Washington County Clerk of Court: Case Search & Records

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Washington County, Florida Clerk Guide

Washington County Clerk of Court: Case Search & Records

The Washington County Clerk of Court and Comptroller in Chipley, Florida is the local office for Washington County court records, case search access, official records, recording, civil and criminal court services, traffic citations, marriage licenses, passport applications, jury information, tax deeds, child support, and court-related payments.

This guide explains how to search Washington County court records, when to use official records instead of court records, how to contact the right Clerk department, what common fees apply, and how to use official links without getting sent to the wrong office.

Search Court & Official Records Contact Clerk Office Open Google Map

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Confirm current records access, fees, forms, payment rules, and office notices on the official Clerk website before filing, paying, ordering copies, or visiting.

Quick Facts for Washington County Clerk of Court Records

Official office Washington County Clerk of Court and Comptroller.
Clerk Lora C. Bell, Clerk of Court.
Street address 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428.
Mailing address Post Office Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428.
Main phone 850-638-6289.
Main fax 850-638-6288.
Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Records access Court records, official records, and historical deed records are linked from the Clerk’s records search page.
Fast distinction: use court records for case files, court documents, exhibits, dockets, and case information. Use official records for court judgments, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, mortgages, plats, and tax deeds recorded in the county’s official records.

Washington County Clerk Contact, Address, Hours, and Google Map

The Washington County Clerk of Court is located at 1293 Jackson Avenue in Chipley. The same address is listed for the courthouse/court room, while the mailing address is Post Office Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428.

Washington County Clerk of Court and Comptroller

Address: 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428

Court room: 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428

Mailing address: Post Office Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428

Main phone: 850-638-6289

Fax: 850-638-6288

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Open Clerk Office in Google Maps

Official contactWashington County Clerk Contact Page

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm the current street address, mailing address, hours, phone, and fax number.
  2. Use the department directory if your question involves traffic, family law, probate, recording, tax deeds, jury duty, passports, or records research.
  3. Use the mailing address for written requests and mailed payments unless the department page gives a different instruction.
  4. Do not send sensitive personal or payment information through general email.
  5. Call the Clerk if a filing, hearing, payment, or deadline is urgent.

Washington County Clerk Department Directory

Different Clerk departments handle different records. Calling the correct department can save time, especially for family law, traffic, probate, jury service, tax deeds, recording, and records research.

Court related 850-481-4643
Circuit civil 850-638-6008
County civil / evictions 850-638-6008
Family law / divorce / child support 850-638-6009
Criminal felony / misdemeanor 850-638-6289
Traffic civil / criminal 850-638-6289
Marriage license / passport 850-638-6285
Records / research / recording 850-638-6285
Jury duty 850-638-6285; after 5 p.m. the day before service, call 850-415-5088.
Value Adjustment Board 850-638-6233

Official directoryWashington County Clerk Departmental Directory

After opening this link:

  1. Find the department that matches your exact task before calling the main line.
  2. Have your case number, citation number, party name, recording information, or document type ready.
  3. Use the department email only when the official page provides one and your request is not urgent.
  4. For jury duty, follow the special reporting-phone instruction listed in the directory.
  5. For court case questions, ask for the court-related department instead of using a general records contact.

Washington County Clerk Fees, Copies, Certifications, and Court Costs

Clerk fees depend on the service. Court filings, copies, certifications, records searches, official-record recordings, marriage licenses, passports, and traffic matters have separate fee rules.

The fee examples below are useful planning points from the Clerk’s official pages. Always confirm the current total before mailing payment, ordering certified copies, recording documents, or filing a case.

$1.00/page Copies listed on civil/circuit fee and recording pages.
$2.00 Certification listed on civil/circuit fee page.
$3.00 Certification each document listed on recording page.
$2.00/year Records search per year listed on fee pages.
$10.00 Recording first page of any document.
$8.50/page Each subsequent recording page.
$86.00 Marriage license and application fee listed by the Clerk.
$61.00 Discounted marriage license with qualifying premarital course.
$35.00 Passport Clerk processing fee, paid separately from U.S. Department of State fees.
$10.00 Dismissal fee for certain proof-based traffic citations, when the Clerk’s traffic instructions apply.

