Glades County civil court records are public files kept by the Clerk of Court in Moore Haven, Florida. These records show every civil lawsuit, small claims case, eviction, contract dispute, and money judgment filed in the county.
Anyone can look up these records online or in person at no cost. The clerk’s office stores the paper files, and an online system called OCRS shows the same data on a public website. This page explains how the system works, what each search tool shows, who runs the office, and what steps to take when you need a copy of a court document.
Where Glades County Civil Court Records Are Stored
All civil court records in Glades County live in one place. The Clerk of Court keeps the original paper files and runs the online search tools. This office works under Florida law and follows the rules set by the Florida Supreme Court.
Role of the Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court for Glades County is Tami Pearce Simmons. Her office files new civil cases, stores old case files, collects filing fees, and gives copies to the public. The clerk also handles passport applications, marriage licenses, and other public services, but civil court records are a core duty. Each case gets a case number, a file location, and a docket sheet that lists every filing in the case.
Office Hours and Phone Number
The clerk’s office in Glades County is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes on state holidays. You can call (863) 946-6010 during business hours to ask about a case, schedule a records request, or check on a filing. Staff can pull files from the storage room and have them ready for pickup if you call ahead.
Physical Address in Moore Haven
Moore Haven is the only city in Glades County, and the courthouse sits in the heart of town. The clerk’s office is at 500 Avenue J, Room 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471. You can walk in and request records at the public counter. Bring a photo ID and the case number if you have it. Staff will search the system, pull the file, and make copies for a small fee per page.
How to Search Civil Records Online
Two free websites let you search Glades County civil court records from home. Both work on a phone, tablet, or computer. You do not need an account for either tool, and you do not pay to run a search.
Using the OCRS Public Portal
OCRS stands for Official Court Records Search. The Glades County version of OCRS is run by Civitek Florida and links to the county clerk’s case database. Go to the OCRS site and pick Glades County from the list. Type a last name, business name, or case number in the search box. The results list each matching case with the case number, filing date, case type, and party names. Click on a case to see the full docket and all filed documents.
Florida E-Filing Portal Access
The statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal works in all 67 counties. You can register for a free account and search civil cases statewide from one screen. The portal is the main tool for attorneys who file new cases, but anyone can register and use the search features. It also shows the same docket data you would see in OCRS, plus filed motions, orders, and judgments.
What Each Search Result Shows
Once you click on a case in either system, you see a docket sheet. The docket shows the case number, the type of case, the judge assigned, the attorneys of record, and a list of every paper filed in the case. Each entry has a filing date and a short description. Some entries have a link to a scanned image of the original document. You can view that image on screen or download a PDF copy.
Civil Court Structure in Glades County
Glades County sits inside the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers five counties in southwest Florida. Civil cases go to one of two court levels based on the dollar amount in dispute.
Circuit Court Civil Cases
Circuit Court hears civil cases with claims over $30,000. It also handles family law, probate, guardianship, juvenile, and felony criminal cases. The Circuit Court judge for Glades County hears the larger civil lawsuits that cannot be filed in County Court. Real estate disputes, complex contract claims, and most personal injury lawsuits go through this level.
County Court Civil Cases
County Court handles civil cases with claims up to $30,000. Misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic tickets also go through County Court. The county judge hears smaller contract disputes, simple property damage claims, and many landlord-tenant cases. The judge in Glades County handles a broad docket because the county has a small population.
Small Claims and Evictions
Small claims cases have a maximum claim of $8,000. These cases move through County Court on a faster track. Eviction cases, also called landlord-tenant cases, follow their own section of Florida law and have separate forms. A landlord files an eviction complaint when a tenant does not pay rent or breaks the lease. The clerk’s office has the forms and can explain the basic steps, though staff cannot give legal advice.
Types of Civil Cases Filed in Glades County
Most civil cases in Glades County fall into a few common groups. Each type has its own set of forms, deadlines, and rules. The clerk’s office can tell you which form fits your case if you stop by the counter.
