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How to Find Public Records in Holmes County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Holmes County, Florida, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county and state agencies. HolmesRecords.org provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available records maintained by Holmes County government offices. The types of records that may be accessible include, but are not limited to:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates
Voter registration and election records
Business licenses and fictitious name registrations
Tax and property assessment records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)

Online Access: Members of the public may search court records through the Florida Courts First District – Holmes County portal, which provides access to civil cases, family law matters, felony proceedings, and appeals from county court. The Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services also maintains the Florida Clerk of Courts online case search system for additional court-related documents.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may submit records requests in person at the Holmes County Clerk of Courts office, located at 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought; no formal form is required under state law.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be directed to the Holmes County Clerk of Courts at 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425. Requests should include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, agencies are required to acknowledge requests promptly and provide access within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email: The Holmes County Clerk of Courts may be reached by telephone at (850) 547-1100. Email contact information is available through the official clerk's website.

What Are Public Records in Holmes County?

Public records in Holmes County are defined by Florida's broad open records framework, which encompasses virtually 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 Statutes § 119.011, a "public record" includes any material regardless of physical form or characteristics that is made or received by a public agency in the transaction of official business.

The following record types are maintained by Holmes County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Holmes County Clerk of Courts
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Holmes County Clerk of Courts
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Florida Department of Health in Holmes County
Death certificates	Florida Department of Health – Holmes County
Voter registration and election records	Holmes County Supervisor of Elections
Business licenses and fictitious names	Florida Division of Corporations / Clerk of Courts
Tax and property assessment records	Holmes County Property Appraiser
Meeting minutes and agendas	Holmes County Board of County Commissioners
Driver license and motor vehicle records	Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Holmes County
Law enforcement records	Holmes County Sheriff's Office

The Holmes County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian for the majority of official county records, including court filings, official instruments, and recorded documents.

Is Holmes County an Open Records County?

Holmes County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and the Florida Public Records Law, making it an open records jurisdiction. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 119, all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. The Florida Department of Health in Holmes County affirms this directly, stating on its official contact page: "Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communication to or from state officials regarding state business are public records, available to the public and media upon request."

The Holmes County Supervisor of Elections similarly acknowledges its obligations, noting that the Elections Office is "a public entity subject to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes concerning public records." This framework applies to all county offices, boards, and agencies operating within Holmes County. Florida's Sunshine Law further requires that meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, and that adequate notice be provided in advance of such meetings. There are no county-specific ordinances that restrict access beyond the exemptions already established under state law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Holmes County?

The standard fee structure for public records in Holmes County is governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum fees agencies may charge for copies and related services. Current fees are as follows:

Service	Standard Fee
Single-sided copy (up to 8.5" x 14")	$0.15 per page
Double-sided copy	$0.20 per page
Certified copy (court documents)	Varies by document type
Electronic records (where applicable)	Actual cost of duplication
Extensive use of agency resources	Special service charge may apply
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge.
Copy fees: Copies of standard-size documents are charged at $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per two-sided page.
Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents carry fees set by the Florida Clerk of Courts; these vary by document type and are established under Florida law.
Electronic format fees: Agencies may charge the actual cost of duplication for records provided in electronic format.
Special service charges: When a request requires extensive use of agency resources, a special service charge reflecting the actual cost of the personnel time involved may be assessed.
Fee waivers: Florida law does not mandate a blanket fee waiver provision, though individual agencies may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.

Accepted payment methods at the Holmes County Clerk of Courts include cash, check, and money order. Credit card acceptance may vary by office.

Does Holmes County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under Florida law, and no fee may be charged solely for the act of reviewing records in person. Members of the public may inspect records at the Holmes County Clerk of Courts, the Holmes County Property Appraiser's office, and other county agencies without incurring a cost, provided no copies are requested.

Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online portals:

Court case information is searchable through the Florida Courts First District – Holmes County online system at no charge.
Voter registration data and election results are available through the Holmes County Supervisor of Elections website without a fee.
Driver license and motor vehicle service information is accessible through the Florida DHSMV Holmes County office locator.
Death certificate ordering information and public records guidance are provided at no cost through the Florida Department of Health in Holmes County death certificates page.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no charge, physical or electronic copies are subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Holmes County?

Any person may request public records in Holmes County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Florida's public records law does not require requestors to be Florida residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, members of the media, and non-residents alike.

Specific considerations include:

Identification: Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect or obtain copies of public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain exempt information requiring verification of eligibility.
Purpose: No agency may condition access to public records on the requestor's disclosure of the intended use of the records.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves follow the same process as any other requestor; however, certain records (such as sealed court records) may require a court order even for the subject of the record.
Restrictions for specific record types: Some records, such as those containing personal identifying information or records subject to statutory exemptions, may be partially redacted before release. For example, the Florida Department of Health in Holmes County notes that when issuing death certificate public record requests, "the first five digits of the decedent's social security number will be redacted."
Non-residents: Non-residents of Florida retain full rights to request and receive public records under state law.

What Records Are Confidential in Holmes County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Florida law and are not available for inspection or copying. The primary exemptions are established under Florida Statutes Chapter 119 and related provisions throughout the Florida Statutes. Confidential and exempt records in Holmes County include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are confidential under Florida law.
Active criminal investigation records: Records compiled during an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or an arrest is made.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are exempt from disclosure.
Medical records: Patient medical records are protected under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed and confidential.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Department of Children and Families regarding child abuse or neglect investigations are exempt.
Personnel records: Certain portions of government employee personnel files, including home addresses and medical information, are exempt.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted business records containing trade secrets are protected from disclosure.
Security plans and infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public facilities and critical infrastructure are exempt.

Florida Statutes § 119.071 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public records statewide. Agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any claimed exemption at the time a request is denied or a record is withheld.

Holmes County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Holmes County Clerk of Courts 201 N. Oklahoma Street Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 547-1100 Holmes County Clerk of Courts

Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.

Additional Offices:

Florida Department of Health in Holmes County 107 E. Virginia Avenue Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 547-1044 Florida Department of Health in Holmes County

Holmes County Supervisor of Elections 201 N. Oklahoma Street, Suite 102 Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 547-1107 Holmes County Supervisor of Elections

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – Holmes County 201 N. Oklahoma Street Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 547-1100 Florida DHSMV Holmes County Service Center

Holmes County Property Appraiser 201 N. Oklahoma Street Bonifay, FL 32425 (850) 547-1113 Holmes County Property Appraiser