case files may include petitions, parenting plans, and financial affidavits.
Under Florida law, most court records are open to the public. Two main rules control this. Florida Statute Chapter 119 sets the public records policy for the entire state. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists which court records are closed by law, such as juvenile records, mental health records, and records sealed by a judge.
Records Redacted Before Public Release
Florida Statute 119.0714 requires the clerk to remove certain personal details before making any record public. These redacted details include Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, debit and credit card numbers, and the names of minors in certain cases. People who file documents with the clerk must also remove these details from their own submissions before filing.
How to Search Walton County Court Records Online
The Walton County Clerk of Court website offers a free online search for court records. Users can look up cases by party name, case number, or document type. No account or login is required. The search covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in the county. Results display basic case facts such as the names of the parties, the case type, the filing date, and the current status.
The online system is the fastest way to confirm a filing exists and to gather basic case details. It does not display every document in the file. For full copies of motions, orders, judgments, and other papers, users must request them separately.
Cases That May Not Appear Online
Some older cases and certain sealed records may not show up in the online search. Records from before the digital conversion often remain in paper form only. Those records can be requested through the clerk’s office by phone, email, fax, mail, or in person. Sealed records, juvenile records, and records that a judge has ordered withheld cannot be viewed by the public, even with a written request.
Walton County Civil Court Records
Walton County civil court records cover disputes between people or businesses where the amount in question is more than $50,000. These cases are heard in circuit court. Civil case files often include complaints, summonses, answers, motions, discovery paperwork, exhibits, and final judgments. The online search tool shows the case number, the plaintiff and defendant names, the filing date, and the current status of each civil case.
For people who need full copies of a civil court file, the clerk offers several ways to request them. Walk-in requests at the DeFuniak Springs office are the fastest. Mail and fax requests work for those who cannot visit in person. Email requests go to ClerkRecords@WaltonClerkFL.Gov. Fax requests go to (850) 892-8017. Mail requests should include the case number, the names of the parties, the specific documents needed, and a check or money order for the correct fee.
Walton County Criminal Court Records
Walton County criminal court records cover felony cases filed in the circuit court and misdemeanor cases filed in the county court. Felony files include the arrest affidavit, formal charges, plea paperwork, and sentencing orders. Misdemeanor files include similar documents but tend to be shorter. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office handles arrests, and the State Attorney’s Office files the charges. All court paperwork flows through the clerk’s office.
The online search lets users confirm a criminal case exists and shows basic status details. For full criminal case files, the same request methods apply: walk-in, mail, fax, or email. Expunged or sealed criminal records cannot be released to the public.
Walton County Family Court Records
Walton County family court records cover divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and related family law matters. These cases are heard in the circuit court. Family case files often include petitions, financial affidavits, parenting plans, mediation reports, and final judgments. Adoption case files are sealed by law and cannot be viewed by the public.
Florida law treats some family court details as confidential. Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and the names of minor children in certain filings are redacted before public release. People can search the online system for basic case facts. Full document copies require a written request and the standard copy and certification fees.
Walton County Probate Court Records
Walton County probate court records cover the handling of a deceased person’s estate. Probate cases include wills, letters of administration, inventories of assets, and final distributions. The probate division of the circuit court handles these filings. Each case file contains the petition, the will (if one exists), the order admitting the will to probate, and the final discharge.
Probate records are public once the court enters the order admitting the will or appointing a personal representative. Files that have not yet been opened by the court may not be available. The Walton County Clerk’s office can confirm whether a probate case exists for a specific person.
Walton County Traffic and Small Claims Court Records
Walton County traffic court records cover moving violations, infractions, and DUI cases filed in the county court. Small claims court records cover civil disputes where the amount in question is $50,000 or less. Both case types are filed through the same clerk’s office. The online search displays case numbers, party names, and current status for both traffic and small claims cases.
Traffic cases often resolve with a fine or a court appearance. Small claims cases often resolve with a judgment for one party. Both case types produce public records that anyone can view. Copies of tickets, citations, complaints, and judgments can be requested through the clerk’s office.
Walton County Appellate Court Records
When a case decided in Walton County is appealed, the appeal moves out of the county. The Florida District Courts of Appeal hear these cases. The Appellate Court Information System, known as ACIS, provides free public access to appellate case data from all Florida appellate courts. Users can search ACIS by party name, case number, or lower court case number. ACIS shows briefs filed, oral argument dates, and the court’s final opinion.
The Walton County Clerk’s office can confirm that an appeal has been filed from a lower court case. ACIS can then show the full appellate record. ACIS is hosted by the Florida Courts system and is free to use.
Fees for Copies of Walton County Court Records
The Walton County Clerk charges fees for copies and certifications as set by Florida law. Standard fees apply to most requests.
- Plain copies: $1.00 per page
- Certification fee: $2.00 per document
- Search fee: $2.00 per year per name
Certified copies cost more than plain copies. A certified copy carries a $2.00 certification fee on top of the per-page copy fee. Certified copies are usually required for legal matters, immigration paperwork, and name changes. Plain copies work for casual review or basic research. Call the clerk at (850) 892-8115 to confirm the total cost before sending payment.
