Highlands County Clerk of Courts: Case Records & Services

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Highlands County, Florida Clerk Guide

Highlands County Clerk of Courts: Case Records & Services

The Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller is the office most people need for Highlands County court records, case search help, certified copies, traffic payments, civil and probate records, marriage licenses, official records, tax deeds, and public-facing court services in Sebring, Florida.

This guide explains where to search, which official link to use, what details to prepare, how to request certified records, where the courthouse and Clerk offices are located, and when another agency such as the Tenth Judicial Circuit or Board of County Commissioners may be the better contact.

Search Court Records Contact the Clerk Open Google Map

Independent guide last reviewed September 2026. Always confirm current hours, fees, forms, online access, and service availability on the official Highlands County Clerk website before visiting or paying.

Quick Facts: Highlands County Clerk of Courts

Official office Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller.
Main public contact (863) 402-6565.
Physical address listed by Clerk 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870.
Mailing address 590 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867.
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless the Clerk posts a holiday or special closure.
Judicial circuit Highlands County is served by Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit.
Best search details Case number, party name, citation number, court type, filing date, and date range.
Important distinction Court records, official records, tax deeds, and county-government public records may use different official pages.
Local address note: Highlands County has a courthouse and government-center complex around Commerce Avenue in Sebring. The Clerk’s contact page lists a physical address at 430 S. Commerce Avenue and a mailing address at 590 S. Commerce Avenue. If you need a specific counter such as Civil, Probate, Marriage Licenses, Official Records, or Injunctions, verify the correct room or office before going.

Certified Copies, E-Certified Records, and Public Records Requests

A normal online printout is not the same as a certified court record. If a court, bank, licensing agency, title company, employer, or government office asks for a certified copy, use the Clerk’s certified-copy or e-certified record process.

Highlands County also offers electronic certified records through Clerk E-Certify. Electronic certification can be useful when the receiving agency accepts digitally certified records, but you should confirm acceptance before ordering.

Official certified recordsHighlands County E-Certified Records

After opening this link:

  1. Review whether the record type you need can be ordered electronically.
  2. Confirm that the receiving agency accepts electronic certified records before paying.
  3. Use the exact name, case number, document type, or recording details to avoid ordering the wrong record.
  4. Check your email, spam folder, and receipt information after ordering.
  5. If the record is restricted or unavailable online, contact the Clerk’s Office directly.

E-Certify orderOrder Highlands County Electronically Certified Records

After opening this link:

  1. Read the terms of service and public-service notice before continuing.
  2. Enter your identification and email information carefully because the certified record is delivered electronically.
  3. Search using every possible spelling variation if the first search does not locate the record.
  4. Download and save the record, receipt, and validation details after purchase.
  5. Use the authentication tool if another agency needs to verify the document.

Official public recordsMake a Public Records Request to the Clerk

After opening this link:

  1. Confirm that the record is held by the Clerk and not the Board of County Commissioners, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, or another agency.
  2. Describe the record clearly, including case number, document type, names, and date range.
  3. Do not send Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or private payment details through an online request message.
  4. Wait for the Clerk’s response about availability, cost, redaction, and delivery method.

Highlands County Clerk of Courts Google Map, Address, Hours, and Visit Tips

Most in-person Clerk and courthouse tasks are handled in Sebring at the Highlands County courthouse and government-center complex. Because different divisions may sit in different rooms or buildings, the safest step is to confirm the correct counter before you leave.

Main Highlands County Clerk / Courthouse Area

Physical address listed by Clerk: 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870

Mailing address: 590 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867

Main phone: (863) 402-6565

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Best before visiting: bring photo ID, case number or citation number, party name, filing year, payment method, and any notice or letter you received.

Open in Google Maps

Official contact pageHighlands County Clerk Contact Information

After opening this link:

  1. Check the current office hours and physical address before visiting.
  2. Find the correct department phone number for Traffic, Criminal, Civil, Probate, Marriage, Official Records, Jury, Injunctions, or Pro Se/Law Library.
  3. Call the department directly when your question is case-specific or deadline-sensitive.
  4. Remember that under Florida law, email addresses sent to public agencies may become public records.
Visit tip: if your matter is urgent, such as an injunction filing, traffic deadline, court-cost payment, or same-day court question, call the correct division first. Do not rely only on a map pin or a general courthouse listing.

Important Highlands County Clerk Department Contacts

The Clerk publishes department-specific phone numbers and emails. Use the matching department rather than a general message when you need a faster or more accurate answer.

