Highlands County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Highlands County?
Public records in Highlands County are defined according to Florida's Public Records Law, Chapter 119, which states that all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency are considered public records. These records are available for public inspection and copying, with certain exemptions as provided by law.
The Highlands County Clerk of Courts maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that includes:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases, and traffic citations
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, and plat maps
- Vital Records: Marriage licenses and divorce records (birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health)
- Business Records: Fictitious name registrations, business licenses, and permits
- Tax Records: Property tax records and tax deed sales
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration and election results (maintained by the Supervisor of Elections)
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission and advisory board meetings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, audits, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with exemptions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and code enforcement
The Highlands County government maintains records related to county operations, while specialized records such as law enforcement documents are maintained by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. Property assessment records are maintained by the Highlands County Property Appraiser's Office.
Pursuant to § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, these records are presumed open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.
Is Highlands County an Open Records County?
Highlands County fully complies with Florida's Public Records Law, making it an open records county. Under Florida Statutes § 119.01, it is the policy of the state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. The statute explicitly states that "providing access to public records is a duty of each agency."
The Florida Constitution, Article I, Section 24, further reinforces this commitment by establishing a constitutional right of access to public records. This constitutional provision states: "Every person has the right to inspect or copy any public record made or received in connection with the official business of any public body, officer, or employee of the state, or persons acting on their behalf."
Highlands County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these laws. The county's public records policy adheres to the principle that government records belong to the citizens and should be accessible with limited exceptions. County agencies are required to:
- Respond promptly to public records requests
- Provide reasonable access to records during normal business hours
- Charge only statutorily authorized fees
- Provide records in the format requested when feasible
The county also complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, which requires that meetings of public boards or commissions be open to the public, properly noticed, and minutes recorded.
How to Find Public Records in Highlands County in 2026
Members of the public seeking access to Highlands County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain these documents. The county provides multiple access points for public records retrieval:
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Online Access:
- The Official Records Search portal provides access to property records, mortgages, liens, and other official documents
- The Court Records Search system allows users to search court cases by name, case number, or citation number
- The county's main website offers access to meeting minutes, agendas, and other administrative records
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In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Highlands County Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours
- Complete a public records request form (available at the counter or downloadable from the website)
- Specify the records needed with as much detail as possible
- Present identification if required for specific record types
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Written Requests:
- Submit a written request via mail, email, or fax to the appropriate county department
- Include contact information and a detailed description of the records sought
- Specify preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, inspection only)
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Specialized Records:
- For law enforcement records, contact the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- For property assessment records, contact the Property Appraiser's Office
- For vital records such as birth and death certificates, contact the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County
Pursuant to § 119.07(1)(a), Florida Statutes, custodians of public records must permit records to be inspected and copied by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Highlands County?
The fee structure for public records in Highlands County is established in accordance with Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for duplication and labor costs under specific circumstances. Current standard fees include:
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Paper Copies:
- $0.15 per one-sided copy (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- $0.20 per two-sided copy (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- $1.00 per certified copy
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Electronic Records:
- No charge for records provided via email (if already in electronic format)
- $1.00 per CD/DVD if physical media is requested
- Actual cost of the storage device for large data requests
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Special Service Charges:
- If the nature or volume of records requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical/supervisory assistance, an additional special service charge may be assessed based on the actual cost incurred
- "Extensive" is generally defined as more than 15 minutes of staff time
- The hourly rate charged is based on the lowest paid employee capable of performing the work
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Court Records:
- Court records may have specific statutory fees that differ from general public records
- $1.00 per page for certified copies of court records
- $2.00 for exemplified copies
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (where available). Some departments may charge a convenience fee for credit card payments.
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances. Florida law provides that agencies shall provide copies of public records without charge or at a reduced charge if the agency determines that the request is in the public interest.
Does Highlands County Have Free Public Records?