How to Request Walton County Court Records
Five ways exist to request Walton County court records. Each method works for different needs.
Walk-In Request
Visit the main office at 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 during office hours. Staff can pull most files the same day. Walk-in requests are the fastest option.
Phone Request
Call (850) 892-8115 during office hours. Staff can confirm whether a record exists and quote the fee. Phone requests work best for simple questions, not for ordering full document copies.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the main office. Include the case number, the names of the parties, the documents needed, and a check or money order for the correct fee. Mail can take a week or more to process.
Email Request
Send the request to ClerkRecords@WaltonClerkFL.Gov. Attach a completed Court Document Request Form if possible. Staff will reply with a fee total and payment instructions.
Fax Request
Send the request to (850) 892-8017. Include the same details as a mail request. Fax works well for credit card payments by phone.
The Court Document Request Form is available on the Walton County Clerk website. Filling out this form helps staff locate the right file quickly.
Florida State Resources for Walton County Records
Several state-level resources help Walton County residents and researchers. Each tool serves a different purpose.
Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers website lists links to all 67 county clerks in Florida. Use this site when records are needed from more than one county. The Walton County Clerk page sits on the same state directory.
MyFloridaCounty Payment Portal
The MyFloridaCounty portal processes online payments for court fees, traffic fines, and other clerk services in every Florida county. Walton County residents can pay fees here without visiting the office.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal handles most new court filings in Florida. Attorneys and self-represented parties can submit civil, family, probate, and small claims filings through this portal. Walton County follows the statewide e-filing rules set by the Florida Supreme Court.
Appellate Court Information System (ACIS)
ACIS provides free public access to Florida appellate case data. Use ACIS to track any appeal that started in Walton County circuit court.
Florida Courts Help
Florida Courts Help offers free forms, instructions, and self-help resources for people who represent themselves in court. The site covers divorce, custody, small claims, eviction, and other common case types in Walton County.
Cities and Communities in Walton County
Walton County covers a large area in the western Florida panhandle. DeFuniak Springs serves as the county seat. Freeport, Paxton, and the beach communities of South Walton sit within the county. The South Walton beach towns include Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Inlet Beach, Grayton Beach, and other 30A communities. Every court record filed in any Walton County community flows through the same clerk’s office in DeFuniak Springs.
Nearby Counties with Separate Court Records
Walton County borders Okaloosa County to the west, Holmes County to the north, Washington County to the northeast, and Bay County to the east. Each county keeps its own court records through its own clerk. Records from one county do not appear in another county’s database. Researchers who need records from a bordering county must contact that county’s clerk directly.
Walton County Court Records Contact Details
Use these official contact details to reach the Walton County Clerk’s office for court record requests, fee questions, or status checks.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Walton County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller |
| Main Address | 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 |
| Main Phone | (850) 892-8115 |
| Records Email | ClerkRecords@WaltonClerkFL.Gov |
| Records Fax | (850) 892-8017 |
| Annex Address | 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 |
| Annex Phone | (850) 267-3066 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT |
| Website | waltonclerk.com |
| State Court Portal | myflcourtaccess.com |
Frequently Asked Questions About Walton County Court Records
The questions below cover the most common asks from people who need Walton County court records. Each answer is based on the rules set by the Walton County Clerk, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration.
How do I look up a court case in Walton County for free?
Use the online search tool on the Walton County Clerk website at waltonclerk.com. The search lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or document type. No account or fee is required for the basic search. Results display the case number, party names, filing date, case type, and current status. This works for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases filed in Walton County.
Can I view sealed court records in Walton County?
No. Sealed court records cannot be viewed by the public. A judge must order a record sealed, and only people named in the court order can ask to open it. Juvenile records, adoption records, and certain mental health records are sealed by Florida law. Anyone who wants a sealed record opened must file a written motion with the court that handled the case.
How much does a certified copy of a Walton County court record cost?
A certified copy costs $1.00 per page for the copy plus a $2.00 certification fee per document. A search fee of $2.00 per year per name also applies if the clerk must look up the case by name. Call (850) 892-8115 to confirm the total fee before sending payment.
How long does it take to get court records by mail in Walton County?
Mail requests usually take about one to two weeks to process. The clerk must receive the request, locate the file, make the copies, and mail them back. Walk-in requests are faster. Email and fax requests often return results in two to three business days.
Are Walton County traffic tickets public records?
Yes. Traffic tickets and the related court cases are public records. The online search shows pending and closed traffic cases. Redactions apply to driver’s license numbers and other personal details. Anyone can request a copy of a traffic citation or the related court order through the clerk’s office.
Where do I find Walton County probate records?
Probate records are filed with the Walton County Clerk of Court in DeFuniak Springs. The online search shows basic case details. Full copies of wills, inventories, and orders require a request to the clerk. Probate files stay closed until the court enters an order opening the estate.
Can I check the status of my Walton County court case online?
Yes. The online search shows the current status of every public case filed in Walton County. Status updates appear as the court enters new orders, sets hearings, or closes the case. The search refreshes daily. For the most current status on a case set for a hearing that day, call the clerk’s office.