Traffic Services

Phone: (863) 402-6604
Email: traffic@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Criminal Services

Phone: (863) 402-6598
Email: criminal@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Civil Services

Phone: (863) 402-6591
Email: civil@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Small Claims

Phone: (863) 402-6593
Email: civil@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Probate Services

Phone: (863) 402-6595
Email: probate@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Marriage Licenses

Phone: (863) 402-6964
Email: clkbustd@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Official Records

Phone: (863) 402-6590
Email: clkbusor@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Jury Management

Phone: (863) 402-6567
Email: jury@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Injunction Services

Phone: (863) 402-6891
Email: injunctions@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Pro Se / Law Library

Phone: (863) 402-6987
Email: prose@highlandsclerkfl.gov

Highlands County Clerk Services: What the Office Handles

The Highlands County Clerk’s website separates services into Clerk to the Court, Clerk to the Board, Popular Services, and How Do I sections. For users, the practical goal is simple: choose the service that matches the record or task you need.

Court records search Find public case records, docket details, and case information where online access is available.
Civil court Small claims, civil cases, evictions, civil filings, and civil/probate fee questions.
Criminal court Criminal case records, court costs, payment questions, and case-status questions.
Civil traffic Traffic citations, civil infraction information, traffic forms, and traffic contact numbers.
Probate and guardianship Probate files, wills, guardianship matters, mental-health/Baker Act, and Marchman Act information.
Jury management Jury service questions, summons information, and jury-related contact help.
Marriage license Marriage applications, pre-application, fees, waiting period rules, and certified copies included with the license.
Official records Deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, tax warrants, lis pendens, military discharge documents, and other recordable instruments.
Tax deeds and foreclosure sales Tax deed search, tax deed sales, foreclosure sale calendar, and related bid forms.
Self-help and Pro Se Forms, checklists, law library support, and guidance for people handling court matters without an attorney.

Official homepageHighlands County Clerk of Courts Official Website

After opening this link:

  1. Use the top menu to choose Clerk to the Court, Clerk to the Board, Popular Services, or How Do I.
  2. For a court case, start with Court Records Search, Criminal Court, Civil Court, Probate Court, or Civil Traffic.
  3. For property recordings, choose Official Records instead of Court Records Search.
  4. For hearing links, use the Virtual Court Room or Criminal Court Calendar links.
  5. For payments, use the Traffic Citation/Court Payments link and review eligibility before paying.

Traffic Tickets, Court Costs, Partial Payments, and Payment Plans

The Clerk’s Pay section links to child support, traffic tickets, court costs, partial payments, probation-payment guidance, and a payment-plan agreement request form. Not every case is eligible for online payment, so review the payment page before entering card information.

Official paymentsPay Traffic Tickets, Court Costs, and Partial Payments

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the correct payment type: child support, traffic ticket, court cost, partial payment, or payment plan.
  2. Have your case number, citation number, or account details ready before opening the payment processor.
  3. Check whether the case is already in collections or requires a court appearance before paying.
  4. Save the confirmation number and receipt after payment.
  5. If you need a payment-plan agreement, open the payment-plan request form and follow the Clerk’s instructions.
Payment warning: paying a traffic ticket can affect your case options. If you are unsure whether payment counts as an election or admission, read the Clerk’s traffic information and consider legal advice before submitting payment.

Highlands County Marriage Licenses: Requirements, Fees, and Pre-Application

The Clerk handles marriage license services from the Government Center location at 590 S. Commerce Avenue on the second floor. Both parties must appear in the Clerk’s Office and sign the application, and payment is required when applying.

Proper identification is required. U.S. citizens may use a driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, or Florida State ID card. Non-citizens may use a resident alien card, birth certificate, passport from the native country, or an immigration-issued card.

Florida residents with course $61.00 and no waiting period, according to the Clerk’s marriage-license page.
Florida residents without course $86.00 and a three-day waiting period.
Non-Florida residents $86.00 and no three-day waiting period listed by the Clerk.
Certified copies The Clerk states the license cost includes two certified copies mailed to the couple; extra certified copies are listed at $3.00 each.

Official marriage pageHighlands County Marriage License Information

After opening this link:

  1. Read the current marriage-license requirements and fee section.
  2. Use the pre-application link if you want to start the application before visiting.
  3. Bring proper identification for both parties.
  4. Florida residents should decide whether to take the approved premarital course before applying.
  5. If either party was recently divorced, review whether a copy of the Final Judgment is required.
  6. Confirm the office location and payment method before going to the Clerk’s Office.

