Washington County court docket records list every filing, hearing, ruling, and judgment for cases in the local court system. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Chipley stores and updates these docket records for the 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Anyone can search the docket for civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases through online portals or at the courthouse in person.
What a Washington County Court Docket Contains
A court docket lists every event in a legal case. Each entry shows the date, document type, party names, and action taken. The Washington County court docket includes case numbers, hearing dates, motions, orders, judgments, and final rulings. Docket entries appear in the order they were filed with the clerk’s office.
Public docket records show who filed what, when a hearing is set, and what the judge ordered. Sealed or expunged cases are not on the public docket. Family, juvenile, and some probate cases have limited public access under Florida law and court rules.
Each docket sheet shows the full case history. A clerk scans paper filings into the system. Electronic filings show up the same day they are submitted. The clerk updates the docket every business day during office hours in Chipley.
Role of the Washington County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court runs the office that holds all court docket records. The clerk accepts new case filings, assigns case numbers, schedules hearings, and stores every document. The clerk is the official record keeper for the 14th Judicial Circuit Court in Washington County, Florida.
The clerk’s office also handles marriage licenses, deeds, liens, and other public records. Court docket searches are free to do online. Copies of docket documents cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more and carry legal weight for court use.
The Washington County Clerk serves all towns in the county. Chipley is the county seat. The clerk’s office is at the courthouse in Chipley. Staff help walk-in visitors look up case records during business hours.
| Office | Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1331 South Boulevard, Chipley, FL 32428 |
| Phone | (850) 638-6285 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | washingtonclerk.com |
Florida Statute Chapter 119 requires the clerk to give public access to court records. Chapter 119 covers all state, county, and local records. The clerk must respond to record requests in a reasonable time and cannot charge more than the actual cost of duplication.
Online Search Systems for Washington County Court Docket
Two statewide portals let you search Washington County court docket records from home. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal covers all 67 Florida counties, including Washington. The portal serves more than 770,000 users each year and processes over 30 million documents annually across the state court system.
You can search by case number, party name, or attorney name. Docket entries show filing dates, hearing times, and rulings. The system updates docket records each business day. No account is needed to view basic docket data on the public side of the portal.
The ACIS portal handles appellate court docket records. ACIS covers the Florida Supreme Court and all six District Courts of Appeal. ACIS does not handle trial court cases. Use the E-Filing Portal for Washington County trial court docket records and ACIS for any appeals filed from Washington County trial court decisions.
For local record searches, the Washington County Clerk website links to the statewide portals. The clerk’s website also has office hours, contact details, and fee schedules for certified copies of court records.
Washington County Civil Court Docket
Washington County civil court docket records cover lawsuits between private parties. Civil cases include contract disputes, property claims, personal injury, and debt collection. The Circuit Court hears civil cases where the amount in dispute is over $50,000. The County Court hears civil cases up to $50,000.
Each civil case gets a case number when filed. The docket tracks every motion, response, and order. Civil court hearings include pretrial conferences, motion hearings, and trials. Settlement agreements get filed as part of the docket and become public record once entered.
- Contract disputes and business claims
- Property line and boundary cases
- Personal injury and wrongful death suits
- Debt collection and foreclosure cases
Civil docket records are open to the public. You can search by case number or party name. Personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names get redacted from public docket entries under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420.
Washington County Criminal Court Docket
Washington County criminal court docket records cover felony, misdemeanor, and traffic cases. Felonies go to Circuit Court. Misdemeanors and traffic offenses go to County Court. The docket shows charges, arraignments, plea hearings, trials, and sentencing decisions for each case.
Criminal docket entries include arrest dates, bond amounts, and judge assignments. Each entry shows the action taken and the date. Public defenders and private attorneys file motions that show up in the docket. Court orders on motions are also part of the public docket record.
You can search criminal docket records by defendant name or case number. Sealed cases and expunged records do not show up in public searches. Juvenile criminal cases are not public under Florida law and are not included in the online docket system.
Washington County Traffic Court Docket
Washington County traffic court docket records cover moving violations, driving under suspension, and other traffic offenses. Most traffic cases are misdemeanors. They go through County Court. The docket shows citation numbers, hearing dates, fine amounts, and outcomes for each case.
Traffic docket entries include plea entries, fine payments, and license suspensions. You can search by citation number or driver name. Some traffic cases get resolved by written plea or by mail. The docket shows the resolution type and date so the public can see how each case ended.
Commercial driver license cases follow federal rules. CDL holders face stricter rules on traffic violations. The docket shows all CDL traffic cases for the county. Out-of-state drivers can also look up their traffic cases on the same online docket system.
Washington County Family Court Docket
Washington County family court docket records cover divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and protective orders. Family cases go through Circuit Court. The docket shows petitions, motions, and court orders in each case from filing to final judgment.
