Highlands County Court Records

Highlands County court records are official documents, files, and information generated by the various Highlands County courts during the legal prosecution of criminal and civil cases. They encompass documents from the Highlands County Circuit and County Courts. Generally, Florida Court records information includes:

• Pleadings and Motions
• Warrants and Arrest Records
• Case Summaries
• Dockets
• Evidence and Exhibits
• Court Orders and Judgments
• Sentencing Documents
• Transcripts.

Highlands County court records are important for the transparency and accountability of the county's judicial system. In addition, Court records lay legal precedent for prosecuting similar cases in the future.

Are Court Records Public in Highlands County?

Court records are public in Highlands County. According to Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (Florida Public Records Law), state, county, and municipal government records must be open to public inspection. However, per Florida Statute 119.071, certain court records are exempt from public scrutiny.

The following are some of Highlands County court records that are not open to public access:

• Juvenile Records
• Adoption Records
• Sealed and Expunged Records
• Confidential Informants Information
• Victims Records
• Domestic Violence Records
• Medical Records
• Criminal Intelligence or Investigative Information.

In addition, there may be redaction of certain information from publicly accessible Court records.

Highlands County Court Records Search

There are different ways to perform a general search for court records. Highlands County court records are available online and offline. For a general search for Highlands County court records, visit the records online repository and use search tools (if available) to locate the specific court records. Also, requesters may search for Highlands County court records by email request, mail, or in-person visits to the records custodian agencies.

Highlands County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based search for Highlands County court records involves using the name of the owner of a record as search criteria. To use a name to search for Highlands court records, log in to the records custodian agency's website, locate the records search portal, and select name as the search criterion. Also, when requesting Highlands County court records by mail, email, or in person, include the name of the owner of the records in the request to ease the records search process.

Note: Irrespective of the search method, there may be payments for search and copies of Highlands court records. In addition, access to certain types of Highlands County court records may require the requester to provide a valid identification.

Highlands County Courts

The Highlands County court system comprises the Circuit Court and the County Court. In Highlands County, the Circuit Court handles civil and criminal cases beyond the jurisdiction of the County Court. Highlands County Circuit Court prosecutes criminal felony cases, civil cases for claim disputes greater than $15,000, probate cases, and family law cases. The County Court adjudicates misdemeanor cases, violation of city ordinances, and civil cases where the amount in dispute is less than $15,000.

The list below outlines the addresses of the different courts in Highlands County:

Circuit Court in Highlands County
Highlands County Circuit Court
Highlands County Courthouse
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: (863) 402-6565
Fax: (863) 402-6768

County Court in Highlands County
County Court of Highlands County
Highlands County Courthouse
590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: (863) 402-6565
Fax: (863) 402-6768

Highlands County District Court Records

In Highlands County, the Circuit Court performs the duties of the District Court. Highlands County Circuit Court case jurisdictions encompass but are not limited to:

• Criminal cases
• Civil cases
• Family Law cases
• Probate cases
• Juvenile cases.

To access Highlands County District Court records:

• Visit the Highlands County Clerk of Courts Records Search webpage.
• Click Search Records to access the Online Court Records Search page.
• Select Public and agree to the terms on the resulting page to access the search portal.
• Select the case type from the options, search for records by name, or use the available filters to narrow the search results.

Also, Highlands County Circuit Court records are accessible through the OneCoreAcclaim search portal. Log in to the search page, and depending on the search criteria, click the right option to access the records search portal.

Highlands County Criminal Records

Highlands County criminal records are official documents that describe an individual's criminal history within Highlands County, FL. Such records are public. However, certain criminal records and information are restricted. For instance, criminal records of minors are not public, and certain arrest records information may be restricted.

In Highlands County, law enforcement, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintain criminal records databases. Highlands County criminal records documents in the possession of law enforcement include but are not limited to:

• Arrest Records
• Incident Reports
• Arrest Warrants
• Booking Records
• Mugshots
• Fingerprints.

To access Highlands County arrest records and other criminal records in the possession of law enforcement:

• Login to the Highlands Sheriff's Office website
• Click the Quick Link Inmate Information search link to access the Jail Information page
• Select Inmate Search to access the search page
• Search for records by name or date.

