Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  When should I call 911?

A.  911 is for emergencies or things that could become emergencies.

Is there a threat to life or property?
Are you or someone else the victim of a crime?
Do you have a police emergency?
Do you or someone else have a medical emergency?
Do you need the fire department?

If the situation seems urgent and has the potential to become dangerous, call 911. Dispatchers will determine whether your call should be handled by 911 or can be transferred to another person or agency. All other calls should be directed to our non-emergency number 850-892-8111

Q.  What if I call 911 accidentally?

A.  If you accidentally dial 911, do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the dispatcher that everything is alright. If you don't, the dispatcher may think that something is wrong and send a police officer to check.

Q.  How do I apply for a job with the Sheriffs office?

A.  See our Employment page

Q.  How can I make an anonymous tip?

A.  See our Crime Stoppers page

Q.  How do I get a copy of an accident or incident report?

A.  A copy of an accident or incident report can be obtained by completing a request form and:

1. Calling the Walton County Sheriff's Office @ 850-892-8186
2. Coming into one of our offices:
   • 752 Triple G. Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
   • 133 S. Sheriff's Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
3. Email: smchenry@waltonso.org or nturner@waltonso.org
   
   Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
   
   
4. Fax: 1-888-977-1495 (Attn: Records Division)

Please be sure to include enough information so that your request can be accurately completed.

Q.  How do I start a neighborhood watch program?

A.  See our Neighborhood Watch Program page

Q.  What do I do if I have a complaint?

A.  See the Internal Affairs Page

Q.  How do I obtain a concealed weapons permit?

A.  Obtain an Application for Concealed Weapon or Firearm License by going to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing to complete the online request form for the application packet. The application packet includes the form to be filled out, a copy of Chapter 790, Florida Statutes, a fingerprint card, and a return envelope for the completed application. The information provided below is an overview of the application process. Additional information is provided in the application instructions booklet included with your application.

• Read and study the copy of Chapter 790, Florida Statutes.
• Have a passport-style, color photograph made.
• Get verification of training that satisfies the training requirement. The application lists acceptable documents. Make a photocopy to send with the application as an original cannot be returned. Persons serving in the United States Armed Forces may submit a copy of their Military ID Card to satisfy the training requirement.
• Get certified copies of court documents relating to any criminal charges against you.
• Take the fingerprint card to a local law enforcement agency and ask to be fingerprinted. In addition to providing fingerprinting services for the traditional "hard-card" format, electronic fingerprint devices are available at almost all 67 county sheriff's offices in the state.
• Complete the application. Either print clearly with ink or type the information.
• In the presence of a notary, sign application.
• Submit a check or money order for the license fee payable to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This fee is not refundable.
• Assemble everything:
• Envelope
• Fee
• Photograph
• Fingerprint card or proof that your fingerprints were submitted electronically by the sheriff's office using Live Scan (along with proof that you paid the sheriff's office or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for the service).
• Proof of training
• Certified court documents (if any)
• Application with notarized signature
• Mail to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing, P.O. Box 6687, Tallahassee, FL 32314.

The Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License is valid for a period of 7 years. Approximately 90 days prior to the license's expiration date, the Division automatically sends a renewal notice to the address we have on file for the license holder

Q.  When and where can I have my fingerprints taken?

A.Ink fingerprints can be obtained at either location of the Sheriffs office Monday through Friday 8 Am until 5 PM.

752 Triple G. Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

133 S. Sheriffs Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

LiveScan prints are available at 752 Triple G. Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433, Monday through Friday 8 to 5

Q.  Is there a fee for fingerprints?

A.  Walton County Sheriff's office does not charge a fee for ink prints of any type. There is a charge of $34.25 for concealed weapons permit prints that are taken using the Live Scan unit.

Q.  What is the address of the Walton County Sheriff's Office?

A.  The main office is at 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, Fl 32435

The Santa Rosa Beach sub-station is located at 133 Sheriff's Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Q.  What is the charge for service for civil process?

A.  The charge depends on what type of service it is:

Non Enforceable is $20.00 per person.

Enforceable is $50.00 (in some instances per person)

Q.  Who do we contact to get signed up for the gun safety course?

A.  See the Civilian Firearms page

Q.  What is the fee for taking the gun safety course?

A.  The fee is $35.00 for the gun safety course.

Q.  Do you provide fingerprint cards to the public?

A.  Fingerprint cards are available at the Sheriff's Office for the printing of children, but not for any other purpose. Fingerprint cards are normally provided by the employer or organization who is requesting the fingerprints be taken. Each agency is issued fingerprint cards that are printed with their identification ORI number.

