Welcome to the Walton County Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller's Self-Help Center. Below you’ll find helpful resources when filing without an attorney, as well as important information and forms you may need.
An appeal is a request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision. Appeals function both as a process for error correction as well as a process for clarifying and interpreting the law. A Notice of Appeal is required to be filed within 30 days of the decision being appealed with the clerk of the lower court.
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Most infraction violations must be paid within 30 calendar days from the date the ticket was issued. Please read your citation for instructions to pay penalty, request a court hearing, attend defensive driving school, if applicable, or request a partial payment plan agreement.
Tickets must be satisfied in the county in which they were issued. For example, if you received a traffic ticket in Tampa, Florida, you must pay for it in Hillsborough County. You may not pay for it in Walton County.
You may pay online using your VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, you may also make a payment for any non-delinquent ticket (within 30 days of issuance) online. You will be charged a 3.5% convenience fee by the credit card company for credit card transactions. The Clerk's 24-hour Automated Payment website is located here. Payments may also be made in person using cash, personal check, cashier’s check, or money order. For office location information click here.
Financial Obligation Agreement (Partial Payment Plan): Payment plans are available for court-ordered financial obligations. To establish a payment plan, to check the status of your payment plan, or to ask for an adjustment to your payment plan, please call 850-892-8115. If a ticket is not paid within 30 calendar days from the date of issuance or a hearing set or a partial payment plan agreement established, a suspension will be entered against your driver license and additional penalties, plus a reinstatement fee will be applied to the case.
The clerk’s office is responsible for pursuing the collection of any fees, service charges, fines, court costs, and liens for the payment of attorney fees and costs pursuant to Florida Statute 938.29, which remain unpaid after 90 days. Please contact Penn Credit Corporation at 1-800- 900-1380 to arrange payment for unpaid court obligations more than 90 days delinquent.
For more information about your traffic ticket, including the amount of the civil penalty due, the options available to you to satisfy the charge, the due date, the status of the ticket and other general information, please check your case information online by clicking here or call us at (850) 892-8115 or (850) 267-3066. Please have your copy of the ticket with you when you call.
The Clerk’s office cannot advise you on the number of points assessed against your driver history record, how points will affect your insurance, etc. You must ask questions like these to the Bureau of Driver Licenses and/or your insurance agent.
Plea Not Guilty to a Civil Traffic Infraction:
You must notify the Clerk's office in person or in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of issuance of the ticket that you wish to contest an offense. You may use the Affidavit of Defense or Admission and Waiver of Appearance form for this purpose.
IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE OF WALTON COUNTY, TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO A TRAFFIC TICKET:
If you cannot appear for a hearing because you live outside Walton County, you must complete an Affidavit of Defense and file it with Walton County Clerk’s office on or before the 30-day due date. Effective October 1, 2006, speed in excess of 30 mph over the posted speed limit requires a mandatory court appearance.
IF THE COURT FINDS YOU GUILTY:
If you are found guilty of a civil traffic infraction, the court may assess fine and costs, order you to attend a defensive driving course or impose other penalties. If you should fail to pay the fine and cost within the time allotted you by the court, a suspension will be issued against your driver license and additional penalties will be imposed. Penalties for civil infractions are governed by Florida Statutes. Fines collected are distributed pursuant to s. 318.21, Florida Statutes.
Driver License Suspensions
If you receive a letter from the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Florida DHSMV) informing you that your license will be suspended on a certain date, you must comply on or before the business day before the date stated on the letter. For example, if the suspension date stated on the letter is Wednesday, May 11, 2022, you must comply on or before Tuesday, May 10, 2022. The suspension goes into effect at midnight on date listed in the letter. In this example, the suspension would begin at 12:00 AM on May 11, 2022; if you wait to pay your fines or fees on May 11th, your license will already be suspended.
Driver License Reinstatements
If your license is suspended for failure to pay a civil infraction, prior to Penn Credit receipt of account for debt collection, you may pay the fine amount owed, plus the assessed delinquent fee, at any Walton County Clerks’ Office locations. Our office may be able to assist in reinstating your license. However, certain suspensions will require you to appear at a local driver license office for reinstatement. A reinstatement fee will be required.
