Okeechobee County Public Records include court filings, property deeds, marriage licenses, arrest logs, booking reports, mugshots, inmate rosters, and incident reports. Florida law makes these records open to every member of the public. The Okeechobee County Clerk of Court, the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, the Property Appraiser, and the Tax Collector all serve as record holders. Most Okeechobee County Public Records can be viewed online, requested by mail, or picked up in person at local offices in Okeechobee, Florida.
What Counts as a Public Record in Okeechobee County
A public record is any document, paper, letter, map, book, tape, photo, or other material made or received by a government office in the course of its work. The records may exist in print, electronic, or another form. Florida law gives the public the right to see and copy these records. Okeechobee County agencies follow this rule across all of their departments.
Public records in Okeechobee County fall into three main groups:
- Court records filed with the 19th Judicial Circuit
- Official records filed with the Clerk, such as deeds, liens, and marriage certificates
- Law enforcement records kept by the Sheriff’s Office, including arrest reports, booking logs, and mugshots
Each agency keeps its own set of records. The Clerk handles court and property filings. The Sheriff handles arrest, jail, and incident data. The Property Appraiser holds parcel and ownership data. The Tax Collector holds tax payment and lien records. Other offices, such as the Supervisor of Elections, the School Board, and the Code Enforcement Office, hold their own records as well.
Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119)
Florida’s main records law sits in Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. The law states that any person can ask to see or copy public records kept by a government agency. Requesters do not need to give their names. Requesters do not need to explain why they want the records. The agency must provide the records unless a specific state law blocks the release.
Exemptions to the rule sit in Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes. Common exemptions include:
- Active criminal investigation files
- Victim identity information in sex crime cases
- Home addresses of certain law enforcement officers, judges, and their families
- Medical and mental health records
- Social Security numbers and bank account numbers
- Juvenile criminal records under most circumstances
- Body camera footage that shows the inside of a private home
- 911 calls that reveal a victim’s location
When an agency denies a records request, the agency must point to the exact law that allows the denial. The Florida Attorney General runs an Open Government Mediation line at (850) 245-0140. The line gives free help to people who face long delays or wrong denials.
Okeechobee County Clerk and Comptroller
The Okeechobee County Clerk and Comptroller serves as the main record keeper for the county. The current Clerk is Jerald D. Bryant, Esq. His office handles court records and official records for Okeechobee County. The Clerk also serves as the county comptroller, which means the office keeps the county’s budget records, financial audits, and payment records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Jerald D. Bryant, Esq. |
| Address | 312 NW Third Street, Suite 101, Okeechobee, FL 34972 |
| Phone | (863) 763-2131 |
| Website | okeechobeecclerk.com |
| Office Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
The Clerk’s office covers civil, criminal, family law, probate, and traffic cases. The office also records deeds, mortgages, liens, and marriage licenses. Staff can direct callers to the right division. Staff can tell callers if a record sits online or needs a written request. The office accepts cash, check, and most major credit cards for copies and fees.
The 19th Judicial Circuit and Court Records
Okeechobee County sits in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The 19th Circuit also covers Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Indian River County. Each county has its own Clerk of Court, and each Clerk keeps the case files for that county. When a case crosses county lines, the case file sits with the Clerk where the case began.
Court records contain paperwork filed in the local circuit court. Common record types include:
- Civil case filings and final judgments
- Criminal case files, indictments, and dispositions
- Family law cases, including divorce, custody, and adoption
- Probate and estate filings
- Traffic tickets and criminal traffic offenses
- Small claims cases and county civil cases
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Mental health commitment orders
You can search court records online through the Clerk’s website at okeechobeecclerk.com. The site lets you search by name, case number, attorney bar number, or filing date. Many records are free to view as a preview image. Full copies and certified copies cost extra.
For older records from the 1980s and 1990s, the online system may not have a scan. You may need to visit the Clerk’s office in person or send a written request. The records staff can pull the physical file and make copies on request.
Property Records and Official Records
Official records are documents filed with the Clerk for public notice. Each document gets an Official Records book and page number or an instrument number. Common official records include:
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and satisfactions of mortgage
- Construction liens and lien releases
- Marriage licenses and marriage certificates
- Divorce decrees recorded in the county
- Birth certificates (only for births that happened in Okeechobee County before statewide vital records moved to the state)
- Death certificates recorded in the county
- Easements and right-of-way grants
- Plats and replats of subdivisions
The Clerk’s official records search works at okeechobeecclerk.com under the “Official Records” link. You can search by name, document type, or recording date. A statewide search at myfloridacounty.com lets you pull records from any Florida county, including Okeechobee.
Property records, such as parcel data, owner data, land size, building size, and assessed value, sit with the Okeechobee County Property Appraiser at okeechobeepa.com. Tax records and payment history sit with the Okeechobee County Tax Collector at okeechobeetax.com. These offices run separate systems from the Clerk’s office.
Okeechobee County Arrest Records
Okeechobee County arrest records are public files kept by the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office. Each arrest produces a written report. The report names the person arrested, lists the charges, and gives the date, time, and location of the arrest. The report also shows the arresting officer and the booking number tied to the jail.
Florida law treats arrest records as public once the arrest ends. Active investigations can keep some details closed. The Sheriff’s Office can withhold information that might hurt an open case, but the fact that an arrest happened is almost always public.
The Okeechobee County arrest log covers arrests made by the Sheriff’s Office, the Okeechobee Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, and any other law enforcement agency that works in the county. The arrest log updates each business day.
What Arrest Records Include
A standard Okeechobee County arrest record shows the following fields:
- Full name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Race and sex
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Home address on file
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Charges, including Florida statute numbers and charge level (felony or misdemeanor)
- Booking number
- Bond amount and bond type (cash, surety, or no bond)
- Arresting officer’s name and badge number
- Arresting agency
- Holding facility
Where to Find Arrest Records
Three main sources hold Okeechobee County arrest records:
- Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office – The Sheriff keeps the most complete record set. Call (863) 763-3117 or visit 504 NW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The records desk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Okeechobee County Jail – The jail sits at the same address as the Sheriff’s Office. Jail staff can confirm current inmates and recent bookings.
- Third-party websites – Private sites collect booking data from county sources. These sites charge fees. They may have older data. They are not official sources.
For official records, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly. The Sheriff’s Office provides records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. You can ask in person, by phone, by email, or by mail. Most arrest record requests are filled within 1 to 3 business days.
The Booking Process in Okeechobee County
When a person is arrested in Okeechobee County, the Sheriff’s Office books the person at the Okeechobee County Jail. The booking process includes a set of standard steps:
- The officer transports the arrestee to the jail intake area.
- Staff records personal data, including name, date of birth, and address.
- Staff searches the arrestee and takes inventory of personal items.
- Staff photographs the arrestee (the front and side mugshots).
- Staff takes fingerprints and palm prints.
- Staff runs a background check through state and federal databases.
- Staff performs a medical screening and mental health check.
- Staff assigns a housing unit based on charge level and medical needs.
- The arrestee appears before a judge for first appearance, usually within 24 hours.
The first appearance happens before a county court judge. The judge decides on bond and possible release conditions. For many misdemeanor charges, the judge may release the arrestee on a signature bond or a small cash bond.
Booking records, including photos and fingerprints, sit in the Sheriff’s Office records system. These records become part of the arrest record. The arrest record stays public unless a court orders the record sealed or expunged.
Okeechobee County Jail Roster and Inmate Search
The Okeechobee County Jail sits at 504 NW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972. The jail runs under the Sheriff’s Office. As of 2026, the jail holds local arrestees and inmates serving short county sentences. The jail also holds state inmates on county contract from the Florida Department of Corrections.
The Sheriff’s Office maintains a jail roster. The roster lists current inmates in the facility. The roster shows each inmate’s name, booking date, charges, and bond. The roster updates each business day. The roster sits on the Sheriff’s Office website at okeechobeesheriff.org.
To search the Okeechobee County inmate roster:
- Visit okeechobeesheriff.org.
- Click the “Jail” or “Inmate Roster” link on the main page.
- Search by last name or by booking date.
- View the inmate’s photo, charges, bond, and next court date.
If the online roster is down or shows no data, call the jail records desk at (863) 763-3117. Staff can confirm if a person sits in custody. Staff can give the booking date and the inmate’s housing unit.
The Florida Department of Corrections (DC) handles state prison inmates. State prison inmates sit in facilities like Okeechobee Correctional Institution. The DC inmate search at dc.state.fl.us covers state inmates, not county jail inmates. The two systems do not share data in real time.
Okeechobee County Mugshots
A mugshot is a photo taken at booking. Okeechobee County takes two photos of each arrestee: a front view and a side view. These photos sit in the arrest record. The photos stay public unless a court seals the case.
Florida law changed in 2024 with HB 1619. The law limits mugshot publishing sites from charging fees for removal. The law does not block the Sheriff from posting booking photos on the agency website. Local agencies can keep their own mugshot policy.
To see a mugshot in Okeechobee County:
- Check the Sheriff’s Office online inmate roster
- Request the booking photo through a public records request
- Visit the jail in person during business hours
- Use approved third-party sites that show booking photos
Minors do not show mugshots. Sealed cases do not show mugshots. Active sex offense cases may block mugshot release under Section 119.071 of Florida Statutes. Sealed or expunged records require a court order before they can be released to the public.
Okeechobee County Warrant Search
An active arrest warrant lets law enforcement take a person into custody. Okeechobee County warrants sit in a state database run by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The Sheriff’s Office also keeps a local warrant list.
To check if a warrant is active in Okeechobee County:
- Call the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office at (863) 763-3117 and ask the records desk.
- Visit the Sheriff’s Office in person at 504 NW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972.
- Run a name check on the FDLE public records portal at fdle.state.fl.us.
- Check the Clerk of Court case search for open criminal cases.
Warrants for felony charges often show up in the FDLE system. Warrants for misdemeanor charges may sit only in the local system. A no-bond warrant means the person must stay in jail until the court hears the case.
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office serves as the main law enforcement agency. The current Sheriff is Noel E. Stephen. The Sheriff oversees patrol, investigations, civil process, and the county jail. The Sheriff also serves as the county’s court security officer.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Sheriff | Noel E. Stephen |
| Address | 504 NW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 |
| Phone | (863) 763-3117 |
| Website | okeechobeesheriff.org |
| Office Hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
The Sheriff’s Office keeps these record types:
- Arrest records and booking reports
- Incident reports and offense reports
- Call logs and dispatch records
- Traffic crash reports
- Warrant records
- Civil process records
- Jail and inmate records
- Concealed weapon license records (until the state took over the program in 2023)
Most records cost $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. The first 15 minutes of staff research time carry no charge. After that, the agency charges the hourly rate of the staff member who does the work.
Civil vs Criminal Records in Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County holds both civil and criminal records. The two types serve different purposes and follow different rules.
Criminal records cover arrests, charges, and convictions. The Sheriff’s Office keeps the arrest side. The Clerk of Court keeps the court side. Criminal records can affect employment, housing, and firearm rights. Sealing or expungement is possible for some criminal records under Florida law.
Civil records cover disputes between people or businesses. Civil cases include contract disputes, small claims, evictions, and personal injury lawsuits. Civil records are public, but sealed civil records exist in some cases such as adoption or trade secret lawsuits.
Both civil and criminal records sit with the Okeechobee County Clerk of Court. Both record types can be searched at okeechobeecclerk.com.
How to Submit a Public Records Request
Florida law does not require a special form. You can ask in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. Be specific so the agency can pull the right records. Vague requests slow down the process.
Include these details in your request:
- The names of people involved (if known)
- The type of record (arrest, court, property, etc.)
- The date range you need
- Case number, booking number, or instrument number (if you have one)
- Your contact information for follow-up
For Okeechobee County arrest records, write or call:
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Records Section
504 NW 4th Street
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-3117
For court records, contact the Clerk’s office at the address listed above. The Clerk can also process records requests through its website at okeechobeecclerk.com.
Agencies must respond in a reasonable time. Simple requests often get filled in days. Large or old records can take weeks. The agency can charge for research time past the first 15 minutes. The agency can also ask for payment in advance for large jobs.
Fees and Copy Costs
Florida law sets the fees for public records copies. The fee structure applies to all Florida agencies, including Okeechobee County offices.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-sided copy | $0.15 per page |
| Double-sided copy | $0.20 per page |
| Certified copy of official record | $1.00 per page plus $5.00 certification fee |
| Court certified copy | $1.00 per page |
| Staff research (after first 15 minutes) | Hourly rate of staff member doing the work |
| Online records (viewable and downloadable) | No charge in most cases |
| Body camera footage | Actual cost of redaction and duplication |
Victims of certain crimes can get free copies of records tied to their case. Ask the agency about fee waivers when you submit your request. The Clerk’s office accepts cash, check, money order, and most major credit cards.
Background Checks and Criminal History
Okeechobee County does not run its own background check service. People who need a criminal history check should use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) or the FBI. FDLE runs a name-based check on Florida arrests. The FBI runs a national check that includes out-of-state arrests.
