Okaloosa County Felony Records Access
Okaloosa County felony records are maintained in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach. The Clerk of Court handles all criminal files. You can search for cases online or visit an office. Records show charges, court dates, and outcomes. Most files are public under Florida law.
Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts
The Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts has two main offices. One is in Crestview, the county seat. The other is in Fort Walton Beach. Both handle court records. You can visit either location for help.
According to the clerk's website, online search is available. Visit okaloosaclerk.com to start. You can search by name or case number. Basic facts are free to view. Copies may need fees. You can pay online.
Office hours are Monday through Friday. Most offices open at 8:00 AM. They close at 4:30 or 5:00 PM. Check the website for exact times. Some services have lunch breaks. Call ahead to confirm.
Records in Okaloosa County span many decades. Newer cases are digital. Older files may be on paper or film. The clerk can find old records with notice. Archives hold cases from long ago. Give time for old file pulls.
Both locations offer public access terminals. You can search cases for free. Printing costs per page. Staff are there to help. Bring photo ID when you visit.
The Crestview office handles records for the northern part of the county. The Fort Walton Beach office serves the southern communities. Both have the same records available. Choose the location most convenient for you. Call ahead for questions about specific records.
FDLE Criminal History for Okaloosa County
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement tracks all state criminal records. This includes Okaloosa County felony cases. You can search their database online. The cost is $24 plus a $1 fee. Pay by card for instant results.
To obtain records, enter the full name and birth date. Gender improves accuracy. Social Security numbers are optional. The search covers all Florida counties. This helps find cases in other areas.
Sealed records stay private. Expunged files do not appear. Juvenile cases have limits. Active cases may lack full data. The FDLE updates often. New charges show up fast.
The FDLE portal is at this link. Visit www.fdle.state.fl.us for more tools.
Note: The FDLE search provides the most complete view of criminal history across Florida. The $25 fee includes the $24 search cost plus a $1 processing charge.
For those who need certified copies of criminal history records, FDLE offers mail requests processed within 5 to 7 business days. The same $24 fee applies. You may also request a personal review of your own criminal history record at no charge under Florida law. This helps ensure accuracy before applying for seal or expunge relief.
Okaloosa County Court Records
The First Judicial Circuit covers Okaloosa County. This court hears all felony cases. Records show each step from start to end. You can view charges, filings, and orders. Sentencing is public. The clerk holds all files.
In most cases, you can search at the courthouse. Public computers are free to use. Staff can help if needed. Printing has a small cost. You may save files to a device. Some courts allow this free of charge.
Courthouses are in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach. Security checks are required. Bring photo ID. Arrive early to clear checks. Both buildings are easy to reach by car.
Old cases may be in archives. The clerk can pull these with time. Digital scans exist for newer records. Searches are quick for recent years. Plan ahead for very old cases.
Note: Okaloosa County court records are open under Florida's Sunshine Law, Chapter 119.
Florida State Criminal Record Resources
State agencies offer more tools. The Florida Department of Corrections has an inmate search. Find status and release dates. This service is free. Visit their site to use it.
Chapter 119 of state law gives rights to public records. Courts must respond to requests. Some files have limits. Most court records stay open. You can ask for copies by mail.
Sealing records is possible for some people. This hides cases from view. Strict rules apply. You may need a lawyer. The FDLE reviews requests. Processing takes several weeks.
Victims can sign up for alerts. The state sends case updates. You learn about hearings and releases. This helps keep families safe. The service is free online.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement provides the most comprehensive criminal history records in Florida. Visit their website for statewide searches.
The FDLE Seal and Expunge Section handles Certificate of Eligibility requests. Processing typically takes 12 weeks from receipt of a completed application packet. The certificate costs $75 and remains valid for 12 months from the date stamped.
To begin the sealing process, you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from FDLE before petitioning the court. Only first-time offenders with no prior seal or expunge orders qualify. Cases must have resulted in no finding of guilt.
Nearby Counties for Felony Records
If your search covers more than Okaloosa, check these counties. Each keeps its own records. You must search them separately.