The Gulf County Court Docket is the official list of all cases filed, hearings scheduled, and orders entered in the courts serving Gulf County, Florida. The Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller keeps this docket at 1000 Cecil G.
Costin, Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court handles all circuit-level cases for Gulf County along with Bay, Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. County-level cases stay under the Gulf County Court, which is part of the same circuit but limited in jurisdiction.
Anyone can look up the Gulf County Court Docket. You can search online, visit the courthouse, or call the clerk’s office. The docket shows case numbers, party names, hearing dates, motions, and final orders. Florida law under Chapter 119 keeps these records open to the public.
Gulf County Court Docket Search
The fastest way to run a Gulf County Court Docket Search is through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. This statewide system covers all 67 Florida counties, including Gulf County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Basic searches are free. The portal runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To start a search, open the myflcourtaccess.com website and choose “Search” from the menu. Pick “Gulf County” from the county drop-down. Type the last name of a party or the full case number. The system shows matching cases with filing dates, current status, and a list of docket entries. Each entry lists the date, the document type, and the party who filed it.
Search Options on the Florida E-Filing Portal
- Search by name (party or business)
- Search by case number
- Search by attorney name or bar number
- Search by citation number (traffic cases)
- Search by date range
For older Gulf County cases filed before the statewide system went live, you may need to visit the Port St. Joe courthouse. Paper files are stored in the clerk’s basement archive. Staff can pull the file for a small copy fee.
Gulf County Court Calendar Docket
The Gulf County Court Calendar Docket shows what cases are set for hearing on each day. Courts post daily and weekly calendars online. The 14th Judicial Circuit posts a circuit-wide calendar that includes Gulf County hearings. You can view the calendar at jud14.flcourts.org.
Calendar dockets list the time, the courtroom, the judge, the case number, and the type of hearing. Common hearing types include:
- Arraignments
- Pretrial conferences
- Status hearings
- Motion hearings
- Trials
- Sentencing
To check the Gulf County Court Calendar Docket for a specific date, visit the clerk’s website at gulfclerk.com. Look for the “Court Calendar” or “Today’s Hearings” link. The page refreshes each morning before court opens at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Gulf County Daily Court Docket
The Gulf County Daily Court Docket lists every case called for hearing on a given day. The clerk updates this list each afternoon for the next business day. Lawyers, parties, and the public can check the daily docket to see which cases are on the schedule.
You can view the daily docket in three ways:
- Online at gulfclerk.com under the “Court Records” section
- On the public terminal inside the courthouse lobby
- By calling the clerk’s office at (850) 229-6112 during business hours
Daily dockets often change. Cases settle, get continued, or get added at the last minute. Check the docket again on the morning of your hearing for the most current list.
Gulf County Hearing Docket
A hearing docket is a subset of the daily docket. It shows only cases with a scheduled court appearance, not paperwork-only filings. The Gulf County Hearing Docket covers criminal first appearances, bond hearings, civil motion hearings, and family court reviews.
Bond hearings happen every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Gulf County. If a person was arrested overnight, their name will appear on the next morning’s hearing docket. Family court hearings for dependency, dissolution, and paternity cases happen on set days each month. The clerk posts the family court hearing schedule on its website.
Gulf County Criminal Court Docket
The Gulf County Criminal Court Docket covers all criminal filings. Felonies go to the 14th Judicial Circuit Court. Misdemeanors stay in Gulf County Court. The docket includes charges, arresting agency, bond status, plea dates, and trial settings.
You can search criminal cases on the Florida E-Filing Portal or through the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office arrest log at gulfcountysheriff.com. The sheriff’s site lists current inmates with their charges and bond amounts. Court docket entries for those inmates show up on the clerk’s docket once the state files charges.
Gulf County Civil Court Docket
The Gulf County Civil Court Docket tracks lawsuits between private parties. Circuit civil cases involve claims over $50,000. County civil cases involve claims up to $50,000. Both levels create docket entries for each filing, motion, and order.
Common civil case types on the docket include:
- Contract disputes
- Personal injury claims
- Property disputes
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Evictions
- Debt collection
Small claims cases up to $8,000 also appear on the civil docket. These cases move faster than standard civil suits and often have trial dates within 60 to 90 days of filing.
Gulf County Traffic Court Docket
The Gulf County Traffic Court Docket handles non-criminal traffic infractions and criminal traffic charges like DUI and driving with a suspended license. Civil traffic infractions (speeding, failure to stop) carry fines but no jail time. The Florida Highway Patrol, Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, and Port St. Joe Police Department issue most citations in the county.
