Search Washington County Background Checks
Background check records in Washington County are held by the Clerk of Court in Chipley and by FDLE at the state level. Washington County is a small, rural county in the Florida Panhandle with a single courthouse. All local court filings go through the clerk's office on Jackson Avenue. Criminal history data from across the state comes from FDLE. If you need to run a background check for someone with ties to Washington County, these are the two main sources you will use.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Court
Lora C. Bell serves as the Washington County Clerk of Court. The office is at 1293 Jackson Ave, Suite 101 in Chipley. This is the only clerk office in the county. All court records for Washington County are stored and managed here. You can call (850) 638-6289 to ask about records or check hours before you visit.
The Washington County Clerk website has info on court services and online search tools. You can use the site to look up case records by name or number. The results show case type, filing date, and status. For a more complete view of a court file, you may need to visit in person or call the office. The online search is free for anyone to use.
The Washington County Clerk of Court website gives you access to court record search tools and filing info.
You can use this portal to search for court filings and public records in Washington County.
| Clerk | Lora C. Bell |
|---|---|
| Address | 1293 Jackson Ave, Ste 101, Chipley, FL 32428 |
| Phone | (850) 638-6289 |
| Website | washingtonclerk.com |
Note: The courthouse may have limited hours. Call ahead to make sure they are open when you plan to visit.
Searching Washington County Background Check Records
Two main options exist for background checks in Washington County. One is through the local clerk. The other is through FDLE. The clerk keeps court case records like criminal filings, civil suits, and traffic cases. FDLE has statewide arrest and conviction data. For a complete background check in Washington County, you may want to use both.
To search at the courthouse, visit 1293 Jackson Ave in Chipley. Bring a valid ID. Tell the staff who you want to look up. They can run a search and print results. You can also search from home using the MyFloridaCounty portal. This is a free search tool that covers official records from any Florida county, including Washington. It covers recorded documents like liens, deeds, and judgments.
Under Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes, all public records in the state are open to anyone. You do not need to explain why you want them. This applies to court records in Washington County and every other county in Florida.
FDLE Criminal History Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement handles statewide criminal history searches. Their database includes arrest data from every law enforcement agency in Florida, including the Washington County Sheriff's Office. A check through FDLE covers the whole state, not just Washington County.
Start at the FDLE Criminal History Records page. Name-based checks cost $24 and can be submitted online through CCHInet. Results come back within about 24 hours. For a more thorough search, you can get a fingerprint-based check done at a LiveScan provider. Washington County does not have many providers, so you may need to travel to Panama City or another nearby city for fingerprinting.
Washington County residents can check their own record through the FDLE Personal Review option. This shows you what appears on your own criminal history before someone else runs a check. The VECHS program handles checks required under Chapter 943 for specific roles.
Background Check Fees in Washington County
The fees for a background check in Washington County depend on the type of check you need. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history search. This is the same fee no matter which county you are in. You pay online through the FDLE criminal history records page. Fingerprint checks cost more and vary by provider.
At the Washington County Clerk office, copy fees apply when you need documents from court files. Plain copies are 15 cents per page. Certified copies cost $1 per page. There is no charge to search case records on the clerk's website or at the courthouse. The search itself is free.
- FDLE state check: $24.00
- Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
- Certified copy: $1.00 per page
- Online case search: Free
Note: Fees are set by state law and the Washington County Clerk of Court. They can change without advance notice.
Public Records Law
Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 makes government records open to anyone. You do not need to live in Washington County. You do not need to say why you want the records. The clerk must let you see any public file. This covers court records, police reports, and most other government documents held in Washington County.
Some records are sealed or exempt. Those are not available through a public records request. But the default is open access. The Attorney General's Open Government page explains your rights under the Sunshine Law. If you have trouble getting records from a Washington County office, the AG can help resolve the issue.
Getting Copies of Washington County Records
Visit the clerk at 1293 Jackson Ave in Chipley to get copies of court records. Staff can search by name or case number and print what you need. Bring cash or a check for the copy fee. For certified copies, ask the clerk to stamp and sign them. You can check the Find a Clerk directory to confirm details before your trip.
You can also send a written request by mail. Include the full name of the person, date of birth if known, and the type of record you want. Send payment for the expected copy fees. The clerk will mail back the documents. For FDLE records, submit online at CCHInet and pay $24 with a card. Results come by email. This is faster than a mail request for a Washington County background check.
Background Check Screening Levels
Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes defines two levels of background screening. Level 1 is name-based and searches state records through FDLE. Level 2 uses fingerprints and includes FBI national records. The type you need depends on the purpose of the check. Level 1 covers most general record searches. Level 2 is for situations where state law requires a deeper check, such as roles involving children or people with disabilities.
Cities in Washington County
Washington County includes Chipley, Vernon, Caryville, Ebro, and Wausau. All court records for these communities go through the Washington County Clerk of Court in Chipley. No city in Washington County has a population over 75,000. Background check searches for anyone in these areas use the same clerk office and the same process.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders several other Panhandle counties. Records for people who have lived nearby may be in one of these counties.