Family docket records are restricted under Rule 2.420. Basic docket data like case number, party names, and hearing dates are public. Case details and documents need a court order or party status to view. The clerk’s office staff can confirm hearing dates without showing the full case file.
You can search family docket records by case number. Some counties let you search by name. The Washington County Clerk’s office can confirm hearing dates and judge assignments for family cases without showing the full case file. Domestic violence cases have additional protections under Florida law.
Washington County Probate Court Docket
Washington County probate court docket records cover wills, estates, guardianships, and trusts. Probate cases go through Circuit Court. The docket shows petitions, inventory filings, accountings, and final orders in each probate matter.
Probate docket records are public. You can search by case number, decedent name, or attorney name. Will filings, inventory documents, and final discharge orders appear in the docket. Creditor claims against the estate are also part of the public record in probate cases.
Guardianship cases have limited public access. Mental health and developmental disability cases are restricted. The docket shows basic case data for guardianships. The full case file is only available to parties, attorneys, and those with a court order.
Washington County Small Claims and Magistrate Docket
Washington County small claims court handles civil cases up to $8,000. Small claims cases go through County Court. The docket shows claim filings, hearing dates, and judgments. Small claims court is meant for people who file cases without an attorney.
Small claims docket records are public. You can search by plaintiff or defendant name. Common small claims cases include unpaid debts, security deposits, property damage, and small contract disputes between private parties.
Magistrate cases in Washington County cover landlord-tenant disputes, small civil claims, and some family matters. The magistrate makes recommendations to the circuit judge. The docket shows magistrate reports and judge rulings based on the magistrate’s recommendations.
Washington County Common Pleas, General Sessions, and Superior Court Docket
Florida does not have common pleas courts, general sessions courts, or superior courts. Washington County uses Circuit Court and County Court instead. Some states use common pleas or superior courts for major civil and criminal cases. Florida merged these courts into the unified circuit court system.
Washington County Circuit Court handles the same cases common pleas or superior courts handle in other states. Felonies, major civil cases, family law, and probate all go to Circuit Court. Washington County County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic, and small civil cases at the trial level.
All Washington County docket records use the same case numbering system. Each case gets a unique number that stays the same through appeals. The 14th Judicial Circuit covers Washington County, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Jackson counties in the Florida panhandle.
How to Search Washington County Court Docket by Case Number
Searching by case number is the fastest way to get a docket record. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal accepts case number searches. Type the full case number with the year and sequence code. Example format: 2024-CA-000123 for a civil case filed in 2024.
Case numbers in Washington County follow a standard format used across Florida. Civil cases use CA. Criminal cases use CF. Family cases use DR. Probate cases use PR. Traffic cases use TR. The year comes first, then the case type code, then the sequence number.
You can also call the clerk’s office at (850) 638-6285 to search by case number. Staff will pull up the docket and read entries over the phone. Certified copies of docket entries require a written request and fee under the clerk’s published fee schedule.
How to Search Washington County Court Docket by Name
Search by name using the E-Filing Portal. Type the full name in the party search field. The system shows all cases with that name. Use the full legal name to get the best results. Common name searches work best with date range filters.
Name searches return case numbers, filing dates, and case types. Click the case number to see the full docket. The docket shows every filing, hearing, and order in the case from start to finish. Attorney name searches work the same way and show all cases a lawyer has filed in the court.
Common name searches need filters. Use a date range or case type filter. The system shows cases filed within the date range. You can filter by criminal, civil, family, or probate cases. Date filters help narrow the results when many people share the same name.
How to Search Washington County Court Docket by Date
Date searches work in the E-Filing Portal. Pick a start date and end date. The system shows all cases filed in that range. Date searches work for hearing dates, filing dates, and judgment dates on the docket.
Hearing date searches show all cases set for a specific day. The clerk’s office publishes daily hearing lists. Daily docket lists show case numbers, parties, times, and courtroom numbers for each day’s schedule.
The clerk updates the daily docket each morning. You can view the daily docket on the clerk’s website. The daily docket shows the next business day’s cases. The list updates as cases get added, rescheduled, or settled before the hearing date.
Washington County Public Access Rules and Florida Law
Florida law makes court docket records public. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives the public the right to see and copy government records. Court docket records fall under this law. The clerk must give access in a reasonable time and at the actual cost of duplication.
Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration lists records that are not public. Sealed cases, expunged records, and confidential details are restricted. Family, juvenile, and adoption cases have limited access based on party status and court order.
Administrative Order AOSC24-65 controls electronic access to court records. The order defines 15 user roles. The general public can see basic case data without an account. Attorneys, parties, and media have different access levels based on their role in the case.
Personal details get redacted from public docket records. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passport numbers, and minor children’s names get removed from the public version of docket entries. The full unredacted record stays in the court’s file.
