Walton County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Walton County?

Public records in Walton County, Florida encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by county government agencies pursuant to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. These records are created, received, or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business and are available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law.

The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller serves as the primary custodian of public records for the county. The following categories of public records are maintained and accessible in Walton County:

Court Records: Case files, dockets, judgments, and other judicial documents from circuit and county courts
Official Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents
Board Records: Minutes, resolutions, and ordinances of the Board of County Commissioners
Financial Records: County budgets, audits, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Vital Records: Birth certificates (limited access), death certificates, and marriage records
Property Records: Tax assessments, property ownership information, and parcel maps
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and corporate filings
Land Use Records: Zoning documents, building permits, and development plans

These records are maintained by various county departments including the Walton County Clerk of Courts, Walton County Sheriff's Office, Walton County Tax Collector, and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.

Is Walton County an Open Records County?

Walton County is an open records county in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution. These laws establish the public's right to access government records and mandate that all state, county, and municipal records shall be open for personal inspection by any person, unless specifically exempted by law.

The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller explicitly acknowledges this commitment on their official website, stating: "In compliance with Florida Statutes Chapter 119, commonly known as the 'Sunshine Law,' the Clerk's Office maintains and provides access to public records created or received in the course of official business."

Florida's strong commitment to government transparency is further reinforced by §119.01(1), F.S., which states: "It is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. Providing access to public records is a duty of each agency."

Walton County government agencies are required to:

Provide prompt access to public records
Respond to public records requests in a reasonable time
Charge only statutorily authorized fees for records
Provide records in the requested format when feasible
Cite specific statutory exemptions when denying access

The Florida Office of the Attorney General provides oversight and guidance regarding compliance with public records laws throughout the state, including Walton County.

How Do I Find Public Records in Walton County in 2025

Accessing public records in Walton County in 2025 can be accomplished through multiple channels, with enhanced digital options now available to complement traditional in-person services. The county has implemented several methods to facilitate public access to government records:

Online Access:

The Walton County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to official records including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and marriage licenses
Court records can be searched through the Civitek Florida system
The Walton County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database for incident reports and arrest records
Property records and tax information are available through the Walton County Tax Collector's website

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's office at either location:

DeFuniak Springs Office
571 US Highway 90 East
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: (850) 892-8115

South Walton Annex
31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Suite 500
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850) 267-3066
Public terminals are available at both locations for self-service searching

Written Requests:

Submit a formal public records request by mail to either Clerk's office location
Include specific details about the records sought, preferred format, and contact information
Pursuant to §119.07(1)(c), F.S., agencies must acknowledge requests promptly and respond in good faith

Mobile Application:

The Walton County Records App (available for iOS and Android) allows mobile searching of certain public records
Features include document viewing, saving searches, and receiving notifications about new filings

When requesting records, individuals should provide as much specific information as possible to facilitate efficient retrieval, including names, dates, case numbers, or property information as applicable.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Walton County?

The cost to obtain public records in Walton County is governed by Florida Statutes §119.07(4), which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees based on the nature of the request and the resources required to fulfill it. The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller has established the following fee schedule for public records:

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies (letter or legal size): $0.15 per one-sided page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy charges

Electronic Records:

Records provided via email (if file size permits): No charge for delivery
Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus labor costs
Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the drive plus labor costs

Special Service Charges:

Extensive use of clerical or supervisory assistance: $20.00 per hour after the first 30 minutes
Information technology resources: Actual cost based on resource utilization
Redaction of confidential information: Labor costs for time spent reviewing and redacting

Court Records:

Court case documents: $1.00 per page
Certified court documents: $2.00 per document plus $1.00 per page

Official Records:

Recording fees: $10.00 for first page, $8.50 for each additional page
Documentary stamp tax and intangible tax may apply to certain recorded documents

Payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card (subject to a convenience fee). Prepayment may be required for requests exceeding $10.00. Pursuant to §119.07(4)(d), F.S., agencies may waive fees when doing so serves a public purpose.

For large or complex requests, the Clerk's Office will provide a cost estimate before proceeding with the request. All fees collected are remitted to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners as required by law.

Does Walton County Have Free Public Records?

