The Washington County phone directory lists every phone number, email, and office address for county government offices in the Florida Panhandle. This page covers how to reach the Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of Court, the Sheriff’s Office, the Property Appraiser, the Tax Collector, the Supervisor of Elections, and other departments serving Washington County, Florida.
It also shows how to use Florida state phone directory resources to reach any state agency that serves this area. All government contact details covered here are public records under Florida law. You have the right to ask for and receive them without giving a reason.
What the Washington County Phone Directory Covers
The Washington County phone directory is a public list of phone numbers for local government offices. It helps residents, businesses, and visitors reach the right person fast. In a rural county with about 25,000 people, most offices sit close to the county seat in Chipley. The directory is small but covers every department that runs daily county business.
Purpose of the Directory
The directory exists so anyone can call a county office without long searches. It links the public to elected officials, court staff, law enforcement, tax offices, and record keepers. Each office handles a set of duties under Florida law. Calling the right number saves time and cuts down on extra trips to the courthouse.
Who Maintains the Directory
The county government maintains the list through each department’s own staff. The Board of County Commissioners oversees the full county operation. The County Administrator handles daily office work and staff support. Each department head keeps their own contact page up to date. The clerk’s office also keeps a list of court and records contacts.
Florida Public Records Law
Florida law makes all government phone numbers, email addresses, and staff names open to the public. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets this rule. You can ask for a phone number by phone, email, mail, or in person. The county must give it to you. No form is needed. No reason is needed.
Washington County Government Office Numbers
Washington County runs through a set of elected offices and appointed departments. Each one has a phone line and a staff person who answers questions about that office’s work. The county website at washingtonfl.com lists current contact details. The county seat sits in Chipley, and most offices are within a short drive of the courthouse.
Board of County Commissioners
The Board of County Commissioners is the main policy body for the county. Five commissioners serve on the board. They set the budget, pass local rules, and oversee county operations. You can reach the board through the County Administrator’s office. Board meetings are open to the public and held in Chipley.
County Administrator Office
The County Administrator runs the day-to-day operations of the county. The board appoints this person. The office handles budget prep, staff work, policy writing, and public contact. Call this office first if you are not sure which department you need. Staff can point you to the right place.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
The Clerk of the Circuit Court handles court records, marriage licenses, passports, and official records for the county. The Clerk’s office is in the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley. This is the main records office for civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. You can request records by phone, email, mail, or in person.
Sheriff’s Office
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office serves the entire county. The Sheriff is an elected position. The office handles patrol, civil papers, and jail operations. You can call the non-emergency line for non-urgent issues. For emergencies, always dial 911. The Sheriff’s Office can also help with background checks and records requests.
Property Appraiser Office
The Property Appraiser sets the value of every parcel in the county. The office tracks ownership, exemptions, and land records. All property data is public. You can search records online or call the office for help. Staff can answer questions about assessed value, homestead exemption, and parcel maps.
Tax Collector Office
The Tax Collector handles real estate taxes, tangible taxes, and tourist development taxes. The office also handles vehicle titles, registrations, and license plates. Some driver license services are available too. The Tax Collector’s office is in Chipley. Call ahead to check hours for the service you need.
Supervisor of Elections
The Supervisor of Elections runs voter registration, candidate filings, and election day work for the county. The office keeps records of who voted and election results. You can register to vote, update your registration, or request a vote-by-mail ballot through this office. Election results are public records.
Florida State Phone Directory Resources
Florida runs a state phone directory that covers every state agency. This helps when your question is about a state office that serves the Washington County area. The state directory is free to use and open to the public. State agencies handle areas like driver licenses, professional licenses, state courts, and state law enforcement.
411.myflorida.gov State Directory
The State of Florida runs a phone directory at 411.myflorida.gov. This site lists contact details for state agencies, boards, and commissions. You can search by agency name or by topic. The site is free to use and has no login. It is a good starting point for any state-level question.
Florida State Information Center
The Florida State Information Center routes calls to any state department. You can reach the center at 1-866-693-6748 or (850) 488-1234. The center is open during regular state business hours. Staff can connect your call to the right agency. This number works from anywhere in Florida, including Washington County.
Public Records Check Tool
The state of Florida runs a public records check tool at stateofflorida.com/public-records-check. This tool covers state databases that county offices do not manage. You can search for professional licenses, corporate records, and other state filings. The tool is free to use.
14th Judicial Circuit Court Contacts
Washington County sits inside Florida’s 14th Judicial Circuit. The 14th Circuit also covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Jackson counties. Bay County is the largest county in the circuit. Panama City is the main city in Bay County. Court cases filed in Washington County are heard at the courthouse in Chipley.
Circuit Court Structure
The 14th Circuit Court handles felonies, family law, civil cases, probate, and appeals from county court. Judges rotate among the six counties in the circuit. The Chief Judge leads the circuit. Court rules are the same across all six counties. The Clerk of Court in each county handles local case records.
