Hendry County civil court records cover every lawsuit, claim, and dispute filed in the county since records began. These files are held by the Hendry County Clerk of Court in LaBelle, Florida.
Anyone can search them for free online or in person. This page shows you exactly how to look up records, what you will see, and what stays private. All tools, fees, and rules are current as of August 2026.
What Hendry County Civil Court Records Include
Civil court records in Hendry County hold paperwork from every non-criminal court case. They show who sued whom, what the fight was about, and what the judge ordered. These files are public under Florida law. You do not need to be a lawyer or a party in the case to see them.
Types of Civil Cases Filed
Civil cases include money disputes, property fights, contract problems, and personal injury claims. Evictions and landlord-tenant cases are also civil. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases go through civil court too. Small claims up to $8,000 and larger claims up to $30,000 belong to County Court. Claims above $30,000 go to Circuit Court.
Who Files and Why
Any person, business, or group can file a civil lawsuit in Hendry County. Common filers include landlords, contractors, lenders, and injured people. The clerk accepts the paper, assigns a case number, and opens a docket. From that moment, every motion, order, and judgment becomes part of the public record.
Hendry County Clerk of Court Office Details
The Clerk of Court runs the record system for Hendry County. The clerk is Kimberley R. Barrineau. Her office stores every civil file and runs the online search tool. Staff answer phone questions during business hours and help visitors in the lobby.
Office Location and Contact
The main clerk’s office sits inside the Hendry County Courthouse at 25 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935. The phone number is (863) 675-5217. A second branch office operates in Clewiston for some clerk services. The main office handles all civil court record requests in the county.
Office Hours and Staff Roles
The LaBelle office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on weekdays. Staff close on weekends and state holidays. Deputy clerks process new filings, stamp documents, and hand out copies. They cannot give legal advice, but they can show you which forms to use.
Online Search Tools for Civil Records
Hendry County offers two free online search tools. Both work on a phone or computer with internet. You do not need an account to search existing cases. The tools connect straight to the clerk’s database and refresh daily.
OCRS Portal Walkthrough
OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. The Hendry County OCRS portal lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show case type, parties, filing date, and docket entries. The tool covers civil, criminal, traffic, and small claims cases across the county.
The OCRS portal runs on the Civitek Florida platform. To start a search, open the Hendry County page on the Civitek site. Type a last name or full case number in the search box. Press enter to see matching cases. The system pulls live data from the clerk’s office in LaBelle.
Florida E-Filing Portal Access
The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal links to all 67 county clerks, including Hendry. You can register for free to search cases or file new civil papers. Registered users get email alerts when a docket entry is added. The portal works around the clock from any device.
Civil Court Levels in Hendry County
Hendry County sits inside the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Lee counties. Civil cases split between two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake. Each level has its own filing fees and rules.
Circuit Civil Court Cases
Circuit Court handles civil claims over $30,000. It also hears real property lawsuits, personal injury suits, and complex contract disputes. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases all belong to Circuit Court in Hendry County. The clerk files these cases under a “CA” prefix.
County Civil Court Cases
County Court handles civil claims from $8,001 up to $30,000. It also hears some replevin actions and other civil matters. County civil cases in Hendry County use a “CC” case number prefix. Appeals from County Court go up to Circuit Court for review.
Small Claims and Evictions
Small claims court covers disputes up to $8,000. The process is simpler and faster than full civil court. Eviction cases and landlord-tenant disputes also go through County Court. The clerk marks these files with an “EV” or “SC” prefix for quick sorting and public access.
Search by Name, Case Number, or Party
You can search civil records in three main ways. Each method works on the OCRS portal and the E-Filing Portal. Pick the method that matches the data you already have.
Name-Based Searches
To search by name, type the last name of a party in the OCRS search box. Add a first name or middle initial to narrow results. The portal pulls every civil case where that person appears as a plaintiff, defendant, or other party. Results sort by filing date with the newest first.
Case Number Lookups
If you know the case number, type it directly into the OCRS search bar. Use the full number with the year and prefix. For example, a 2024 circuit civil case looks like “26-2024-CA-000123.” Exact matches load instantly on the screen with full docket data.
Visiting the Clerk’s Office in Person
Walk-in visitors can search civil records at the clerk’s office in LaBelle. Staff at the public counter pull files and make copies on request. The lobby has public computer terminals for free OCRS searches during business hours.