Walton County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters, particularly through online platforms and self-service options. While Florida law permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for records, several free access points have been established:

Free Online Resources:

The Walton County Public Records Portal offers free searching and viewing of official records, though downloading or printing may incur fees
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners website provides free access to meeting minutes, agendas, and county ordinances
The Walton County Sheriff's Office maintains a free online database of recent arrest records and incident reports
Voter registration verification and polling place information is available at no cost through the Supervisor of Elections

Free In-Person Services:

Public access terminals at the Clerk's offices in DeFuniak Springs and Santa Rosa Beach allow free on-site viewing of records
The Walton County Public Library system provides free computer access for searching public records databases

Statutorily Mandated Free Records:

Pursuant to §119.07(4)(a), F.S., agencies may not charge for inspection of records when the requester wishes to view but not copy documents
Under §119.01(2)(f), F.S., agencies that maintain records in electronic format must provide them in that format when requested, often at reduced or no cost
Veterans and their representatives may obtain certain records related to military service without charge

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County provides free access to certain public health statistics and reports, though certified vital records require statutory fees.

It should be noted that while initial access may be free, fees may still apply for copies, certification, or extensive research assistance as permitted under Florida's Public Records Law.

Who Can Request Public Records In Walton County?

Under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records maintained by Walton County government agencies. The statute defines "any person" broadly and does not restrict access based on:

Citizenship or immigration status
Age (though minors may face practical limitations)
Residency in Walton County or Florida
Purpose or motivation for the request
Intended use of the information

Pursuant to §119.01(1), F.S., the right to access public records extends to:

Individual citizens
Media representatives
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Non-residents and foreign nationals
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

Requesters are not legally required to:

Identify themselves
Provide contact information (though it may be necessary for response)
Submit requests in writing (though agencies may request written clarification)
Explain the purpose of their request
Sign any forms or agreements as a condition of access

The Florida Office of the Attorney General has consistently upheld that agencies may not require requesters to show identification or complete special forms as a prerequisite to accessing public records, though such information may be necessary for certain exempt records or to process payment.

While the right to access is broadly granted, requesters must still comply with reasonable rules governing the time, place, and manner of records inspection to prevent disruption of agency operations.

What Records Are Confidential In Walton County?

Walton County adheres to exemptions from public disclosure as established in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes and other applicable laws. These exemptions protect certain information from public access due to privacy concerns, security risks, or other statutory protections. The following categories of records are confidential or exempt in Walton County:

Personal Information:

Social Security numbers (§119.071(5)(a), F.S.)
Driver license numbers (§119.0712(2), F.S.)
Medical and health information (§456.057, F.S.)
Bank account numbers and credit card information (§119.071(5)(b), F.S.)
Home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs of certain public employees and officials (§119.071(4), F.S.)

Law Enforcement Records:

Active criminal investigative information (§119.071(2)(c), F.S.)
Confidential informant identities (§119.071(2)(f), F.S.)
Surveillance techniques and procedures (§119.071(2)(d), F.S.)
Juvenile offender records with specific exceptions (§985.04, F.S.)
Victim information in certain cases (§119.071(2)(h), F.S.)

Court and Legal Records:

Records related to adoption proceedings (§63.162, F.S.)
Baker Act and Marchman Act records (§394.4615 and §397.501, F.S.)
Sealed and expunged criminal history records (§943.0585 and §943.059, F.S.)
Grand jury proceedings (§905.27, F.S.)
Child abuse reports and investigations (§39.202, F.S.)

Business and Government Operations:

Trade secrets and confidential business information (§815.045, F.S.)
Security system plans and vulnerability assessments (§119.071(3), F.S.)
Bids and proposals until decision or award (§119.071(1)(b), F.S.)
Attorney-client privileged communications (§119.071(1)(d), F.S.)

The Walton County Clerk of Courts and other county agencies are required by §119.07(1)(e), F.S., to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records. Certain exempt information may be released under limited circumstances to qualified individuals or agencies as provided by law.

The confidentiality of these records is enforced by the Florida Judicial Branch and overseen by the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

Walton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller serves as the county recorder and maintains official records for Walton County. The office provides recording services, issues marriage licenses, processes passport applications, and maintains public records. Services are available at two locations:

DeFuniak Springs Office (Main)
571 US Highway 90 East
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: (850) 892-8115
Walton County Clerk of Courts

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays

South Walton Annex
31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Suite 500
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (850) 267-3066
Walton County Clerk of Courts

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and federal holidays

Recording Services Available:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official documents
Marriage license applications (by appointment)
Passport application processing (DeFuniak Springs location only)
Certified copies of recorded documents
Tax deed sales
Public records searches

Recording Requirements:

Documents must be originals or certified copies
Documents must be legible and suitable for digital scanning
Proper identification required for certain transactions
Payment of applicable recording fees and documentary stamps

The Recording Department accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (subject to convenience fee) for payment of services. Pursuant to Florida Statutes §28.222, all instruments required or authorized by law to be recorded shall be recorded by the Clerk in the county where the property is located.

For questions regarding specific recording requirements or to schedule an appointment for marriage licenses or passport services, please contact the appropriate office directly during business hours.