Official Records, Deeds, Mortgages, Liens, Tax Deeds, and Property Fraud Alerts

Highlands County court records and Highlands County official records are related but not identical. Court records are case records. Official Records include recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, agreements, judgments, notices of lis pendens, tax liens, and other instruments authorized by law to be recorded.

The Clerk’s official-records search uses the Acclaim system. It allows searches by name, book/page, document type, instrument number, consideration, record date, legal description, and case number. The system also notes that online images may not be viewable without ordering or logging in.

Use Court Records Search for

  • Criminal case records.
  • Civil, small claims, and eviction cases.
  • Traffic and citation cases.
  • Probate and guardianship cases.
  • Family, juvenile, injunction, and mental-health case information where public access is allowed.

Use Official Records Search for

  • Deeds, mortgages, and assignments.
  • Notices or claims of lien.
  • Notices of lis pendens.
  • Recorded judgments and satisfactions.
  • Tax warrants, tax executions, and other recordable instruments.

Official recordsHighlands County Official Records Information

After opening this link:

  1. Review the list of recordable document types to confirm you are in the right section.
  2. Use Official Records for deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, and related recorded instruments.
  3. Use Court Records Search instead if the document is part of an active or closed court case.
  4. Contact Official Records at (863) 402-6590 if you need recording, copy, or search help.

Official searchHighlands County Official Records Search

After opening this link:

  1. Select a search type such as Name, Book/Page, Document Type, Instrument Number, Record Date, Legal Description, or Case Number.
  2. For name searches, enter the name in the format requested by the system and try spelling variations if needed.
  3. Use date range or document type filters when the result list is too broad.
  4. Review the document details, recording date, instrument number, and book/page information before ordering.
  5. Create or log in to an account if the system requires it for copy purchases.

Fraud alertHighlands County Property Fraud Alert

After opening this link:

  1. Read how the property fraud alert works and what it does not do.
  2. Register the name you want monitored in Highlands County Official Records.
  3. Use variations of your legal name if your records may be indexed in more than one way.
  4. Remember that an alert is not a title search and does not prevent fraud by itself.

E-Filing, Virtual Courtrooms, Criminal Court Calendar, Injunctions, and Self-Help

The Clerk accepts and processes filings, but court schedules, virtual hearing links, judges, courtroom instructions, and ADA accommodations may come from the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. Use the Clerk for records and filings; use the circuit court website for courtroom operations and judicial information.

Florida e-filing Use the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for eligible court filings.
Virtual courtroom links The Tenth Judicial Circuit publishes Highlands County virtual courtroom links and telephone conference information.
Criminal court calendar Use the Clerk’s criminal court calendar link for upcoming criminal-calendar information when posted.
Injunctions Injunction paperwork is handled through the Civil Division, and there is no fee to file a petition for injunction in Florida.

Official e-filingHighlands County Florida Courts E-Filing Portal Page

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Clerk’s notice about the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
  2. Open the statewide EPortal link from the page.
  3. Select Highlands County and the correct court division when filing.
  4. Upload documents carefully and check payment-processing notices before submitting.
  5. Save the filing confirmation and monitor for acceptance, rejection, or correction notices.

Official court linksHighlands County Virtual Courtroom Links

After opening this link:

  1. Read the virtual courtroom instructions before joining.
  2. Match the correct courtroom link or telephone conference ID to your hearing notice.
  3. Join early and use your real name if the court requires identification.
  4. If you need a disability accommodation for a livestreamed or virtual hearing, contact the Administrative Office of the Courts as instructed on the page.

Official injunction infoHighlands County Injunction for Protection Orders

After opening this link:

  1. Read the Clerk’s instructions for filing an injunction for protection.
  2. Bring identification and completed petition paperwork to the Civil Division if filing in person.
  3. File early in the day if you want the petition considered during the current working day.
  4. Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
  5. Use the Sheriff or listed victim-assistance contacts when safety, service, or advocacy help is needed.

Highlands County Clerk Fee Schedules

Fees depend on the service. The Clerk publishes separate fee schedules for Official Records, Marriage License, Civil & Probate, Traffic Infraction, and subscription-based electronic data downloads.

Official Records Recording, copy, and related official-record fees.
Marriage License Marriage license cost, premarital course discount, and additional certified-copy cost.
Civil & Probate Filing fees for civil, probate, guardianship, and related case types.
Traffic Infraction Traffic citation and civil-infraction fee information.
Electronic Data Subscription agreements and fee exhibits for court data and official-record downloads.