Check Your Driver License Status
Check your driver license status by visiting the Driver License Check website.
Driver License Transcripts
Citizens can purchase copies of driver license transcripts through the Clerk's office, which contain driver’s history information. Either a three or seven-year history transcript may be purchased for a fee.
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A felony is the most serious type of crime. According to Florida law, for an offense to be a felony it must have a possible sentence of more than one year. The definition of a felony may be slightly different in each state. When asked to identify a felony, you may think of drug-related crimes, murder, sex-related crimes, armed robbery and other types of violent crimes. Felony charges are handled in circuit court.
Misdemeanors and most criminal traffic cases are handled in County Court. In county court, first degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1000.00 fine. Second degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine.
To look up your case records or appearance dates, navigate to our Public Records Case Search.
Florida Court Event Notification System - To receive courtesy texts and e-mail reminders for upcoming criminal court events, please complete the online registration. E-Notify is a free service provided by the Florida Supreme Court.
If you need inmate information, please visit the Walton County Sheriff’s Office website for more information.
Public Defender Appointment: To receive services of a public defender, court appointed attorney, or any other due process service, a person must be determined indigent by the clerk. The clerk uses information provided by the defendant on a form developed by the Florida Supreme Court to determine indigency. The form is called the Application for Criminal Indigent Status. Defendants who want to receive these services must file the required application.
The court may temporarily appoint a public defender, conflict attorney, or provide any other due process services, before the clerk has determined if the person is indigent. The Application for Criminal Indigent Status must be filed with the clerk even if a provisional appointment was previously made.
The use of a public defender or court-appointed attorney is not free. Pursuant to s. 27.52, Florida Statutes, you must pay a $50 application fee. Payment of this required fee does not guarantee appointment of an attorney. The fee is payable within 7 days of filing an application. If not paid prior to the disposition of your case, it will be included with other costs, fees and fines ordered when your case is finalized.
Financial Obligation Agreement (Partial Payment Plan): Payment plans are available for court-ordered financial obligations. To establish a payment plan, to check the status of your payment plan, or to ask for an adjustment to your payment plan, please call 850-892-8115.
The clerk’s office is responsible for pursuing the collection of any fees, service charges, fines, court costs, and liens for the payment of attorney fees and costs pursuant to Florida Statute 938.29, which remain unpaid after 90 days from due date. Please contact Penn Credit Corporation at 1-800-900-1380 to arrange payment for unpaid court obligations more than 90 days delinquent.
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A criminal traffic charge is an offense such as driving under the influence, that requires a court appearance. Criminal penalties may include fines, court costs, probation and/or the possibility of a jail term. Persons charged with a criminal offense will have a court date shown on their traffic ticket and must appear in court at the specified date and time, unless otherwise notified by the clerk.
Florida Court Event Notification System - To receive courtesy texts and e-mail reminders for upcoming criminal court events, please complete the online registration. E-Notify is a free service provided by the Florida Supreme Court.
If you need inmate information, please visit the Walton County Sheriff’s Office website for more information.
Public Defender Appointment: To receive services of a public defender, court appointed attorney, or any other due process service, a person must be determined indigent by the clerk. The clerk uses information provided by the defendant on a form developed by the Florida Supreme Court to determine indigency. The form is called the Application for Criminal Indigent Status. Defendants who want to receive these services must file the required application.
The court may temporarily appoint a public defender, conflict attorney, or provide any other due process services, before the clerk has determined if the person is indigent. The Application for Criminal Indigent Status must be filed with the clerk even if a provisional appointment was previously made.
The use of a public defender or court-appointed attorney is not free. Pursuant to s. 27.52, Florida Statutes, you must pay a $50 application fee. Payment of this required fee does not guarantee appointment of an attorney. The fee is payable within 7 days of filing an application. If not paid prior to the disposition of your case, it will be included with other costs, fees and fines ordered when your case is finalized.