To pay a traffic ticket or check your court date, use the citation number on the ticket. Enter the number on myflcourtaccess.com to find your case. The system shows the fine amount, the court date, and options to pay, contest, or request a hearing.
Gulf County Probate Court Docket
The Gulf County Probate Court Docket covers wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. These cases go through the 14th Judicial Circuit Court. The docket shows petitions filed, inventories filed by the personal representative, and final orders closing the estate.
Probate records are public, but some details stay sealed. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names are redacted under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. The full case file is open for inspection at the clerk’s office during business hours.
Gulf County Family Court Docket
The Gulf County Family Court Docket covers dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity, timesharing, child support, and adoption. Family cases use the same docket system as other civil cases but have separate hearing days.
Many family court records are not public. Adoption files are sealed by law. Some divorce records have sensitive details redacted. For non-sealed family cases, you can view basic docket entries online. To see document images in family or juvenile cases, you must register with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and pass a security check.
Gulf County Circuit Court Docket
The Gulf County Circuit Court Docket covers the most serious cases in the county. The 14th Judicial Circuit Court has jurisdiction over:
- Felony criminal cases
- Family law matters
- Probate and guardianship
- Civil cases over $50,000
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency
- Appeals from county court
Circuit court dockets often run longer than county court dockets. Felony cases can stay on the docket for a year or more before trial. Civil cases in circuit court may take 18 to 24 months to reach a jury trial.
Gulf County County Court Docket
The Gulf County County Court Docket covers less serious matters. County court has jurisdiction over:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic infractions and criminal traffic
- Civil cases up to $50,000
- Small claims up to $8,000
- County ordinance violations
County court cases move faster than circuit court cases. Most misdemeanors resolve in 90 to 120 days. Small claims cases often have trial dates within 60 days of filing.
Gulf County Online Court Docket
The Gulf County Online Court Docket is available 24 hours a day through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. You do not need an account to search basic case data. To file documents, view sealed records (where allowed), or get email alerts, you must register for a free account.
Online docket entries update each night. Filings made during the day appear on the docket the next business morning. Court orders entered during a hearing often post the same day.
Gulf County Docket Schedule
The Gulf County Docket Schedule sets when each type of case is heard. The circuit publishes a master schedule each year. Key hearing days include:
- Criminal first appearances: Daily at 8:30 a.m.
- Felony arraignments: Mondays
- Civil motion hearings: Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Family court hearings: Wednesdays
- Probate hearings: Fridays (as needed)
- Jury trials: As scheduled by the judge
Your attorney or the clerk’s office can tell you which day your case is on the docket. The schedule may shift for holidays, judge availability, or court closures.
Gulf County Docket Status
The Gulf County Docket Status shows where each case stands. Common status codes include:
- Open / Active: Case is still moving forward
- Pending: Waiting for a court action
- Continued: Hearing pushed to a later date
- Disposed: Case closed with a final order
- Dismissed: Case dropped before final judgment
- Transferred: Case moved to another court
Check the docket status before going to the courthouse. A “continued” status means the hearing is no longer on the calendar. A “disposed” status means the case is over.
Gulf County Docket by Case Number
Searching the Gulf County Docket by Case Number is the most precise way to find a record. Each case gets a unique number when it is filed. The format is:
- Year (two digits) + Sequence number + Court code
- Example: 24-CA-000123 (2024, civil action, sequence 123)
- Example: 24-CF-000456 (2024, criminal felony, sequence 456)
- Example: 24-MM-000789 (2024, criminal misdemeanor, sequence 789)
Enter the full case number on myflcourtaccess.com to get the full docket history for that case. You can also use the case number at the public terminal in the courthouse.
Gulf County Arraignment Docket
The Gulf County Arraignment Docket lists every criminal case where the defendant has not yet entered a plea. At arraignment, the judge reads the charges, confirms the defendant has a lawyer (or appoints one), and sets future hearing dates.
Criminal arraignments in Gulf County happen on Mondays. A defendant who fails to appear at arraignment may have a warrant issued. Check the arraignment docket on the Friday before to confirm the date, time, and courtroom.
Gulf County Trial Docket
The Gulf County Trial Docket lists cases set for jury or bench trial. Trials are scheduled months in advance. The court issues a trial order that sets deadlines for witness lists, exhibit lists, and pretrial motions.