Official court feesWashington County Civil, County & Circuit Fees

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the fee category that matches your case value or filing type.
  2. Check whether the amount is a filing fee, appeal fee, copy fee, certification fee, records search fee, or court registry fee.
  3. Review court registry information if money is being deposited or withdrawn by court order.
  4. Call the Clerk before mailing payment if your filing includes service, multiple parties, registry funds, foreclosure sale issues, or unusual documents.
  5. Keep a receipt or payment confirmation with your case records.

Official Records, Recording, Deeds, Liens, Mortgages, Plats, and Tax Deeds

The Washington County Clerk is the recorder of documents required or authorized by law. The recording page lists recordable documents and explains e-recording, recording fees, and commonly used recording forms.

Official records include court judgments, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, mortgages, plats, and tax deeds. These records are different from court case records, even when a judgment or lien began from a court case.

Official recordingWashington County Recording Department

After opening this link:

  1. Review the recordable documents list before submitting a deed, lien, mortgage, plat, declaration, or satisfaction.
  2. Use the recording cover sheet or recording form only when it matches your document type.
  3. Calculate recording fees, documentary stamp tax, additional-name fees, plat fees, copy fees, and certification fees.
  4. Use Simplifile or CSC eRecording only if you are authorized and ready to submit recordable documents electronically.
  5. Contact the Clerk if the document has unusual attachments, legal descriptions, many names, or uncertain tax calculations.
E-recording The Clerk lists Simplifile and CSC eRecording as electronic recording options.
Documentary stamps on deeds $0.70 per hundred dollars or fraction thereof, as listed by the Clerk.
Promissory notes / stock certificates $0.35 per hundred dollars or fraction thereof, as listed by the Clerk.
Intangible tax 2 mills, as listed on the Clerk’s recording fee page.
Title warning: the Clerk records documents but cannot tell you whether a deed is legally correct, whether title is clear, or whether a recorded document protects your rights. Use a title company or attorney for legal interpretation.

Traffic Citations, Court Fines, Defensive Driving School, and License Issues

The Clerk’s traffic page explains civil traffic infractions, payment options, traffic school election, court-hearing requests, dismissible proof citations, and driver-license reinstatement issues.

Some citations require a court appearance, including certain serious injury, fatality, child-unattended, or excessive-speed situations. Do not pay a citation until you understand whether payment counts as your election for that violation.

Traffic department 850-638-6289.
Proof-based dismissal fee $10.00 for certain valid proof situations listed by the Clerk.
Hardship license search letter $5.00 record-search fee listed for certain driver-record disposition letters.
Payment by phone Traffic tickets and court fines/costs can be paid by phone at 850-638-6285, according to the Clerk’s home page.

Official trafficWashington County Traffic Information

After opening this link:

  1. Read whether your citation can be paid, dismissed with proof, set for court, or handled through defensive driving school.
  2. Check whether the citation requires a mandatory court appearance.
  3. If submitting proof of valid license, registration, or tag, follow the Clerk’s listed proof and dismissal-fee instructions.
  4. If requesting court, use the mailing or department instructions listed on the traffic page.
  5. Save payment receipts, proof submissions, court notices, and defensive driving school documentation.

Payment portalWashington County Clerk Make a Payment

After opening this link:

  1. Review whether online payment is available for your case type.
  2. Confirm that the name, case number, citation number, and amount match your record before paying.
  3. Use the child support payment link only for child support, not traffic or court fines.
  4. Save the confirmation number after payment.
  5. Call the Clerk if the case is in collections, has a suspension, or has a court-appearance requirement.

Marriage Licenses, Marriage Records, and Passport Applications

The Clerk issues Washington County marriage licenses and provides passport acceptance services. Marriage applicants must provide identification, Social Security numbers, and other required information. Florida residents may have a three-day waiting period unless the couple completes an approved premarital preparation course.

For passports, the Clerk explains that two separate payments are needed: one payable to the Clerk of Court for the processing fee and another payable to the U.S. Department of State for passport fees.

Marriage license fee $86.00.
Discounted marriage license $61.00 with qualifying premarital preparation course proof.
Florida waiting period Three days for Florida residents unless the premarital course waiver applies or a judge grants a hardship waiver.
Passport processing Beginning September 1, 2026, the Clerk states passport processing will transition to appointment-only service.

Official marriageWashington County Marriage Licenses

After opening this link:

  1. Review identification, Social Security number, prior-marriage, and Family Law Handbook requirements.
  2. Confirm whether both parties completed a qualifying premarital course and can present proof.
  3. Check the fee and accepted payment methods before visiting.
  4. Ask about the waiting period if either person is a Florida resident.
  5. If either applicant is a minor or has a special circumstance, call the Clerk before visiting.

