Calhoun County court records are public files held by the Clerk of Court in Blountstown, Florida. They cover every case type filed in the 14th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can search, view, and request copies of these records under Florida public records law. This page explains where the records live, how to pull them, and what each case type contains.
| Office | Calhoun County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Carla A. Hand |
| Phone | (850) 674-4545 |
| Website | calhounclerk.com |
| County Seat | Blountstown |
| Judicial Circuit | 14th (Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Washington) |
| Population | About 14,000 |
How Calhoun County Court Records Work
Every court case in Calhoun County starts with a filing at the clerk’s office. The clerk stamps the document, gives it a case number, and stores it in the county’s records system. Once filed, the document becomes part of the public record. The clerk’s office in Blountstown is the only place these records are stored. There is no satellite office and no separate court records branch.
Florida law treats Calhoun County the same as every other county. Under Florida Statute Chapter 119, most court files stay open for public review. The clerk runs the records system, processes requests, and issues certified copies. Judges in the 14th Judicial Circuit handle the actual court hearings and rulings. The clerk handles the paperwork side of every case.
Calhoun County sits in the Florida panhandle. It borders Bay, Gulf, Liberty, Jackson, and Gadsden counties. The Apalachicola River runs along the eastern edge. Blountstown is the only city of any real size, and Altha is the only other incorporated town. Most residents know the courthouse on Central Avenue in Blountstown as the single stop for all court business.
Calhoun County Clerk of Court Contact Details
The clerk’s office sits at 20859 Central Avenue East, Blountstown, FL 32424. The mailing address is the same. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. The office closes for state holidays.
You can reach the clerk by phone at (850) 674-4545. The website at calhounclerk.com lists office hours, fee schedules, and links to online search tools. The clerk’s office also accepts record requests by mail. Send written requests with a check or money order to the Blountstown address. Include the case number, party name, and a list of the documents you need.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | (850) 674-4545 |
| Address | 20859 Central Avenue East, Blountstown, FL 32424 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT |
| Website | calhounclerk.com |
| Online Search | CiviTek Florida portal |
Types of Court Records Available in Calhoun County
Calhoun County court records fall into seven main groups. Each group covers a different kind of case. Knowing the type helps you pick the right search method and read the docket the right way.
Civil Court Records
Calhoun County civil court records cover disputes between people or businesses. These include contract fights, property conflicts, personal injury claims, and debt collection cases. Most civil filings happen in circuit court when the amount in question is over $30,000. Smaller civil disputes go through county court. The docket will list the plaintiff, defendant, the cause of action, and every motion or order filed in the case.
Criminal Court Records
Calhoun County criminal court records track every criminal case from arrest to final disposition. Felonies go to the circuit court. Misdemeanors stay at the county court level. Each criminal docket shows the charging document, arraignment date, plea, and sentence. The clerk’s online system shows case status, but full case files require a copy request.
Family Court Records
Calhoun County family court records cover divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence cases. These files sit in the circuit court because family matters fall under circuit jurisdiction. Most family court files are public, but the clerk redacts Social Security numbers, minor children’s names, and bank account data under Florida Statute 119.0714.
Probate Court Records
Calhoun County probate court records deal with wills, estates, and guardianship. The circuit court handles probate in the 14th Judicial Circuit. Probate files include the petition, will (if one exists), inventory of assets, and final discharge. These records help heirs, creditors, and family members check on the progress of an estate.
Traffic Court Records
Calhoun County traffic court records cover moving violations, DUI charges, and driving license suspensions tied to local citations. The county court handles most traffic offenses. Some traffic cases end in a fine. Others move to criminal court if the charge carries jail time. The online portal shows basic case data like hearing dates and final judgment.
Small Claims Court Records
Calhoun County small claims court records cover cases where the amount in dispute is $8,000 or less. Landlords, contractors, and consumers use small claims to collect unpaid bills or settle small disputes. Small claims dockets move fast. The clerk’s office can pull the file quickly because the paper trail is short.
Appellate Court Records
Calhoun County appellate court records show cases that were appealed from the circuit or county court. The appeal goes to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. The Florida Appellate Court Information System (ACIS) tracks every appeal. Calhoun County records show only the lower court portion. The appellate docket lives in the state system.
