Noma, Florida Public Records

In addition to the Noma, Holmes County Sheriff's Office, the Bonifay Police Department serves the city of Bonifay, providing law enforcement services within the city limits. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the county. The Sheriff's Office handles rural and unincorporated areas, while the Bonifay Police Department focuses on urban policing within the city. Both agencies work together to enhance public safety and respond to incidents that require joint efforts.

The Holmes County Jail, located in Bonifay, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves photographing and fingerprinting individuals who are arrested, and these records are maintained by the jail staff. Inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to search for current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to strict guidelines. The bond and bail process follows Florida state law, allowing for the release of inmates upon payment of bail, which can be arranged through the jail's administrative office.

Noma residents are served by multiple court systems within Florida's judicial framework. For misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and county ordinance violations, the Holmes County Court is located at the Holmes County Courthouse, 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-1100. This court handles small claims disputes up to $8,000, civil cases up to $30,000, and misdemeanor criminal offenses. For felony cases, family law matters including divorce and child custody, probate proceedings, and civil cases exceeding $30,000, the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Holmes County operates from the same courthouse address and phone number. The Holmes County Clerk of Court, Rebecca Norris, serves as the official record keeper for both court levels. Florida offers statewide online court record access through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/, where users can search civil, family, probate, and some criminal case dockets by party name, case number, or attorney. However, full document images may not be available for all Holmes County cases, and some records require in-person inspection at the Clerk's Office in Bonifay. Certified copies of court documents are available from the Clerk of Court for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for certification, as established by Florida Statutes Section 28.24. Non-certified copies cost $0.15 per one-sided page. Traffic citations and County Court case information may also be searched through the Holmes County Clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding county holidays.

Holmes County's criminal records system includes felony, misdemeanor, traffic, and sex offender registry records. The Sheriff's Office maintains these records, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request background checks through the FDLE, which offers a comprehensive view of an individual's criminal history in Florida. The sex offender registry is publicly accessible, providing information on registered offenders residing in Holmes County.

Arrest records in Holmes County are maintained by the Holmes County Sheriff's Office. These records include details such as the nature of the offense, arresting officer, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, in compliance with the Florida Sunshine Law, which governs public access to records. An arrest record in Holmes County typically contains the individual's personal information, charges, and the status of the case, providing a comprehensive overview of the arrest event.

Property and land records for Noma are maintained by Holmes County offices in Bonifay. The Holmes County Property Appraiser, located at 107 East Byrd Avenue, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-1120, maintains assessment records, property ownership information, and taxable values for all real property in Noma and throughout Holmes County. The Property Appraiser's website at https://www.qpublic.net/fl/holmes/ provides free online access to property records searchable by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number. The online database includes parcel maps, assessed values, property characteristics, sales history, and aerial photography. The Holmes County Tax Collector, located at 106 East Byrd Avenue, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-3357, manages property tax payments and can be reached at https://www.holmescountyfl.org/tax-collector/. For official recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting title to real property, the Holmes County Clerk of Court serves as the County Recorder, located at 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-1100. The Official Records division maintains deed books and document indices dating back to Holmes County's creation in 1848. While some counties in Florida offer free online access to recorded documents, Holmes County's official records currently require in-person research at the Clerk's office or requests through third-party subscription services. Recording fees are established by Florida Statutes Section 28.24, with the first page of a document costing $10.00 and each additional page $8.50. Holmes County does not currently maintain a publicly accessible GIS parcel viewer beyond the basic Property Appraiser search tool.

Noma's economy is predominantly agricultural and forestry-based, reflecting its rural character and sparse population. The community and surrounding area support timber production, with extensive pine plantations managed by commercial forestry companies and private landowners. Small-scale farming operations produce cattle, hay, and row crops, though agriculture has declined from historical levels. Most Noma residents who are employed commute to larger employment centers including Bonifay (12 miles south), Graceville (15 miles east), and Dothan, Alabama (approximately 35 miles northwest). Major employers accessible to Noma residents include the Holmes County School District (Holmes County High School and several elementary schools in Bonifay), the Holmes County government offices in Bonifay, healthcare facilities including Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay, and retail/service employers along U.S. Highway 90. The Washington County timber industry and International Paper operations in nearby communities also provide employment for area residents. Holmes County overall has a median household income significantly below state and national averages, estimated at approximately $38,000 to $42,000 annually, with Noma's small population reflecting similar economic characteristics. The area has seen limited development or population growth in recent decades, maintaining its rural, agricultural identity. Noma lacks commercial infrastructure, with residents relying on Bonifay, Ponce de Leon, and Westville for groceries, fuel, banking, and services. The community's economy remains intertwined with natural resource extraction, small-scale agriculture, and government employment rather than manufacturing or service industries.

Noma, as an unincorporated community, does not maintain its own police department. All law enforcement services for Noma and the surrounding area are provided by the Holmes County Sheriff's Office, located at 206 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-3681. The Sheriff's Office website is https://www.holmescountysheriff.org/, where residents can find non-emergency contact information and basic office hours. To request police reports, incident records, or accident reports involving Noma residents, requestors must submit a written public records request to the Holmes County Sheriff's Office either in person at the Bonifay headquarters, by mail, or via the office's public records request process. Florida's Public Records Law is codified in Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, which establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. Chapter 119.07(1)(a) requires agencies to permit records to be inspected or copied by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian. For arrest and jail booking information, the Holmes County Jail provides an online inmate roster accessible through the Sheriff's Office website, displaying current detainees' names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs. The Holmes County Detention Facility is located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office in Bonifay. Records requestors should be prepared to pay reasonable copying fees as established by Florida Statutes Section 119.07(4), typically $0.15 per one-sided copy for standard-sized pages, with additional charges for extensive research or redaction time.

