Court records in Highlands County, Florida can be searched through several channels. HighlandsCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases filed in the county. You can also use the Highlands County Clerk of Courts online records search, visit the clerk's office in person at the Government Center in Sebring, or use public access terminals at the courthouse. These resources cover civil, criminal, family, and traffic case dockets maintained by the clerk.
Highlands Court System & Jurisdictions
Highlands County is part of Florida's Tenth Judicial Circuit for trial court purposes. Two levels of trial court operate in the county:
Circuit Court
- Criminal: Felony cases, including drug offenses, burglary, assault, and other serious charges
- Civil: Lawsuits where the amount in dispute exceeds $50,000
- Family Law: Divorce, child custody, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and adoption
- Probate: Estate administration, guardianship, and mental health proceedings
- Juvenile: Delinquency and dependency cases
County Court
- Criminal: Misdemeanor offenses and county ordinance violations
- Civil: Disputes involving $50,000 or less, including small claims (up to $8,000)
- Traffic: Civil traffic infractions and criminal traffic offenses such as DUI
If you are unsure which court handled a particular case, searching by party name through the clerk's court records search will return results from both circuit and county court dockets. Appellate matters from Highlands County are heard by the Sixth District Court of Appeal, and those dockets can be searched through the Florida Appellate Case Information System (ACIS).
Highlands Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find scheduled hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week in Highlands County:
- Visit the Criminal Court Calendar on the Highlands County Clerk of Courts website for upcoming criminal hearing dates.
- For civil, family, and probate hearing schedules, check the clerk's main site or contact the clerk's office directly at (863) 402-6565.
- If you have a case number, you can look up individual hearing dates through the court records search portal — docket entries typically include scheduled hearing dates and courtroom assignments.
Hearing schedules can change on short notice. If you are a party to a case or need to appear, confirm your hearing time with the clerk's office or your attorney before traveling to the courthouse.
How to Get a Copy of a Highlands Court Document
The Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller is the custodian of all court records filed in the county. You can obtain copies three ways:
Online
Search for your case through the court records search. Some documents may be viewable or downloadable at no charge. For certified copies, you will generally need to request them in person or by mail.
In Person
Visit the clerk's office at the Government Center:
Bring the case number or enough identifying details (party names, approximate filing date, case type) so staff can locate the file. You can request either certified or uncertified copies at the counter.
By Mail
Send a written request to the address above. Include:
- Full case number (if known)
- Names of the parties involved
- Description of the specific document you need
- Whether you need a certified or uncertified copy
- A check or money order for the applicable fees (see below)
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Certified vs. uncertified: A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature, which is typically required for legal proceedings, real estate transactions, or filings with other agencies. An uncertified copy is a plain photocopy suitable for personal reference.
Certain records are restricted under Florida law — sealed or expunged cases, juvenile proceedings, and some mental health or adoption files are not available to the general public.
Highlands Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record copies and related services in Florida are established by Florida Statutes, primarily § 28.24. The following table reflects standard clerk fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of a court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certification of a document | $2.00 per certification |
| Search fee (per name, per year searched) | $2.00 |
| Copy of a recorded instrument (Official Records, per page) | $1.00 |
| Exemplified copy | Contact clerk for current fee |
Payment methods accepted at the Highlands County Clerk's office typically include cash, check, and money order. For mail requests, include a check or money order payable to the Highlands County Clerk of Courts. Contact the office at (863) 402-6565 to confirm current accepted payment methods and verify the total amount before mailing your request.
For law enforcement background checks or copies of incident reports, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office Public Records Unit handles those requests separately from the clerk's office, and fees may differ.