MyFloridaCounty is another portal for public records. This portal covers deeds, liens, and other recorded documents. Some court cases link to recorded documents. The portal lets you search recorded documents by name, date, or document type from the same site.
Washington County Docket Archives and Real-Time Updates
Old docket records are stored in the clerk’s archive. Cases older than 10 years are often in archive storage. Archive records are still public. You can request archive records through the clerk’s office. The clerk pulls the file from archive and makes copies for a small fee.
Real-time docket updates happen each business day. New filings show up the same day. Hearing dates update when set. Court orders show up the same day they are signed by the judge. The online system pulls updates from the clerk’s case management system.
After-hours filings go in the system the next business day. The clerk’s office scans paper filings the same day they are received. Electronic filings show up immediately through the E-Filing Portal. The system timestamps each filing for the public record.
The clerk’s office has been digitizing old case files. Many cases from 1990 forward are in the digital system. Cases from before 1990 are in paper archives at the courthouse. You can request paper archive records through the clerk’s office with a written request.
Washington County Daily Docket, Calendar, and Hearing Schedule
The daily docket shows every case set for hearing each day. The clerk posts the daily docket on the website each morning. The docket shows case numbers, party names, hearing times, and courtroom numbers for that day’s schedule.
Court calendar searches work through the E-Filing Portal. You can search by date, judge, or case type. The calendar shows all hearings for a specific day. The calendar updates as cases get added or rescheduled by the court or the parties.
Jury duty dockets are managed by the jury commissioner. The jury commissioner sends jury summons by mail. The jury docket shows which jurors need to report. Jurors can check their status by calling the clerk’s office at (850) 638-6285 during business hours.
Arraignment Docket, Felony Docket, and Misdemeanor Docket
Arraignment dockets show every case set for first appearance. The arraignment is where the defendant hears the charges and pleads. The docket shows charges, plea entries, and bond decisions. Most arraignments happen within 24 hours of arrest in Washington County.
Felony dockets cover cases with potential prison time over one year. Felony cases go to Circuit Court. The docket shows charges, motions, hearings, and trials. Most felony cases resolve through plea agreements before going to trial. The docket records each step in the case.
Misdemeanor dockets cover cases with potential jail time under one year. Misdemeanors go to County Court. The docket shows charges, hearings, and outcomes. Most misdemeanor cases resolve at the first hearing. The docket shows whether the defendant pleaded, paid a fine, or went to trial.
Appellate Docket and Live Docket Status for Washington County
Appellate dockets track cases on appeal. The appeal gets a new docket in the District Court of Appeal. The 14th Judicial Circuit is in the First District Court of Appeal. ACIS tracks appellate dockets from the First District and other Florida appellate courts.
Appellate docket entries show briefs filed, oral arguments, and rulings. The appellate court reviews the trial court record. The appellate docket is separate from the trial court docket. The two dockets have different case numbers but share the same parties and trial court case number for reference.
You can search appellate dockets on the ACIS portal. ACIS does not need an account for public searches. You can search by appellate case number, party name, or attorney name. Live docket status updates appear on the E-Filing Portal the same day for trial court cases and on ACIS for appellate cases.
Official Contact, Office Hours, and Courthouse Location
The Washington County Clerk of Court office is at 1331 South Boulevard, Chipley, FL 32428. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes on federal and state holidays. Walk-in visitors can search docket records at the public access terminal during office hours.
Phone: (850) 638-6285. The clerk’s office staff can help with docket searches, document copies, and filing questions. The office is in the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley. Staff also answer questions about court procedures and record fees.
Website: washingtonclerk.com. The website has links to online docket search, fee schedules, and office forms. You can search docket records from home through the website. The site also posts job openings, public notices, and official records search tools.
Email: Public records requests can be made in writing. Send written requests to the clerk’s office mailing address at 1331 South Boulevard, Chipley, FL 32428. The clerk responds to written requests within a reasonable time under Florida public records law.
Nearby Counties and Cross-Border Docket Records
Court docket records stay in the county where the case was filed. Verify the right county before you start searching. The 14th Judicial Circuit covers six counties. Cases filed in Washington County stay in Washington County even if the parties live in another county.
- Bay County – Panama City, Florida
- Calhoun County – Blountstown, Florida
- Holmes County – Bonifay, Florida
- Jackson County – Marianna, Florida
- Walton County – DeFuniak Springs, Florida
- Gulf County – Port St. Joe, Florida
Each county has its own clerk’s office and online docket search. The statewide E-Filing Portal covers all six counties in the 14th Judicial Circuit. You can switch between counties on the portal by changing the county filter in the search form.
Suggested Meta Title and Meta Description
Meta Title: Washington County Court Docket Search and Records (2026)
Meta Description: Search Washington County court docket records online for free. Find civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate dockets by case number, name, or date at the 14th Judicial Circuit Clerk of Court in Chipley, FL.
