Public Records

The Florida Constitution provides for the Clerk to act as Ex-Officio Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. In this capacity, a primary responsibility of the Clerk is to record and index minutes for the Board of County Commission meetings.

The Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court, is the official recorder of all instruments that may be required or authorized by law to be recorded in Bay County. It is required that all instruments are recorded in one general series of books called, “Official Records.” A general alphabetical index of all instruments filed for record is maintained and made available to the public.

Deeds, leases, agreements, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, tax warrants, notices of claims of liens, any instrument relating to ownership, transfer, or encumbrance of real property are examples of instruments required to be recorded. Documents originating within the Clerk’s Office, such as bonds, judgements, administrative orders, appeals, motions and dismissals are also recorded.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is the county recorder. Copies of marriage licenses, deeds, mortgages, and other instruments are on file in the recording office of the Bay County Courthouse.

Official records can be accessed through on-line access, imagery processing, as well as on CD. All official records are open to the public.

Deputy Clerks are available to assist the public in searching for information.

We do not take personal checks effective 02/21/2007.