Bay County Phone Lookup
Bay County sits on the Gulf Coast in the Florida panhandle, with Panama City as the county seat. This directory covers the main government phone numbers, Clerk of Courts contacts, and public records search tools for Bay County so you can find the right line to call.
Bay County Quick Facts
Bay County Government Phone Numbers
Bay County government offices are based in Panama City. The Board of County Commissioners handles policy and budget matters. You can reach county administration at (850) 784-4000. That main line can connect you to most departments. Bay County has a full staff directory on its website at baycountyfl.gov where you can look up direct numbers for specific employees.
The county runs a range of services. Public works, building permits, animal control, and emergency management all have their own phone lines. For building and zoning questions, the planning department is your best contact. Call county admin and ask to be transferred, or look up the direct number on the website.
Bay County was hit hard by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Since then, the county has rebuilt and modernized many of its offices and systems. Some departments moved to new locations during the recovery. If you have an old number that does not work, try the main admin line at (850) 784-4000 to get the updated contact.
Government phone numbers are public records in Florida. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, you can request any county employee's work phone number. You do not need to explain why.
Bay County Clerk of Courts
The Bay County Clerk of Court and Comptroller is Bill Kinsaul. The main number is (850) 763-9061. The office sits at 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401. Mailing address is P.O. Box 2269, Panama City, FL 32402. The fax line is (850) 747-5188.
This office handles court records, official records, marriage licenses, and public records requests for court filings. Court case searches are available online through the Bay County Clerk website. You can look up civil and criminal cases by name, case number, or date. Results show case type, parties, status, and filing dates. The online search is free for basic lookups.
The clerk also has an office directory page that lists direct phone numbers for each division. Court services, recording, finance, and jury management all have separate lines. If you know which division you need, using the directory will save time compared to calling the main number.
Bay County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. The circuit court hears cases from all these counties, but each has its own clerk office.
| Clerk Main Line | (850) 763-9061 |
|---|---|
| Clerk Fax | (850) 747-5188 |
| Courthouse Address | 300 East 4th Street, Panama City, FL 32401 |
| Office Hours | Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Search Bay County Official Records
Official records in Bay County include deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and other recorded documents. The clerk maintains these and offers an online search through the clerk portal. You can search by name, document type, or date range. The search is free and open to the public.
The MyFlorida 411 directory is another useful tool if you need to find state employees working in Bay County. It covers agencies like FDOT, DEP, and the Department of Health. These state offices often have local branches in Panama City.
The 411 tool shows employee names, titles, and direct phone numbers. It is free to use and gets updated often. If you are trying to reach a state agency in Bay County, start here.
For a broader records search, the Florida public records search page lets you check records across multiple counties and record types from one tool.
This statewide tool is handy when you need to run a search that is not limited to Bay County alone. For county-specific records, the clerk's site has more detail.
Public Records in Bay County
Florida's public records law is broad. Chapter 119 requires Bay County to let you inspect and copy records. You do not need a reason. Just describe the records you want clearly. You can make requests by phone, email, in person, or by mail.
Standard copy fees apply. The first 10 pages are usually free. After that, it is $0.15 per one-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Labor fees can be charged if a search takes over 30 minutes. The clerk handles court and official records. Other county departments handle their own records.
Bay County also posts some public information proactively on its website, like meeting minutes, budgets, and ordinances. Check the Bay County website before filing a formal request. You might find what you need already posted.
Key Bay County Phone Numbers
Save these numbers from the Bay County phone directory:
- County Administration: (850) 784-4000
- Clerk of Courts: (850) 763-9061
- Clerk Fax: (850) 747-5188
- State Info Line: 1-866-693-6748
Most Bay County offices are open Monday through Friday during regular hours. The courthouse in Panama City is the center for court and records services. Plan to arrive early if you are visiting in person, as parking can fill up during busy times. Call ahead if you need a specific service to make sure the right staff are available.
Cities in Bay County
No major cities over 75,000 in Bay County have dedicated pages. Panama City is the county seat and the largest city, but it is under the population threshold. Panama City Beach is also in Bay County. For records and government contacts, use the county-level resources listed on this page.
Nearby County Phone Directories
Bay County borders several panhandle counties. If you need phone numbers or records from neighboring areas, check these directory pages.