Gulf County Public Records Search

Gulf County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Port St. Joe and are available to any person under Florida's open records law. Whether you are looking for court case files, recorded land documents, or other government records, this page explains how the Gulf County Clerk's office works and how to get the documents you need.

Florida Public Records Law and Gulf County

Florida's open records framework is set out in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law covers every government agency in Florida, including Gulf County and all of its offices. Under Chapter 119, public records are open to any person. You do not need to explain why you want a document, and you are not required to give your name. The agency holds the burden of proving any exemption applies.

Gulf County has formally designated the Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller as its Custodian of Public Records. Per Florida Statute 119.12(2), the custodian's contact information is publicly listed. To submit a formal public records request, you can write to: Gulf County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller, Attention: Public Records Liaison, 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456. This designation means there is a clear point of contact if your request involves county government records outside of court filings.

Agencies must allow inspection of records at any reasonable time, as required under Chapter 119. If you believe a request was improperly denied, the Florida Attorney General's mediation line is (850) 245-0140. The AG's Open Government page has information on how that process works. You can also contact the First Amendment Foundation for free help with records disputes.

Gulf County Clerk and Comptroller

Tonya A. Knox serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Gulf County. Her office at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd. in Port St. Joe is the main source for court records and official records in the county. The Clerk's office handles civil and criminal court filings, recorded documents such as deeds and mortgages, and county financial records.

The office is open on weekdays during normal business hours. You can call the main number to confirm what is available online before visiting. Staff can direct you to the right division for your specific record type.

The screenshot below shows the Gulf County Clerk's main website, where you can find links to records search tools and contact information.

The clerk's site is the best starting point for any records search in Gulf County. It lists current office hours, links to the online search tool, and instructions for submitting a request by mail.

Online Record Search

Gulf County offers an online records search through the clerk's website. You can use it to look up court cases, official records, and other filed documents without making a trip to Port St. Joe. The search is available at any time and is free to use for viewing results.

The screenshot below shows the Gulf County online record search page.

You can search by party name, case number, document type, or date range. If you do not find what you need through the online portal, contact the clerk's office directly for help locating older or non-digitized records.

You can also verify clerk contact details through the statewide Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory.

Court Records in Gulf County

Gulf County is in the 14th Judicial Circuit along with Bay, Calhoun, and Liberty counties. Circuit court cases in Gulf County cover civil litigation, felony criminal cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, juvenile proceedings, and probate. County court handles misdemeanors and smaller civil claims.

Court records are generally public under Chapter 119 and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Some records are exempt by statute or court order. Juvenile records are confidential. Records sealed or expunged under court order cannot be accessed by the general public. If you are unsure whether a case record is accessible, the clerk's office can advise you on its status before you make a formal request.

For older cases that predate the online system, you may need to visit the courthouse in person. The clerk's staff can help you locate physical files and assist with copies. Copy fees for court records are set by statute.

Official Records and Property Documents

The Gulf County Clerk records and indexes all official documents related to real property in the county. This includes deeds, mortgages, lis pendens filings, satisfactions of mortgage, and liens. These documents are public records and can generally be searched by name or parcel through the clerk's online portal.

Property buyers, title researchers, and lenders all rely on this official records index. If you are buying land in Gulf County, reviewing the recorded documents for the parcel is a standard part of due diligence. Any existing liens or encumbrances will show up in the recorded documents indexed by the clerk. Copies of official records cost up to $1.00 per page, with a $5.00 certification fee for certified copies when you need them for legal purposes.

Making a Records Request in Gulf County

You can request Gulf County public records by visiting the clerk's office in person, calling (850) 229-6112, or sending a written request to the Public Records Liaison at 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456. Florida law does not require you to use a specific form or format. A simple written description of the records you want is all that is needed.

Being specific in your request helps the staff respond faster. Include names, dates, case numbers, or document types whenever you have them. Agencies are required to acknowledge your request and respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff research time is not charged to you. After that threshold, the agency may assess a reasonable fee for the time spent locating records. Standard copy fees apply for paper documents.

If a record is not available online and cannot be mailed, you may need to visit in person. Gulf County is a small county, so calling ahead is a good idea to confirm what records the clerk's office can pull for you before you make the drive.

Cities in Gulf County

Gulf County has no incorporated cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Port St. Joe is the county seat and the primary population center, with records handled through the Gulf County Clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Gulf County shares borders with four other Florida Panhandle counties, each with its own clerk's office and records system.