Santa Rosa County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk gives attorneys electronic access to court record images for cases where they are the attorney of record; the registration form must be notarized for attorney or party access. santarosaclerk.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Santa Rosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Probate Department fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. These are the maximum amounts § 28.2401(1) allows. No probate fee schedule was found on the clerk's website on October 16, 2026, so no clerk-posted amount is shown.

Judges and divisions

1st Judicial Circuit. Serves Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

Courthouses that hear probate

• Santa Rosa County Court House, 4025 Avalon Blvd., Milton, FL 32583; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. santarosaclerk.com probate assignment

• Florida Statutes § 26.021 places Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties in the First Judicial Circuit. flsenate.gov

Administrative orders

Orders of the 1st Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Santa Rosa County. Circuit order index.

• SRCAD 2024-02, Santa Rosa County Division Assignments. Date: November 21, 2024 (effective January 2, 2025; in effect until January 4, 2027). Assigns Probate/Guardianship, with Dependency, Delinquency, Unified Family, CINS/FINS, Truancy Court and a share of domestic violence injunctions, to Judge Steven C. Warrick in Division D.
• SRCAD 2023-01, Santa Rosa County Circuit Division Assignment, Judge Steven Warrick, Division D. Date: April 27, 2023 (effective May 1, 2023). Assigned Judge Warrick to Division D with Probate/Guardianship; SRCAD 2024-02 sets the current assignments.
• SRCAD 2018-02, Probate Filings. Date: April 3, 2018. Requires the opening formal administration, summary administration, determining homestead status and closing formal administration checklists with the matching petition, emailed to the assigned division email and not filed in the court file.

Local requirements and forms

Checklists

• SRCAD 2018-02 requires a filer of a Petition for Formal Administration, Summary Administration, Determining Homestead Status of Real Property or Discharge to also complete and submit the matching checklist. The checklists are emailed as an attachment to the assigned division email and are not filed in the court file. cdn.sanity.io
• The clerk's probate forms page lists the Santa Rosa checklists for summary administration, opening formal administration and closing formal administration. santarosaclerk.com

Assignment

• Probate and guardianship cases are in Division D before Judge Steven C. Warrick (SRCAD 2024-02, in effect until January 4, 2027). cdn.sanity.io

Small estates

• For a disposition of personal property without administration, the clerk lists a death certificate, funeral expense documentation, any medical and hospital expense documentation, a statement from the business or institution holding the funds, and the original will if one exists. santarosaclerk.com
• The petition for a disposition without administration must be signed by a qualifying relative: the spouse, or the children (all children if both parents are deceased). The deceased must have been a resident of Santa Rosa County. santarosaclerk.com
• The clerk lists circumstances that prevent a filing, including real estate in Florida titled in the decedent's name, a business interest requiring letters of administration, and a pending or anticipated wrongful death action. santarosaclerk.com

Forms and checklists

• Clerk probate and guardianship forms: Disposition of Personal Property, caveats, Statement of Claim, guardianship plan and report forms, probate checklists, change of address, Santa Rosa County Clerk
• Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration: required information and filing guidelines, Santa Rosa County Clerk

Property and homestead

• An application for all exemptions is due no later than March 1 of the assessment year, though late applications may be accepted in certain instances. srcpa.gov
• The $5,000 widow or widower exemption (§ 196.202) is lost on remarriage, a surviving spouse who was divorced before the death does not qualify, and the Property Appraiser may ask for a death certificate when the claim is filed. srcpa.gov
• The Property Appraiser's offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. srcpa.gov

Death certificates

• Death certificates cover deaths in Florida from 2009 to the present, and a copy of a valid ID goes with every request. santarosa.floridahealth.gov
• VitalChek is the only vendor the Department of Health authorizes for online orders. santarosa.floridahealth.gov
• The Milton location is at 5527 Stewart St., Milton, FL 32570, phone 850-983-5200. santarosa.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• The clerk's Probate and Guardianship lines are both (850) 981-5584, and the clerk's main number is (850) 981-5554. santarosaclerk.com
• The Public Records/Archives office at 6816 Caroline St, Milton, FL 32570 maintains closed court files and offers a public research area for historical records. santarosaclerk.com
• Section 732.901 requires the custodian of a will to deposit it with the clerk within 10 days after learning of the death, and the clerk to keep the original for at least 20 years. flsenate.gov

Sources

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.

1. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
   • Charge for caveat .......... $40
   • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
   • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
   • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
   • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
2. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
3. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • (1) The first circuit is composed of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties.
   • (2) The second circuit is composed of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties.
4. Florida Statutes § 732.901, production of wills (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The custodian of a will must deposit the will with the clerk of the court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.
   • the clerk shall retain and preserve the original will in its original form for at least 20 years
5. First Judicial Circuit of Florida, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • First Judicial Circuit of Florida

   Note: The page body is client-rendered; its data file states that the circuit serves Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties.

