Access Hendry County Civil Court Records

Hendry County civil court records are held by the Clerk of Court in LaBelle. The 20th Judicial Circuit covers all civil cases filed in Hendry County, and records are open to the public through the clerk's office and online tools.

Hendry County Clerk of Court

Kimberley R. Barrineau serves as Clerk of Court in Hendry County. The office keeps all civil court records for the county. Staff process new case filings, store court documents, and hand out copies to the public. The main office is in the Hendry County Courthouse on Hickpochee Ave in LaBelle. You can visit in person or call for help with civil court records.

The Hendry County Clerk website has contact info, office hours, and links to search tools for court records and official records. Hendry County also has a branch office in Clewiston that handles some clerk functions. The clerk's office records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other official documents in Hendry County.

Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours for civil court record requests in Hendry County.

How to Search Hendry County Civil Court Records

You can search civil court records in Hendry County in several ways. The clerk's office offers online access through the OCRS system. OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. It covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases. Search by party name or case number to find what you need.

The Hendry County OCRS portal is free and open to the public. No account is required. Search results show case details, filing dates, party names, and docket entries for civil court records in Hendry County.

The OCRS results display case type, parties, and filing dates. It is a quick way to look up civil court records in Hendry County from anywhere with internet access.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also connects to Hendry County records. This statewide system links to all 67 county clerks. Register for free to search existing cases or file new civil documents. The portal runs around the clock.

For in-person searches, go to 25 E Hickpochee Ave in LaBelle. Staff at the clerk's office can look up civil cases and make copies for you. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Bring your ID when you visit. The Clewiston branch may also help with some civil court record requests in Hendry County.

Civil Court Structure in Hendry County

Hendry County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Lee counties. Civil cases in Hendry County go to one of two court levels depending on the amount of money in dispute.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims above $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury suits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go through Circuit Court in Hendry County. County Court takes civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 are part of County Court. Eviction cases and landlord-tenant disputes are handled by County Court in Hendry County as well.

The Florida court locations page lists courthouse addresses for Hendry County and all other counties. If you are not sure which court level fits your case, call the clerk's office in LaBelle for guidance.

Confidential Information in Hendry County Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law bars social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers from appearing in public court files. If these show up in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to remove them. There is no charge for redaction in Hendry County.

File a redaction request form with the clerk's office. Include the case name, case number, document title, and the page where the info appears. The clerk will take it out of the public version. Lawyers and parties filing civil court papers in Hendry County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 to flag sensitive data before it enters the public record.

Sealed court files are not available for public viewing. A judge must issue the order. Adoption records and certain other case types are also confidential by state law. Check with the clerk's office to see if a specific civil court file in Hendry County is available to the public.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Hendry County

If you plan to handle a civil case without a lawyer, free tools can help. The Florida Courts website offers forms and step-by-step guides for small claims, evictions, name changes, and more. The clerk's office in Hendry County cannot give legal advice, but staff can tell you which forms to use.

DIY Florida is a free online tool in the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through questions about your case and generates the right court forms. Submit the finished forms through the portal to the Hendry County clerk. Standard filing fees apply. The portal support desk is available weekdays for technical help.

Legal aid groups in southwest Florida may help people who cannot afford a lawyer. Florida Rural Legal Services covers this part of the state. Call the clerk's office or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service for leads on free or low-cost legal help for civil matters in Hendry County.

Public Records Access in Hendry County

Florida has strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Hendry County. You do not need to be a party in the case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file, and the clerk must respond in a reasonable time.

Some records are exempt from public disclosure. Social security numbers and bank account numbers listed under Section 119.0714 must be kept private. Sealed records are off limits too. But most civil court files in Hendry County are open to the public.

For in-person access, go to the clerk's office at 25 E Hickpochee Ave in LaBelle. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The Find a Clerk directory lists contact info for all 67 county clerks, including Hendry County.

Cities in Hendry County

Hendry County has two main towns. All civil court cases go through the Hendry County Clerk of Court in LaBelle. LaBelle is the county seat and the primary location for filing and looking up civil court records in Hendry County.

Clewiston is the other main community. The clerk has a branch office there. Neither LaBelle nor Clewiston has a separate court system. All civil court filings go through the main clerk's office in Hendry County.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 20th Judicial Circuit with Hendry County. If you are not sure which county handles your civil case, check the address where the dispute happened. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.