Financial Obligation Agreement (Partial Payment Plan): Payment plans are available for court-ordered financial obligations. To establish a payment plan, to check the status of your payment plan, or to ask for an adjustment to your payment plan, please call 850-892-8115.
The clerk’s office is responsible for pursuing the collection of any fees, service charges, fines, court costs, and liens for the payment of attorney fees and costs pursuant to Florida Statute 938.29, which remain unpaid after 90 days from due date. Please contact Penn Credit Corporation at 1-800-900-1380 to arrange payment for unpaid court obligations more than 90 days delinquent.
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Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce):
A Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) ends a marriage that is irretrievably broken. The person who files a Petition for Dissolution must have been a resident of the State of Florida for at least six months immediately before filing for dissolution.
Types of Dissolutions:
There are four filing types of dissolution:
1) Dissolution with Minor or Dependent Children
2) Dissolution with Property and No Minor or Dependent Children
3) Dissolution with No Property and No Minor or Dependent Children
4) Dissolution - Simplified
Selecting the appropriate filing type, and the corresponding forms, depends on several factors. You should consider the following:
o Whether you or your spouse share property, assets (things you both own), or liabilities (money you both owe) – and whether you agree on how to divide these items; AND
o Whether you and your spouse have dependent or minor children, or whether the wife is pregnant.
o Whether you are seeking support (alimony) from your spouse, or if your spouse is seeking alimony from you.
o Whether you or your spouse wish to receive any financial information other than what is provided in the financial affidavits.
o Whether you are willing to give up your right to trial and appeal.
Other Family Court Actions:
There are several other actions handled in family court, such as the ones provided in the list below:
Paternity:
Paternity cases are filed to legally establish the father of a child.
Petition to Determine Paternity and Other Relief:
This form is used by a birth mother or father to ask the court to establish paternity, a time-sharing schedule and/or child support of a minor child or children. This form is filed with the clerk to legally establish the father of the child(ren).
Petition to Dis-establish Paternity and/or Terminate Child Support Obligation:
This form should be used by a man who wishes to dis-establish paternity or terminate a child support obligation because he is not the biological father of the child(ren). This form must be filed in the correct circuit that has jurisdiction over the child support obligation.
Name Change:
In addition to completion of a Petition for Name Change and paying a filing fee, a person requesting a name change must also have fingerprints taken electronically by an authorized agency, which are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a criminal history record check. In cases where the name change is for a minor, the Petitioner/adult’s fingerprints must be taken.
Petition for Name Change (Adult)
A Petition for Name Change (Adult) is used when an adult wants the court to change his or her name. This form is not to be used in connection with a divorce action. If you want a change of name due to a pending divorce (dissolution of marriage), the request for name change should be filed in the dissolution case.
Petition for Name Change (Minor Child)
A Petition for Name Change (Minor Child) is used when parents want the court to change the name of their minor child(ren). For the purposes of this proceeding, a person under the age of 18 is a minor. This form is not to be used in connection with an adoption or paternity action. If you want a change of name for your child(ren) because of dissolution of marriage, paternity, or adoption action that is not final, the name change request should be filed in that case.
Petition for Name Change (Family)
A Petition for Name Change (Family) is used when a family wants the court to change the family’s name. This form is not to be used in connection with a divorce, paternity, or adoption action. If you want a change of name because of dissolution of marriage, paternity, or adoption action that is not final, the name change should be filed within that case.
Contempt / Enforcement
A Motion for Civil Contempt / Enforcement is used to initiate a civil proceeding against a party who is not complying with a prior court order. You must file a motion with the court explaining what the party has failed to do.
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Child Support Services:
- (Requires SSN and Case or Depository Number.)
Court / Statute / Rules:
Florida Bar:
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You can file a non-criminal case against another party in Florida in either county court or circuit court, depending on the value of your claim.
County Civil
In county court, the cases cover those matters valued at $30,000 or below.
Circuit Civil
Circuit Civil cases are cases in which individuals or businesses sue for damages that exceed $30,000.
