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Bay County, Florida

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records

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Bay County was created in 24 Apr 1913 and was formed from Calhoun and Washington Counties. The County was named for the nearby Saint Andrews Bay and the abundance of Bays / Bayous within the county line. The County Seat is Panama City.

On February 12, 1913, representatives from five towns on the bay, met at Panama City for the purpose of selecting a name for the proposed new County. After discussion the name BAY was selected as one which would be satisfactory to the majority of the citizens, and as being distinctive of the territory that would be included. On July 1, 1913, Bay County was created by the Legislature from portions of Washington, Calhoun and Walton counties. The Nativity of Bay County was fittingly honored by a celebration in the City Park, now known as McKenzie Park. Picnic baskets were brought by the attendees while barbecued meats furnished by the City were served to all. Additional attractions were music, boat races, baseball and swimming matches.

The newly selected legislators held their first meeting on Monday, July 10, 1913, in rooms secured over the Bank of Panama City. The session was informal, but later in the day the commissioners met in the Owl's Nest on the dock at the end of Harrison Avenue and began strenuous work. Immediate plans were made for construction of a Courthouse, the corner stone was laid in December, 1914 and the building dedicated in December, 1915. On December 20, 1920, the Courthouse was severely damaged by fire and lost the beautiful dome that supported four clocks. However, the outer walls survived, the building was reconstructed and continues to serve as the Bay County Courthouse to this date.

Counties adjacent to Bay County are Washington County (north), Jackson County (northeast), Calhoun County (east), Gulf County, Walton County (west).

Bay County Cities and Towns include Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Parker, Springfield Cedar Grove. CDPs Include Hiland Park, Laguna Beach, Lower Grand Lagoon, Pretty Bayou, Tyndall Air Force Base, Upper Grand Lagoon. Communities Include Bayou George, Fountain, Millville, Santa Monica, Southport, Sunnyside, Vicksburg, Youngstown

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Records at the Bay County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Florida Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

The Official County website is located at http://www.co.bay.fl.us/. NOTE: The record dates below are from the earliest date to present time. See also Courthouse History

Bay County Clerk of the Circuit Court / County Clerk has Marriage Records from 1913, Land Records from 1885, Probate Records from 1913 and Court Records from 1913 and is located at 300 East 4th Street, P.O. Box 2269, Panama City, FL 32402; 850-763-9061, Fax: 850-747-5359

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is also the County Clerk. His office is located in the County Courthouse. The office of the Clerk is created in Article V and Article VIII of the Florida Constitution. The Clerk is an officer of the court of justice whose responsibilities are mandated by the Constitution as well as state and local laws. Under a 1973 reorganization of the judicial system, the clerk of courts in each county was made, and remains, custodian of all records of all predecessor courts, whether justice of the peace, city, county, probate, civil, or criminal.

You may also search the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which covers Florida and surrounding states. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Bay County Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Florida

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Office of Vital Statistics, Dept of Health, P.O. Box 210, 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042; (904) 359-6900 Ext. 1029, Fax: (904) 359-6993.

  • Birth Certificates: has custody of birth records filed from January 1917 to date. Scattered birth records from 1865 through 1916 are also held by the bureau, and some city health departments have some additional scattered records (e.g., Jacksonville, 1893-1913; Pensacola, 1897-1916).
    • Cost: $9.00 for computer certification & $14.00 per photocopy certification (1930 to present), payment is payable to the Office of Vital Statistics. Additional copies of the same record are $4.00 each. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $9.00/$14.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Death Certificates: From 1917 - present. Death records begin about 1877, but the first state law mandating registration of deaths was passed in 1899, and records before 1917 are spotty. It is always well to check with city health departments.
    • Cost: $5.00 per certificate. Additional copies of the same record are $4.00 each. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Marriage & Divorce Certificates: has custody of marriage, divorce, and annulment records filed after 6 June 1927. For records prior to that date, and there are thousands of them, query the clerk of courts in the county where the license or decree was issued. Numerous divorces and resulting name-changes are to be found in Names and Abstracts from the Acts of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, 1822-1845 (Pass-A-Grille Beach, Fla.: William A. and Janet B. Wolfe, 1985). Copies of marriage license applications are available only from the clerk of courts in the county courthouse. Standard request forms for copies of state-held records are necessary and available as indicated above.
    • Cost: $5.00 per certificate. Additional copies of the same record are $4.00 each. If no record is found or no copy is made, state law requires that we keep $5.00 for a searching fee. Please do not send cash in the mail.
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.
  • Processing Time: Allow 3 to 6 weeks for the search by mail for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order ELECTRONICALLY.
  • Order In Person: To order your copy through your local County Health Department Vital Statistics office click here for a list of the 67 County Health Departments. WALK-IN SERVICE is available at 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida, between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Orders prepaid by Noonmay be picked up after 3:30 p.m. Orders prepaid after Noon may be picked up after 10:00 a.m. the next workday. Each requestmust be accompanied by picture identification Certifications for photocopies rush service requires an additional fee of $10.
  • Order By Mail:  Turn around is estimated at 3 to 6 weeks from the day the request is received. Mail to the following address: Office of Vital Statistics, Dept of Health, P.O. Box 210, 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042. Please include return address on envelope and application form.

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Bay County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Links for Florida

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Countywide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Bay County, Florida are1910, 1920 and 1940.There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms and U.K. Census Extraction Forms.

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Bay County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Florida

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Maps. Email us with websites containing Bay County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Florida

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Bay County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Florida Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Bay County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Bay County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Florida

There are many churches and cemeteries in Bay County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Bay County Tombstone Transcription Project.

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Bay County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Florida

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Bay County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information. Email us with websites containing Bay County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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