State Attorney for the Circuit
The State Attorney for the 14th Circuit handles criminal cases across all six counties. The office prosecutes felonies and some misdemeanors. The State Attorney’s main office sits in Panama City. The Washington County Clerk can give you the local contact for the State Attorney’s staff.
Public Defender for the Circuit
The Public Defender for the 14th Circuit represents people charged with crimes who cannot pay for a lawyer. The office covers all six counties in the circuit. The main office is in Panama City. The Washington County Clerk can give you the local contact for the Public Defender’s office.
City Phone Numbers in Washington County
Washington County includes the cities of Chipley, Vernon, Caryville, Ebro, and Wausau. Chipley is the largest and serves as the county seat. Smaller towns have fewer staff but still provide city services. Each city runs its own local government with its own phone numbers and offices.
Chipley City Government
Chipley is the county seat and the largest city in Washington County. The city government handles local streets, water, sewer, and city parks. The city hall is in Chipley. You can call city hall for local services that the county does not handle. Most city services sit within a short drive of the county courthouse.
Vernon City Government
Vernon is a small city in the southern part of Washington County. The city runs a local government with a city clerk and council. Vernon handles local issues like roads and parks within city limits. For county-level questions, call the Washington County offices in Chipley.
Smaller Towns in the County
Caryville, Ebro, and Wausau are small towns in Washington County. Each town has a local government. For day-to-day questions, the town clerk is the main contact. For records, court cases, and taxes, contact the Washington County offices in Chipley. All phone numbers for these offices are public records.
How to Look Up a Phone Number
You have several ways to look up a phone number in Washington County. The best method depends on what office you need and how fast you need the answer. Most lookups are free under Florida public records law. You do not have to pay a fee to get a phone number.
Search Methods That Work
The fastest method is the county website at washingtonfl.com. Each department has a contact page with current phone numbers. The state directory at 411.myflorida.gov covers state agencies. The Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748 can route you to any state office. If you cannot find a number online, call the County Administrator’s office in Chipley.
- Use the county website at washingtonfl.com for local offices
- Use 411.myflorida.gov for state agencies
- Call 1-866-693-6748 for the State Information Center
- Visit the courthouse in person for help from staff
In-Person and Phone Requests
You can walk into the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley and ask for any phone number. Staff in a small county know the directory by heart and can point you to the right person. You can also call the County Administrator’s office and ask. Phone requests are treated the same as in-person requests under Florida law.
Public Records Request Rules
Florida law sets clear rules for public records requests. The first 30 minutes of staff time on a request is free. After that, the office may charge for extra staff time at the set hourly rate. Copy fees are set by state law. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 extra per document. The office must tell you the cost before doing the extra work.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| First 30 minutes of staff time | Free |
| Standard copy | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (extra fee) | $2.00 per document |
| Staff time past 30 minutes | Set hourly rate, quoted first |
Florida Phone Directory by City
Florida has many cities, and each one runs its own local government. The Florida phone directory covers all of them through the state 411 portal and city websites. Below are the main cities and how their phone directories work. Each city has a city hall with a clerk who can answer local questions.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale
Miami and Fort Lauderdale sit in Southeast Florida. Both cities have large city governments with many departments. The Miami phone directory covers city offices in Miami-Dade County. The Fort Lauderdale phone directory covers city offices in Broward County. You can reach state agencies that serve these cities through the Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748.
Orlando Phone Directory
Orlando is the main city in Central Florida and the seat of Orange County. The Orlando phone directory covers city hall, police, fire, and other local departments. Orlando also hosts many state agency regional offices. You can reach the Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748 for state questions related to the Orlando area.
Tampa Phone Directory
Tampa is the main city in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa phone directory covers city offices in Hillsborough County. Tampa has a large city government with many departments. For state agencies serving the Tampa Bay area, use the state 411 directory at 411.myflorida.gov or call the State Information Center.
Jacksonville Phone Directory
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida by population. The Jacksonville phone directory covers city offices in Duval County. The city government is consolidated with the county. For state agencies serving Northeast Florida, use the Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748 or search the 411.myflorida.gov portal.
Florida Phone Number Lookup Methods
You can look up a Florida phone number in several ways. Some methods are free. Others cost money. Public records methods are free under Florida law. Private lookup tools may charge a fee. The right method depends on what kind of number you need: a person, a business, a government office, or an unlisted number.
Free Lookup Options
Free lookup options include the Florida state directory at 411.myflorida.gov, the county website, and direct calls to government offices. You can also use the public records check tool at stateofflorida.com/public-records-check for state database searches. Florida public records law gives you the right to ask for government phone numbers for free.