Also, requesters can request access to Highlands county arrest records and criminal records in the possession of law enforcement through phone calls ((863) 402-7232), Fax: ((863) 402-7207), email (centralrecords@highlandssheriff.org), or mail to:

The Highlands County Sheriff's Office Records Custodian

400 S. Eucalyptus St.
Sebring, FL 33870.

In addition, interested persons can visit the law enforcement agency responsible for the specific arrest.

Highlands County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Highlands County criminal records are available online and offline. To look up Highlands County criminal records:

• Visit the Highlands County Clerk of Courts website and access the Online Court Records Search Portal.
• Login to the Highlands County Clerk of Courts Criminal Court Calendar page, and download Circuit and County Courts Calendars to view information on defendant charge event and bond amounts.
• Check online third-party websites with databases on Highlands County criminal records.
• Visit the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Courts office and request access to criminal records.

Get Highlands County Civil Court Records

Highlands County civil court records are official documents on non-criminal legal proceedings between individuals or organizations within Highlands County's courts. Civil Court Records encompass but are not limited to legal documents on:

• Property disputes
• Contract disagreements
• Family Law cases
• Personal Injury lawsuits
• Employment Laws
• Tort Claims
• Debt Collection.

In Highlands County, the Clerk of Circuit Courts office is the custodian for civil court records.

To access Highlands County civil court records:

• Login to the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Courts website
• Scroll down and click Court Records Search and navigate to the Online Court Records Search Portal
• Select the Public option
• Accept the terms to gain access to the search portal
• Select Circuit Civil or County from the Court Type options
• Search for records by individual or business names
• Use the Filter option to narrow the search results.

Also, Highlands County civil court records are available through in-person visits to the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Courts office.

Note: Accessing Highlands County civil court records may require fee payments. Certain civil court records may also require identification, and requesters may need to state the purpose of access.

Highlands County Family Court Records

Highlands County family court records are official documents on family law case proceedings within Highlands County's courts. Highlands County family law records include documents on:

• Adoption
• Paternity Actions
• Child Support Orders
• Child Custody Orders
• Divorce Decrees
• Name Change Petitions
• Domestic Violence Protective Orders.

In Highlands County, the Family Law Division of the Circuit Court handles family law cases. Highlands County family law records are accessible through the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court office.

To access Highlands County family law records:

• Login to the Highlands County Clerk of Courts website
• Navigate to the Search Court Records page
• Scroll down and click the Search Court Records link to the records search portal
• Click Public to access the search page
• Select Domestic Relations/Family from the Court Type options
• Enter the name of the owner of the records and perform a search.

Note: Due to the sensitive nature of some family law cases, certain family law records are sealed or subject to confidentiality laws. Access to some family law documents or information may require eligibility or authorization.

Highlands County family law records play important roles in protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals in cases involving child abuse or domestic violence. Furthermore, family law records are evidence of legal proceedings and facilitate the enforcement of court orders relating to family law cases.

Highlands Dissolution of Marriage Records

Highlands County dissolution of marriage (or divorce) records are official documents relating to the legal termination of marriage within Highlands County.

Highlands County dissolution of marriage records are accessible through:

The Highlands County Clerk of Courts Office

• Visit the Highlands County Clerk of the Circuit Courts website
• Scroll down and click Court Records Search
• Navigate to the search portal
• Enter the registrant's name and perform a search.

The Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics

• Login to the Highlands County page on the Florida Department of Health website
• Scroll down and click Divorce Certificates
• On the resulting page, click Divorce to access the Order Certificate page
• Expand the Order from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics menu
• Download an Application for Dissolution of Marriage Certificate form, fill it out, and mail it to:
  Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics,
  P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville,
  FL 32231-0042.

Also, the dissolution of marriage relations in Highlands County is accessible through designated third-party websites.

Note: For records unavailable online, requesters may need to visit the Highlands County Clerk of Courts office in person and request access. In addition, there are applicable access fee payments for obtaining Highlands dissolution of marriage records.

Highlands County Marriage and Divorce Records

Highlands County marriage records are official documents relating to the legal union of individuals as couples within Highlands County. On the other hand, Highlands County divorce records are official documents on legal proceedings leading to the separation of couples within Highlands County.

