Search Washington County Traffic Records
Washington County traffic ticket records are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Chipley. This rural panhandle county has a population of around 25,000 residents. Interstate 10 runs through the county, and that highway is the source of many traffic citations along with State Roads 77 and 79. The Washington County Clerk processes all civil traffic infractions from the initial citation through payment or court resolution. Whether you need to pay a fine, check your ticket status, or request a hearing, the clerk's office in Chipley is where you start. The clerk's website provides online tools for looking up traffic ticket records.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Clerk of Court
The Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court manages all traffic ticket records for the county. The office is at the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley. Staff there can pull up your citation, explain the options available to you, and take your payment. Washington County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, and Jackson counties. Each county in the circuit runs its own clerk operation, so Washington County tickets stay with the Chipley office.
The clerk's website at washingtonclerk.com offers online access to citation search and payment functions. Being a smaller county, the office tends to have shorter wait times for walk-in visitors. If you call 850-638-6285, you can usually get someone on the line without a long hold. The staff can answer questions about your Washington County traffic ticket and tell you what you owe.
The Washington County Clerk's website homepage is shown below, where you can begin searching for traffic ticket records.
From this page you can access citation search, payment tools, and other court services for Washington County.
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 850-638-6285 |
| Website | Washington County Clerk of Court |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit | 14th Judicial Circuit |
Paying Washington County Traffic Tickets
Washington County provides several ways to pay your traffic ticket. The fastest method is online through the PayFLClerk.com statewide portal. This site links to Washington County's payment system and takes credit and debit cards. There is a convenience fee on card payments. The Washington County Clerk's own website may also have direct payment options available for Washington County traffic ticket records.
To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the Washington County Clerk at P.O. Box 647, Chipley, FL 32428. Include your citation number on the payment so the office can match it to your case. Do not mail cash. In-person payments are taken at the courthouse in Chipley. You can pay with cash, check, or money order at the window. Call ahead at 850-638-6285 to ask about credit card acceptance for in-person visits.
Under Florida Statute 318.14, you must pay or respond to a Washington County traffic ticket within 30 days of the citation date. Missing that deadline results in a $16 late fee. The Washington County Clerk then reports the unpaid ticket to FLHSMV. That puts your license on the line. Many Washington County tickets come from I-10 travelers passing through, and the same 30-day rule applies whether you live in the area or not.
Traffic Ticket Options in Washington County
When you get a traffic ticket in Washington County, you have 30 days to choose one of three paths. The first is paying the fine, which counts as a guilty plea and adds points to your driving record. The second is paying a reduced fine and choosing to take a Basic Driver Improvement course. This cuts your fine by 18% and prevents points from going on your record. The third is pleading not guilty and requesting a court hearing at the Washington County Courthouse in Chipley.
Going to trial in Washington County means appearing before a judge. The officer who issued the citation may testify. If you lose, the judge can impose fines up to $500 for most civil traffic infractions. School zone and construction zone speeding tickets carry a maximum of $1,000 under Florida Statute 318.18. If you win, the ticket is dismissed and nothing goes on your record. It is a gamble, but some drivers think it is worth the trip to Chipley. Contact the Washington County Clerk at 850-638-6285 to request a hearing within the 30-day deadline.
Washington County Traffic School
Traffic school is a common choice for Washington County drivers who want to keep points off their record. You pay the reduced fine to the clerk, which is 18% less than the full amount. Then you complete an approved Basic Driver Improvement course within 90 days of the citation date. File the completion certificate with the Washington County Clerk when you finish. Some schools handle the filing. Others do not. Confirm with your provider.
Florida law limits this option. You can elect traffic school a maximum of five times in your lifetime and no more than once per 12-month period. Drivers holding a commercial license are excluded. If your Washington County ticket was for going 30 mph or more over the posted speed limit, school is not available. Check the FLHSMV approved schools page for a list of accepted providers. Online courses are available, which helps if you do not live near Washington County and cannot attend in person.
If you do not finish the course within 90 days or fail to file the certificate, the school election gets canceled. Points go on your record, and you owe the full fine amount to Washington County.
Washington County Traffic Ticket Fines
Washington County traffic ticket fines are based on the statewide schedule in Florida Statute 318.18. Speeding base fines are: $25 for 6 to 9 mph over the limit, $100 for 10 to 14 over, $150 for 15 to 19 over, $175 for 20 to 29 over, and $250 for 30 mph or more above the posted speed. Court costs and county surcharges add to the total. The amount you owe on a Washington County traffic ticket will be higher than the base fine alone.
Moving violations carry a $60 base fine. Nonmoving violations cost $30. School zone and construction zone speeding tickets double the fine amount. If you miss the 30-day deadline, a $16 late fee goes on. Under Florida Statute 318.15, the Washington County Clerk notifies FLHSMV about unpaid tickets. That triggers the suspension process, and a $60 reinstatement fee from the state gets added to your total bill. The most affordable way to handle a Washington County traffic ticket is to pay it within the 30-day window.
License Suspension for Washington County Tickets
Letting a Washington County traffic ticket go unpaid past 30 days risks your driving privileges. The clerk sends a report to FLHSMV. The state mails a suspension order to your address. Your license is suspended 20 days after the notice goes out. That suspension sits on your FLHSMV record for seven years.
Fixing a suspension from a Washington County ticket means paying the full balance to the clerk plus a $60 reinstatement fee to FLHSMV. Check your license status at the MyDMV Portal or request your driving record history. Once Washington County confirms payment in full, they file a compliance certificate with the state. FLHSMV then lifts the suspension. Driving on a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense. Do not let a Washington County traffic ticket turn into something much bigger.
Washington County Operation Green Light
Washington County takes part in Operation Green Light each year. This program is run by the Florida Clerks and Comptrollers and gives drivers with suspended licenses a chance to resolve old unpaid traffic tickets. During the event, you can save up to 35% on the accumulated fees and penalties that built up from missed deadlines. It is a worthwhile opportunity if you have been avoiding an old Washington County traffic ticket.
You can participate by paying the balance in full or setting up a payment plan during the program window. Both options are available in person at the Washington County Clerk's office or by phone. Check PayFLClerk.com for program dates each year. If your license was suspended because of a Washington County traffic ticket, Operation Green Light can save you real money on the back fees.
Communities in Washington County
Washington County is a small, rural county without any cities that meet the population threshold for their own dedicated page. Chipley is the county seat and the main town. Other communities include Vernon, Caryville, Ebro, and Wausau. All traffic tickets issued anywhere in Washington County go through the Clerk of Court in Chipley. There are no branch offices or satellite courts in the county.
Nearby Counties
Washington County is surrounded by several panhandle counties. If your ticket was issued near a county line, check the citation to confirm which county it falls under. The county listed on the ticket is the one that processes your case.