Official passportsWashington County Passport Information

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm whether appointment-only processing applies on your visit date.
  2. Prepare proof of citizenship, valid identification, passport photo, application form, and both required payments.
  3. Separate the Clerk of Court processing fee from the U.S. Department of State passport fee.
  4. Review adult and child passport requirements because fees and signature rules differ.
  5. Use travel.state.gov for current federal passport processing times and renewal rules.

E-Filing, E-Recording, Child Support, and Remote Services

Many Washington County Clerk services can be started online, by phone, or through statewide systems. Civil lawsuits may be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Official records may be e-recorded through the Clerk’s listed e-recording vendors.

The Clerk’s home page also notes that child support payments can be made online through MyFloridaCounty, and traffic tickets or court fines and costs can be paid by phone.

Civil e-filing Use Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for eligible court filings.
E-recording Use Simplifile or CSC eRecording for eligible recordable documents.
Child support Use MyFloridaCounty child support payment tools when applicable.
Phone payments Call 850-638-6285 for traffic tickets and court fines/costs when eligible.

State e-filingFlorida Courts E-Filing Portal

After opening this link:

  1. Create or sign in to your e-filing account.
  2. Select Washington County and the correct division for your case.
  3. Upload documents in the required format and review filing fees before submission.
  4. Save the filing confirmation and watch for acceptance, rejection, or correction notices.
  5. Call the Clerk if the filing is urgent or if you are unsure whether the case type can be e-filed.

Official e-recordingWashington County E-Recording Information

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm that your document is recordable before attempting e-recording.
  2. Contact Simplifile or CSC eRecording using the vendor details listed by the Clerk.
  3. Scan the original document, add indexing information, and submit through the approved vendor process.
  4. Check for rejection notices if the document has missing fees, missing signatures, bad notary language, or indexing problems.
  5. Contact the recording department if the document has unusual tax, legal description, or recording questions.

Privacy, Redaction, Confidential Records, and Email Warning

Florida court and official records can include sensitive information. The Clerk’s court and official records notice warns people preparing or filing court documents or recordable documents not to include Social Security numbers or complete bank, debit, charge, or credit card numbers unless required by law, court rule, or necessary to the adjudication of the case.

Florida’s public-records law also affects email communication. The Clerk’s email page warns that email addresses are public records; if you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, contact the office by phone or in writing instead of email.

Official privacy noticeCourt & Official Records Notice

After opening this link:

  1. Read the warning before filing court documents or recording documents.
  2. Remove Social Security numbers and complete financial account numbers unless a law or court rule requires them.
  3. If sensitive information appears in a public record, follow the Clerk’s redaction request guidance.
  4. Do not assume Clerk staff can fix privacy problems after filing without a proper request or legal authority.

Email warningWashington County Clerk Email Notice

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Florida public-records email warning before sending an electronic message.
  2. Use phone or written contact if you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request.
  3. Do not include Social Security numbers, bank information, full credit card numbers, or other sensitive data in email.
  4. Use department phone numbers for time-sensitive case, traffic, jury, or payment questions.
Access limit: sealed, confidential, juvenile, mental health, adoption, victim-related, and restricted records may not be available to anonymous public users online. Ask the Clerk or a qualified attorney when access rules are unclear.

Washington County Clerk Services by Topic

The Clerk’s website groups services by court information, records department, general information, notices, and useful links. Use the topic below that matches your task instead of starting with a generic search.

Civil and small claims Use for county civil, circuit civil, small claims, evictions, foreclosures, and civil filing fees.
Criminal and traffic Use for felony, misdemeanor, traffic citations, court fines, costs, and traffic school questions.
Family and child support Use for family law, divorce, child support, annulment packets, and related written requests.
Probate and mental health Use for estates, wills, guardianships, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and mental health matters.
Recording and records research Use for deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, tax deeds, official records, records searches, and copies.
Public services Use for marriage licenses, passports, jury duty, Value Adjustment Board, and public-records questions.

Useful linksWashington County Clerk Useful Links

After opening this link:

  1. Use official statewide or local links when a task belongs outside the Clerk’s direct website.
  2. Choose court self-help or legal-information links if you need forms or general process guidance.
  3. Do not treat a useful link as legal advice; use an attorney for case strategy or rights questions.