Highlands County marriage and divorce records are public. However, access to recent records may be restricted. Also, access limitations may exist due to legal reasons or sensitive information. There are several ways to access Highlands County marriage and divorce records. These include:

Florida Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics

• Visit the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics Certificate page.
• Depending on the record type, click Marriage Certificate or Divorce Certificate.
• Expand the Order from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics menu and download an application form.
• Complete the form, include a check or money order to cover the access fees, and mail it to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.

The OneCoreAcclaim web portal

• Login to the Highlands County OneCoreAcclaim search portal
• Click the Case # icon to access the search page
• Use "name" as the search criteria for the Highlands marriage certificate.

My Florida County website

• Log in to the My Florida County website
• Select Official Records from the menu to access the search portal
• Click the Search Now link to access the search page
• Search for Highlands County marriage records between 08/04/1981 to 02/15/2022.

Third-party designated website

Highlands County marriage and divorce records are available through some affiliated third-party websites.

The Highlands County Clerk of Courts Office

Requesters for Highlands County marriage and divorce records can contact the Highlands County Clerk of Courts office in person, through phone calls at (863) 492-6565, or by mail to:

590 South Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870-3867.

Highlands Birth and Death Records

Highlands County birth and death records are official documents relating to the birth or death of persons within Highlands County, Florida. Highlands birth certificates and death decrees make up a part of Highlands County Vital Records. Per Florida laws, birth and death records are not public and are accessible only to persons with a direct and tangible interest in the records.

To access a Highlands birth certificate or death record:

• Visit the Florida Department of Health's website.
• Select Certificates from the drop menu to access the Bureau of Vital Statistics Certificate and Registries page.
• Click Birth or Death to access the Order Certificate page.
• Scroll down and order a Highlands County birth or death certificate through a third-party designated online portal or by downloading a birth or death certificate request form.
• Complete the birth or death certificate, include a check or money order to cover access fees, and mail them to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Note: Information on the cost of accessing Florida birth and death records is available on the request application forms.

Highlands County birth and death records play significant roles in demographic analysis, health policy formation, and identification documents. They are also vital tools for genealogical research.

Highlands County Probate Court Records

Highlands County probate court records are legal documents relating to a deceased person's estate within Highlands County. In Highlands County, the Circuit Court handles probate cases.

Probate court records include documents on:

• Wills
• Petition for Probate
• Letters of Administration
• Inventory of Assets
• Notice to Creditors
• Accountings
• Court Orders.

To obtain Highlands County probate court records:

• Log in to the probate page on the Highlands County Clerk of Courts website
• Scroll, select Court Records Search from the Popular Services menu to access the Online Court Records Search Portal
• Click Public and agree to the disclaimer to access the search page
• Scroll down the Court Type menu and select Probate/Guardianship
• Enter the records owner's name or use the Filter options to narrow the search results.

Also, Highlands County probate court records are available through the My Florida County website.

• Login to the Statewide Official Records Search page
• Select Highlands County from the Location and Document Type menus
• Provide other required information for the search process
• Click search and review the results.

Highlands County Property Records

Highlands County property records are official documents relating to estate properties within Highlands County. Highlands County property records include documents relating to:

• Property Ownership
• Liens and Encumbrances
• Plat Maps
• Zoning Information
• Assessment Tax Information
• Mortgage Information
• Parcel Number
• Property Deeds.

To access Highlands County property records, log in to the Highlands County Property Appraiser property search page and access property records by owner name, parcel ID, address, or sales history. Also, Highlands County property records are available through the Florida State's My Florida County website:

• Visit the My Florida County website and navigate to the Statewide Official Records search portal
• Click Search Now
• Select Highlands from the Location menu
• Click on the Document Type drop menu and select the specific type of records from the options
• Enter the name of the owner of the records, select a date range, and search for property records.

Highlands County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Floridacourtrecords.us offer convenient and fast access to Highlands County court records. They provide 24/7 access to court records from different locations. In addition, third-party websites ease the stress of records search by gathering documents and information from different sources and making them available through a particular website.

Also, third-party sites save costs by eliminating the need to visit the records repository in person. However, there are potential risks to using third-party online resources to source for Highlands County court records. Using third-party sites to access Court records may lead to user data breaches. Also, documents from third-party party sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.