Bay County public records include arrest logs, jail booking files, court case dockets, property deeds, marriage licenses, tax records, and many other documents. Any person can search these records under Florida’s Public Records Law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
This page explains the main tools, offices, and steps needed to find Bay County arrest records, booking photos, jail roster entries, court case files, and recorded documents. You will learn which office holds each type of record, what fees apply, and what happens when a record is sealed or expunged.
What Bay County Public Records Cover
Bay County public records fall into three main groups. The first group covers law enforcement records. These include arrest logs, booking reports, incident reports, and jail booking photos. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office creates and keeps these records.
The second group covers court records. These include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, divorce filings, probate cases, traffic tickets, and small claims. The Bay County Clerk and Comptroller holds these records.
The third group covers official records. These include property deeds, mortgages, liens, marriage licenses, and satisfaction of mortgage filings. The Clerk’s office records these documents after they are signed. Property and tax records form a fourth group, kept by the Bay County Property Appraiser and the Bay County Tax Collector.
Florida law treats all these records as open to the public. You do not need to give a reason, show ID, or live in the county to search them. The only exceptions are records that a judge has sealed or that fall under a specific exemption in state law.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Arrest Records
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency for the unincorporated parts of Bay County. It also runs the county jail. The Sheriff’s Office creates arrest reports, booking records, and incident reports. These documents become public records once an arrest is logged and the case moves past the active investigation stage.
Bay County arrest records show the arrestee’s full name, date of birth, charges, booking date, arresting agency, and bond amount. They also show the case number, which links the arrest to a court file. Recent arrests are posted to a public log that updates each day.
To get an arrest record from the Sheriff’s Office, you can call the records unit at (850) 747-4700. You can also visit the Sheriff’s Office in person during business hours. Written requests by mail or email are accepted. Include the full name, date of birth, and the date of arrest if you know it. This reduces the time staff spend searching.
| Record Type | Held By | Search Method |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest log | Bay County Sheriff’s Office | Online roster, phone, in person |
| Booking photo (mugshot) | Bay County Sheriff’s Office | Online jail roster, in person |
| Court case file | Bay County Clerk of Court | Online case search, in person |
| Property deed | Bay County Clerk of Court | Online official records search |
| Property value | Bay County Property Appraiser | Parcel search on appraiser site |
| Tax payment history | Bay County Tax Collector | Online tax record search |
How to Find Bay County Arrest Records by Name
The fastest way to search Bay County arrest records by name is the county jail roster. The Sheriff’s Office posts current inmates to a public page on its website. You can search by last name or first name. Results show the inmate’s full name, booking date, charges, and bond information.
For older arrest records, the Bay County Clerk of Court case search is the better tool. Criminal court cases include the original arrest charges, plea, sentence, and case outcome. You can search the Clerk’s site by name or by case number. Common names may return many results. Narrowing by date range or charge type helps.
Florida’s statewide system, myfloridacounty.com, also shows some Bay County court records. Statewide checks help when a person was arrested in Bay County but lives in another part of Florida.
Third-party sites collect arrest data from many counties. These sites can help with background checks across state lines. They are not official. Always confirm the data with the Bay County Clerk or Sheriff’s Office before relying on it for legal purposes.
Bay County Jail Roster and Current Inmate Search
The Bay County Jail is located at 5701 Star Avenue in Panama City. The jail roster is updated each day and posted to the Sheriff’s Office website. The roster shows every person booked into the jail in the past few days. You can see booking photos, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates.
To search the jail roster, open the Sheriff’s Office website and click the inmate search link. Type the last name in the search box. Results show the person’s name, age, booking date, and the charges filed. Click the name to see the booking photo and full charge list.
The roster only shows people still in custody or recently released. People who posted bond and left the jail within 24 hours may not show up. For older releases, use the Clerk of Court case search. That system keeps case data for decades.
Phone inquiries about current inmates are handled by the jail records desk. Call (850) 747-4700 and ask for the records unit. Have the inmate’s full name and date of birth ready if you can. Staff cannot give medical details, but they can confirm custody status and bond amount.
Booking Photos and Mugshots in Bay County
Booking photos, also called mugshots, are taken when a person is booked into the Bay County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office posts these photos on the jail roster. The photos show the front and side views of each arrestee, taken at intake.
Florida law treats mugshots as public records. Anyone can view them. The Sheriff’s Office does not charge a fee to view booking photos online. If you need a printed copy, the records unit can print one for a small fee.
Some mugshot websites pull booking photos from county sites and repost them. These sites often charge high fees to remove the photo. Florida law now restricts this practice. Under Florida Statute Section 901.43, websites that publish booking photos must remove them at no cost if the person was not convicted, the charges were dropped, or the record was expunged. You can file a written request with the website to remove the photo.
To request removal from a third-party site, send a written request with proof of case resolution. The site has 30 days to comply. If the site does not remove the photo, you can file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General.