How to Search Calhoun County Court Records Online
The fastest way to search Calhoun County court records online is the CiviTek Florida portal at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/7. This free tool covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases filed in Calhoun County. You can search by party name, case number, or document type. There is no fee to run a search. The system shows case type, party names, filing dates, and case status.
For statewide cases, the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com links to court data across the state. You can also pull appellate case data from ACIS at acis.flcourts.gov. The Florida Courts Help center at help.flcourts.gov has free forms and guides for self-represented parties.
Because Calhoun County has a small population, the online database has fewer records than what you find in a large metro county. Searches tend to return shorter result lists. This makes it easier to spot the right case. The trade-off is that older records may not be online. Cases filed before the CiviTek system went live stay in paper files at the Blountstown courthouse.
In-Person and Mail Requests for Records
Walking into the clerk’s office in Blountstown is the most direct way to pull a record. Bring a valid photo ID. Tell the clerk the case number or the party’s full name. The clerk will pull the file and let you view it on site. If you need copies, the clerk can run them off right away.
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Send a written request with the case number, party name, and a description of the documents you need. Include a check or money order for the copy and search fees. Mail your request to the Calhoun County Clerk of Court at 20859 Central Avenue East, Blountstown, FL 32424. The clerk will mail the copies back to you.
Phone requests at (850) 674-4545 work for basic case status checks. The clerk can confirm a filing date, hearing time, or final judgment. Full document copies still need a written request and payment.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some Calhoun County court records are not public. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the records that can be sealed. Common sealed case types include:
- Juvenile delinquency records
- Mental health commitment hearings
- Adoption final decrees (until unsealed by court order)
- Sexual offense victim identities
- Trade secrets in civil cases
- Cases where a judge issues a specific sealing order
Even in public files, the clerk must redact personal data. Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names get removed before the public sees the file. Anyone filing a document in Calhoun County is responsible for redacting their own confidential data before turning it in. The clerk rejects filings that contain unredacted sensitive data.
Cost of Court Records in Calhoun County
Calhoun County follows the standard Florida fee schedule. The clerk charges for copies, certifications, and record searches. Here is the current fee structure:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $2.00 certification + copy fee |
| Name search (per year per name) | $2.00 |
| Federal tax lien search | $2.00 per name |
| Plat copy | $5.00 |
Online searches through the CiviTek portal are free. You only pay if you want a copy of a specific document. Most certified copies cost between $3.00 and $5.00 once you add the certification fee and the per-page charge. Call the clerk at (850) 674-4545 for an exact quote before mailing a payment.
Court Records for Background Checks
Calhoun County court records are a key resource for local background checks. Employers, landlords, and volunteer groups often pull county court records before making a decision. The clerk’s office can provide a printed case history for any individual who has filed or been named in a case in the county.
For a full Florida background check, you also need to check other counties and state agencies. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs statewide criminal history checks at fdle.state.fl.us. Federal checks go through the FBI. A county-level search covers only what happened in Calhoun County.
Personal information pulled from court records cannot be used to stalk, harass, or discriminate. Florida law limits how consumer reporting agencies use public records. The Fair Credit Reporting Act also controls how employers and landlords use background check data.
Filing and E-Filing in Calhoun County
Attorneys and self-represented parties file new cases through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal handles civil, criminal, family, and probate filings for every Florida county, including Calhoun. You must register an account to use the portal. Most filings require a filing fee paid by credit card or e-check.
The clerk’s office in Blountstown still accepts paper filings for people who cannot use the e-filing system. Walk-in filers can hand documents to the clerk at the courthouse. Mail filings are accepted but take longer to process. Each new case gets a case number at the time of filing. The clerk stamps the document and adds it to the docket.
Common filing fees in Calhoun County match the Florida statewide schedule. Civil cases over $50,000 cost $400 to file. Family cases cost between $300 and $400 depending on the case type. Small claims cases up to $8,000 cost between $50 and $300 to file. The clerk’s office can quote the exact fee before you file.
Appellate Court Records for Calhoun County Cases
Cases that are appealed from Calhoun County move to the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. The appellate court reviews the lower court’s decision for legal errors. The appellate docket is separate from the Calhoun County docket.
You can track appellate cases through the Florida Appellate Court Information System (ACIS) at acis.flcourts.gov. ACIS shows the case number, lower court case number, party names, filing dates, briefs filed, and oral argument schedule. The system is free and does not require a login.