Highlands County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost to requestors. In accordance with Florida's Public Records Law, inspection of records is always free of charge. The following free services are currently available:
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In-Person Inspection:
- Any member of the public may inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge
- Records must be reviewed under the supervision of the records custodian
- Note-taking is permitted during inspection
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Online Resources:
- The Highlands County Clerk's website offers free access to many public records
- Court dockets and case information can be viewed through the online court records portal
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are available on the county website
- Property information can be searched through the Property Appraiser's online database
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Public Access Terminals:
- Computer terminals are available at the Clerk's Office for public use to access electronic records
- These terminals provide free access to court records and official documents
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Public Libraries:
- County libraries offer free internet access where citizens can access online county records
- Library staff may provide assistance in locating digital public records
Pursuant to § 119.07(4), Florida Statutes, while agencies may charge for copies of records, they cannot charge for the mere inspection of records. The law states that "a person who has custody of a public record and who asserts that an exemption applies to a part of such record shall redact that portion of the record to which an exemption has been asserted and validly applies, and such person shall produce the remainder of such record for inspection and copying."
Who Can Request Public Records in Highlands County?
Under Florida's Public Records Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request access to public records in Highlands County. The term "any person" is broadly interpreted and includes:
- Florida residents
- Out-of-state residents
- Foreign nationals
- Corporations and business entities
- Media organizations
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
- Incarcerated individuals (with some limitations)
Pursuant to § 119.01(1), Florida Statutes, "it is the policy of this state that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person." The law specifically states that providing access to public records "is a duty of each agency."
Important considerations regarding public records requests include:
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Identification Requirements:
- For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification
- Requestors are not required to disclose their purpose or motivation for seeking records
- Written requests do not need to be made on any specific form
- Anonymous requests are permitted for most records
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Exceptions Requiring Identification:
- Certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when the requestor is seeking their own records
- Criminal history information may require proper identification
- Some vital records (such as marriage certificates) may require proof of relationship or interest
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Requesting Your Own vs. Others' Records:
- When requesting your own records, you may need to provide identification to verify your identity
- When requesting records about another person, certain personal information may be redacted unless you can demonstrate legal authorization
The Florida Supreme Court has consistently held that the purpose of the Public Records Act is to promote public awareness and knowledge of governmental actions through open access to governmental records.
What Records Are Confidential in Highlands County?
While Florida maintains a strong presumption of openness for public records, Florida Statutes Chapter 119 establishes numerous exemptions for records that are confidential or exempt from public disclosure. In Highlands County, the following record types are generally not available for public inspection:
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Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card numbers
- Medical and health information protected under HIPAA
- Personal information of certain government employees (law enforcement, judges, etc.)
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Court and Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal intelligence and investigative information (§ 119.071(2)(c))
- Juvenile offender records (with limited exceptions)
- Sealed and expunged criminal history records
- Victim information in certain cases
- Information revealing undercover personnel
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Family and Child-Related Records:
- Child abuse reports and investigations
- Adoption records
- Certain domestic violence records
- Guardian ad litem records
- Child dependency case records
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Business and Government Operations:
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Bids and proposals until contract award
- Security system plans and vulnerability assessments
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Attorney work product prepared for litigation
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Other Protected Records:
- Certain personnel records and evaluations
- Emergency medical services records containing patient information
- Certain examination questions and answer sheets
- Whistleblower information
Florida law requires agencies to apply a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records. Under § 119.071, Florida Statutes, agencies must weigh the public's right to access against potential harm that might result from disclosure.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency must redact only the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record. The agency bears the burden of proving that an exemption applies to requested records.
Highlands County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
590 S Commerce Ave, 2nd Floor
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 402-6565
Highlands County Clerk of Courts
Regular Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and federal/state holidays
Recording Division Services:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other official documents
- Marriage license applications
- Passport applications
- Tax deed sales
- Official records searches
Court Records Division: 590 S Commerce Ave, 1st Floor Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 402-6565
Satellite Offices:
Highlands County Government Annex
600 S Commerce Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
Tax Collector's Office - Avon Park Branch
116 E Main St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(Limited services available)
Tax Collector's Office - Lake Placid Branch
11 N Pine Ave
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(Limited services available)
For specific questions regarding public records availability or to confirm current hours of operation, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Clerk's Office directly by telephone or visit the official website.