Trial dockets are posted on the clerk’s website and on the bulletin board outside each courtroom. Trials may be continued (rescheduled) if a party files a proper motion and the judge approves. Last-minute continuances are rare and require strong cause.
Gulf County Court Appearance Docket
The Gulf County Court Appearance Docket is the official list of people who must appear in court on a given day. Defendants in criminal cases, witnesses under subpoena, and parties in civil cases all check this docket before coming to court.
Your court appearance date is on the summons, subpoena, or notice of hearing you received. You can also find it by searching the case number on the E-Filing Portal. If you miss a court appearance without a valid excuse, the judge may issue a bench warrant (in criminal cases) or enter a default judgment (in civil cases).
Gulf County Court Docket List
The Gulf County Court Docket List is a full list of all cases on the docket for a given day or week. The clerk posts this list online. The list includes:
- Case number
- Party names
- Charge or case type
- Hearing time
- Courtroom
- Assigned judge
Print the docket list the morning of your court date. The clerk updates the list throughout the day as cases settle, get continued, or get added.
Gulf County Court Docket Search by Name
To run a Gulf County Court Docket Search by Name, go to myflcourtaccess.com and enter the full last name of the person or business. For best results, add the first name and middle initial if you have them.
The search returns all cases where that person is a party. Results may include civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases. Click on each case number to see the full docket history.
Note: Some names appear on the docket for sealed cases. Those cases show only a case number and a “sealed” status. You cannot see the docket entries for sealed cases without a court order.
Gulf County Preliminary Hearing Docket
The Gulf County Preliminary Hearing Docket lists felony cases where the defense has requested a hearing to test the state’s evidence. At a preliminary hearing, the judge decides if there is enough evidence to bind the case over to circuit court for trial.
Preliminary hearings happen within 21 days of a felony arrest in Florida. The defense can waive the hearing, which sends the case straight to the grand jury. Check the preliminary hearing docket on myflcourtaccess.com to find your hearing date.
Gulf County Court Docket Entries
Gulf County Court Docket Entries are the individual line items on the docket. Each entry has:
- Date filed or entered
- Document type (motion, order, notice, etc.)
- Filing party (who filed the document)
- Brief description (a one-line summary)
- Link to the document image (if available)
Docket entries appear in chronological order. The oldest entry is at the top, and the most recent entry is at the bottom. Each entry stays on the docket forever, even after the case is closed.
Gulf County Clerk of Court Official Contact
The Gulf County Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller is the official record keeper for the court docket. Public records requests go to the Public Records Liaison at the same address.
Office: Gulf County Clerk of Circuit Court & County Comptroller
Attention: Public Records Liaison
Address: 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Website: gulfclerk.com
Phone: (850) 229-6112
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
The Gulf County Sheriff’s Office is at 418 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456, phone (850) 227-1115. The sheriff’s office handles arrest records, inmate rosters, and warrants.
How to Read a Gulf County Court Docket Entry
Each docket entry has a standard format. The first column shows the date. The second column shows the document number (a sequence count from the start of the case). The third column lists the document type. The fourth column names the filing party. The last column gives a one-line description.
For example, an entry that reads “06/15/2024 – 12 – MOTION – Plaintiff – Motion to Compel Discovery” means a motion was filed on June 15, 2024. It is the 12th entry in the case. The plaintiff filed it. The motion asks the court to force the other side to share evidence.
Click on the document number to open the scanned image of the document. You can read the full text, print it, or save it to your computer. Most documents filed after 2010 are available as images online.
Records Sealed from the Public Docket
Some court records are not public. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the categories of sealed records. Common sealed records include:
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Substance abuse treatment records
- Trade secrets in civil cases
- Cases involving victims of certain crimes
Personal information is also redacted. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names are removed from public docket images under AOSC24-65 and related orders.
Florida E-Filing Portal Account Benefits
Creating a free account on myflcourtaccess.com gives you extra features. Account holders can:
- File new court documents electronically
- Receive email alerts when a docket entry is added to a case you track
- View document images in sealed or restricted cases (where allowed)
- Pay court fines and fees online
- Request certified copies of court records
Registration requires a valid email address and a credit card for filing fees. Attorney accounts require a Florida Bar number.
Gulf County Court Docket Search Tips
Follow these tips to get the best results on your Gulf County Court Docket Search:
- Use the full case number when you have it. Name searches can return many results.
- Add a date range to narrow your search.
- Try different spellings of last names.
- Check both the E-Filing Portal and the Gulf County Clerk’s site.
