Bay County Probate Records Search

Bay County probate court records are filed and maintained by the Bay County Clerk of Courts in Panama City, covering estate administration cases, will deposits, guardianship filings, and other matters handled under Florida's probate laws. The Clerk's office serves the 14th Judicial Circuit and handles a range of probate case types depending on estate size and circumstances. If you need to find an existing case, file new probate paperwork, or get copies of court documents, this page explains how the process works in Bay County.

Bay County Clerk of Courts - Probate Division

The Bay County Clerk of Courts, Bill Kinsaul, maintains all probate records for the county. The main courthouse is in Panama City, where all probate filings are handled. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

The 14th Judicial Circuit covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. Bay County is the largest county in the circuit by population. Probate judges assigned to the circuit handle estate matters that require a court hearing.

Payment at the Bay County Clerk's office is accepted in cash, credit and debit cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express), money orders, and cashier's checks. Personal checks are not accepted. This is worth knowing before you visit, especially if you need to pay filing fees on the same day.

The Bay County Clerk's probate division page explains the types of cases handled, links to forms, and outlines what probate is needed for. Review it before filing to make sure you have the right documents ready.

The probate page covers when probate is required, what forms to use, and how to contact the probate division directly for case-specific questions.

When Is Probate Required in Bay County?

Probate is needed when a court order is required to legally transfer ownership of the decedent's assets to heirs or beneficiaries. Not every estate needs to go through probate. If all assets were held jointly with a surviving owner (like a jointly titled bank account or a home with right of survivorship), probate is generally not needed for those assets. Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance policies, retirement accounts) also pass outside of probate.

Real property titled in the decedent's name alone almost always requires probate. Banks and financial institutions typically also require a court order or letters of administration before they will release funds in accounts held solely in the decedent's name. If you are not sure whether an estate needs probate, a probate attorney can give you a quick answer based on the asset types involved.

Bay County follows Florida law on this point, which means probate may not always be the first step. Review what assets the decedent owned and how they were titled before deciding which approach to take.

Types of Probate Proceedings in Bay County

Florida offers three main types of probate, and Bay County courts handle all of them. Which type applies depends on the estate's size, what assets are involved, and how long the person has been deceased.

Formal Administration

Formal Administration is the standard full probate process. It applies when the gross estate value exceeds $75,000 and the death is within the past two years. Chapter 733 of the Florida Statutes governs this process. A personal representative is appointed by the court and is legally responsible for administering the estate. That person must file an inventory of assets, notify creditors, pay valid claims, and then distribute what remains to heirs according to the will or, if there is no will, Florida's intestacy rules under Chapter 732.

Summary Administration

Summary Administration is a simplified process for smaller or older estates. It is available when the estate's net value is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for two or more years regardless of estate size. Chapter 735 covers this procedure. No personal representative is appointed. A petition is filed with the Bay County Clerk, and if approved, the court issues an Order of Summary Administration directing asset distribution. This is faster and less costly than Formal Administration.

Disposition Without Administration

This option is for very small estates with no real property. The total personal property cannot exceed the amount owed for the decedent's last illness and funeral expenses, capped at $6,000. The filing must happen within two years of death. If the Bay County Clerk approves the request, a letter is issued directing whoever holds the assets to release them to the person who paid those expenses. This is the quickest option but only applies in narrow situations.

Searching Bay County Probate Court Records Online

Bay County provides an online official records search tool through the clerk's website. The search portal covers records filed after January 1, 1987. Records before that date may need to be accessed in person at the courthouse.

The Bay County Clerk's official records search portal lets you look up court records by name, case number, or document type. Electronic filings since 1987 are generally available through this system.

Use the official records search to find probate case numbers, view filed documents, and check the status of active proceedings in Bay County.

For records not available online, contact the clerk's office at (850) 763-9061 or visit in person at 300 East 4th Street. Bring a photo ID and the name of the decedent or the case number. Copy fees apply per page and are set by state law. The clerk's office can confirm the current fee schedule when you call.

The Bay County Clerk's homepage provides direct access to court divisions, the records search portal, and contact information. Reviewing it before you visit can help you go to the right division.

The homepage also lists the accepted payment methods and hours of operation, both important to know before making the trip to the courthouse.

The 14th Judicial Circuit and Bay County Probate

Bay County sits in the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. The 14th Circuit provides information on probate procedures, judge assignments, and court rules that apply to Bay County cases.

The 14th Judicial Circuit court website provides access to local administrative orders, judge information, and procedural rules that apply to Bay County probate cases. These local rules work alongside the statewide statutes.

Check the 14th Circuit site for information on hearing procedures, any local rules affecting filing requirements, and how to contact the court directly on a pending case.

Note that fee increases can happen during Florida's Legislative Session. The Bay County Clerk may update its fee schedule after each session, so confirm current fees before filing. The general provisions in Chapter 731 set out baseline rules for all probate proceedings in the state, while local administrative orders may add circuit-specific requirements.

Legal Resources for Bay County Estates

The Florida Courts Self-Help Center has approved forms and guides for people handling their own probate cases. This is a good starting point for Summary Administration or Disposition Without Administration cases. The Florida Courts website also provides general information on how probate works statewide.

The Florida Association of Court Clerks maintains information on clerk services across the state. For specific Bay County questions, contact the clerk's office directly. For legal advice, consult a probate attorney who practices in the 14th Circuit. The Bay County Bar Association can provide referrals to attorneys familiar with local court procedures.

Guardianship matters in Bay County, governed by Chapter 744, are also handled through the probate division. If you need to seek guardianship of an incapacitated adult or a minor, the Bay County Clerk's office can provide information on the applicable forms and procedures.

Cities in Bay County

Bay County includes several communities along Florida's Panhandle coast. No cities in Bay County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Bay County communities include Panama City, Lynn Haven, Panama City Beach, Springfield, Callaway, and Parker. All probate cases for residents of these communities are filed at the Bay County Clerk of Courts in Panama City.

Nearby Counties

Bay County is located in the Florida Panhandle. The surrounding counties are also part of the 14th Judicial Circuit or the neighboring 1st Circuit. If a decedent lived close to a county line, confirm their county of residence before filing.