Highlands County civil court records are public files kept by the county clerk in Sebring, Florida. These records show details about lawsuits, money disputes, property fights, eviction cases, and other non-criminal matters filed in the 10th Judicial Circuit.
Anyone can look at these records for free through the clerk’s online search tool or at the public terminals inside the courthouse on South Commerce Avenue. The clerk’s office updates the case docket each business day with new filings, court orders, and hearing dates so the public can follow the life of any civil case from start to finish.
About the Highlands County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court serves as the official record keeper for all civil cases in Highlands County. The clerk’s office files new lawsuits, stores old case papers, scans documents into the public search system, and prints copies for visitors. The clerk also collects filing fees, swears in witnesses, and works with the judges to move cases through the court system. Florida law gives this office the job of keeping court files open and safe for the public.
Jerome Kaszubowski and the Clerk Office
Jerome Kaszubowski is the elected Clerk of Court for Highlands County. He runs a team of deputy clerks who process filings, manage the docket, and answer records questions from the public. The clerk office sits at 590 South Commerce Avenue in Sebring, Florida 33870. The main phone line for records calls is (863) 402-6564. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The clerk also records deeds, mortgages, and liens for the county.
What the Clerk Office Does for Civil Cases
The clerk office accepts new civil case filings, assigns case numbers, and sets the first court date. The clerk collects filing fees, sends notices to the parties in the case, and records every court order. The clerk also keeps the official court docket and makes sure each entry matches the judge’s ruling. Public access to all these records falls under the Florida Sunshine Law and Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes.
How to Search Civil Court Records in Highlands County
Three main ways exist to look up civil court files in Highlands County. People can use the free OCRS website, sign up for the statewide e-filing portal, or walk into the clerk’s office in Sebring. Each search method gives the same core case details like party names, case numbers, filing dates, judges, attorneys, and docket entries. People who need certified copies must visit the clerk in person or send a mail request.
OCRS Online Portal Method
The Official Court Records Search (OCRS) is a free public search site run by Civitek Florida. The Highlands County page sits at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/28. Visitors can type a last name, a business name, or a case number into the search box. No login, account, or fee is needed to view results. Search results return the case number, case type, filing date, judge, and the full list of docket entries.
Florida E-Filing Portal
My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com covers all 67 Florida counties. Users sign up for a free account to search the statewide docket or file new civil cases. The portal runs every day of the year and shows the same case details as the county OCRS site. People who already have an account can also use the portal to pay filing fees and serve court papers on the other side.
In-Person Records Request at the Courthouse
Walk-in visitors can use the public access terminals at the clerk’s office in Sebring. Staff at the counter can help with searches, pull older files from storage, and print copies on the spot. Plain paper copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry an extra $3.00 fee per document. Visitors should bring a photo ID and any case details they already have to speed up the search.
Searching by Name, Case Number, or Date
The OCRS search box accepts several search formats. People can type a full name in quotes for an exact match, leave the quotes off for a partial match, or use a date range to find cases filed between two dates. Case number searches use a format like 28-2024-CA-001234. The clerk staff at the counter can run any of these searches for walk-in visitors who need help.
Civil Court Structure in Highlands County
Civil cases in Highlands County move through two court levels based on the dollar amount in the lawsuit. Both courts sit in the same Sebring courthouse at 590 South Commerce Avenue. The case type and the claim value decide which court hears the case and which judge signs the final order.
Circuit Court vs County Court
Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. It also hears family law matters, probate cases, and guardianship filings. County Court handles civil claims up to $30,000. Small claims cases up to $8,000 also go to County Court. The dollar amount on the first page of the lawsuit decides which court takes the case.
Common Case Types in Highlands County
Common civil case types in Highlands County include contract disputes, personal injury claims, real estate actions, mortgage foreclosure, debt collection, auto negligence, and employment disputes. Landlord-tenant evictions and small claims are also frequent filings. Each case type has its own code on the docket that appears in the search results.
10th Judicial Circuit Coverage
Highlands County sits with Hardee and Polk counties in the 10th Judicial Circuit. The main circuit office handles administrative work for all three counties. Civil cases filed in Highlands County stay with the local Sebring courthouse even when the circuit court hears them. People who need records from Hardee or Polk counties must use those county clerk websites.
Types of Civil Cases Filed in Highlands County
Many kinds of civil lawsuits pass through the Highlands County court system each year. The clerk office tracks each case type with its own docket code. The list below shows the most common civil filings the clerk sees in a typical year.
Contract Disputes
A contract dispute happens when one side claims the other side broke a written or spoken deal. These cases often center on unpaid bills, missed delivery dates, or broken service promises. The clerk assigns contract cases to the civil docket based on the dollar value. Most contract fights go to Circuit Court when the claim tops $30,000.
Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury cases ask for money after a person gets hurt because of someone else’s actions. The injury might come from a car crash, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or a bad product. Most personal injury claims go to Circuit Court because the damages often exceed the $30,000 county court limit. The clerk logs these cases under the civil negligence docket.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord-tenant cases cover evictions, security deposit fights, repair issues, and lease break claims. County Court handles most eviction filings. Florida law sets strict timelines for landlords to follow when filing these cases. The clerk office has eviction forms on hand for landlords and tenants who need to file without a lawyer.
Small Claims Cases
Small claims cover money disputes up to $8,000. People often file these cases without a lawyer because the forms are short and the rules are simple. The hearing happens within 30 to 60 days of filing. Small claims filings make up a large share of the civil docket in Highlands County each year.
Debt Collection and Property Disputes
Debt collection cases let creditors ask the court for a judgment on unpaid loans, credit cards, or medical bills. Property disputes cover boundary line fights, easement issues, and title claims. The clerk tracks each of these case types with a unique docket code that shows up in the public search results.
Fees and Request Processing Times for Court Records
The clerk office charges set fees for copies and certified records. Most requests get filled the same day they come in. Some older records stored off-site might take a few extra days to pull. The clerk lists all current fees on the office website and at the counter.
Copy Costs and Payment Methods
Plain paper copies cost $1.00 per page. Double-sided pages count as two pages. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards at the counter. Mail requests should include a check or money order for the right amount plus return postage.
Certified Copy Fees
A certified copy of a court record costs $3.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee. Certified copies carry a raised clerk seal and a deputy clerk signature to prove they are real. Banks, lawyers, and government agencies often ask for certified copies as proof of a court order.
Sealed and Confidential Civil Court Records
Some civil case files stay sealed by court order. Other files have personal details that must stay private. Florida law sets clear rules for what stays hidden from public view. The clerk office enforces these rules on every new filing and on every public search request.
Redaction Process for Personal Data
Anyone who spots a social security number, bank account number, or credit card number in a public file can ask the clerk to remove it. The request must list the case name, case number, document name, and the page where the private data shows up. The clerk pulls the sensitive info at no cost. Florida law also requires filers to flag private data on the Notice of Confidential Information form.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420
Florida Rule 2.420 controls what stays confidential in court files. Lawyers and self-filers must use the Notice of Confidential Information form when they file new papers. This rule protects personal data from showing up in public search results. The clerk office checks every new filing for compliance with Rule 2.420 before the case goes live in the public search system.
Sealed Cases and Judge Orders
Sealed civil cases stay closed to the public by court order. Only the people named in the case and their lawyers can see a sealed file. A judge must sign a written order to seal a case file or to unseal one later. Most civil cases stay open to the public unless a judge has ruled otherwise for safety or privacy reasons.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Highlands County
People who want to file a civil case on their own can use free tools from the Florida courts. The clerk office in Sebring can help visitors pick the right forms. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point people to the right paperwork and explain the filing steps.
DIY Florida Tool
The DIY Florida tool sits inside the E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. It asks a series of simple questions about the case and builds the right court forms based on the answers. Users then file the completed forms through the same portal. Standard filing fees still apply. The portal support desk helps with technical issues weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Local Legal Aid Services
Florida Rural Legal Services covers the Highlands County area. The group offers free legal help to people who meet income rules. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service also helps people find low-cost lawyers in central Florida. The clerk office can give visitors a list of legal aid groups that serve the local area.
Public Access Laws That Cover Civil Court Records
Florida has very strong public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes most government files open to anyone who asks. Court records fall under this open access rule. The clerk office must respond to records requests in a reasonable amount of time.
Florida Sunshine Law
The Florida Sunshine Law works with Chapter 119 to keep government records open. Court clerks must let people look at most civil case files. The clerk can only deny access when a judge has ordered the file sealed or when state law lists a specific exemption. Most civil court files in Highlands County stay open to the public.
Records Exempt From Public View
Some records stay private under Florida law. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers get redacted from public files. Adoption records, juvenile records, and certain mental health records also stay sealed. The clerk office keeps a written list of all exemptions and applies them before any file goes live in the public search system.
Nearby Counties and Court Jurisdiction
The right court for a civil case depends on where the events took place. People should file in the county where the defendant lives or where the contract was signed. Filing in the wrong county can lead to delays or a full dismissal of the case.
Hardee County Clerk Records
Hardee County sits next to Highlands County in the 10th Judicial Circuit. The Hardee County Clerk of Court keeps its own civil case files. People who need records from Hardee County can use the Hardee clerk’s online search tool or visit the Wauchula courthouse. Civil cases filed in Hardee County stay with the local Wauchula clerk even when the circuit court hears them.
Polk County Clerk Records
Polk County also sits in the 10th Judicial Circuit and has a much larger population than Highlands County. The Polk County Clerk of Court runs its own civil case search system. People who need civil records from Polk County should use the Polk clerk website or visit the Bartow courthouse. Each county keeps its own separate case files.