What to Bring
Bring a photo ID when you visit. Have the case number or party name written down if you can. The clerk cannot search by Social Security number, so leave that at home. Cash, check, or card work for copy fees at the counter.
Copy and Certification Fees
Plain copies cost $1.00 per page under Florida law. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each extra page. A $2.00 certification fee applies to each certified document. These rates come from Florida Statute 28.24 and apply statewide.
The clerk also charges a search fee of $2.00 per year when staff must pull old files by hand from storage. These fees apply to archived cases that are no longer in the active docket system.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy (each extra page) | $1.00 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $2.00 |
| Search fee (per year) | $2.00 |
| Online OCRS search | Free |
Sealed, Confidential, and Redacted Records
Most civil court files are public, but some stay sealed by court order. Other files have sensitive data redacted before release. Florida law lists exactly what gets removed from public files in every county.
What Stays Private
Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers stay private. Juvenile cases, adoption records, and certain family files are sealed by law. A judge can also seal any case file for good cause. Sealed records are not visible in OCRS or at the public counter.
How to Request Redaction
If you see a Social Security number or bank account in a public file, you can ask the clerk to remove it. File a redaction request form with the clerk’s office. Include the case name, case number, document title, and the page with the private data. The clerk takes it out at no charge.
Lawyers and self-filers must flag sensitive data before filing. Form 2.420 under the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration tells the clerk what to hide. The form is free on the Florida Courts website. Failure to use the form can lead to court sanctions.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Filers
People who file civil cases without a lawyer have free tools to help. The Florida Courts website has forms for small claims, evictions, name changes, and more. The clerk’s office hands out paper copies of common forms at the counter.
DIY Florida Forms Tool
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It asks simple questions about your case. Based on your answers, it builds the right court forms for Hendry County. Submit the finished forms through the portal and pay the standard filing fee.
The DIY Florida tool walks filers through each question one step at a time. You can save your progress and return later. Once you finish, the portal sends the forms straight to the Hendry County clerk for filing.
Free Legal Aid in Southwest Florida
Florida Rural Legal Services covers Hendry County and offers free help to low-income residents. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service points people to lawyers who charge reduced rates. Local law schools sometimes run free civil clinics for residents of LaBelle and Clewiston.
Florida Public Records Law and Your Rights
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all government records are open to the public. Civil court records in Hendry County fall under this law.
Chapter 119 Explained
Chapter 119 covers records held by state, county, and city agencies. The clerk’s office is a county agency. So every civil file it holds is open for inspection and copying. The clerk must respond to a public records request in a reasonable amount of time.
Exempt Records You Cannot See
Some records are exempt from public release. Section 119.0714 of Florida Statutes protects Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and similar data. Sealed court files are exempt too. Adoption, juvenile, and certain family files stay private by state law.
Hendry County Courthouse Location and Contact
The Hendry County Courthouse sits in downtown LaBelle. The clerk’s office occupies the main floor with public counters for searches and filings. Visitors can use free parking in the courthouse lot. The address below matches the official courthouse records and the OCRS system.
Address, Phone, and Hours
The full physical address is 25 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935. The clerk’s main phone line is (863) 675-5217. Staff answer calls during business hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The official website address is hendryclerk.com.
Map and Driving Directions
The courthouse sits two blocks east of the Caloosahatchee River bridge on State Road 29. Drivers from Fort Myers take State Road 80 east to LaBelle. From Clewiston, take State Road 27 north to LaBelle. Free public parking surrounds the courthouse on Hickpochee Avenue and behind the building on Jaycee-Lions Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common searches about Hendry County civil court records. Each answer gives a direct, factual response based on Florida law and current clerk policy. If your question is not here, call the clerk’s office at (863) 675-5217 during business hours for help.
How Much Does It Cost to Search Hendry County Civil Court Records?
Online searches through the OCRS portal and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal cost nothing for the basic lookup. You can run as many searches as you want for free each day, and the OCRS portal refreshes case data within 24 hours. In-person searches at the Hendry County Clerk’s office are also free when you use the public computer terminals in the lobby on the first floor. The clerk charges a fee only when staff must pull old archived files by hand from storage. That fee is $2.00 per year searched under Florida Statute 28.24. Plain paper copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each extra page, with a separate $2.00 certification fee added per document. Most visitors pay nothing for a basic search and only spend money when they need certified records for court filings or business transactions. Call (863) 675-5217 for exact fee quotes before placing a large copy order.
