Holmes County Background Information
Holmes County is in the state of Florida. A 2020 census showed that Holmes County had a total population of 19,653 inhabitants. Bonifay is the current county seat in Holmes County.
It was created in 1848.
The county's namesake is a point of debate. Holmes Creek – the county's eastern boundary – bore that name before the county was created, but it was initially named Week Wenatchee (a Creek Indian name meaning "spring creek"). One claim is that the county was named for Thomas J. Holmes, who came from North Carolina to settle in 1830. Another is that it is named after Holmes, an American Indian chief who settled in the room with his band of Red Stick Creek Indians after 1814. He was subsequently killed in 1818 by a raiding party sent by Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War.
Holmes County Arrest Records
In Holmes County, arrest records are kept on every recent crime within the jurisdictional area. Holmes County crimes are categorized into violent crimes and property crimes. 57 violent and 156 property crimes occurred in Holmes County back in 2021. Holmes County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at:
Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff: John Tate
211 N Oklahoma Street
Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-3681
Holmes County Criminal Records
Holmes County documents its criminal activities in the form of criminal records. These records cover murders, rapes, burglaries, arson, motor vehicle theft, assaults, and sex-related crimes. In Holmes County and across the entire state of Florida, the authorities are required to keep a refreshed list criminal records. These include any offender living, attending school, working, or incarcerated in the Holmes County area. All Holmes County residents may access an up-to-date copy of this register.
Members of the public living in Holmes County can also search online for offenders in the area. Residents provide a zip code and decide the radius of their search. All offenders within those coordinates will then be revealed to the Holmes County resident. Users may also use the tool to look up individual known offenders. Results consist of all offenders, even those imprisoned or non-compliant.
Holmes County Court Records
In Holmes County, the county courthouse oversees all criminal, family, and civil cases. The court clerk handles all Holmes County court records. Holmes County court records can be accessed at:
Holmes County Courthouse
Clerk of Court/Comptroller: Sam Bailey
201 North Oklahoma Street
Bonifay, FL 32425
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-1100
Fax: (850) 547-6630
In Florida, the District Courts of Appeal has the power to oversee any lower court case in which one party appeals. The district courts of appeal can consider appeals from final judgments and can assess specific non-final orders. By general law, the district courts have been granted the power to review final actions taken by state agencies in carrying out the duties of the executive arm of government.
NOTE - Normal records can be transmitted to the requester by fax, email, or mail. In contrast, all official documents can only be delivered via mail-in Holmes County.
Holmes County Public Records
Holmes County residents have vital records kept on them. The Florida Department of Health manages the robust records system and gathers health-related statistical data for Florida, including Holmes County. Having several copies keeps the records secure, and they may then be appropriately used for statistical analysis in the future.
All Holmes County residents can access and copy all vital public records as per Florida Public Records Law which was introduced in 1909. All Holmes County individuals can, therefore, open state and local government public records. To acquire public records in Holmes County, requesters must enquire at:
Holmes County Clerk's Office
Clerk of Court/Comptroller: Sam Bailey
201 North Oklahoma Street
Bonifay, FL 32425
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 397, Bonifay, FL 32425
Phone: (850) 547-1100
Fax: (850) 547-6630
NOTE - The office has opening times of 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. CST from Monday to Friday. To obtain records in Holmes County, photo identification is needed. State IDs and driver's licenses will do just fine. All public records access requests must also be put in writing in Holmes County.