Tips for a Successful Civil Records Search
A few simple steps can help people find the right case file faster. Spelling matters, date ranges help narrow the search, and the clerk staff can assist with tough lookups. People who follow these tips save time and get the right case on the first try.
Search Tips for OCRS and the E-Filing Portal
Try different spellings of a name if the first search returns nothing. Use quotes around full names for exact matches. Search by date range if you know the year the case was filed. Use the case number when you have it for a direct hit. Call the clerk office at (863) 402-6564 if the online search does not return the right case after a few tries.
What to Bring for In-Person Searches
Walk-in visitors should bring a photo ID, the full name of the party in the case, the case number if they have it, and the year the case was filed. Staff can run the search at the public terminal and print copies on the spot. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards for copy fees.
Contact the Highlands County Clerk Office
The clerk office offers several ways to get help with civil court records. People can call the office, walk in during business hours, or send a written request by mail. The office also has public access terminals inside the lobby for walk-in customers who want to run their own search.
Phone, Email, and Office Hours
The main phone line for records questions is (863) 402-6564. The clerk office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office closes on state and federal holidays. Recorded details about office hours and holiday closures sit on the clerk website at highlandsclerk.com. Visitors can also email the office through the contact form on the website.
Highlands County Courthouse Location
The Highlands County courthouse stands at 590 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida 33870. The clerk office sits on the first floor with public access terminals and a copy center. Free parking is available behind the building. Visitors enter through the main front doors on South Commerce Avenue and check in at the clerk counter.
Highlands County Civil Court Records at a Glance
The table below shows the main facts about civil court records in Highlands County. These details cover the search tools, fees, and the office that keeps the records. The clerk office updates these facts each year as part of the county’s public records report.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Record Custodian | Jerome Kaszubowski, Clerk of Court |
| Office Address | 590 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870 |
| Phone Number | (863) 402-6564 |
| Office Hours | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday |
| Online Search Tool | Civitek OCRS at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/28 |
| Statewide Portal | My Florida Court Access at myflcourtaccess.com |
| Plain Copy Fee | $1.00 per page |
| Certified Copy Fee | $3.00 per document plus per-page fee |
| Judicial Circuit | 10th Judicial Circuit (Highlands, Hardee, Polk) |
| Free Public Access | Yes, online and at courthouse terminals |
Frequently Asked Questions About Highlands County Civil Court Records
Many people have questions about civil court records in Highlands County. The list below covers the most common questions the clerk office receives each week. Each answer gives the basic facts people need to start their search, follow a case, or get certified copies of court papers.
How do I find civil court records in Highlands County?
The fastest way to find civil court records in Highlands County is the OCRS website at civitekflorida.com/ocrs/county/28. Type a last name, a business name, or a case number into the search box. Results show the case type, party names, filing date, judge, and all docket entries. No account or fee is needed for the search. People who cannot find their case online can call the clerk at (863) 402-6564 or visit the office at 590 South Commerce Avenue in Sebring, Florida 33870.
Are Highlands County civil court records free to view?
Yes. The OCRS website and the Florida E-Filing Portal both let people view civil case records at no cost. Free public access terminals at the Sebring courthouse also show case files for free. The clerk only charges money for printed copies or certified copies. Plain copies cost $1.00 per page and certified copies start at $3.00 per document plus the per-page fee. People who want free records should use the online tools or visit the public terminals.
Can I search civil court records by case number?
Yes. The OCRS search box accepts case numbers as a search term. A case number in Highlands County uses a format like 28-2024-CA-001234. The first two digits stand for the county code, the year comes next, then the case type code, and a sequence number. The search returns the exact case when the number is correct. People who only know part of the case number can use a wildcard to find matches.
What civil case types does the Highlands clerk track?
The clerk tracks contract disputes, personal injury claims, landlord-tenant cases, small claims, debt collection, property disputes, real estate actions, and other civil lawsuits. Each case type has its own code on the docket. The case type shows up in the search results so people can tell what kind of case they are looking at. Family law, probate, and criminal cases have their own separate dockets and search filters.
Can I get a certified copy of a court record online?
No. Certified copies need a clerk signature and a raised seal. People must request certified copies in person at the Sebring office or by mail. The fee is $3.00 per document plus the per-page copy cost. The clerk can mail certified copies back to the requester for an extra postage fee. Mail requests should include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the right amount.
How long does the clerk keep civil case records?
The clerk keeps most civil case files for at least 20 years. Some older case files sit in archive storage off-site. The clerk can still pull these files for public view. People who need very old records might pay a small retrieval fee if the clerk has to pull the file from archive storage. Permanent records like final judgments and adopted orders stay on file for the full retention period under Florida law.
Are sealed civil cases open to the public in Highlands County?
No. Sealed civil cases stay closed to the public by court order. Only the people named in the case and their lawyers can see a sealed file. A judge must sign a written order to seal a case file or to unseal one later. Most civil cases stay open to the public unless a judge has ordered the file sealed for safety, privacy, or other strong reasons listed under Florida law.