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Baker Act
A Baker Act is a way for the court to help individuals who need mental health evaluation or treatment. An Ex Parte Baker Act is a request for court review when the individual in question is not present.
An Ex Parte Petition for Involuntary Examination may be filed if there is reason to believe that a person is mentally ill due to a mental illness:
Marchman Act
The Marchman Act is just a name for a Florida Statute created to help individuals who: (1) have lost the power of self-control over their substance abuse; (2) do not appreciate their own need for help and cannot make rational decisions regarding their care as a result of their substance abuse; (3) have become a danger to themselves or others.
Given the right circumstances, the Marchman Act can be an effective tool to compel an addict or alcoholic to engage in treatment when they refuse to do so voluntarily.
Under the Florida Marchman Act, a civil court can issue an order that requires an impaired individual to comply with a drug and alcohol, assessment and treatment.
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A non-criminal offense is civil in nature and does not constitute a crime, and conviction shall not give rise to any legal disability based upon a criminal offense. You may pay non-criminal and county ordinance violations within 30 days of receipt of the citation online, by mail or in person at any of our convenient office locations.
Financial Obligation Agreement (Partial Payment Plan): Payment plans are available for court-ordered financial obligations. To establish a payment plan, to check the status of your payment plan, or to ask for an adjustment to your payment plan, please call 850-892-8115.
The clerk’s office is responsible for pursuing the collection of any fees, service charges, fines, court costs, and liens for the payment of attorney fees and costs pursuant to Florida Statute 938.29, which remain unpaid after 90 days from due date. Please contact Penn Credit Corporation at 1-800-900-1380 to arrange payment for unpaid court obligations more than 90 days delinquent.
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Haven't found what you were looking for? There are many other resources that may provide answers to your questions. See if you can find what you need at one of these sites.
Home Solicitation Sales Permits
It is unlawful for any person to conduct any home solicitation sale, as defined in statute 501.021 in this state without first obtaining a valid home solicitation sale permit. You should carefully read chapters 501.21 - 501.55 of the Florida Statutes regarding the home solicitation process to determine if obtaining a license is appropriate for your circumstance. Please note that local law enforcement frequently will ask to see a seller’s permit. A Home Solicitation License or Permit is good for one (1) year from the date of issuance.
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Pursuant to 5.030 Probate Rules of Court every guardian and every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida.
Probate
Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing the decedent’s assets to his or her beneficiaries. There are several types of probate proceedings that can be filed. An estate may be required to go through probate based on the assets that the decedent owned at the time of his or her death.
Guardianship
A guardianship is a legal proceeding in circuit court in which a guardian is appointed to exercise the legal right of an incapacitated person. Guardianships are established for various reasons: an adult who lacks the ability to care for him/herself in some aspect, a minor who has received an inheritance, or possibly a minor who has received a settlement.
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Eviction is when a tenant must move out at the request of the landlord. The reasons for eviction can vary.
Most often, the tenant has broken a term of the rental contract, such as not paying the rent, paying the rent late, damaging the property, using the property for illegal activities, or breaking other terms of the lease agreement.
Unlawful Detailers
Under Florida law, an unlawful detainer action is used in situations where there is no landlord tenant relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant. An unlawful detainer action strictly resolves the question of who is entitled to possession.
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What is an Injunction?
An Injunction for Protection is often referred to as a Restraining Order. It is a way of getting legal protection that directs a person not to have contact with you, whether or not you have ever called the police, or a criminal charge was pursued.
The injunction process is a civil process and not part of a criminal proceeding. If you are a victim of any type of domestic violence or have reasonable cause to believe that you are in imminent danger of becoming a victim of violence, you can ask the court for a protective order.
Court-ordered injunctions can order the other person not to contact you by phone, in writing, by email, or in person. Injunctions can also include other relief that the court deems appropriate.
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Hotlines & Safe Places
Small Claims cases are filed when a person or business needs the court to make a decision regarding monetary civil disputes for damages not exceeding $8,000 or replevin claims not exceeding $30,000.
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