What are Bay County Public Records?
The Florida Sunshine Law describes public records as information produced, received, or maintained under ordinance or law, or as required to carry out official functions. Bay County public records include documents, photographs, maps, digitally-stored information, and all other record forms notwithstanding characteristics, mode of transmission, or physical form. Florida law promotes public access to most records created by public agencies, except those containing sensitive information. Some examples of exempt records include:
- Information on confidential informants
- Sealed bids or proposals
- Security records, including evacuation, threat response, and threat assessment information
- Records where disclosure would breach a person's privacy
- Trade secrets, information on bids and contracts, and confidential business information
- Personal identifying information on present or past employees of a public agency, including social security numbers, phone numbers, and dates of birth
- Juvenile court records
- All sealed court records
- All records exempt from public disclosure by law
Bay County Crime Statistics
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) publishes annual crime statistics for all Florida counties. The department's 2020 report shows a total crime count of 5,446, including 11 reported murder cases, 93 rape incidents, 67 robberies, and 672 aggravated assault cases. Other reported figures are 771 burglary incidents, 3,451 cases of larceny, and 381 motor vehicle thefts. The report also shows a crime rate of 3,122.5 per 100,000 persons. In 2019, the FDLE reported a total of 6,533 crimes. This shows that between both years, the number of reported cases and the crime rate per 100,000 persons dropped by 16.6% and 20%, respectively.
Are Bay County Criminal Records Public?
Bay County criminal records are open to public disclosure. Anyone may search for criminal records of Bay County residents using the Instant Search or the Certified/Non-Certified Search provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Instant Search allows record seekers to input the record subject's details and immediately print or email search results. The Certified/Non-Certified option is for requesters who require certified and notarized Bay criminal records.
Processing requests for certified records may take up to 7 days, while non-certified records may take 5 days or less. Each FDLE search or request costs $24, payable by debit or credit cards, excluding additional card processing fees.
How to Obtain Bay County Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Bay County Sheriff's Office provides interested persons with copies of police reports and arrest records. Residents may send requests containing record details to the Sheriff's Office's Record Section. Submitted requests should contain descriptions of desired records, including the names of parties involved, incident dates and times, incident descriptions, names of arrested persons, witness names, the arresting officer's name, and all other known details.
Record seekers may be charged search or copy fees, payable before the Records Section fulfills the request. The Sheriff's Office may also require sufficient government-issued identification or other authorization documents if the desired Bay arrest records or police reports contain confidential or sensitive information. All applicants may submit requests using the following details:
Bay County Sheriff's Office
Custodian of Public Records
3421 N. Highway 77
Panama City, FL 32405
Phone: (850) 747-4700
Fax: (850) 914-2093
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Bay County
Members of the general public can find Bay County sex offender information on the searchable database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. All interested persons may use the provided name search or neighborhood search depending on available information. Using the name search, record seekers can enter the offender's first name or last name. For the neighborhood search, users may provide an address, city, zip code, and specify a mile radius for the search. The database displays each offender's primary information, such as a name, status, Department of Corrections number, date of birth records. Other details include aliases, addresses, crime information, and victim information.
How to Find Bay County Inmate Records
The Bay County Sheriff's Office maintains records of incarcerated persons and provides public access via an online Inmate Search. Interested parties can find desired records by entering the inmate's last name and at least one letter of the person's first name. If available, searchers may also provide middle names. Displayed details include the person's full name, commissary number, race, sex, booking information, charge details, and a booking photograph.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Bay County Jail?
Family and friends of inmates at the Bay County Jail may schedule visitations by calling (888) 729-4326. Each inmate may receive 4 visits per week, with each visit lasting 30 minutes. Interested persons may also visit the jail up to 4 times a week. However, the facility may approve more than 4 visits under special circumstances. For instance, a visitor may receive approval if more than one family member is an inmate. Nonetheless, parties should note that the facility approves requests for more visits on a case-by-case basis.
All visitors must adhere to the Bay County Jail's rules and regulations. Persons behaving or dressed inappropriately may be removed from the facility.
Court Records
The Bay County court system comprises Circuit and County courts. The Circuit Court exercises general jurisdiction over all county criminal and civil cases, and also hears cases beyond the Circuit Court's jurisdiction. On the other hand, the County Court also hears criminal and civil cases, but has limited jurisdiction. Most criminal cases handled at the County Court are violations of municipal and county ordinances, as well as misdemeanor offenses. The court also hears some juvenile traffic cases and may handle uncontested divorce matters. All Bay County courts maintain court records and make them available to requestors.
Location of Courts in Bay County
Bay County Circuit and County Court
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32402
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Bay County Unified Family Court
533 East 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Are Bay County Court Records Public?
Most Bay County court records are available to the general public. The Court Clerk's Office maintains records of all criminal and civil court cases, and grants access to requests for inspection or copying. However, not all court records are available. Florida law requires the Clerk's Office to deny access to any record where disclosure may obstruct the administration of justice, endanger lives and property, or reveal private information. Generally, the public cannot access Bay court records with sensitive or confidential details, or records sealed or expunged by a court order.
Can You Look Up a Bay County Court Case Online?
The Bay County Clerk of Court maintains an online database with records of Bay County court proceedings. Anyone can use the public Case Search to find records by name, case number, or citation number. Searchers may view party details, case details, charge and disposition information, fees, and assessment data.