- For sealed records, contact the clerk’s office directly. You may need a court order to view them.
If you cannot find a case online, call the clerk’s office at (850) 229-6112. Staff can look up the case by name or case number during business hours.
Cities in Gulf County
Gulf County has two main cities. Port St. Joe is the county seat and the location of the courthouse. Wewahitchka is the second city, located inland on the Chipola River. All court docket cases, no matter where in the county they started, go through the Port St. Joe courthouse.
Cape San Blas, Indian Pass, and St. Joe Beach are unincorporated communities. Cases from these areas also file in Port St. Joe.
Nearby Counties in the 14th Judicial Circuit
Gulf County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Other counties in the circuit include Bay County (Panama City), Calhoun County (Blountstown), Holmes County (Bonifay), Jackson County (Marianna), and Washington County (Chipley). Each county runs its own court docket through its own clerk’s office, but they share the same circuit-wide court administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look up a case on the Gulf County Court Docket?
You can look up a case on the Gulf County Court Docket using the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Select “Gulf County” as the county. The search returns a list of matching cases. Click on a case number to see the full docket history, including all filings, motions, and orders. Basic searches are free and do not require an account. You can also visit the courthouse at 1000 Cecil G. Costin, Sr. Blvd., Port St. Joe, FL 32456, to use the public terminal in the lobby. Staff at the clerk’s window can help you look up cases during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For older paper-only cases, you may need to request the file from the clerk’s basement archive.
Are Gulf County court docket records public?
Yes, most Gulf County court docket records are public under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Anyone can view them without giving a reason. Sealed records are the main exception. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 keeps certain records out of public view, including juvenile cases, adoption files, mental health records, and substance abuse treatment files. The clerk also redacts Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names from public docket images. For most criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family cases that are not sealed, the full docket is open for inspection and copying. You can view docket entries online or visit the courthouse to see the physical case file.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a Gulf County court docket entry?
The cost to copy a Gulf County court docket entry depends on the format. Standard copies are $1.00 per page. Certified copies are $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the clerk’s office. Online document images can be printed for free from the E-Filing Portal. Mailing costs apply if you request copies by mail. The clerk’s office accepts public records requests by mail, email, fax, and in person. Most requests are filled within 5 business days under Florida public records law.
What is the difference between the Gulf County Court Docket and the court calendar?
The Gulf County Court Docket is the full record of every filing, motion, and order in a case from the day it is filed until it is closed. The court calendar is a list of cases set for hearing on a specific day. The docket is a permanent case history. The calendar is a daily schedule of court appearances. A case can have hundreds of docket entries over its lifetime. The calendar only lists cases that need a judge to take action on a given day. Use the docket to see what has happened in a case. Use the calendar to find out when you need to appear in court.
Can I see Gulf County court docket records from cases that are more than 20 years old?
Yes, you can see old Gulf County court docket records, but you may need to visit the courthouse. The Florida E-Filing Portal has docket images going back to about 1998 for most counties. For cases older than that, the records are on paper or microfilm at the clerk’s office. Staff can pull old files for a small fee. Microfilm records can be viewed on a reader in the clerk’s office. You can also request a copy of an old document. The clerk charges $1.00 per page for standard copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies, plus a $1.00 certification fee. Allow extra time for very old records because they may be stored off-site.
How do I get a warrant search on the Gulf County Court Docket?
To check for active warrants, look at the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office inmate roster at gulfcountysheriff.com. The site lists current inmates, their charges, and bond status. You can also search the Gulf County Court Docket on myflcourtaccess.com for cases that show a “warrant issued” status in the docket entries. Criminal cases where the defendant failed to appear at a hearing often have a bench warrant. Open warrants stay on the docket until the person is arrested or the warrant is recalled by a judge. The clerk’s office cannot confirm warrant status by phone for safety reasons. Go to the courthouse in person or check the sheriff’s online roster.
Can I get email alerts when a new entry is added to a Gulf County Court Docket case?
Yes, you can get email alerts on Gulf County Court Docket cases by creating a free account on myflcourtaccess.com. Once you register, log in and search for the case you want to track. Click the “Subscribe” or “Track” button on the case page. The system sends an email each time a new docket entry is added to the case. You can track up to 100 cases per account. Alerts are free. You can also set up SMS alerts by providing a mobile phone number on the Florida Courts website at flcourts.org. The 14th Judicial Circuit also offers text alerts for upcoming court hearings through its website at jud14.flcourts.org.