Business Directory Search
The Florida business phone directory is part of the state records system. You can search the Department of State Division of Corporations database for business contact details. The database includes registered agents, principal offices, and business phone numbers when filed. Search by business name or registration number.
Reverse Phone Lookup
A reverse phone lookup lets you search a phone number to find the name and address linked to it. Free reverse lookup tools include public records databases. Paid tools may offer more detail. For Washington County, the Clerk’s office can help with reverse lookups tied to official records. State agencies can also help with lookups tied to state filings.
Unlisted Number Search
Unlisted phone numbers are not in regular phone books. Florida public records law does not cover personal phone numbers of private citizens. For unlisted number lookups, you may need to use a paid service. For government numbers, all numbers are public regardless of listing status.
Florida Area Codes Directory
Florida area codes cover the whole state. Each region has its own area code or codes. The area code tells you the general location of a phone number. Washington County uses the 850 area code, which covers the Florida Panhandle. South Florida uses 305, 786, 954, and 754. Central Florida uses 407 and 689. North Florida uses 904. The Tampa Bay area uses 813 and 727.
Major Area Codes by Region
Florida’s major area codes group by region. The Panhandle and Big Bend use 850. The Jacksonville area uses 904. The Orlando area uses 407 and 689. The Tampa Bay area uses 813, 727, and 941. South Florida uses 305, 786, 954, and 754. Southwest Florida uses 239. The Space Coast and Treasure Coast use 321 and 772.
| Region | Area Codes |
|---|---|
| Panhandle and Big Bend | 850 |
| Jacksonville and Northeast | 904 |
| Orlando and Central Florida | 407, 689 |
| Tampa Bay and Central West | 813, 727, 941 |
| South Florida | 305, 786, 954, 754 |
| Southwest Florida | 239 |
| Space Coast and Treasure Coast | 321, 772 |
Area Code Map and Coverage
The area code map shows the full state split into regions. Each area code has a set of prefixes that follow it. The full phone number has 10 digits in the standard US format. You can use the area code to know the region before you call. The 850 area code covers Washington County and the rest of the Panhandle.
Contact Details and Visit Hours
The Washington County Courthouse sits in Chipley, the county seat. Most county offices operate Monday through Friday during regular business hours, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hours may vary by department. Call the County Administrator’s office first to confirm. The official county website is washingtonfl.com. The Florida State Information Center can be reached at 1-866-693-6748 or (850) 488-1234. The state directory is at 411.myflorida.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common things people ask about the Washington County phone directory, Florida phone lookups, and public records access. Each answer gives clear facts based on Florida law and current state resources. Use these answers to plan your next step. If your question goes beyond what is covered here, call the State Information Center or visit the courthouse in Chipley.
How do I get a phone number in Washington County?
You can get any Washington County phone number for free under Florida public records law. Start at the county website washingtonfl.com. Each department lists a current phone number. If the number is not on the site, call the County Administrator’s office in Chipley. Staff will give you the contact you need. You can also walk into the courthouse in person. You do not have to give your name or say why you want the number. Florida law requires the county to give it to you.
Is there a free Florida phone directory online?
Yes. The State of Florida runs a free phone directory at 411.myflorida.gov. It covers state agencies, boards, and commissions. You can search by agency name or by topic. The site has no login and no fee. For local numbers, each county and city has its own free directory on its official website. The Florida State Information Center at 1-866-693-6748 is also free to call during state business hours.
What is the difference between white and yellow pages?
White pages list residential and personal phone numbers. Yellow pages list business phone numbers with ads and categories. Both have moved online over the years. Florida public records law applies to government numbers, not private personal numbers. For business numbers, the Department of State Division of Corporations database has contact details for registered businesses. For personal numbers, you may need a paid service.
How do I find an unlisted Florida phone number?
Unlisted personal phone numbers are not in public records. Florida public records law does not cover private phone numbers of citizens. To find an unlisted number, you may need a paid reverse lookup service. For government numbers, every number is public regardless of listing status. Call the County Administrator’s office or the State Information Center for any government number.
Can I search Florida business phone numbers for free?
Yes. The Florida Department of State Division of Corporations database is free to search. It lists registered businesses, agents, and contact details. You can search by business name or registration number. The state public records check tool at stateofflorida.com/public-records-check also covers business filings. For local business licenses, contact the county or city where the business is based.
Does Washington County share a circuit court?
Yes. Washington County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. The circuit also covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Jackson counties. The Chief Judge leads the circuit. Court cases filed in Washington County are heard at the courthouse in Chipley. The State Attorney and Public Defender for the 14th Circuit handle criminal cases across all six counties.
What are the office hours for county offices?
Most Washington County offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many close for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hours may differ by department. The Sheriff’s Office runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Jail is open 24 hours. Call the County Administrator’s office before visiting to confirm hours for the office you need. The Clerk of Court and Tax Collector may have set hours for each service.