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Bay County, Florida
Genealogy, History & Facts

Bay County, Florida Facts

When was Bay County, FL Created?
Bay County was created on April 24, 1913 from Calhoun County and Washington County.

What is the County Seat of Bay County, FL?
The County Seat is located in Panama City also, the county government website is www.co.bay.fl.us/.

What counties are adjacent to Bays County, FL?
Bordering Counties are Washington CountyJackson CountyCalhoun CountyGulf CountyWalton County.

Bay County, FL Vital Records

Where can find Bay County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Bay County vital records can be found at the Florida Office of Vital Records which has copies of Birth & Deaths reported 1917 to present and Divorce & Marriages since June 6, 1927. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Florida for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Bay County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for Florida Birth CertificateMarriage CertificateDivorce CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Vital Records can also be found in the Bay County Health Department has copies of Birth & Death certificates. Also has computer access from 1917 to present for birth records for the entire state as well as births that occurred in this county.

Bay County, FL Census Records


What Bay County, FL census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Bay County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 192019301940.

There are Florida State censuses from 1867, 1875, 1885, 1935, 1945. You can get free downloadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Florida Census Records Research Guide

Bay County, FL Courthouse and Government Records

Bay County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Bay County Courthouse?

Researchers frequently overlook the great importance of Bay County court, probate, and land records data as a useful resource of ancestry and genealogy information. Buried away in Florida courthouses and archives everywhere are the ambitions and frustrations of countless Florida residents.

The possibilities are excellent that your forefathers have left a comprehensive document of at least a number of facets of their lives in the Bay County court records. Even if your forebears is not referred to in a Court case, contemplate all of the other procedures that could have lead to him or her to appear in court records. See Also Florida Corthouse Records Research Guide.

Bay County, FL Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Bay County, FL?
A list of Bay County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Florida Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Bay County, FL Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Bay County, FL?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Bay County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is just a directory which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another.

Bay Co. FL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Bay Co. FL Cemeteries & Church Records

Bay Co. FL Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Bay Co. FL General and History Websites

Bay Co. FL Immigration & Naturalization

Bay Co. FL Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Bay Co. FL Military Records

Bay Co. FL Schools & Directories