How to Obtain Bay County Civil Court Case Records
Members of the general public may request Bay County civil court records from the Clerk of Court's Office. Interested parties should complete the Request for Public Records application on the Clerk's Office's forms page and mail them to the office. Requestors may also visit the office to provide details in person. Each record costs $1 per page and a $2 per-year search fee. Fax copies cost $1 and $1.25 for local and long-distance deliveries, respectively. Applicants should submit mail or in-person requests to the Clerk's Office using the following details:
Bay County Clerk of Court
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Email: webbaycoclerk@baycoclerk.com
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
How to Obtain Bay County Criminal Court Case Records
Non-confidential criminal court records are available at the Bay County Court Clerk's Office. Mail requests are available to persons who fill and submit the Request for Public Records application on the provided forms page. Bay County criminal court records cost $2 per year searched and $1 per page. Requestors can also pay $1 for a local fax record or $1.25 for a fax record sent over a long distance. All details required for obtaining criminal court records may also be provided by applicants who request in person. Requests should be submitted to the:
Bay County Clerk of Court
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Email: webbaycoclerk@baycoclerk.com
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
What are Bay County Vital Records?
Bay County vital records contain information on county life events, such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Depending on the desired information, interested persons may submit requests for these records to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or the Bay County Health Department. However, some Bay vital records remain closed to the public under law.
Where and How to Obtain Bay County Divorce Records?
Bay County divorce records are available at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Anyone interested in a divorce record may send a written request containing both divorcees' full names and the date of divorce. The requestor may also include a case number and other related specifics. Each Bay County divorce decree costs $1 per page and $2 for certifications. Interested parties may deliver requests by mail, fax, or in person, using the details below:
Bay County Clerk of Court
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Email: webbaycoclerk@baycoclerk.com
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Instead of a divorce decree, members of the public can submit requests for Bay County divorce certificates to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Each person may complete an Application for Dissolution of Marriage Report with the full names of both spouses, maiden names if different, the divorce date, and the city or town where the divorce was granted. The requestor may also add a state file number if known. Records obtainable from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics date back to June 6, 1927.
Bay divorce certificates cost a non-refundable $5 search fee which also covers the first copy of the record if found. Each additional copy costs $4. If the requestor is unsure of the exact divorce year, the bureau will charge an additional $2 fee for each year it searches, up to a maximum of $50. Payments require cashier's checks or money orders payable to Vital Statistics. Applicants should send requests to the:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Record seekers may also visit the bureau to submit requests in person, with cash, cashier's check, or money order payments. Interested persons may request at the following address:
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 N Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Get Public Bay County Marriage Records
Record seekers may contact the Circuit Court Clerk's Office for Bay County marriage records. Under Florida law, these records are considered public and therefore available to all interested persons. Anyone seeking Bay County marriage certificates should visit the Clerk's Office to provide required details, including the full names of the married parties and the date of marriage. Requestors may also provide these details in written requests and send by mail. All persons should note that the Clerk's Office may require payments before producing desired records. Requests for Bay marriage certificates should be submitted to the:
Bay County Clerk of Court
300 East 4th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 763-9061
Fax: (850) 747-5188
Email: webbaycoclerk@baycoclerk.com
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Where and How to Find Bay County Birth Records
Birth records are obtainable from the Bay County Department of Health. However, Florida law restricts access to the following persons for 100 years from the date of birth:
- The subject of the record if at least 18 years old
- The subject's parent, grandparent, legal representative, or legal guardian
- A legal representative requesting for one of the above authorized persons
- Anyone with a court order granting access
Anyone unauthorized by law may receive a Bay County birth certificate after submitting an Affidavit to Release Birth Certificate completed by an authorized person. Applicants may send mail requests or visit the Department of Health in person. Each mail request requires a completed birth record application, valid photo identification, and a check or money order. Acceptable identification options include a passport, driver's license, state identification card, or military identification card.
Bay birth certificates cost $15 for the first copy and $8 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. In-person requestors may use cash, checks, money orders, or cards from Discover, Mastercard, or Visa. Applicants should submit all requests to the:
Bay County Health Department
597 W 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 872-4455 (Option 4 then 1)
Fax: (850) 747-5994
Email: CHD03VitalStats@flhealth.gov
Where and How to Find Bay County Death Records
Members of the general public can obtain death records over 50 years old, or records without cause of death, from the Bay County Department of Health. Only the following persons may obtain other Bay County death records:
- The decedent's parent or spouse
- The decedent's adult sibling, child, or grandchild
- Anyone with official proof of interest in the decedent's estate
- Anyone legally representing one of the above parties
Each Bay County death certificate costs $15, payable by check, money order, cash, or a card from Visa, Discover, or Mastercard. However, mail requestors are restricted to check or money order payments.
Any adult requestor may obtain unrestricted Bay death certificates. Persons interested in restricted records must submit valid photo ID, such as a state identification card, passport, military identification card, or driver's license. Mail requests require copies of the death record application, completed with the decedent's full name, date of death, and place of death. All parties may send mails or visit the Health Department at the following address:
Bay County Health Department
597 W 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: (850) 872-4455 (Option 4 then 1)
Fax: (850) 747-5994
