Child Custody and Time-Sharing in Bay County, Florida

A child custody case starts with the clerk of court in Bay County, at the Bay County Courthouse, 300 E 4th St, Panama City. Florida's statute calls the outcome parental responsibility and time-sharing. A Fourteenth Judicial Circuit family judge decides the case.

The Bay County Clerk Family Law page, at baycoclerk.com, covers the packets used locally. Clerk staff cannot give legal advice under state law, not just in Bay County. That's why guidance for self-represented parents so often points to FloridaLawHelp.org and the state's own self-help materials.

Two things must happen before a judge signs a final order on parental responsibility and time-sharing. First, a parenting plan, Form 12.995(a) in most cases. Second, if the children are minors, completion of the state's required parenting course under Fla. Stat. 61.21. Parents generally have 45 days from filing or being served to finish it.

Filing a new related family case, such as a paternity action or a dissolution that sets time-sharing, costs around $397.50 in the Fourteenth Circuit. After that initial fee, most later paperwork, motions, notices, proposed orders, can go in electronically through Florida's statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com instead of over the counter. Marital status decides which case type applies. Married parents get time-sharing decided inside a dissolution of marriage case under chapter 61. Parents who were never married file a paternity action under chapter 742 instead, which sets parental responsibility, time-sharing, and child support all at once.

Where custody cases are heard in Bay County, FL

Custody and time-sharing matters in Bay County, FL are handled by the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Bay County, with the county seat in Panama City. Because courthouse locations, hours, and local family court programs change over time and can differ between branches, use the Florida court clerk directory to confirm the current details for your case:

Find the Bay County, FL Clerk of Court (Florida court clerk directory)

How custody is decided in Florida

Florida uses the same statewide rules in every county, including Bay County, FL. Florida law no longer uses the words "custody" and "visitation" in the statute; instead, Florida Statutes chapter 61 uses "parental responsibility" (who makes major decisions for the child) and "time-sharing" (the schedule of when the child is with each parent). Parental responsibility can be shared or, in limited cases, granted solely to one parent. Judges decide time-sharing based on the best interest of the child, considering the factors listed in the statute, and Florida law does not favor a parent based on gender.

You raise parental responsibility and time-sharing inside a dissolution of marriage case, or, if the parents were never married, by first filing to establish paternity. The core steps are:

1. Open or use an existing case: a petition for dissolution of marriage, or a paternity case for unmarried parents.
2. File a proposed Parenting Plan (Florida Supreme Court approved family law form 12.995(a)) covering parental responsibility and a time-sharing schedule.
3. Serve the other parent and file proof of service.
4. Complete a parenting course if your circuit requires one for cases with minor children (Fla. Stat. 61.21).
5. Attend mediation if your circuit requires it before a contested hearing, then attend the hearing if you have not agreed. The court enters a Final Judgment with the Parenting Plan attached.

Florida does not use a fixed statewide waiting period for custody orders the way it does for some other filings; timing depends on your circuit's calendar and whether the case is contested. Parents who agree on a Parenting Plan can submit it for the judge's signature without a contested hearing, which is almost always the faster and less costly path in Bay County, FL.

Local notes for Bay County, FL

The Bay County Courthouse, 300 E 4th St, Panama City, is the address that matters most in a custody case here. Filing, docketing, and most hearings happen there, unless a case is scheduled remotely.

Contested parental responsibility and time-sharing cases in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit go to mediation under Administrative Order 2007-00-03. The circuit's sliding-scale program charges $60 per person per session when combined household income is at or under $50,000, or $120 per person per session between $50,001 and $100,000. Most cases wrap up in a single three-hour session. Parents earning more than a combined $100,000 a year go to a private certified mediator instead.

The filing fee for the Fourteenth Circuit runs around $397.50. Confirm the current amount with the clerk's office before filing, since fees can change. Parents who cannot afford it can apply for civil indigent status under Fla. Stat. 57.082 to get it waived.

Official custody resources in Bay County, FL

Bay County Courthouse handles custody filings, located at 300 E 4th St, Panama City 32401.

The filing fee is $397.50. E-filing is available through https://www.myflcourtaccess.com. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, statewide system covering all 20 circuits including the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

Bay County Clerk Family Law page (https://www.baycoclerk.com/court-divisions/family-law/) can help with procedure and paperwork. Verified live on the clerk's or circuit's current site. Administrative Order 2007-00-03 (Family mediation referral and fee schedule) applies; see https://jud14.flcourts.org/alternative-dispute-resolution-mediation/family-mediation.

• Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
• Florida Statute 61.13, parental responsibility and time-sharing
• Form 12.995(a), Parenting Plan (PDF)
• Form 12.902(d), UCCJEA Affidavit (PDF)
• Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, local circuit finder
• FloridaLawHelp.org

Local details reviewed August 2026. Offices and locations can change, so confirm with the official sites above before you file.

Bay County, FL Child Custody FAQs