Vital records for Noma residents are managed at both the county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, 1217 Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202, phone (904) 359-6900, website http://www.floridahealth.gov/certificates/. Birth certificates cost $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate ordered at the same time; death certificates cost $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy. Florida birth records are available from April 1865 forward, and death records from August 1877 forward. Online ordering is available through VitalChek at https://www.vitalchek.com/ with additional service fees. Walk-in service is available at the Jacksonville office or through any Florida Department of Health county health department; the Holmes County Health Department is located at 1116 Highway 90 East, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-8500, though processing times may be longer than ordering directly from Jacksonville. Eligibility to obtain certified copies is restricted under Florida Statutes Section 382.008 to the registrant (if of legal age), immediate family members, legal guardians, or persons with a direct and tangible interest, with valid photo identification required. Marriage licenses are issued by the Holmes County Clerk of Court, 201 North Oklahoma Street, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-1100. The marriage license fee is $93.50, reduced to $30.00 for couples who complete a premarital preparation course. There is no waiting period if both parties are Florida residents; a three-day waiting period applies for non-residents. Divorce records are filed as court cases in the Circuit Court and are accessible through the Clerk of Court as public records unless sealed by court order. Marriage records in Holmes County are available from 1848 forward, maintained by the Clerk's Official Records division.

Because Noma is an unincorporated community without municipal government, there are no city-level business licenses or permits specific to Noma. Businesses operating in Noma may be subject to Holmes County occupational licensing requirements administered by the Holmes County Tax Collector, 106 East Byrd Avenue, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-3357. Florida generally does not require county occupational licenses for most businesses, but certain regulated professions and business types may require permits. Fictitious name registrations ("Doing Business As" or DBA filings) in Florida are filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, and can be searched at https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/. The Sunbiz database provides free online access to corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, and fictitious name records for all Florida entities. Users can search by entity name, officer name, registered agent, or document number to view entity status, registration date, principal address, registered agent information, and annual report history. New business entities and fictitious names are registered online through the same portal, with fees varying by entity type: Florida LLCs cost $125 to file, corporations $70, and fictitious name registrations $50. The Florida Department of State also maintains the statewide Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filing system for secured transactions and lien searches at https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/other-services/uccfilings/. For professional licenses (contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, etc.), the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation maintains searchable databases at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/. Business property owners in Noma can search commercial property assessments through the Holmes County Property Appraiser at https://www.qpublic.net/fl/holmes/ using the parcel search function to view taxable values for commercial real estate and business tangible personal property accounts.

Noma residents vote in Holmes County elections administered by the Holmes County Supervisor of Elections, located at 106 East Byrd Avenue, Bonifay, FL 32425, phone (850) 547-1107, website https://www.holmescountyfl.org/supervisor-of-elections/. Florida voter registration is available online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/, where eligible citizens can complete registration or update their address. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old by the next election, and not adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting or convicted of a felony without restoration of voting rights. Because Noma is unincorporated with no municipal government, residents do not vote in city elections; instead, they participate in Holmes County, state, and federal elections. Holmes County holds countywide elections for constitutional officers (Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Clerk of Court, Supervisor of Elections) every four years, with the next county officer elections scheduled for 2024 and 2028. Noma voters are assigned to polling places based on their precinct; residents can find their assigned polling location using the Florida Division of Elections' Voter Information Lookup at https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus, which also displays sample ballots, early voting locations, and vote-by-mail ballot status. Holmes County operates early voting at the Supervisor of Elections office in Bonifay for the period specified before each election, typically 10 days before Election Day. In the November 2024 general election, Holmes County reported approximately 67% voter turnout, with 7,200 ballots cast from approximately 10,800 registered voters, reflecting the county's conservative voting patterns and strong participation in presidential elections. For the November 3, 2026 general election, Noma and Holmes County voters will decide several significant races: Florida does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026 (Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Rick Scott are up in 2028 and 2024 respectively); Florida's gubernatorial election was in 2022 (next in 2026 - Governor Ron DeSantis is term-limited, making this an open gubernatorial race); all Florida Cabinet positions (Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture) will be on the ballot; Florida House of Representatives District 5 (which includes Holmes County) will be contested; Holmes County Commission seats for Districts 2 and 4 will be decided; and the Holmes County School Board will have seats up for election. Florida voters can request vote-by-mail ballots (absentee ballots) through the Supervisor of Elections office by completing a request form available at https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/vote-by-mail/, by phone at (850) 547-1107, or in person. Vote-by-mail ballot requests are valid through the end of the calendar year of the second ensuing regularly scheduled general election. Public election records available in Holmes County include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted per Florida Statutes Section 97.0585), campaign finance reports for local candidates filed with the Supervisor of Elections, candidate qualifying information, and precinct-level election results published after each election at the county elections website.