Calhoun County Public Records Lookup

Calhoun County public records are held by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Blountstown and are open to any person under Florida's Chapter 119 public records law. This page explains how to access court filings, official recorded instruments, and county administrative records in one of Florida's smaller Panhandle counties.

Calhoun County Clerk and Comptroller

Robin "Cissy" Barfield serves as Calhoun County Clerk and Comptroller. The office is located at the Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown. This is the primary public records office for the county, handling court case records, official recorded instruments, and county financial documents. Calhoun County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit along with Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties.

Calhoun County is one of Florida's smallest counties by population. That means the Clerk's office is smaller than those in metro areas, and the level of online access may differ. Some records are searchable online, while others require a call or a written request. For the most current information on what is available digitally, check the Clerk's website or call the office directly.

The image below is from the Calhoun County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, which serves as the access point for public records in the county.

The Calhoun County Clerk site provides basic navigation to court services, recorded documents, and public records contacts.

Note: The Calhoun County Courthouse in Blountstown is the only filing location in the county. There are no branch offices.

Florida Chapter 119 and Calhoun County Records

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the foundation of public records access in every Florida county, including Calhoun. Under this law, all records made or received in connection with the official business of a public body are presumed open to inspection. The default is access, not secrecy. Agencies must justify any withholding by citing a specific statutory exemption.

You do not need to identify yourself to request records from Calhoun County offices. No reason is required. The law says agencies must acknowledge requests and respond within a reasonable time. For a small county like Calhoun, reasonable time for a simple request could be as quick as the same day or the next business day, depending on what is being asked for and whether the records are readily available.

The right to inspect public records is also protected by Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution. This constitutional protection sits alongside the statute, providing two independent bases for the public's right to know. If Calhoun County officials deny a request without citing a proper exemption, that denial can be challenged through the Florida AG's mediation program at (850) 245-0140.

The Florida AG's Open Government page explains your rights in detail and outlines the steps for resolving a disputed denial.

Calhoun County Court Records

Calhoun County Circuit and County Court records are maintained by the Clerk's office in Blountstown. Cases filed in the county include civil matters, criminal charges, family law proceedings, probate cases, and traffic violations. All of these are public records once filed, subject to any applicable exemptions under Section 119.071.

Given the county's small size, the volume of court filings is lower than in larger counties. That also means the Clerk's staff handles a more manageable caseload, and in-person visits to the courthouse are often efficient. If online search for Calhoun County cases is limited, calling the office directly with specific case details such as party names and approximate filing year will usually get you a quick response.

The myfloridacounty.com statewide platform may offer some access to Calhoun County official records. Check the platform's county availability list to see what is accessible there. For court case records specifically, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal may have some public-facing search capabilities for the 14th Judicial Circuit.

Note: Older case records stored on microfilm or in physical files may require additional time for staff retrieval.

Official Records in Calhoun County

Official records recorded with the Calhoun County Clerk include real property deeds, mortgages, liens, assignments, and other instruments. These form the county's permanent title record. Anyone can search these records to verify property ownership or check for recorded encumbrances. The Clerk's website may offer online access to the official records index.

Certified copies of recorded documents cost $1.00 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Plain copies of administrative records cost up to $0.15 per single-sided page under state law. If you need a large number of copies, ask the Clerk's office for a total cost estimate before they begin the work.

Property appraisal and assessment records are held separately by the Calhoun County Property Appraiser. Tax payment records are with the Tax Collector. These offices are distinct from the Clerk and have their own websites and request processes.

Requesting Calhoun County Administrative Records

Administrative records in Calhoun County include county commission meeting minutes, budget documents, department files, and correspondence. These are public records under Chapter 119 and can be requested from the relevant department. The Board of County Commissioners is the primary body that generates county-level administrative records outside the Clerk's office.

To request administrative records, contact the appropriate Calhoun County department by phone or in writing. There is no requirement to use a specific form, though many counties have a preferred request format. Be specific about what you need: the type of document, the date range, and any relevant parties or topics. Clear requests get faster responses.

The Sheriff's Office maintains its own records for arrest reports, incident logs, and jail bookings. Those are also public under Chapter 119. Contact the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office separately for those records.

For help navigating the request process or understanding your rights, the First Amendment Foundation is a good resource. They provide guidance on Florida public records law and can assist when agencies are slow to respond or unclear about what they will release.

Calhoun County Public Records Fees

Florida law sets the fee limits for Calhoun County public records copies. Administrative record copies cost up to $0.15 per single-sided page or $0.20 per double-sided page. Court and official records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies of official documents add a $5.00 certification fee.

Research fees may apply for requests that take significant staff time. The first 30 minutes of research are not billable. After that, fees are based on the salary of the lowest-paid employee who can handle the task. For small requests in a small county like Calhoun, the research time is often minimal.

Payment methods vary by office. Cash is generally accepted everywhere. Call the Clerk's office to confirm whether they accept check, money order, or credit card before visiting in person.

Note: The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory lists all county clerks and their contact information, which is useful when a records search spans multiple counties.

Cities in Calhoun County

Calhoun County has no cities with pages on this site. All residents file requests through the county clerk.

Nearby Counties

Calhoun County is bordered by several other Panhandle counties, all within or adjacent to the 14th Judicial Circuit.