Walton County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Walton County?
Public records in Walton County encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with official government business. Under Florida Statute § 119.011, the State of Florida defines public records broadly to include any material regardless of physical form or characteristics that was made or received by a public agency in the course of its official duties.
The following categories of records are currently maintained and available through various Walton County offices:
- Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents are maintained by the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller
- Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded through the Clerk's Official Records division and the Walton County Property Appraiser
- Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are filed with the Florida Department of Health and the Clerk of Courts
- Business records — Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and local permits are processed through the Clerk's office and the Walton County Planning Department
- Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are maintained by the Walton County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
- Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are held by the Walton County Supervisor of Elections
- Meeting minutes and agendas — County Commission and advisory board records are published by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners
- Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Clerk's Comptroller division
- Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Walton County Sheriff's Office
- Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are held by the Walton County Planning and Development Services
Members of the public may search official county records online through the Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller's portal, which provides access to recorded instruments, court case information, and related documents.
Is Walton County an Open Records County?
Walton County fully complies with Florida's open government framework, making it an open records county under state law. Under Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, all government records are presumed to be open and accessible to any member of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This law establishes that custodians of public records must allow inspection and copying of records promptly and at reasonable times.
Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statute § 286.011, further reinforces open government by requiring that all meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, with minutes recorded and made available. Key provisions of Chapter 119 include:
- The right of every person to inspect and copy public records
- The requirement that agencies respond to requests without unreasonable delay
- The obligation of agencies to provide records in the format requested, if feasible
- The prohibition against agencies requiring requestors to state a reason for their request
Walton County government agencies are bound by these provisions and maintain records in accordance with Florida Department of State retention schedules. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond what state law permits.
How to Find Public Records in Walton County in 2026
Locating public records in Walton County involves several straightforward methods depending on the type of record sought. Members of the public may use the following approaches:
- Online search portal — The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller operates an online records search system where court filings, official recorded documents, and case information may be accessed at any time
- In-person inspection — Individuals may visit the Clerk's office during regular business hours to inspect records at no charge; staff are available to assist in locating documents
- Written or email request — Requests may be submitted in writing to the appropriate custodial agency; no specific form is required under Florida law, though some offices provide optional request forms on their websites
- Telephone inquiry — Requestors may call the relevant office to confirm record availability and hours before visiting in person
- Property records — The Walton County Property Appraiser's online portal provides parcel data, ownership history, and assessment information at no cost
- Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates are obtained through the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics or through the Clerk's office for marriage and divorce records
- Sheriff's Office records — Incident reports and arrest records may be requested directly from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
When submitting a request, it is advisable to identify the record as specifically as possible, including relevant dates, names, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers, to facilitate prompt retrieval.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Walton County?
Current fees for public records in Walton County are governed by Florida Statute § 119.07, which establishes the maximum charges agencies may impose for copies and related services. Standard fees currently applicable include:
- Paper copies — $0.15 per one-sided page or $0.20 per two-sided page for documents up to 8.5 by 14 inches
- Certified copies — $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee for official recorded documents through the Clerk's office
- Electronic records — Fees for records provided in electronic format are limited to the actual cost of duplication
- Extensive use fee — When a request requires extensive use of agency resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, agencies may charge an additional fee based on the actual cost of the labor involved
- Recording fees — Documents submitted for recording in the Official Records are subject to statutory recording fees set by the Florida Legislature
Accepted payment methods at the Walton County Clerk's office currently include cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly available under Florida law, though agencies retain discretion in certain circumstances. Fees may vary by record type and the office serving as custodian.
Does Walton County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Walton County, as Florida law guarantees every person the right to inspect public records at no charge. Copying fees apply only when a physical or electronic copy is requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to public records:
- Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller — Free in-person inspection of court records, official recorded documents, and financial records during business hours; the online official records search portal provides free electronic access to many recorded instruments
- Walton County Property Appraiser — Free online access to property ownership data, parcel maps, and assessment histories through the Property Appraiser's website
- Walton County Supervisor of Elections — Free access to voter registration rolls and election results through the Elections office and its online portal
- Walton County Board of County Commissioners — Meeting agendas, minutes, and adopted budgets are published at no cost on the county's official website
- Florida Department of State — Fictitious name registrations and corporate filings are searchable at no cost through the Division of Corporations' Sunbiz portal
Who Can Request Public Records in Walton County?
Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, may request public records in Walton County. Florida's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. Specific eligibility provisions include:
- Residency — Requestors are not required to be Florida residents or Walton County residents
- Identification — Agencies may not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain exempt information requiring verification of eligibility
- Purpose — Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes
- Non-residents — Non-residents retain the same rights as residents to inspect and copy public records
- Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or court filings, follow the same process as any other request; certified copies of vital records may require proof of identity or relationship under Florida Department of Health rules
- Restrictions for specific records — Certain record types, such as adoption records, juvenile records, and sealed court files, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute
Agencies are prohibited from inquiring into the purpose of a records request as a precondition to providing access, consistent with the open government principles established under Florida law.
What Records Are Confidential in Walton County?
Not all government records in Walton County are subject to public disclosure. Florida law establishes numerous exemptions from the general right of access. Under Florida Statute § 119.071, the following categories of records are currently exempt or confidential and not subject to public inspection:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
- Juvenile records — Records relating to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida law
- Active criminal investigation records — Documents that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an ongoing investigation are exempt
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are redacted from public records
- Medical records — Health information protected under HIPAA and Florida law is not subject to disclosure
- Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed and accessible only to authorized parties
- Child welfare records — Records of the Department of Children and Families relating to abuse investigations and protective services are confidential
- Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses and personal information of government workers, are exempt from disclosure
- Trade secrets — Proprietary business information submitted to government agencies in connection with licensing or permitting may be protected
- Security and infrastructure plans — Vulnerability assessments and security system details for government facilities are exempt from public disclosure
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles embedded in Florida's public records framework.
Walton County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
The Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller serves as the official recorder of public records and the custodian of court records for Walton County. The office maintains two locations to serve residents in both the northern and southern portions of the county.
Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller — DeFuniak Springs (Main Office) 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: (850) 892-8115 Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller
Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller — Santa Rosa Beach (South Walton Branch) 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Phone: (850) 267-2040 Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Walton County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller
Walton County Property Appraiser 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: (850) 892-8123 Walton County Property Appraiser
Walton County Tax Collector 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: (850) 892-8121 Walton County Tax Collector
Walton County Supervisor of Elections 571 U.S. Highway 90 East, Suite 103, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433 Phone: (850) 892-8105 Walton County Supervisor of Elections
Walton County Sheriff's Office 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 Phone: (850) 892-8186 Walton County Sheriff's Office