Crestview Vital Records Research

Okaloosa County genealogy research helps you discover ancestors in Florida's Panhandle. The county formed in 1915 from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton counties. Crestview serves as the county seat. Records here date back to the early 1900s. You can find birth, death, and marriage records. The area has strong military connections.

Okaloosa County Clerk of Court Records

The Clerk of Court maintains official records for Okaloosa County genealogy research under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes ensuring public access to government documents including marriage licenses, court cases, and probate files dating back to 1915. You can visit the office in Crestview to search records in person. Staff members help find historical documents and make certified copies. The office follows state laws for record retention.

Marriage records before June 6, 1927 stay at the clerk's office, while the state only holds records from that date forward as established by Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes governing vital statistics statewide. For marriage licenses issued in Crestview, you must check with the Okaloosa County Clerk directly. Probate records show how estates were divided among heirs and family members. These files list relationships and assets in detail. They contain information about family connections from the early 1900s.

Visit the Okaloosa County Clerk at 101 E. James Lee Boulevard, Crestview, FL 32536.

Florida State Archives Collections

The State Archives of Florida contains materials for Okaloosa County genealogy research.

World War I Service Cards document military personnel from the region. Spanish Land Grants show original property owners from 1821 in the area that became Okaloosa County. Voter Registration Rolls from 1867-68 include early residents of the region before the county formed. These records help trace families through multiple generations.

Access these collections at the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee. The archives open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (850) 245-6700 before visiting.

Bureau of Vital Statistics Records

The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds Okaloosa County birth and death records under Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes governing vital records. Birth records begin around 1917, though earlier records are incomplete. Death records extend further back in time. You can request certified copies online or by mail.

Confidential birth records are protected under Florida law, with records less than 125 years old having access limits to protect privacy. Only specific people can obtain copies, including the person named, parents, and legal guardians. Valid photo identification is required. State marriage records cover June 6, 1927 to present, while earlier marriages from 1915-1927 are found only at the county clerk office in Crestview. Death records without cause of death are public under Chapter 119. The cause remains private for 50 years.

Okaloosa County Genealogy Research Tips

Success in Okaloosa County genealogy starts with family stories.

Census records track Okaloosa County families over time. Federal census began for this area in 1920 when the county formed. Look at neighboring counties too, as borders changed over the years. Families moved between Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. Check all possible locations for your ancestors.

Church records supplement official documents.

Newspapers add details to your Okaloosa County genealogy research. Local papers carried obituaries and wedding announcements. They reported on community events and social gatherings. The State Library has microfilm collections available to search.

Visit the State Library Genealogy Page for database access.

Nearby Counties for Genealogy Research

These counties neighbor Okaloosa County.