Q.  What do I need to have a background check done on myself or another individual?

A.  See the background check page

Q.  What is the process for an eviction?

A.  The process consists of three steps.

1. The landlord sends the tenant a letter telling them to vacate within a specific amount of time. Once that time has passed
2. The landlord goes to the Clerk of Court to obtain a "Complaint for Eviction" (5 day notice). Once that has been served or posted the tenant has 5 business days to answer, move or make amends with the landlord. If none of that is completed, then the landlord goes to the Clerk of Court for
3. A Writ of Possession, which the sheriff's department posts on the residence. This is a 24 hour notice, which is calculated from midnight the day that it is posted to midnight the next business day. The landlord must contact Civil Process at the Sheriff's Office to set a time for the deputy to meet them at the property to turn over possession to them.

Q.  What can I do to get a restraining order?

A.  Restraining orders are issued by a judge and are intended to protect those who fear for their own safety. Essentially, a restraining order prohibits an individual from an action that is likely to cause harm; usually, a restraining order prevents any contact or communication between two or more people.

A restraining order differs from an injunction in that it can be granted immediately, without a hearing and without any notice to the opposing party. Restraining orders are temporary; they are intended to last only until a hearing can take place. If a restraining order is violated, call 9-1-1 and report the situation. The violating party can be arrested immediately and taken into custody.

To obtain a restraining order, go to the Walton County Courthouse at 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, during regular business hours.

A person who refuses to follow a judge's order can be put in jail. If the abuser disobeys the judges order, contact the sheriff's department and show them the certified copy of the restraining order. In some cases the officer will arrest the abuser. Also, you can ask the judge to hold the abuser responsible for not following the judges order.

Q.  How do I get to your office?

A.  From Santa Rosa Beach take 331 heading north until you come to the intersection of highway 90. Turn right on US-90 east. Turn left at the next traffic light onto FL-83 N 9th Street. Continue to follow FL-83 to CR-1883 and turn right. Take your next right onto Triple G. Road. Follow the road around to the Sheriffs Office.

From Paxton travel highway 331 south approximately 19 miles and turn left onto Sunrise Road. At the stop sign continue across highway 83 onto CR 1883. Take your first right onto Triple G Road. Follow the road around to the Sheriff's Office

Q.  How can we get a permit for a bonfire on the beach?

A.  Contact Code Enforcement at 850-622-2000

Q.  How can I get a permit to allow my dog on the beach?

A.  Beach permits can be purchased at either of the Tax Collector locations in the county. Dog On the Beach Permit Requirements:

• Dog owner must be either:
  • A property owner in Walton County
  • OR A permanent, year-round resident of Walton County and furnish a valid Walton County voter's registration card or a valid driver's license with a verifiable Walton County street/911 address.
  Note: Proof of property ownership will be verified by the tax collector's employees at the time of application.
• You must also provide documentation from your veterinarian that your dog(s) vaccinations are current. Please note that the name of the dog owner on the vet records must match the name of the property ownership records of the tax collector.
• The cost of the license is $30.00 per year and each permit issued shall be for a period of one year and will expire August 1st of each year, with a grace period until August 15th of each year. Proof of property ownership and updated vaccination records must be verified at each renewal. Permit renewal and new permits are available for issue at both Walton County Tax Collector locations.
• The Dog On the Beach Permit grants dog owners the following:
  The beach dog tag allows you to walk your dog ON A LEASH, on Walton County beaches between the following hours:
  • Standard Time 3:00pm - 9:00am
  • Daylight Savings Time 6:00pm - 8:00am
• *Certain Beach Areas Prohibit Pets* State owned beach access areas, in Walton County prohibit pets on the beach! Please adhere to the posted signage in these areas. For more information you may visit www.waltontaxcollector.com

Q.  What can I do to protect myself from identity theft?

A.  See the Identity Theft topic on our Crime Prevention page.

Q.  If I am contacted by someone by phone, e-mail, or letter and I think it is a scam, what should I do?

A.  Please contact the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff's Office immediately. You are not likely to be the only victim and we may need to do an awareness campaign to try to prevent others from falling victim. Often such scams are regional or national and we can forward your information to help ensure Federal and State agencies can apply a more coordinated approach to stop the scams.

Q.  What can I do about someone trespassing?

A.  If you are presented with a situation in which you feel a trespass warning needs to be issued you need to take the following steps.

• Call the dispatch center at 892-8111 and request that a deputy be sent to the address where the trespass has occurred.
• Once the deputy arrives you will be required to complete a report with the deputy as to what happened.
• To complete the process a trespass warning form must be completed and sign by you.

NOTE: In order for the Trespass Warning to be issued the person committing the trespass must be present when the deputy arrives on scene.