6. First Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders by title (PDF, August 14, 2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
   • By Title
   • @ August 14, 2026
7. Santa Rosa County Administrative Directive SRCAD 2024-02, Division Assignments (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE No. SRCAD 2024-02
   • RE: SANTA ROSA COUNTY DIVISION ASSIGNMENTS
   • Judge Steven C. Warrick, Division D
   • Probate/Guardianship
   • These assignments will remain in effect until January 4, 2027.
   • Santa Rosa County Administrative Directive 2022-04 shall be vacated January 2, 2025.
   • day of November, 2024.
   • J. Scott Duncan
   • ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE

   Note: The two-column layout interleaves the divisions in the text layer. Read on the rendered page: Judge Steven C. Warrick, Division D, effective January 2, 2025, hears Dependency, Delinquency, Unified Family, CINS/FINS, Truancy Court, one quarter of the Domestic Violence Injunctions, and Probate/Guardianship.

8. Santa Rosa County Administrative Directive SRCAD 2023-01, Judge Warrick, Division D (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE No. SRCAD 2023-01
   • ORDERED that effective May 1, 2023, Circuit Judge Steven C. Warrick shall be assigned Division D:
   • Probate/Guardianship
9. Santa Rosa County Administrative Directive SRCAD 2018-02, Probate Filings (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE SRCAD 2018-02
   • RE: Probate Filings

   Note: Scanned image with no text layer, so the source checker cannot read it; the directive was read on the rendered page. It states that Santa Rosa County Administrative Directive 2016-07 identifies all probate matters in Division D, and orders that a filer of a Petition for Formal Administration, Petition for Summary Administration, Petition for Determining Homestead Status of Real Property or Petition for Discharge also complete and submit the appropriate checklist (opening formal administration, summary administration, determining homestead status, closing formal administration). The checklists are not filed in the court file but emailed as an attachment to the assigned division email. Signed April 3, 2018 by Administrative Judge John F. Simon, Jr.

10. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Probate/Guardianship forms page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate/Guardianship
    • Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration Caveat by Interested Person Caveat By Creditor Statement of Claim Statement from a Physician Annual Guardianship Plan of Guardian of Person Guardianship Report – of property Guardianship Filing Schedule Simplified Accounting – Annual Accounting – Annual Plan Vulnerable Adult Brochure Instructions for Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult Petition For Injunction For Protection Against Exploitation Of a Vulnerable Adult CHECKLIST-Summary Administration CHECKLIST-Closing Formal Administration CHECKLIST-Opening Formal Administration CHANGE OF ADDRESS – Probate Cases
11. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration guidelines (PDF), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHOUT ADMINISTRATION
    • Required Information and Filing Guidelines
    • 1. Death Certificate
    • 2. Funeral expense documentation (paid or unpaid)
    • 5. Original Will, if one exists
    • The petition must be signed by a qualifying relative:
    • 1. Spouse
    • 2. Children (if both parents are deceased, all children must sign)
    • 1. Owned Real Estate Property in Florida titled in their name at the time of death
    • 4. Had a business interest requiring Letters of Administration
    • 6. Has a pending or anticipated wrongful death action
    • The deceased must have been a resident of Santa Rosa County.
    • For further assistance, contact the Probate Department:
    • (850)981-5584 or (850)981-5533
    • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.
12. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Contact page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Probate 981-5584 626-5705
    • Guardianship 981-5584 626-5705
    • Phone: (850) 981-5554
    • Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court 6495 Caroline St. Suite A Milton, FL 32570
    • Santa Rosa County Court House 4025 Avalon Blvd. Milton, FL 32583
13. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Locations page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Clerk’s Office
    • 4025 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Payments and Filing of Court Cases and Fees
    • South End Service Center
    • 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Branch office offering Recording, Research, Payments and Filing of Court Cases and Fees
    • Public Records/Archives
    • 6816 Caroline St, Milton, FL 32570 Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Maintains closed court files and offers public research area for historical records
14. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Access to Electronic Court Records page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • which will allow attorneys electronic access to court records. This access will provide attorneys with the ability to view actual court record images online for which they are the attorney of record.
    • Form must be notarized if requesting attorney or party access.
15. Santa Rosa County Clerk, Court Fees page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Visit the Santa Rosa County Courthouse at 4025 Avalon Boulevard, Milton, FL , on Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
16. Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser, Exemptions page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Application for all exemptions must be made no later than March 1 of the assessment year, however late applications may be accepted in certain instances.
    • $5,000 Widow/Widower’s Exemption (Florida Statute 196.202): Any widow or widower who is a permanent Florida resident may claim a $5,000 exemption.
    • If you were divorced before the death of your ex-spouse, you do not qualify as a widow or widower. You may be asked to produce a death certificate when filing.
17. Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser, Online Exemptions Filing page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Main Office 6495 Caroline Street, STE K Milton, FL 32570
    • South Service Center 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
    • Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
    • Phone: (850) 983-1880
18. Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser
19. Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Death certificates are available for deaths occurring in the state of Florida from 2009 to present.
    • All requests must include a legible copy of a valid driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or military identification card. You must be a family member or legal representative when requesting cause of death.
    • open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Death certificate – $12
    • Protective vinyl envelope – $5
    • Mailing fee – $3 ($16 for rush delivery)
    • Search fee – $4 plus $2 for each additional year after the first ($50 maximum)
    • Vital Statistics 850-983-5200 , opt. 3
    • Order death certificates online through VitalChek® , the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health.
20. Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Milton location, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Physical Address: 5527 Stewart St., Milton, FL 32570 Phone: 850-983-5200