Court Services

Court ServicesCourt Records AccessCriminal CourtseNotifyIndigencyJury DutySearch Court Records

Court Services

The Clerk of the Circuit Court acts as custodian of the court’s records and performs such duties as are enjoined by statute or imposed by lawful authority of the court. It is the duty of the Clerk to make and keep an accurate record of the proceedings in court and of the courts’ orders and adjudications. The wide and varied services offered by the Clerk of Courts office is governed by Florida Statute. These services are offered to serve you, the public, and your access to the court system.

Court Records Access

Individuals desiring to have more extensive access for online court cases should download the Okaloosa County Access Agreement form, fill out according to the instructions in the packet, notarize and send back to the Clerk’s office via email at [email protected]. Users will be notified via email with login credentials within 3 working days.

Certain agencies, entities, or law firms wanting to register multiple users also will need to complete and sign the Okaloosa Gatekeeper Agency form to view records online and return it to the Clerk’s office according to the instructions in the packet.  Agency Gatekeepers shall use the Okaloosa Gatekeeper Management Request Form to modify or remove individual users within their organization, and to designate replacement or additional gatekeepers.

The Okaloosa County Access Agreement is for our local Case Management System (Benchmark).

To eFile you will need to register with MyFlorida eFiling portal.

Need help navigating the eFiling portal?  Take a look at the Training Videos available.

Court Records Access Documents
Access Security Matrix
Administrative Order Supreme Court AOSC20-108
Okaloosa Gatekeeper Management Request Form
Okaloosa Agency Supplemental Request Form
Okaloosa Agency Registration-Gatekeeper Form
Okaloosa County Access Agreement
Best Practices Electronic Viewing of Court Records

Criminal Courts

What are the different types of crimes?

Criminal Courts cover circuit criminal and county criminal charges, including traffic charges.

Felony (Circuit Criminal)

A felony is any criminal offense that is punishable under Florida laws (or that would be punishable if committed in Florida) by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary.

Misdemeanor (County Criminal)

Misdemeanors are violations of the law that are less serious than felony offenses. They are punishable by a fine, probation, and/or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, as opposed to a state prison sentence on a felony charge.

Criminal Traffic (County Criminal)

A Criminal Traffic Offense is a violation that may subject a defendant, upon conviction, to incarceration, fine, and/or loss of driving license. Criminal offenses require a court appearance and can carry penalties including fines/costs, probation, and/or incarceration.

Do I need an attorney?

Only you can decide if you need an attorney.  A Public Defender or Court-Appointed Attorney MAY be provided if you cannot afford an attorney.  See Indigency

eNotify

Never miss a hearing with e-Notify, a statewide program that notifies registered users about Court Events.

eNotify

e-Notify

Indigency

Applying for a Public Defender?

Applicants are approved or denied based on the guidelines provided by Florida statute for indigent determination. Poverty guidelines are provided by the State and updated each January. If you do not agree with the determination made by the Clerk’s office, you may seek judicial review.

Criminal Indigent Status Florida Statute 27.52

Individuals may apply for appointment of a public defender. The applicant is notified in writing of the approval or denial of their application. The provision of a public defender is not free.

Individuals may apply to be indigent for costs and eligible for the provision of due process services, as prescribed by Florida statute, funded by the state. A written motion must be filed with the court along with a completed application.

There is a $50 fee for each application filed. Florida statutes requires payment of the $50 to the Clerk of the Circuit Court within seven (7) days. If the fee is not paid within the seven (7) days, it will be assessed against you at time of disposition of your case.

A judgment and/or lien may be imposed against all real or personal property you own to pay for legal and other services provided on your behalf or on behalf of the person for whom you are making this application.

Civil Indigent Status Florida Statute 57.082

Civil applications are processed with no fees. The applicant is notified in writing of the approval or denial of their application. You will need to provide a copy of your indigent status when filing your case in any of the following departments: Circuit Civil, Family Relations, Small Claims, and Probate.

Contact Information
Clerk of Circuit Court
Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension
1940 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 1-300
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 651-7200 ext. 4450

Indigency Forms
Dependency Indigency Application
Civil Indigency Application
Criminal Indigency Application

 

Jury Duty

Jury service is an important part of our judicial system and a necessary civic duty, required by law. The goal of the Clerk’s jury staff is to summons qualified jurors made up of a fair cross section of the community including working individuals, retirees, members of different sexes and social backgrounds, to constitute a legal jury for the civil and criminal courts of Okaloosa County.

Jury Duty Information

Search Court Records

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts is pleased to offer Internet access to the indices of the Okaloosa County Court Records. Users should be aware and accept the terms of the following disclaimer.

While the Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts (hereinafter referred to as “Clerk”) has tried to ensure the accuracy of the online version of its Public Records Indices, these indices are not official. The Clerk will not be responsible for any inaccuracies that may be encountered. Only the Public Records Indices of Okaloosa County provided in the Okaloosa County Courthouse in Crestview or the Okaloosa Courthouse Annex Extension in Ft. Walton Beach shall be referenced as the Official Public Records Indices. In any situation where the Official Public Records Indices differs from the online version, the Official Public Records Indices will take precedence.

The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court disclaims any responsibility and makes no representations or warranties as to the quality, accuracy, content, or completeness of any information contained in this website. Assessing accuracy and reliability of information is the responsibility of the user.

The Clerk shall not be liable for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use or misuse of the online version of the public records index and/or the information contained in it. The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Clerk, and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information for any damage of any type that may be caused by retrieving this information over the Internet.

The Clerk’s Office of Okaloosa County has been given approval from the Florida Courts Technology Commission for the implementation of Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order 22-7 In Re: Standards for Access to Electronic Court Documents. Additional documents may be viewed online by completing and submitting a Registration Agreement. Cases and documents made confidential by statute or court order are excluded. The Supreme Court Order requires that all Registration Agreements must be notarized. Individuals wishing to have image access for online court cases should download the fillable Okaloosa County Access Agreement, fill out, notarize and send back to the Clerk’s office according to the instructions in the packet. Users will be notified when they can access the online court system.

I ACCEPT, PROCEED TO COURT RECORDS SEARCH

Okaloosa County Courthouse
101 East James Lee Blvd.
Crestview, FL 32536
(850) 689-5000, ext 4450
Office Hours:
Mon – Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm CST
Courthouse Annex Extension
1940 Lewis Turner Blvd.
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 651-7200, ext 4450
Office Hours:
Mon – Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm CST