Can I Search Hendry County Civil Records by Name for Free?
Yes. The Hendry County OCRS portal lets anyone search by name at no cost. Open the Civitek Florida website, choose Hendry County from the drop-down list, and type a last name into the search box. You can add a first name, middle initial, or business name to narrow the results. The portal pulls every civil case where that person appears as a plaintiff, defendant, or third party. Results sort by filing date with the newest case at the top of the list. You can click any case number to see the full docket, party list, and filing dates for the case. No account, login, or paid subscription is needed for a basic name search. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also offers free name searches once you register a free user account with a valid email address. Registration takes only a few minutes. Both tools run on any device with internet access, including phones and tablets.
What Is the Difference Between Circuit and County Civil Court in Hendry County?
Circuit Court in Hendry County handles civil claims over $30,000. It also hears all family law cases, probate matters, guardianship filings, and real property lawsuits. Circuit civil cases use a “CA” prefix in the case number. County Court handles civil claims from $8,001 up to $30,000. It also hears small claims up to $8,000 and most eviction cases. County civil cases use a “CC” prefix, while small claims use “SC” and evictions use “EV.” Each court level has its own filing fees set by Florida Statute 28.241. The clerk can tell you which court fits your case based on the dollar amount and the type of dispute. Appeals from County Court go up to Circuit Court for review by a higher judge. You must file your case in the right court or the clerk will reject the filing at the counter. Both courts sit inside the Hendry County Courthouse on Hickpochee Avenue in LaBelle.
Are Florida Eviction Records Public in Hendry County?
Yes. Eviction filings show up in the Hendry County OCRS portal with an “EV” case number prefix. The filings include the landlord’s name, tenant’s name, property address, monthly rent amount, and the current case status. Sensitive data like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and dates of birth get redacted before the file goes public. The clerk follows Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 when removing private data from any public court file. Sealed eviction files stay private by court order and do not appear in OCRS search results. Most eviction cases stay on the public docket for at least five years after the final judgment. Landlords, tenants, property managers, and credit agencies can all search these records to check on past filings. The case status updates within 24 hours of each new docket entry in the system.
How Long Does the Clerk Keep Civil Court Records in Hendry County?
The Hendry County Clerk follows Florida record retention schedules set by the Florida Department of State. Most civil case files stay on file for at least 20 years after the final judgment is entered. Real property lawsuits, mortgage foreclosures, and certain tax cases stay on file longer due to state law and federal requirements. After the retention period ends, older files move to the state archives in Tallahassee for permanent storage. You can request archived files through the clerk’s office for a small search fee of $2.00 per year searched. Some very old files from before 1950 are kept only in physical paper form and may require an in-person visit to view at the LaBelle courthouse. The clerk’s office can pull archived files with a written request and the case number or party name. Most modern cases from 1990 forward are stored in both paper and digital form for easy access.
Can I View Sealed Civil Records in Hendry County?
No. Sealed civil records stay private unless a judge signs a written order to unseal them. The general public cannot view sealed files under any circumstance, and the clerk’s office cannot bypass a sealing order. Parties in the case can file a motion with the court asking to unseal a file, but the judge makes the final call after reviewing the request. Some sealed files, like adoption records and certain juvenile records, stay sealed even for parties under Florida law. The clerk cannot show a sealed file to the public, and the OCRS portal hides sealed cases from all search results. If you have a sealed case and need a copy of your own records, contact the clerk’s office in writing with your case number. The clerk will review your request and respond within a reasonable time under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Unsealing a file is rare and requires strong cause.
Where Is the Hendry County Courthouse Located?
The Hendry County Courthouse sits at 25 E Hickpochee Ave, LaBelle, FL 33935. The clerk’s office occupies the main floor of the building, with public counters for record searches and filing. Free public parking is available in the courthouse lot off Hickpochee Avenue, just east of the main entrance. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM on weekdays. Staff close on weekends and all state holidays. Bring a photo ID when you visit for any in-person record request, especially for certified copies. The lobby has self-service computer terminals with free access to the OCRS portal for name and case number searches. The Clewiston branch office at 1105 S W C Owen Ave also handles some clerk services during business hours, but the main office handles all civil court record requests and certified copy orders. Public transit options to the courthouse are limited, so driving is the most common option for visitors from across the county.