For the Calhoun County portion of an appealed case, you still need to pull the lower court file from the Blountstown clerk. The appellate court record covers only the appeal itself. The original trial record stays with the county clerk.
Record Retention and Archives
Calhoun County keeps most court records permanently. Felony criminal cases, civil cases over $50,000, probate files, and adoption records stay in the clerk’s office forever. Misdemeanor criminal cases are kept for at least 5 years after the case closes. Traffic cases are kept for at least 3 years. Small claims cases are kept for at least 5 years.
Older paper records are stored in the clerk’s office basement and at the county records center. The clerk is working to digitize older files. The CiviTek online portal includes most records filed after 2000. For records filed before 2000, call the clerk’s office. Staff can pull the paper file or tell you if a digital copy exists.
Once a record hits its retention date, the clerk can destroy it under Florida records retention schedules. Cases that have historical or research value may be transferred to the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee.
Common Issues and Solutions
Search returns the wrong person. Calhoun County has a small population, but common names still appear in multiple cases. Always confirm the date of birth, address, or case number before requesting copies.
The record is not online. Older cases may not be in the CiviTek system. Call the clerk at (850) 674-4545. The staff can check the paper files and tell you what is available.
The record is sealed. You cannot view a sealed record without a court order. Talk to an attorney about filing a motion to unseal the case.
The clerk is closed. The office closes for state holidays and during severe weather. Check the calhounclerk.com website for closure notices before visiting.
The copy is wrong. If you receive a document with someone else’s personal data, contact the clerk right away. The clerk will issue a corrected redacted copy.
Official Contact Information
Calhoun County Clerk of Court
20859 Central Avenue East
Blountstown, FL 32424
Phone: (850) 674-4545
Website: calhounclerk.com
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT
Frequently Asked Questions About Calhoun County Court Records
Calhoun County court records raise many practical questions. The answers below cover the most common issues people face when they search, request, or file records in Blountstown.
Can I view Calhoun County court records for free?
Yes. You can search the CiviTek Florida portal without paying anything. The portal lets you look up case numbers, party names, and filing dates at no cost. You only pay when you ask for a printed or certified copy of a specific document. Viewing the case docket in person at the Blountstown courthouse is also free. You can ask to see the file and read it on site. The clerk charges only for copies and certifications.
How far back do the online records go?
The CiviTek system includes most Calhoun County records filed after 2000. The exact starting date depends on when the clerk scanned the older files. Some case types are digitized earlier than others. For records filed before 2000, you need to contact the clerk’s office by phone or visit the courthouse in person. The staff can pull paper files from the basement archive or direct you to a digital copy if one exists.
What if I do not know the case number?
You can still search by name. The CiviTek portal lets you type in a party’s full name. The system will pull up any matching cases. You can narrow the results by adding a date range or a case type filter. If the name is common, add a middle initial or a date of birth to cut down the list. The clerk can also run a manual name search for a $2.00 fee per year per name.
Can I get court records for someone else?
Yes. Most Calhoun County court records are public. You can pull records on any person or business named in a case. The clerk does not require proof of relationship for public records. You only need the case number or the party’s name. Records that are sealed by court order are the main exception. You cannot view those without a court order.
How long does a mail request take?
Mail requests for Calhoun County court records take about 5 to 10 business days. The clerk pulls the file, runs the copies, and mails them back to you. Delays happen when the case file is checked out to a judge or stored offsite. Call (850) 674-4545 to check on the status of a pending mail request. The clerk cannot fax or email copies in most cases because of the size of the files.
What is the difference between a plain copy and a certified copy?
A plain copy is a regular photocopy of a court document. It shows the content but does not prove it is an official record. A certified copy includes the clerk’s stamp and signature. It proves the document is a true copy of the official record. Most legal proceedings require certified copies. The clerk charges $1.00 per page for plain copies and an extra $2.00 certification fee per document. Certified copies often cost between $3.00 and $5.00 total.
Can I remove a record from the public database?
Only a judge can seal or expunge a court record. You must file a motion with the court and prove you meet the legal standard for sealing. Expungement is only available in narrow cases under Florida Statute 943.0585. The clerk cannot remove a public record without a signed court order. The process takes several months and usually requires an attorney.