Washington County Court Guide
Rural Panhandle county. Chipley is the county seat. Falling Waters State Park features Florida’s tallest waterfall. Part of the 14th Judicial Circuit.
Courthouse Location
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County is served by the 14th Judicial Circuit. All circuit court matters — including family law, civil, probate, and criminal — are handled through the Washington County Courthouse.
Washington County Courthouse
1293 Jackson Ave.
Chipley, FL 32428
(850) 638-6285
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hours may vary — call to confirm
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
myflcourtaccess.com
Self-represented litigants may file electronically or in person. Electronic filing is not required for pro se filers.
Small county note: Washington County is one of Florida’s smaller counties with approximately 25K residents. The clerk’s office may have limited hours on some days. Always call ahead at (850) 638-6285 to confirm hours and availability before making the trip. For complex circuit court matters, parties may sometimes need to attend hearings at the regional circuit court location.
Filing Fees
Washington County Filing Fees
Filing fees in Washington County are established by Florida Statutes and are consistent with the statewide schedule. Fees shown are approximate — always verify current amounts with the Washington County Clerk at washingtonclerk.com before filing.
| Case Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of Marriage (Petition) | ~$408 |
| Child Support (non-divorce) | ~$300 |
| Paternity | ~$300 |
| Child Custody (non-divorce) | ~$300 |
| Name Change (Adult) | ~$400 |
| Domestic Violence Injunction | No fee |
| Small Claims (up to $8,000) | $55–$120 by amount |
| County Civil ($8,001–$50,000) | $300–$400 |
| Eviction — Residential | ~$185–$235 |
| Modification of Final Judgment | Reopen fee + applicable |
| Summons Issuance | $10 per summons |
| Certified Copy | $1/page + $2/certification |
Indigency fee waiver: If you receive public assistance (Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, SSI, or FTE), or if your income is below 200% of the federal poverty guideline, you may qualify for a waiver of court filing fees. Ask the clerk for an Application for Determination of Civil Indigent Status (Florida Statute §57.082). The clerk cannot give legal advice but can provide the application form.
How to File
Filing Documents in Washington County
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1
Download or prepare your forms
Florida Supreme Court-approved family law forms are free at flcourts.gov. For completed, Florida-specific automated documents, JusticeXpressFlorida.com offers affordable packages starting at $4.95.
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2
File in person or electronically
Bring your completed original forms to the Washington County Courthouse at 1293 Jackson Ave., Chipley, FL 32428, or e-file through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Self-represented litigants may file electronically but are not required to do so.
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3
Pay the filing fee
Pay at the clerk’s window (cash, credit card, money order, or cashier’s check accepted at most locations) or electronically through the e-filing portal. If you cannot afford the fee, ask for an indigency waiver application.
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4
Serve the other party
After filing, you must serve the other party with copies of your filed documents. In most cases, service must be made by someone other than yourself — a process server, the Sheriff’s office, or another adult. The other party typically has 20 days to respond after being served.
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5
Track your case online
Most Washington County court records are available for free public search at myflcourtaccess.com or through the clerk’s official website at washingtonclerk.com.
Self-Help Resources
Washington County Legal Self-Help
- Washington County Clerk of Courts — washingtonclerk.com
- Florida Supreme Court — Free Family Law Forms
- Florida Courts E-Filing Portal — myflcourtaccess.com
- FloridaLawHelp.org — Free Legal Information
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service — (800) 342-8011
- 14th Judicial Circuit Court Information
Document preparation vs. legal advice: The Washington County Clerk’s Office cannot give legal advice and cannot tell you which forms to use or how to fill them out. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service — we can help you complete court-ready documents but we are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For complex matters, consult a Florida-licensed attorney through the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 342-8011.
ⓘ Court fees, hours, and procedures in Washington County change periodically. Always verify current requirements at washingtonclerk.com before filing. JusticeXpressFlorida.com is a document preparation service, not a law firm. This guide is for general educational purposes only.