Contract Disputes
Contract disputes happen when one party claims the other broke a written or oral agreement. Common examples include unpaid invoices, missed delivery dates, and warranty claims on goods or services. The person who files the lawsuit is the plaintiff. The person being sued is the defendant. The court reviews the contract, listens to both sides, and enters a judgment.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury cases cover car accidents, slip and fall claims, medical malpractice, and wrongful death suits. The plaintiff asks for money to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain. Personal injury cases always go to Circuit Court because the dollar amounts are usually high. The docket sheet shows medical records, expert reports, and settlement offers.
Real Property Disputes
Real property cases deal with land, buildings, and rights to use property. Boundary line fights, easement claims, and foreclosure actions all fall into this group. Foreclosure cases are common in Florida and have their own court forms. The clerk’s office in Glades County can give you a list of the standard forms for a property case.
Debt Collection Lawsuits
Creditors file debt collection cases to recover unpaid credit card balances, medical bills, and personal loans. The creditor is the plaintiff, and the debtor is the defendant. Most debt collection cases go to County Court. The judgment gives the creditor the right to garnish wages or place a lien on property if the debtor does not pay.
Confidential Records and Privacy Rules
Florida law protects certain personal data inside civil court records. The clerk’s office redacts this data before showing files to the public.
What Gets Redacted
Social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the names of minor children get redacted from public court files. Anyone can ask the clerk to remove this data by filing a Request to Redact form. There is no fee for redaction in Glades County. The clerk removes the data from the public version of the document and keeps the original in the court file for parties who need it.
Sealed and Exempt Records
Some cases are sealed by court order. A judge can seal a civil case file when the records could harm a child, expose a trade secret, or put someone at risk. Adoption records and certain mental health filings are exempt from public view under Florida law. Once a case is sealed, the clerk cannot show it to the public without a court order.
Fees for Copies and Official Documents
The clerk charges a fee for paper copies, certified copies, and other document services. The fees follow a statewide rate set by Florida statute.
Standard Copy Charges
A regular copy of a court document costs $1.00 per page. A printed copy of a docket sheet costs $2.00 per page. The clerk must certify that the copy matches the original if you need it for court or for a legal filing.
Certified Copy Costs
A certified copy of a court document costs $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. A certified copy of a final judgment costs the same rate. Many banks, insurance companies, and government agencies require a certified copy rather than a plain copy. You can order certified copies in person or by mail.
How to Verify a Civil Case Status
You can check on a civil case at any time. The status tells you what stage the case is in, what filings the parties made, and when the next hearing is scheduled.
Online Status Checks
The OCRS portal and the E-Filing Portal both show real-time case status. Look up the case by name or number. The docket page lists the most recent filing at the top. The case status line near the top of the page shows whether the case is open, closed, on appeal, or on hold.
Phone and Walk-In Status Checks
You can also call the clerk’s office at (863) 946-6010 or stop by the counter in Moore Haven. Staff can run a search and tell you the current status, the next hearing date, and the name of the judge. Bring a case number or the full name of at least one party so the clerk can pull the file quickly.
Self-Help Resources for Residents
People who want to handle a civil case without a lawyer have several free options. Florida courts offer forms, guides, and interview tools that walk you through the filing process.
DIY Florida Forms Tool
DIY Florida is a free tool inside the E-Filing Portal. It asks you a series of questions about your case and creates the right court forms based on your answers. You can file the forms through the portal to the Glades County clerk. The filing fee is the same as if you filed paper forms. The portal support desk is open on weekdays for technical questions.
Legal Aid Options
Legal aid groups in southwest Florida offer free help to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The clerk’s office keeps a list of local legal aid providers. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service can also connect you with a lawyer who charges a reduced fee for an initial consultation. Volunteer lawyers offer free clinics in some counties on a regular schedule.
