Public Records in Panama City

Panama City public records are held by the Bay County Clerk of Courts and the City of Panama City, and both agencies must provide access to those records under Florida's public records law. As the county seat of Bay County, Panama City is where court filings, recorded property documents, and many other official records for the 14th Judicial Circuit are maintained.

Bay County Clerk of Courts

The Bay County Clerk of Courts is the primary keeper of court records and official documents in Panama City. The clerk is Bill Kinsaul, Clerk and Comptroller, and the office is at 300 E 4th St, Panama City, FL 32401. Phone: (850) 747-5101. The clerk's website is baycoclerk.com. This is the right starting point for civil, criminal, family, and probate case records filed in the 14th Judicial Circuit covering Panama City and Bay County.

Official records like property deeds, mortgage filings, judgment liens, and marriage licenses for Panama City are all recorded through the Bay County Clerk. These documents are part of the public record and can be searched through the clerk's office or online system. The clerk also handles recording of new documents, so if you need to record a deed or other legal instrument tied to Panama City property, this is where that happens.

The Bay County Clerk's website at baycoclerk.com provides search tools and information on how to access Panama City court records, official documents, and filing services in the 14th Judicial Circuit.

City of Panama City Records

The City of Panama City maintains its own records generated by city government. These include City Commission meeting minutes and agendas, adopted ordinances, city contracts, building and zoning permits, code enforcement case files, and records from city departments. City Hall is at 9 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32401. The general city line is (850) 872-3010.

Police records from the Panama City Police Department, including incident reports and arrest records, are maintained by the department's records section. Contact the Panama City Police Department at 1209 Thompson Ave, Panama City, FL 32401 for those files. For building permits, development applications, or code enforcement actions, the city's Community Development department handles those records.

Under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, city staff must acknowledge your request promptly and work to fulfill it without unreasonable delay. You do not need a form or a reason to get city records.

The 14th Judicial Circuit and Panama City Courts

The 14th Judicial Circuit covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Panama City, as the county seat and the circuit's largest city, is where most 14th Circuit court activity takes place. Cases filed in Bay County courts, from traffic violations to felony criminal charges to complex civil disputes, are all part of the record system maintained by the Bay County Clerk.

Court filings from Panama City cases go back many decades and are part of the county's permanent records. If you need historical records or documents from older cases, the Bay County Clerk can help locate those through their archives process. The standard copy fee of $0.15 per page applies, and certified copies run $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee.

How to Request Panama City Public Records

Start by identifying which office holds what you need. Court records and officially recorded documents go to the Bay County Clerk at (850) 747-5101 or baycoclerk.com. City permits, commission minutes, and city department records go to City Hall at (850) 872-3010. Police reports go to the Panama City Police Department.

You can submit requests by phone, email, mail, or in person. No written form is required. No ID is needed. And you do not have to explain why you want the records. If your request is denied, the agency must give you the specific statute that justifies withholding the record. If you believe the denial was wrong, the Florida Attorney General's Open Government Mediation Program at (850) 245-0140 offers free mediation services. The program requires both parties to agree to participate, and most disputes get resolved through this process without needing to go to court.

The First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee also maintains a free hotline at (850) 222-3518 and publishes the Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual each year to help the public understand their rights. Their Florida Department of State also provides information on submitting public records requests to state-level agencies.

Panama City Records Contact Summary

Nearby Cities

Pensacola is nearby and has public records available under the same state law.

Bay County Records

Panama City public records are filed with the Bay County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and search resources.