Suggested Internal Links
- Washington County Clerk of Court official site (washingtonclerk.com)
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myflcourtaccess.com)
- Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers (flclerks.com)
- ACIS Appellate Docket Search (acis.flcourts.gov)
- MyFloridaCounty Official Records (myfloridacounty.com)
- 14th Judicial Circuit Court (jud14.flcourts.gov)
- Florida Supreme Court and District Courts (flcourts.gov)
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington County Court Docket
Below are answers to common questions about Washington County court docket records. Each answer gives clear, factual details. Use these answers to help you search the docket system. The clerk’s office in Chipley also answers questions by phone during business hours.
1. How do I search Washington County court docket records online for free?
You can search Washington County court docket records for free on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal covers all 67 Florida counties, including Washington County in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Type a case number or party name in the search field on the public side of the portal. Basic docket data shows up without an account. The system updates each business day with new filings, hearings, and court orders. Certified copies of docket entries cost a small fee per page through the clerk’s office. The Washington County Clerk website at washingtonclerk.com has direct links to the statewide portal and local search tools. You can also call the clerk’s office at (850) 638-6285 to ask about a specific case during business hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
2. What details appear on a Washington County court docket sheet?
A Washington County court docket sheet shows the case number, party names, attorney names, judge assignment, and case type for each case. Each docket entry lists the filing date, document type, and action taken by the court. Hearings, motions, orders, and judgments all appear in the docket in the order they were filed. Personal details like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s names get redacted from public docket entries under Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. The docket sheet gives a full timeline of the case from filing to final judgment. The clerk updates each docket entry the same business day the action happens. You can view docket sheets online through the E-Filing Portal or in person at the clerk’s office in Chipley.
3. Can I see sealed or expunged Washington County court docket records?
Sealed and expunged Washington County court docket records are not public. The original court order is needed to unseal a case. Expunged records get destroyed under Florida law. You cannot view sealed records without being a party to the case or having a court order from a Florida judge. The clerk’s office can confirm a case exists but cannot show sealed docket entries. Adoption records and juvenile records have separate rules under Florida law. The clerk will deny requests for sealed case numbers and party names. Expungement removes the case from public view entirely. If you need a sealed record for legal reasons, you must file a motion with the court that handled the original case. The court decides whether to unseal the record.
4. How long does Washington County keep court docket records?
Washington County keeps court docket records permanently. Civil cases older than 10 years are in archive storage at the courthouse. Criminal cases stay in the active system longer. Most cases from 1990 forward are digitized and available online through the E-Filing Portal. Older cases are in paper archives at the clerk’s office in Chipley. You can request archive records through the clerk’s office with a written request and small fee. The clerk pulls the file from archive and makes copies for the public. Archive requests take a few business days to process. The clerk does not destroy any case records under Florida record retention rules. Court records stay public even after the parties die or the case ends.
5. What is the difference between Washington County Circuit Court and County Court dockets?
Circuit Court dockets cover felonies, family law, probate, and civil cases over $50,000. County Court dockets cover misdemeanors, traffic offenses, small claims up to $8,000, and civil cases up to $50,000. Circuit Court cases use case numbers starting with CF for criminal felony, DR for domestic relations, PR for probate, or CA for civil. County Court cases use case numbers starting with MM for criminal misdemeanor, TR for traffic, or CC for county civil. Both courts are part of the 14th Judicial Circuit in Washington County. The Circuit Court sits in Chipley and hears major cases. The County Court also sits in Chipley and handles lesser cases at the trial level. The clerk maintains separate docket sheets for each court.
6. How do I find a Washington County arraignment or jury docket?
You can find Washington County arraignment dockets on the clerk’s website or the E-Filing Portal. Search by date to see all arraignments set for that day. The daily docket shows case numbers, party names, and hearing times. Arraignment dockets update each morning before court starts. Jury dockets are managed by the jury commissioner. Jurors get summons by mail at least two weeks before service. Jurors can check their status by calling the clerk’s office at (850) 638-6285. The jury docket shows which jurors need to report each day. Jurors can defer service once by contacting the clerk before the reporting date. Failure to report can result in a contempt of court charge under Florida law.
7. Can I get a certified copy of a Washington County court docket entry?
You can get a certified copy of a Washington County court docket entry from the clerk’s office. Visit the office at 1331 South Boulevard, Chipley, FL 32428, or send a written request by mail. Certified copies cost more than regular copies based on the clerk’s published fee schedule. The fee depends on the document type and number of pages. Certified copies carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal use in Florida and other states. Allow a few business days for processing written requests. The clerk will mail the certified copy to the address you provide. Same-day certified copies are available for walk-in visitors during office hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests.