Highlands County public records are official files kept by county and state offices. They include court papers, arrest logs, booking data, property deeds, marriage licenses, and jail records.
Florida law makes these files open to the public. Anyone can look at them or ask for a copy.
This page shows how to search the main record systems in Highlands County, Florida. You will learn where to look, who runs each office, and what you can get online for free.
What You Can Get From Highlands County Public Records
Public records in Highlands County cover many types of files. Each office keeps a different set of papers.
- Court case files from circuit and county courts
- Arrest records and booking reports from the sheriff
- Jail inmate rosters and current bookings
- Mugshots taken at the time of arrest
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Tax records and property assessments
- Meeting minutes and county budgets
Most of these files are open under Florida law. A few types are sealed by court order or kept private by statute.
Florida Public Records Law: Chapter 119
Florida’s main public records law sits in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. It covers every government office in the state, including all Highlands County agencies.
Under Chapter 119, all records made or kept by a public office are open for public view. You do not need to give a reason. You do not need to show ID. The agency must let you see the file unless a specific law seals it.
If an agency says a record is closed, the burden falls on the agency. They must show you which law blocks the release. They cannot delay or ignore your request without a valid reason.
Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller Office
The Clerk and Comptroller is the main records office for Highlands County. The current Clerk is Jerome Kaszubowski, CGCIO. His office stores court files, property records, marriage papers, and county financial data.
| Office | Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | 590 S Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870 |
| Phone | (863) 402-6564 |
| Website | highlandsclerkfl.gov |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The Clerk’s website gives online access to most court and property records. You can search by name, case number, or document type. Older files that predate the digital system may need an in-person visit.
How to Search Highlands County Court Records
Highlands County sits in the 10th Judicial Circuit. This circuit also covers Hardee and Polk counties. The circuit court handles felony criminal cases, civil suits over $50,000, family law, juvenile cases, and probate. The county court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets, and small civil claims.
To search court records online, go to the Clerk’s website and open the court records search tool. Type the last name of the person you are looking for. You can also search by case number or filing date.
Online results show the case style, charges, hearing dates, and filed documents. You can view many files for free. Printed copies cost money.
For files not listed online, call the Clerk’s office at (863) 402-6564. Staff can tell you if the record exists and how to get it.
Case Types You Can Search
- Criminal felony and misdemeanor cases
- Civil lawsuits and small claims
- Divorce and family law
- Probate and estate cases
- Traffic and ordinance violations
Highlands County Arrest Records and Booking Reports
Highlands County arrest records show when a person was taken into custody. They include the arrest date, charges, booking number, and arresting agency. These files come from the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments.
The Sheriff’s Office keeps an arrest log that updates each day. You can ask for a recent arrest report by calling the Records Division at (863) 402-7200. You can also visit the Sheriff’s Office in person at 434 Fernleaf Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870.
Florida law requires the release of arrest records once a person is charged. The booking photograph and fingerprints stay part of the public file unless sealed by a judge.
What an Arrest Report Contains
- Full name and date of birth
- Address on file
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Charges filed
- Booking number
- Arresting officer name
- Bond amount if set
Highlands County Jail Booking Records and Inmate Roster
The Highlands County Jail holds people arrested in the county. The Sheriff’s Office posts a current inmate roster on its website. The list shows everyone booked into the jail within the last 24 to 48 hours.
To search the inmate roster, go to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office website. Click on the “Jail” or “Inmate Search” link. Type the last name of the person. The search shows booking date, charges, bond, and housing location.
The roster updates several times each day. If you do not see someone on the list, they may have been released, transferred to state prison, or booked under a different name.
How to Run a Highlands County Jail Inmate Search
- Go to the Sheriff’s Office website at highlandssheriff.org
- Find the Inmate Search or Jail Roster page
- Type the last name in the search box
- Click search and view the results
- Note the booking number for future reference
You can also call the jail directly at (863) 402-7200. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody and give the bond amount.
Highlands County Mugshots
Mugshots are photos taken at booking. In Florida, they are public records once the person has been formally charged with a crime. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office releases these photos through the jail roster and public records requests.
You can view recent mugshots on the Sheriff’s inmate roster page. Each entry shows a small booking photo next to the name and charges. Click the photo to see a larger version.
For older mugshots, you must file a public records request. The request should list the name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date. The Sheriff’s Office responds in a set time under Florida law.
Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Records
The Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency in Highlands County. It handles arrests in the unincorporated parts of the county and runs the county jail. The cities of Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid have their own police departments that also make arrests.
To get a copy of a Sheriff’s Office arrest report, contact the Records Bureau. You can call (863) 402-7200 or visit in person. Reports are usually ready within a few days of the arrest.
Reports may have some parts redacted. Witness names, victim data in sex crime cases, and juvenile details are often removed. The rest of the file stays public.
| Agency | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Highlands County Sheriff’s Office | 434 Fernleaf Ave, Sebring, FL 33870 — (863) 402-7200 |
| Sebring Police Department | 355 S Center Ave, Sebring, FL 33870 — (863) 471-5100 |
| Avon Park Police Department | 1391 W Main St, Avon Park, FL 33825 — (863) 452-4477 |
| Lake Placid Police Department | 8 N Oak Ave, Lake Placid, FL 33852 — (863) 699-2828 |
How to Run a Free Arrest Search by Name
You can search for arrests by name using free public tools. The Sheriff’s inmate roster is the fastest method. The Clerk’s court search also shows past cases tied to a name.
For a statewide search, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs an open records portal. It shows Florida arrest data from across the state, including Highlands County. The system is free but requires you to register.
Steps for a Free Highlands County Arrest Search by Name
- Open the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office website
- Go to the Inmate Roster or Jail Search page
- Enter the last name of the person
- Review charges, booking date, and bond
- Use the Clerk’s online search to view court filings
Highlands County Property and Official Records
The Clerk’s office also runs the Official Records search. This tool holds deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfaction of mortgage, and lis pendens filings. You can search by name or document type.
Property records in the Clerk’s system show who owns a parcel, what liens are on it, and any pending lawsuits. The records go back many decades. Older paper files can be viewed at the courthouse.
For assessed value and tax data, the Highlands County Property Appraiser runs a separate search. Their site shows parcel maps, ownership history, and yearly tax bills. The Tax Collector site shows payment status for property taxes and local business receipts.
Property Record Sources
- Clerk Official Records — deeds, mortgages, liens
- Property Appraiser — ownership and assessed value
- Tax Collector — tax payments and receipts
- Building Department — permits and code cases
Marriage and Divorce Records in Highlands County
Marriage licenses issued in Highlands County are public. You can get a copy from the Clerk’s office for a small fee. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus per-page charges. Plain copies cost up to $1.00 per page.
Divorce decrees are part of the circuit court file. Search the Clerk’s court records system using the case number or party name. If the case closed more than 20 years ago, the file may sit in offsite storage. Call ahead to confirm availability.
Birth and death certificates are not kept at the county level. The Florida Department of Health in Jacksonville holds vital records statewide. Contact them for those files.
How to File a Public Records Request
You can file a public records request in three ways: in person, by mail, or by email. Florida law does not require a special form. A clear written description of the record you want is enough.
Include the following in your request:
- Full name of the person on the record
- Date of birth if known
- Approximate date of arrest or filing
- Case or booking number if known
- Your contact details for the response
Send the request to the agency that holds the record. Each office responds on its own. You can ask the same question to multiple agencies if needed.
Sample Request Format
“I am requesting a copy of the arrest report for [Name], date of birth [DOB], arrested on or around [Date] by the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. Please send the report to me at [Address] or [Email].”
Fees for Copies and Records
Florida law caps how much agencies can charge. The first 30 minutes of staff time to find a record is free. After that, a fee for staff time can apply.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (black and white) | Up to $0.15 per page |
| Two-sided copy | Up to $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy | $5.00 certification plus per-page fee |
| Search time over 30 minutes | Set hourly rate based on staff salary |
| Digital files (email or USB) | Actual cost of the storage medium |
Viewing records in person is free. You only pay if you want copies. Online searches of public indexes are also free on most county sites.