Other Florida Counties for Civil Records
Glades County sits inside a circuit with four other counties. You may need to search a record in one of those counties if the case was filed there. Major counties outside the circuit also keep their own civil records.
Nearby 20th Circuit Counties
The 20th Judicial Circuit covers Glades, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, and Lee counties. Each county has its own clerk and its own OCRS portal. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check the address where the dispute took place. You must file in the correct county for the court to have jurisdiction over the case.
Major Florida County Courts
Florida has 67 counties, and each one keeps its own civil court records. Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Orange County, Hillsborough County, Duval County, Palm Beach County, Pinellas County, and Lee County are the largest by population. Each one runs its own online search portal through the statewide E-Filing system. You can search any county from one account on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Contact Details for Glades County Clerk
Use the details below to reach the Glades County Clerk of Court for civil record questions, copy requests, or filing help.
Office: Glades County Clerk of Court
Clerk: Tami Pearce Simmons
Address: 500 Avenue J, Room 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471
Phone: (863) 946-6010
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Website: gladesclerk.com
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common issues people face when looking up Glades County civil court records. Each answer is based on current Florida law and the rules of the 20th Judicial Circuit as of 2026.
Are civil court records free to view?
Yes. Searching for a civil case in the OCRS portal or the Florida E-Filing Portal costs nothing. You can view the docket sheet and read any scanned document on screen at no charge. The only fees apply when you need a paper copy, a certified copy, or a printed record search. A regular copy costs $1.00 per page. A certified copy costs $2.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. You can also walk into the clerk’s office in Moore Haven and view paper files for free at the public counter, though staff will charge for any copies you request. The statewide rule is that access to view records is free, and only physical or certified copies carry a fee.
How long does an online search take?
A search on OCRS or the E-Filing Portal takes just a few seconds. Once you type a name or case number, the system pulls matching cases right away. The full docket sheet loads in another second or two. If you click on a scanned document, it can take five to ten seconds to load the image depending on your internet speed. For mail or in-person requests at the clerk’s office, the turnaround is usually one to three business days. You can speed up mail requests by including a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check for the copy fees. Walk-in customers get their copies the same day in most cases.
Can I remove my case from public view?
Only a judge can seal a case. You must file a motion asking the court to seal the file and explain why the records should be private. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether sealing serves the interest of justice. Common reasons include protecting a minor, keeping a trade secret, or shielding a party from harm. Sealed records are not shown to the public, but the court file still exists. You can also file a Request to Redact form to remove specific private data like a social security number or bank account number from a public record. Redaction is free and does not require a court order.
What if I find an error in my record?
You can file a motion to correct a clerical error in a court record under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540. The motion must explain the error and attach proof of the correct data. The judge reviews the motion and signs an order to correct the file if the error is clear. Errors in personal data, party names, or case numbers are common and can be fixed this way. For errors in a judgment, you may need to file an appeal or a separate motion. The clerk’s office can give you the right form for the type of error you found. Bring copies of the documents that show the correct data when you file the motion.
Do I need a lawyer to look up records?
No. Anyone can search Glades County civil court records without a lawyer. The OCRS portal and the E-Filing Portal are built for the public. You do not need to register an account to run a search. The DIY Florida tool can help you fill out forms if you decide to file a new case. The clerk’s office staff can show you where the public terminals are and answer basic questions about the system. Staff cannot give you legal advice, but they can explain the steps for filing, copying, or sealing a record. If you need legal advice, contact a licensed attorney or a legal aid group.
How far back do online records go?
The OCRS portal for Glades County shows civil cases filed from 1998 to the present. Older paper records from before 1998 sit in storage at the courthouse. You can ask the clerk to pull those files for you, and staff will need one to three business days to retrieve them. The E-Filing Portal shows cases back to the date each county started using the statewide system. Some records, like older judgments, may not show the scanned document but will show the case number, party names, and judgment date in the docket sheet. For records older than the digital system, you may need to visit the clerk’s office in person.