Search Highlands County Public Records
Highlands County public records are maintained by the Clerk and Comptroller's office in Sebring and are open to any person under Florida law. This page covers how to access court case files, property documents, and other official records in Highlands County through the clerk's online portal, by mail, or in person at the courthouse on South Commerce Avenue.
Highlands County Quick Facts
Open Records Law in Highlands County
Florida's open records framework is established in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It applies to every government agency in Florida, including Highlands County and all of its offices. Under Chapter 119, public records are presumed open. Anyone can request to inspect or copy them without providing a name or reason. If an exemption exists, the agency must prove it. The burden is on the agency, not the requester.
The Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller is the primary custodian for court records and officially recorded documents. Other county agencies, including the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Sheriff's Office, and county administration, each maintain separate records and handle requests independently. All of them are bound by the same Chapter 119 obligations. Agencies must let you inspect records at any reasonable time and cannot ignore or indefinitely delay your request.
If you have trouble getting records you are entitled to see, the Florida Attorney General's Office offers a free mediation service at (850) 245-0140. More information is available through the AG's Open Government page. The First Amendment Foundation also provides free help with public records access issues in Florida.
Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller
Jerome Kaszubowski, CGCIO, serves as Clerk and Comptroller for Highlands County. His office at 590 S Commerce Avenue in Sebring handles court records, officially recorded property documents, marriage licenses, and county financial records. The Clerk's office is the main source for most public records in Highlands County.
| Clerk | Jerome Kaszubowski, CGCIO |
|---|---|
| Address | 590 S Commerce Ave, Sebring, FL 33870-3867 |
| Phone | (863) 402-6564 |
| Website | highlandsclerkfl.gov |
The office is open weekdays during regular business hours. The clerk's website provides online access to court case records and officially recorded documents. For records that predate the digital system, an in-person visit may be needed. Staff can advise you on what is available online before you make the trip to Sebring.
The screenshot below comes from the Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller's official website, the main gateway for public records access in the county.
From this site you can reach the online records search, find division contact information, and get guidance on submitting a written request by mail or in person.
Court Records in Highlands County
Highlands County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit along with Hardee and Polk counties. Circuit court cases filed in Highlands County include civil matters, felony criminal charges, family law proceedings such as dissolution of marriage and adoption, juvenile cases, and probate. County court handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic cases, and civil claims under the statutory threshold.
Court records in Highlands County are generally public under Chapter 119 and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration. Some categories are exempt. Juvenile records are confidential by statute. Records sealed or expunged by court order are not available to the public. Some domestic relations and mental health records carry additional protections. If you are unsure whether a specific record is accessible, the clerk's office can tell you before you make a formal request.
The online records search on the clerk's website is a good first step for any Highlands County court record lookup. For older records not available online, contact the clerk's office directly. You can also find a complete statewide listing of clerks through the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers directory.
Official and Property Records
The Highlands County Clerk records and indexes official documents affecting real property in the county. Deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgage, lis pendens filings, liens, and other recorded instruments are all filed and maintained through the Clerk's office. Most of these records can be searched online through the clerk's portal by name or document type.
If you are researching property in Highlands County, the Clerk's official records index is the authoritative source for all recorded interests and encumbrances. Inspecting records in person is free. Copies cost up to $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a $5.00 certification fee in addition to the per-page cost. For quick lookups that don't require a hard copy, the online portal is usually the fastest option.
Marriage records for licenses issued in Highlands County are kept by the Clerk and are public. Divorce case files are part of the circuit court record and are accessible through the clerk's office for cases filed in the county.
Making a Records Request in Highlands County
You can get public records from the Highlands County Clerk by visiting 590 S Commerce Ave in Sebring in person, calling (863) 402-6564, or submitting a written request by mail. Florida law does not require a specific form. A clear, written description of the records you need is enough. You do not have to explain why you want them.
Include as much identifying information as you can in your request: party names, approximate date ranges, case numbers, and document type. This helps staff locate records faster. Florida agencies must respond promptly. The first 30 minutes of staff research time is free. After that, a reasonable fee may apply. Standard administrative record copies cost up to $0.15 per page. Court record copy fees are set separately by statute and may differ.
Highlands County has a mid-size county government. Most records are accessible online or can be mailed to you. Calling ahead before an in-person visit is always a smart move. For records held by other county agencies like the Property Appraiser or Sheriff's Office, contact those offices directly.
Other Record Sources in Highlands County
The Highlands County Property Appraiser maintains parcel records, ownership data, and property assessment information for the entire county. This information is public and available through the Property Appraiser's website. The Tax Collector holds property tax payment records and vehicle registrations. Both offices operate under Chapter 119.
The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners maintains meeting minutes, adopted resolutions and ordinances, annual budgets, and other administrative documents. These are public records. If you need information related to county government decisions rather than court or property records, county administration is the right starting point.
Vital records including birth and death certificates are managed by the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, not by the county clerk. For those records, contact the state agency directly. The Highlands County Sheriff's Office holds law enforcement records including incident reports and arrest records that are subject to Chapter 119, with standard exemptions for active investigations and protected categories.
Cities in Highlands County
Highlands County has no incorporated cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. Sebring is the county seat and serves as the primary population center, with public records handled through the Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller.
Nearby Counties
Highlands County is surrounded by six other central Florida counties, each with its own clerk and records access system.