Records That Stay Closed in Highlands County
Some records are exempt under Florida law. The main sealed record types include:
- Active criminal investigation files
- Juvenile court records
- Adoption files
- Mental health commitment records
- Victim identity in sex crime cases
- Personnel files of public employees
- Security plans for public buildings
- Welfare and child abuse reports
Sealed or expunged records are closed by court order. They do not show up in online searches. Only the person named in the order can ask to open them.
Other Places to Search in Highlands County
Beyond the Clerk and Sheriff, other agencies hold public files.
- Highlands County Board of County Commissioners — meeting minutes, budgets, contracts, and ordinances
- Highlands County School Board — school records, board meeting files, and employee data
- Property Appraiser — parcel maps, ownership, and exemption data
- Tax Collector — business receipts, tag and title records, and tax payments
- Supervisor of Elections — voter registration and election results
Each of these agencies runs its own records search. Most have online portals on their websites.
Statewide Florida Arrest and Inmate Search Tools
For records across the state, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) runs a public portal. It shows arrests and dispositions from every Florida county, including Highlands.
You need a free account to log in. The system lets you search by name and view arrest dates, charges, and county of booking. It does not show current jail status, only past arrests.
The Florida Department of Corrections also runs an inmate search. Use it to look up people serving state prison time. It does not cover county jail inmates.
Highlands County Records Office: Contact and Location
The Clerk’s office sits in downtown Sebring. It is the central records office for the county. Most public records start here.
Highlands County Clerk and Comptroller
590 S Commerce Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: (863) 402-6564
Website: highlandsclerkfl.gov
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Common Public Record Questions
Many people have questions about public records in Highlands County. The answers below cover the most common requests and concerns.
Are Highlands County arrest records free to view?
Yes. The Highlands County Sheriff’s Office posts a free inmate roster online. You can see booking photos, charges, and bond amounts. Arrest reports from the Records Bureau are also free to view in person. You only pay if you want printed copies. The Sheriff’s Office charges up to $0.15 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus per-page fees. Florida law sets these price caps. No one can charge you more than the legal limit.
How long does it take to get public records in Highlands County?
Florida law requires agencies to respond promptly. Most requests for simple files are answered in 3 to 10 business days. Larger requests or older records may take longer. The agency must give a timeline if it cannot meet the standard window. If an agency ignores your request, the Florida Attorney General’s Office runs a free mediation program. You can call (850) 245-0140 for help.
Can I search arrest records by name in Highlands County?
Yes. The Sheriff’s Office inmate roster lets you search by last name. The Clerk’s court search also ties names to cases. For statewide data, the FDLE portal shows arrest records from every Florida county. Each tool has its own search limits. The Sheriff’s roster only shows people in custody. The Clerk’s search shows past cases. The FDLE portal shows arrest history across the state.
Are mugshots public in Highlands County?
Yes, in most cases. Once a person is formally charged, the booking photo becomes a public record. The Sheriff’s Office posts mugshots on the inmate roster. For older cases, you must file a public records request. The request should list the name, date of birth, and arrest date. Photos are sometimes removed for sealed cases or active investigations. A judge can order a photo redacted in special cases.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a court record?
An arrest record shows the arrest event. It lists the date, location, and arresting agency. A court record shows the case filed after arrest. It lists charges, pleas, hearings, and final judgment. The Sheriff’s Office holds arrest records. The Clerk’s office holds court records. Both are public but kept in separate systems. A full background check uses both sources.
Can I remove my arrest record from public view in Highlands County?
Only a judge can seal or expunge a record. You must file a petition with the Highlands County Clerk. You must also qualify under Florida law. Not everyone can seal a record. The process takes several months and may require a court hearing. If granted, the record is removed from public search. The Clerk’s office can give you the forms to start the process.
What if the agency refuses my public records request?
File a written appeal to the agency’s top official. If that fails, contact the Florida Attorney General’s Office. They offer free mediation for open government disputes. You can also contact the First Amendment Foundation. They give free legal help with records access issues in Florida. Keep all written requests and responses. They are useful if the case goes to court.