Glades County Public Records

Glades County public records are kept by the Clerk and Comptroller in Moore Haven and are open to any person under Florida law. This guide covers how to find court filings, property documents, and other official records in Glades County, whether you prefer to search online, call the office, or visit in person at the courthouse on Avenue J.

Florida Public Records Law in Glades County

Florida's public records law is found in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It applies to every county in the state, and Glades County is no different. The law says that all state, county, and local records are open to the public unless a specific exemption exists. You do not need to state a reason. You don't have to give your name. The burden is on the agency to prove a record is exempt, not on you to prove you deserve it.

In a small county like Glades, most requests go directly to the Clerk's office. The Clerk serves as the primary custodian for court and official records. If your request involves county commission records, budget documents, or other administrative files, those may route through county administration instead. Either way, you have the right to inspect and copy public documents at any reasonable time under Florida law. Agencies must respond promptly, and they cannot drag out the process or ignore a request without cause.

If you believe a request was improperly handled, the Florida Attorney General's Office offers a mediation program. You can reach that office at (850) 245-0140 or visit the AG's Open Government page for guidance. The First Amendment Foundation also provides free help to people who run into trouble getting records they are entitled to see.

Glades County Clerk and Comptroller

Tami Pearce Simmons serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Glades County. Her office in Moore Haven handles court records, official records such as deeds and mortgages, and financial records for the county. It is the main place to go for most public records requests in Glades County.

The office is open on weekdays during normal business hours. Staff can help you figure out which division has the records you need. For court records, the circuit court division handles civil, criminal, family, and probate filings. Official records such as deeds, liens, and mortgage documents are kept in a separate index and can often be searched online through the clerk's website.

The screenshot below shows the Glades County Clerk website, which is the starting point for most online record searches in the county.

From the clerk's site you can find links to online search tools, contact information for each division, and instructions for submitting a written records request by mail.

Court Records in Glades County

Glades County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, and Lee counties. Circuit court cases filed in Glades County include civil disputes, criminal cases, family law matters such as dissolution of marriage, juvenile cases, and probate proceedings. County court handles smaller civil claims and misdemeanor criminal matters.

Many court filings in Glades County can be searched through the clerk's online portal. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. Older case records may not be digitized, so an in-person visit to the courthouse is sometimes needed for historical filings. The clerk's office staff can confirm what is available online before you make the trip to Moore Haven.

Court records are generally public under Chapter 119, but some case types carry specific exemptions. Juvenile records, for example, are protected under separate rules. Records sealed or expunged by court order are also not available. If you are unsure whether a specific record is accessible, the clerk's office can tell you the status.

You can also find Glades County clerk contact details through the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory, which lists all 67 county clerks statewide.

Official Records: Property and Land Documents

The Glades County Clerk records and indexes property-related documents such as deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, releases, and liens. These are known as official records and are distinct from court case records, though they are kept by the same office. Most are searchable online by name or document type.

Official records are open to the public under Florida law. Anyone can look up property ownership history, see what mortgages are recorded against a parcel, or check for outstanding liens. This is useful if you are buying property, doing title research, or just checking the ownership of a parcel in Moore Haven or elsewhere in the county.

Copies of official records cost up to $1.00 per page, with an additional $5.00 certification fee if you need a certified copy. These fees are set under Florida law and apply across all 67 counties. For documents you only need to review rather than copy, you can inspect them at the clerk's office at no charge.

How to Request Glades County Public Records

There are a few ways to get records from the Glades County Clerk. You can visit the office in person at 500 Ave J in Moore Haven. You can call (863) 946-6010 and ask staff to help you find what you need. You can also submit a written request by mail to the same address. For records held by other county offices, contact those offices directly.

Florida law does not require you to fill out a specific form or use any set language. A simple written description of the records you want is enough. That said, being specific helps the clerk's staff find what you need faster. Include names, dates, case numbers, or document types if you have them. The clearer your request, the quicker the response.

Agencies are required to acknowledge requests and respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff time spent on research is not charged to you. After that, the agency may charge a reasonable fee for the time spent. Copies of administrative records cost up to $0.15 per page for single-sided pages. Certified court records have different fee schedules set by statute.

Glades County is a small county with a lean staff. That can sometimes mean longer wait times than you might see in larger counties. If you are not in a hurry, mail requests work fine. If you need something quickly, calling ahead to confirm availability before visiting is a smart move.

Other Record Sources in Glades County

Beyond the Clerk's office, a few other agencies hold public records relevant to Glades County residents. The Glades County Property Appraiser maintains property assessment data and parcel maps. The Tax Collector holds records related to property taxes and vehicle registrations. The County Commission keeps minutes, agendas, budgets, and ordinances.

Vital records such as birth and death certificates are not held at the county level in Florida. Those are managed by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Marriage records, however, are filed and kept by the county clerk, so Glades County marriage records would be held by Tami Pearce Simmons' office. Divorce records are part of the circuit court file and are similarly available through the clerk.

Law enforcement records from the Glades County Sheriff's Office are also subject to Chapter 119, though certain active investigation records may be exempt. Contact the Sheriff's Office directly for incident reports, arrest records, or other law enforcement documents. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also maintains a statewide database of criminal history records accessible to the public through its website.

Cities in Glades County

Glades County has no incorporated cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Moore Haven is the county seat and the main population center. Records for Moore Haven residents are handled through the Glades County Clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Glades County borders five other Florida counties, each with its own clerk's office and records portal.