Official feesHighlands County Clerk Fee Schedules

After opening this link:

  1. Choose the correct fee schedule: Official Records, Marriage License, Civil & Probate, Traffic Infraction, or electronic data downloads.
  2. Open the fee document and match the fee to your exact service.
  3. Check whether the fee is per page, per document, per filing, per certification, or per transaction.
  4. If your request requires staff research, wait for the Clerk’s quoted cost before mailing payment.
  5. Confirm accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing a request.

Related Clerk Guides on This Site

These internal links help users compare nearby Florida Clerk pages and general county-clerk services without forcing unrelated navigation.

Orange County Clerk of Court: Court Records & Services Polk County Clerk of Courts & Comptroller Guide Hardee County Clerk of Court Records Guide County Clerk Guide: Records, Services & Office Help County Clerk Marriage License Requirements & Fees County Clerk Near Me: Offices, Hours & Services

Before You Search or Visit: Practical Checklist

  • Use the Clerk’s Court Records Search for case records and the Acclaim Official Records Search for deeds, liens, mortgages, and recorded instruments.
  • Keep the case number, citation number, party name, filing year, and document type ready.
  • Call the correct department if the issue is urgent, confidential, sealed, or deadline-sensitive.
  • Use the Tenth Judicial Circuit website for courtroom, judge, ADA accommodation, and virtual-hearing information.
  • Do not send Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or card details through ordinary email or public-record request forms.
  • Verify fees directly through the Clerk’s fee schedule before mailing payment or ordering certified copies.

Privacy, Accuracy, and Legal Use Notice

Court records can contain sensitive information, and some records are sealed, confidential, restricted, or unavailable for general online viewing. Public access does not mean every record can be used for every purpose.

This website is an independent informational guide and is not the official Highlands County Clerk of Courts website. This website is not a consumer reporting agency, and this page should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance eligibility, or any Fair Credit Reporting Act purpose.

Verify before acting: always confirm case status, record availability, confidentiality rules, hearing dates, payment balances, and fees directly with the official Clerk, court, or agency source.

Official Highlands County Clerk Links Used in This Guide

Use these official links for current records, services, forms, payments, fees, maps, and contact details.

Highlands County Clerk of Courts Official Website Court Records Search Contact the Clerk Fee Schedules Traffic and Court Payments Marriage License Official Records Official Records Search Tenth Judicial Circuit Highlands Courthouse Florida Courts E-Filing Portal

Highlands County Clerk of Courts FAQs

1. How do I search Highlands County court records online?

Start with the Highlands County Clerk’s official Court Records Search page. Search by case number, party name, citation number, court type, or filing date details when the system allows it.

2. What is the phone number for the Highlands County Clerk of Courts?

The main phone number listed for the Highlands County Clerk of Courts is (863) 402-6565. Department-specific numbers are also available for Traffic, Criminal, Civil, Probate, Marriage, Official Records, Jury, and Injunction Services.

3. Where is the Highlands County Clerk of Courts located?

The Clerk’s contact page lists the physical address as 430 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870, and the mailing address as 590 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867.

4. What are the Highlands County Clerk office hours?

The Clerk lists office hours as 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Always check the official site for holidays, emergency closures, or special service changes before visiting.

5. How do I get certified copies of Highlands County court records?

Use the Clerk’s certified-copy or e-certified record links, or contact the correct Clerk department. Confirm whether the receiving agency accepts electronic certified records before ordering online.

6. Are Highlands County deeds and mortgages court records?

No. Deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, notices of lis pendens, and many property-related instruments are usually Official Records. Use the Clerk’s Official Records information and Acclaim search system for those documents.

7. Which judicial circuit serves Highlands County, Florida?

Highlands County is served by Florida’s Tenth Judicial Circuit. Use the Tenth Judicial Circuit website for courthouse information, virtual courtroom links, judge information, court calendars, ADA accommodation information, and courtroom procedures.

8. Can I pay Highlands County traffic tickets online?

The Clerk’s Pay section links to traffic ticket payments, court costs, partial payments, and payment-plan forms. Review eligibility before paying because some cases may require a court appearance or have other restrictions.

9. Does the Highlands County Clerk handle marriage licenses?

Yes. The Clerk handles marriage license applications. Both parties must appear and sign the application, proper identification is required, and Florida resident waiting-period rules may apply unless an approved premarital course is completed.

10. Is this page the official Highlands County Clerk website?

No. This is an independent guide. Use the official Highlands County Clerk of Courts links in this article for current case searches, fees, records, payments, contact details, and service updates.

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