When the Washington County Clerk Is Not the Right Office

The Clerk of Court handles many court and official-record services, but not every Washington County record belongs to the Clerk. Starting with the correct office prevents delays.

Start with the Clerk for

  • Court records, case search, case documents, exhibits, and docket access.
  • Official records such as deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, tax deeds, and recorded judgments.
  • Traffic citations, court fines/costs, and some felony online payments.
  • Marriage licenses, passport applications, jury duty, child support, probate, family, and civil court services.
  • Recording, records research, certifications, and historical deed records.

Try another office for

  • Property value, exemptions, and parcel data: Washington County Property Appraiser.
  • Property tax bills and tax payments: Washington County Tax Collector.
  • Arrest reports, incident reports, jail, and law-enforcement records: Sheriff or police agency.
  • Building permits, planning, public works, and county department records: Board of County Commissioners or county department.
  • Driver license reinstatement instructions: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles when the Clerk directs you there.

County directoryWashington County Offices Phone Numbers

After opening this link:

  1. Use the directory if your request is not clearly a court, official-record, or Clerk-service issue.
  2. Find the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Sheriff, Supervisor of Elections, or other county office when needed.
  3. Return to the Clerk page for court records, official records, marriage, passport, traffic, recording, jury, and court-payment tasks.

Before You Call, Search, or Visit: Washington County Clerk Checklist

  • Write down the case number, citation number, party name, filing year, recording date, book/page, or document type before searching.
  • Use court records for case files and official records for deeds, liens, mortgages, plats, tax deeds, and recorded judgments.
  • Use the departmental directory when your issue is traffic, family, probate, marriage, passport, jury, tax deed, or recording related.
  • Confirm fees before mailing payment or ordering certified copies.
  • Do not include Social Security numbers or complete financial account numbers in public filings unless required.
  • Use phone or written contact if you do not want your email address released under Florida public-records law.
  • Use an attorney for legal advice, title interpretation, court strategy, sealing/confidentiality questions, or document drafting.

Washington County Clerk of Court FAQs

1. Where is the Washington County Clerk of Court located?

The Washington County Clerk of Court is located at 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428. The mailing address is Post Office Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428.

2. What is the phone number for the Washington County Clerk of Court?

The main phone number is 850-638-6289. Some departments also list 850-638-6285 or direct department numbers in the Clerk’s departmental directory.

3. What are the Washington County Clerk office hours?

The Clerk’s office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to holidays and official notices.

4. How do I search Washington County court records?

Use the Clerk’s records search page and choose Search Court Records. Court records include documents, information, and exhibits maintained in connection with a case.

5. Are Washington County court records the same as official records?

No. Court records are case-related documents and docket information. Official records include court judgments, deeds, liens, marriage licenses, mortgages, plats, and tax deeds.

6. How much are Washington County Clerk copies and certifications?

The Clerk lists copies at $1.00 per page on fee pages. Certifications are listed as $2.00 on the civil fee page and $3.00 per document on the recording fee page, so confirm the correct fee for your record type before ordering.

7. How much is a Washington County marriage license?

The Clerk lists a marriage license and application fee of $86.00, or $61.00 with qualifying premarital course proof.

8. Can I pay Washington County traffic tickets online?

The Clerk’s payment page states that online payment is available for felony cases and traffic citations at this time. The Clerk’s home page also states that traffic tickets and court fines or costs can be paid by phone at 850-638-6285.

9. Does the Washington County Clerk accept passport applications?

Yes. The Clerk provides passport acceptance information and states that passport processing transitions to appointment-only service beginning September 1, 2026.

10. Is this the official Washington County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent informational guide. For official case searches, records, fees, forms, payments, hours, and service updates, use the official Washington County Clerk links included in this article.

Privacy, Accuracy, and Legal Use Notice

Public records can contain sensitive information, and some records may be sealed, restricted, confidential, redacted, or unavailable to anonymous public users. A missing online result does not always mean the record does not exist.

This page is an independent informational guide and is not the official Washington County Clerk of Court website. It is not a consumer reporting agency. Do not use this guide or linked records for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose.

Verify before acting: always confirm case status, certified copies, recording rules, filing deadlines, traffic options, payment eligibility, confidentiality restrictions, and fees directly with the Washington County Clerk of Court, the court, or a qualified attorney when legal rights are involved.

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