Bay County Court Records Through the Clerk of Court
The Bay County Clerk and Comptroller is the official keeper of court records. The office is led by Clerk Bill Kinsaul and is located at 300 East 4th Street in Panama City. The phone number is (850) 747-5101. The Clerk’s website, baycoclerk.com, lets you search court cases online.
Bay County sits in the 14th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. The Clerk in Panama City handles cases filed in Bay County Circuit Court and Bay County County Court.
Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, family law, probate, civil cases over $50,000, and juvenile cases. County Court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets, small claims, and civil cases under $50,000.
To search court records, go to the Clerk’s website and click the court records search link. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The system returns a list of matching cases. Click a case to see the full docket, including filings, hearings, and final judgments.
Pre-digital case files from before 2000 may not be online. You can request these records in person at the Clerk’s office. Staff will pull the paper file for viewing or copying. There is a small copy fee for printed pages.
Official Records: Deeds, Mortgages, and Liens
Official records are documents recorded with the Clerk. They include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, liens, easements, and many other property-related filings. They also include marriage licenses, death certificates, and some business filings.
Title companies, lenders, real estate attorneys, and homeowners use the official records search to check property ownership. The system shows the chain of title for a parcel. It also shows whether a property has any unpaid liens or judgments attached.
To search, go to the Clerk’s website and click the official records search link. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, document type, or recording date. Results show the document number, recording date, parties, and legal description. Document images are available as PDF files for most records from 1990 forward.
Recording a new document with Bay County requires submitting the original along with the recording fee. Current fees are listed on the Clerk’s website. As of 2026, the base recording fee is $10 for the first page, with additional charges per extra page and per document type.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Right to Access
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives every person the right to inspect and copy public records. The law says records are open by default. Custodians must respond promptly. They can charge a fee to cover copying costs, but they cannot charge for the act of searching.
Section 119.07 requires the custodian to let you inspect records at any reasonable time. They cannot make you wait weeks when the record is sitting in a file. For large requests, the office can ask you to schedule a time so staff is available to help.
Some records are exempt from disclosure. Section 119.071 lists the main exemptions. These cover active criminal intelligence, certain personal data, some law enforcement techniques, and sealed court records. When a record is withheld, the agency must tell you which exemption applies. A blanket denial is not lawful.
If a Bay County agency refuses your request without proper cause, you can contact the Florida Attorney General’s Open Government mediation program. The phone number is (850) 245-0140. The AG’s office can help mediate the dispute at no cost to you.
Copy Fees and Request Methods
Florida law caps the fees that Bay County can charge for public records copies. Plain copies of administrative records cost up to $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Court records and official recorded documents cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 certification statement fee.
If your request requires more than 30 minutes of staff time, the agency can bill for the extra time. The hourly rate is based on the salary of the employee doing the work. For large requests, ask for a written estimate before the work begins. This lets you decide whether to proceed or narrow the scope.
You can submit records requests by phone, email, in person, or through online forms. Mail-in requests are accepted. Include the full name, date of birth, date of arrest, case number, and document type. The more detail you give, the faster the office can fill your request.
For electronic records, the agency must provide them in the format you request if that format exists. If the record only exists on paper, the agency can offer a paper copy or scan it for you at the per-page rate.
Property Records and Tax Records in Bay County
Property records in Bay County are split between two offices. The Bay County Property Appraiser handles assessment and ownership data. The Bay County Tax Collector handles tax bills and payment history.
The Property Appraiser’s website lets you search by parcel number, owner name, or address. Results show the assessed value, exemptions, sales history, and parcel map. The Property Appraiser’s data is updated each year after the annual assessment.
The Tax Collector’s website shows tax bill status, payment history, and any outstanding tax certificates. Tax certificates are sold when property taxes go unpaid. Buyers of tax certificates can earn interest on the debt.
Neither the Property Appraiser nor the Tax Collector holds the recorded deed. For the official ownership chain, use the Clerk’s official records search. A full title search requires checking all three sources.
County commission meeting minutes, budget documents, and other county administrative records are kept by the Board of County Commissioners. These are also public under Chapter 119. You can request them through the county’s public records process.
Sealed Records and Expungement Basics
Not all arrest records stay public forever. Florida law lets a person seal or expunge an arrest record under specific conditions. Sealing hides the record from most public searches. Expungement physically destroys the record.
You can apply to seal or expunge a record if you were never convicted, the charges were dropped, you completed a diversion program, or you received a full pardon. Some serious charges cannot be sealed, even if you were not convicted.
To start the process, file a Certificate of Eligibility with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The FDLE reviews your record and issues the certificate if you qualify. After you have the certificate, file a petition with the Bay County Clerk of Court. A judge reviews the petition and signs an order to seal or expunge.
Once a record is sealed, the Clerk removes it from online court searches. The Sheriff’s Office removes the booking photo from public view. Third-party sites are required to remove the photo under Florida Statute 901.43 once you provide proof of the sealing order.
