Highlands County Civil Court Records Search

Highlands County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Sebring. The 10th Judicial Circuit handles all civil cases filed in Highlands County, and the public can access records online or at the courthouse.

Highlands County Clerk of Court

Jerome Kaszubowski is the Clerk of Court in Highlands County. The office manages all civil court records for the county. Staff process new filings, keep court documents, and give out copies to the public. The main office is at 590 S Commerce Ave in Sebring. You can visit in person or call if you need help with civil court records in Highlands County.

The Highlands County Clerk website lists contact info, office hours, and links to search tools. The clerk's office also records official documents like deeds, mortgages, and liens. With a population of about 105,000, Highlands County handles a steady flow of civil court filings throughout the year.

The office is open weekdays. Walk-ins can request civil court records at the counter in Highlands County.

How to Search Highlands County Civil Court Records

There are a few ways to search civil court records in Highlands County. The clerk uses the OCRS system for online public access. OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. It covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases. You can search by party name or case number to find what you need.

The Highlands County OCRS portal is free to use. No account is needed. Results show case details, party names, filing dates, and docket entries for civil court records in Highlands County.

OCRS results include the case type, filing date, and all parties. This makes it easy to find specific civil court records in Highlands County.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another way to access records. The statewide system links to all 67 county clerks. Register for free to search cases or file new civil documents. The portal is open at all hours.

You can also search in person. Go to 590 S Commerce Ave in Sebring. Staff can look up civil cases and make copies. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Bring your ID when you visit the Highlands County clerk's office.

Civil Court Structure in Highlands County

Highlands County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Hardee and Polk counties. Civil cases in Highlands County go to one of two court levels depending on the dollar amount in the case.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and real property actions. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also go through Circuit Court in Highlands County. County Court takes civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under County Court. Eviction cases and landlord-tenant disputes go to County Court as well.

The Florida court locations page has courthouse addresses for Highlands County and all other counties. Call the clerk's office in Sebring if you need help deciding which court handles your civil case.

Confidential Information in Highlands County Civil Court Records

Some details in civil court records must remain private. Florida law says social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. If you spot these numbers in a document, you can ask the clerk to remove them. There is no fee for this service in Highlands County.

File a redaction request with the clerk's office. List the case name, case number, document heading, and the page where the info shows up. The clerk will strip it from the public version. Parties and attorneys who file civil court papers in Highlands County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 to flag any private data.

Sealed records are not available to the public. Only a judge can order a civil court file sealed. Adoption records and certain other case types are also kept private by state law in Highlands County.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Highlands County

People who want to handle a civil case on their own can use free tools from the Florida Courts. The state website has forms and guides for common civil matters like small claims, evictions, and name changes. The clerk's office in Highlands County cannot give legal advice. Staff can show you which forms to use and where to file them.

DIY Florida is a free tool built into the E-Filing Portal. It asks questions about your case and creates the court forms you need. File the completed forms through the portal to the Highlands County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply. The portal support desk is available weekdays for help with technical issues.

Legal aid groups in central Florida may help people who cannot afford a lawyer. Florida Rural Legal Services covers this area. Call the clerk's office or the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service to find low-cost legal help for civil court matters in Highlands County.

Public Records Access in Highlands County

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

Some records are exempt. Social security numbers and bank account numbers listed under Section 119.0714 are kept private. Records sealed by a judge are off limits. But the vast majority of civil court records in Highlands County are open to the public.

For in-person access, visit the clerk's office at 590 S Commerce Ave in Sebring. Plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The Find a Clerk directory lists contact details for all 67 county clerks, including Highlands County.

Cities in Highlands County

Highlands County has several towns and communities. All civil court cases go through the Highlands County Clerk of Court in Sebring. Sebring is the county seat and the main place for filing civil court records.

Other communities in Highlands County include Avon Park, Lake Placid, and Venus. None of these have separate court systems. All civil court filings go through the clerk's office in Sebring.

Nearby Counties

These counties are also in the 10th Judicial Circuit with Highlands County. Check the address where the dispute took place to make sure you file in the right county. Jurisdiction depends on where the events that led to the civil case happened.