Holmes County Records and Documents

Holmes County public records are kept by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Bonifay and are open to any person under Florida law. This page explains how to search court case files, recorded property documents, and other official records in Holmes County, whether you use the online tools, call the office, or visit the courthouse on North Oklahoma Street in Bonifay.

Open Records Law in Holmes County

Florida's public records law is set out in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It applies to all government agencies in the state, including Holmes County and all of its offices. The law starts from the position that records are open. Any person can request to inspect or copy public records without giving a name or stating a reason. If an agency wants to withhold a record, it must point to a specific statutory exemption. The burden is always on the agency.

In Holmes County, the Clerk and Comptroller is the primary custodian for court records and officially recorded documents. Other county offices, including the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, and Sheriff's Office, hold their own records and handle requests separately. All operate under Chapter 119. Agencies must allow inspection at any reasonable time and cannot ignore or unnecessarily delay a lawful records request.

If you believe your request was improperly denied, the Florida Attorney General's Office runs a free mediation program. You can call that office at (850) 245-0140 or visit the AG's Open Government page to learn more. The First Amendment Foundation also provides free assistance with public records disputes in Florida.

Holmes County Clerk and Comptroller

Sam Bailey serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Holmes County. His office at 201 N Oklahoma Street in Bonifay handles court records, officially recorded property documents, marriage licenses, and county financial records. It is the main point of contact for public records requests in Holmes County.

The office is open weekdays during normal business hours. For older records that may not be online, calling ahead to check availability before visiting is a good idea. Staff can tell you what is searchable online and direct you to the right division for your specific request type.

The screenshot below comes from the Holmes County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, the starting point for most public records searches in the county.

From this site you can find links to online search tools, division contact information, and instructions for submitting a written records request by mail or in person.

Court Records in Holmes County

Holmes County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Washington counties. Circuit court cases in Holmes County cover civil disputes, felony criminal charges, family law matters such as dissolution of marriage and child custody, juvenile cases, and probate proceedings. County court handles misdemeanor criminal matters and smaller civil claims.

Most court records in Holmes County are public under Chapter 119. Some categories are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential by statute and are not available to the public. Records sealed or expunged by court order are also off limits. Some domestic relations and mental health records carry additional protections under Florida law. If you are not sure whether a specific record is accessible, the clerk's office can tell you before you submit a formal request.

Holmes County is a small county with a lean clerk's staff. Not all records may be fully digitized. For older filings, an in-person visit to the courthouse in Bonifay may be necessary. For a statewide listing of county clerks and contact details, visit the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory.

Property and Official Records

The Holmes County Clerk records and indexes all official documents related to real property in the county. Deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, liens, and other recorded instruments are filed and maintained through the Clerk's office. These are public records and can generally be searched by name or document type. Some may be searchable through an online portal, while others may require an in-person search at the courthouse in Bonifay.

If you are buying property, conducting title research, or looking for liens on a specific parcel in Holmes County, the Clerk's official records index is the authoritative source. Inspecting records in person costs nothing. Copies are up to $1.00 per page, and certified copies require an additional $5.00 certification fee. For records you only need to review, the in-person option is free.

Marriage records for licenses issued in Holmes County are kept by the Clerk and are public. Divorce case files are part of the circuit court record and are accessible through the clerk for cases filed in the county.

Making a Records Request in Holmes County

You can request Holmes County public records by visiting the clerk's office at 201 N Oklahoma St in Bonifay during business hours. You can also call (850) 547-1100 or mail a written request to the same address. Florida law does not require a specific form or format. A clear description of the records you need is enough. No reason is required.

Include as much detail as you can: party names, approximate dates, case numbers if you have them, and the type of record you are looking for. More detail helps staff find records faster and get back to you sooner. Florida agencies must respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff research time is free. After that, a reasonable fee may apply. Standard administrative copies cost up to $0.15 per page. Court record fees are set separately by statute.

Holmes County is a rural county with limited staff. Calling ahead before visiting is strongly recommended. It saves you a trip if the record is not available in person and allows staff to pull documents in advance if they are. For records held by county agencies other than the Clerk, contact those agencies directly.

Other Records in Holmes County

Several other county agencies hold public records in Holmes County. The Holmes County Property Appraiser maintains parcel data, ownership records, and property assessment information. The Tax Collector holds property tax and vehicle registration records. Both are subject to Chapter 119 and accept public records requests.

The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners keeps meeting minutes, adopted ordinances, budgets, and resolutions. These are public records. If you need county government documents rather than court or property records, county administration is the right starting point.

Vital records like birth and death certificates are not held at the county clerk level in Florida. They are managed by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The Holmes County Sheriff's Office holds law enforcement records including incident reports and arrest records, which are subject to Chapter 119 with standard exemptions for active investigations.

Cities in Holmes County

Holmes County has no incorporated cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Bonifay is the county seat and handles records for residents throughout the county.

Nearby Counties

Holmes County borders five other Florida Panhandle counties, each with its own clerk and records access system.