Sealed records are still visible to law enforcement, the courts, and certain licensing agencies. They are not visible to employers running background checks or the general public.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Searching Bay County Records
Many people waste time using the wrong tool. Searching the Clerk’s official records when you need arrest data will return no results. Searching the Sheriff’s roster for court case details will also fail. Use the table in this article to match the record type to the right office.
Common names return hundreds of results in the court search. Always include a date of birth or a case number when you can. A case number looks like 2024-CF-001234. The first part is the year. The middle part is the case type code (CF means felony, MM means misdemeanor, DR means divorce). The last part is the sequence number.
Third-party sites may show old data, wrong data, or merged data from multiple people. Always confirm arrest details with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office or the Clerk’s office before relying on the data for a legal matter.
If a record was sealed, it will not show up in any public search. The person must tell you about the sealing for you to know it exists. This protects people who were arrested but never convicted.
Bay County Contact Details and Office Locations
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office main address is 3421 North Highway 77, Panama City, FL 32405. The phone number is (850) 747-4700. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The records unit handles arrest logs, incident reports, and booking photo requests.
The Bay County Jail is located at 5701 Star Avenue, Panama City, FL 32404. Phone: (850) 747-4700. The jail lobby is open for inmate visitation and bond payments during posted hours. Visitation schedules are listed on the Sheriff’s website.
The Bay County Clerk and Comptroller’s office is located at 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401. Phone: (850) 747-5101. The office handles court records, official records, and passport applications. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Website: www.baycoclerk.com (Clerk of Court) and www.bayso.org (Sheriff’s Office).
Frequently Asked Questions About Bay County Public Records
The questions below cover the most common record searches in Bay County. Each answer includes the specific office, search method, and fee you can expect. The answers reflect the current Florida public records law and Bay County office procedures as of 2026.
How Do I Find Out if Someone Was Arrested in Bay County Today?
Use the Bay County Jail Roster on the Sheriff’s Office website. The roster is updated every day. Search by last name to see anyone booked into the jail in the past 72 hours. The listing shows the arrest date, charges, bond, and booking photo. If the person was released before the roster updated, call the Sheriff’s records unit at (850) 747-4700. Staff can confirm custody status over the phone. For older arrests, search the Clerk of Court case records. Court records keep the full arrest history linked to each case.
Are Bay County Mugshots Free to View?
Yes, mugshots posted to the Bay County jail roster are free to view online. You do not need an account. The Sheriff’s Office does not charge for online viewing. If you need a printed copy, the records unit charges a small per-page fee under Florida law. Third-party sites that repost mugshots often charge removal fees. Florida Statute 901.43 lets you demand removal at no cost if you were not convicted. Send a written request to the third-party site with proof of case resolution.
Can I Remove My Arrest Record From Bay County Search Results?
You can remove a record if you qualify for sealing or expungement under Florida law. The first step is to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE. FDLE reviews your criminal history. If you qualify, FDLE issues the certificate. Take the certificate to the Bay County Clerk of Court and file a petition. A judge signs the final order. After sealing, the Clerk hides the court record and the Sheriff removes the booking photo. Third-party sites are required to remove the photo within 30 days of your written request.
What Is the Difference Between Bay County Arrest Records and Court Records?
Arrest records are created by the Sheriff’s Office at the time of arrest. They list the arrestee, charges, and booking details. Court records are created by the Clerk of Court after a case is filed. They track the case through arraignment, plea, hearings, and judgment. An arrest record shows what happened at booking. A court record shows what happened at trial. Both records are public. The Sheriff’s Office holds arrest records. The Clerk’s office holds court records. Search both for a full picture of a case.
How Long Does Bay County Keep Arrest Records Online?
The Bay County jail roster shows bookings from the past 72 hours. Older bookings are removed from the public roster but remain in the Sheriff’s internal database. Court records stay online for decades. Records from 1990 forward are searchable through the Clerk’s online system. Paper files for older cases are kept in the courthouse and can be requested in person. Sealed or expunged records are removed from online systems entirely.
Can I Get a Copy of a Police Report in Bay County?
Yes, police reports become public once the active investigation ends. To get a copy, contact the Bay County Sheriff’s Office records unit at (850) 747-4700. Provide the case number, date, location, and names involved. The fee is $0.15 per single-sided page for plain copies. Reports tied to active criminal cases or certain juvenile cases are exempt under Florida law. The Sheriff’s Office must tell you the specific exemption if a report is withheld.
Is There a Fee to Search the Bay County Jail Roster?
No, the jail roster is free to search on the Sheriff’s Office website. You do not need to register or pay. The Clerk of Court’s online case search is also free for basic name searches. Fees apply only when you request certified copies or printed documents. Florida law caps these fees. Plain copies of court records cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost an extra $5.00 per document. Bulk records requests may include a special service charge for staff time over 30 minutes.