To run a Florida criminal history check:
- Visit the FDLE Civil Workflow System at cch.fdle.state.fl.us.
- Create an account or use a public kiosk.
- Pay the $24.00 fee for a name check.
- Get the report by email or mail.
For a national check, contact an FBI-approved channeler or visit a local law enforcement office for fingerprinting. The Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office offers live scan fingerprinting for a fee. The Sheriff’s Office also provides fingerprinting for licensing, employment, and immigration purposes.
Records Retention and Sealing
Florida law sets retention schedules for public records. The Florida Department of State sets these schedules in the General Records Schedule. Some records must be kept forever. Some records can be destroyed after a set time.
Criminal case files are kept for 75 years after the case closes. Arrest records and booking photos are kept for the same period. Property records are kept forever. Court financial records are kept for 10 years.
Sealing and expungement are two ways to close a criminal record. Sealing keeps the record but blocks public view. Expungement destroys the record from public view. Both require a court order. The Clerk of Court handles petitions to seal or expunge. The State Attorney’s Office must sign off on most petitions.
Eligible charges under Florida law include some misdemeanors, some felonies, and most first-time non-violent offenses. People with prior convictions do not qualify. People with certain serious charges, such as sexual battery, do not qualify.
Contact Information Summary
Okeechobee County Clerk and Comptroller
Address: 312 NW Third Street, Suite 101, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-2131
Website: okeechobeecclerk.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 504 NW 4th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-3117
Website: okeechobeesheriff.org
Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Okeechobee County Property Appraiser
Address: 307 NW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-4422
Website: okeechobeepa.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Okeechobee County Tax Collector
Address: 307 NW 5th Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-3421
Website: okeechobeetax.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Florida Attorney General Open Government Mediation
Phone: (850) 245-0140
Website: myfloridalegal.com/open-government
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
Phone: (850) 410-7000
Website: fdle.state.fl.us
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover common topics about Okeechobee County arrest and public records. The answers come from Florida law, the Clerk of Court, and the Sheriff’s Office.
How do I find out if someone is in Okeechobee County Jail right now?
Call the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office at (863) 763-3117. The records desk can confirm custody. You can also check the online inmate roster on the Sheriff’s website at okeechobeesheriff.org. Search by last name. The roster shows booking date, charges, bond, and next court date. The roster updates each business day. If the online system is down, call the jail records desk directly during business hours.
Are Okeechobee County arrest records free to view online?
Online records cost nothing to view in most cases. Printed copies cost $0.15 per single-sided page and $0.20 per double-sided page. Certified copies of arrest affidavits may cost more. The first 15 minutes of staff research time are free. After that, the agency charges the hourly rate of the staff member doing the work. Online records from third-party sites often charge separate fees and may have older data.
Can I remove my mugshot from Okeechobee County websites?
Florida law (HB 1619, 2024) lets you ask mugshot publishing sites to remove your photo and stop charging removal fees. The Sheriff’s Office has its own policy for the inmate roster. You can file a request with the Sheriff’s records unit. Sealed or expunged cases can also be removed from public view. Minors do not show mugshots under Florida law.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a court record?
An arrest record is the police report from the arrest. It covers the facts the officer saw or learned. A court record covers the case filed in court. An arrest can happen without charges. Court records start once the State Attorney files charges. Both are public in Okeechobee County. The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records. The Clerk of Court keeps court records.
How long does it take to get records from the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office?
Simple arrest record requests take 1 to 3 business days. Large requests can take 2 to 4 weeks. Body camera footage, 911 calls, and forensic reports take longer. The agency will give you a timeline when you submit the request. You can also pay an extra fee for a faster turnaround. The agency must respond in a reasonable time under Florida law.
Do I need to give my name to request public records in Okeechobee County?
No. Florida law does not require you to give your name or a reason for your request. You can ask for records in person, by phone, by mail, or by email. Some agencies ask for contact information so they can send the records back to you or follow up with questions. You can use a P.O. box or a friend’s address if you want to keep your address private.
Can I get sealed or expunged records in Okeechobee County?
No. Sealed records are closed to the public. Expunged records are destroyed from public view. Only the person named in the record, their lawyer, and a few state agencies can see them. The Clerk’s office handles seal and expunge petitions. You must file a petition with the court, get a signed order from the judge, and pay the processing fee. Most seal and expunge cases take 3 to 6 months to finish.