Search Walton County Civil Court Records

Walton County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in DeFuniak Springs. The 1st Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Walton County, and the clerk's office gives public access to court files both online and in person.

Walton County Clerk of Court

Crystal Sconiers is the Clerk of Court for Walton County. Her office stores all civil court records in the county. Staff process new filings, keep court documents, and provide copies to the public. The office is at 571 US Highway 90 E in DeFuniak Springs. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records in Walton County.

The Walton County Clerk website has tools for looking up court cases and official records online. The site covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. You can search by name or case number to find civil court records in Walton County.

The clerk's office is open weekdays. Walk-in requests for civil court records are handled at the counter in DeFuniak Springs.

How to Search Walton County Civil Court Records

You can search Walton County civil court records online for free. The clerk's website links to the case search tools that cover civil case types. Enter a party name or case number to pull up results. The system shows case type, filing date, and docket entries for civil court records in Walton County.

The online search connects to the statewide court records system run by CiviTek. This portal lets you look up civil cases across many Florida counties from one spot. Search by party name or case number to find records filed in Walton County.

To search by name, type the last name first. Add a first name to narrow results. Walton County has about 75,000 people and has been growing. Common names may pull up more results than you expect, so use a date range if you can.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also gives access to Walton County civil court records. This statewide system connects to all 67 county clerks. You can file new civil cases through the portal at any time. Registration is free. Filing fees still apply when you submit documents to Walton County.

For in-person searches, go to the clerk's office at 571 US Highway 90 E in DeFuniak Springs. Staff can look up cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Both are available at the counter. Bring your ID when you visit for civil court records in Walton County.

Civil Court Structure in Walton County

Walton County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. Civil cases in Walton County go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property claims. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go to Circuit Court in Walton County. County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court too. Eviction cases are heard in County Court as well.

The Florida court locations page shows courthouse addresses for Walton County and every other county in the state. If you are not sure which court level handles your civil case in Walton County, the clerk's office can help point you in the right direction.

Confidential Information in Walton County Civil Court Records

Certain data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law says social security numbers and bank account or credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. If these show up in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to take them out. There is no charge for this in Walton County.

To request redaction from Walton County civil court records, file the "Request to Redact Confidential Number" form. List the case name, case number, document heading, and page where the data appears. The clerk will black it out from the public copy.

Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Walton County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form flags protected data so the clerk can keep it out of public view.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Walton County

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling a civil case on their own. The clerk's office in Walton County cannot give legal advice, but staff can point you to the right forms for your civil case.

DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. More than 20 form sets are available for small claims, landlord-tenant, and other civil case types. You can file the forms through the portal to the Walton County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply when you submit civil court documents.

The E-Filing Portal help desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time at (850) 577-4609. Call if you need help with electronic filing of civil court cases in Walton County. Training videos on the portal walk through the steps.

Public Records Access in Walton County

Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Walton County. You do not need to be a party in a case to see the file. Anyone can ask to view a public civil court record.

Some limits apply. Items that stay confidential under Section 119.0714 include social security numbers and bank account numbers. Records sealed by court order are also off limits. But most civil court files in Walton County are open to the public without restriction.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 571 US Highway 90 E in DeFuniak Springs. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The Find a Clerk directory lists contact info for all 67 county clerks if you need to reach another office for civil court records.

Cities in Walton County

Walton County has several small cities and communities. All civil court cases for these places go through the Walton County Clerk of Court. DeFuniak Springs is the county seat and the main location for filing and looking up civil court records in Walton County.

Communities in Walton County include DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Paxton, and parts of the beach communities along the coast. None of these cities have separate court systems. All civil cases go through the Walton County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 1st Judicial Circuit with Walton County. If you are not sure which county handles your civil case, check the address where the dispute took place. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.