Legislative Issues
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.
Notice #2 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
"Any person preparing or filing a court document should not include a social security number or a complete bank account, debit, charge, or credit card number in such document, unless required by law or court rule, or necessary to the adjudication of the case.
Any person has a right to request that the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller remove from an image or copy of a court document a social security number or complete bank account, debit, charge, or credit card number contained in a court document. Such request must be made in writing and delivered by mail, facsimile, electronic transmission, or in person to the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. The request must specify the case number, the title of the document, and the identification page number of the document which contains the number to be redacted. A fee will not be charged for the redaction of a social security number or a complete bank account, debit, charge, or credit card number pursuant to such a request."
Click Here To Access FormContact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #3 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
On or after October 1, 2002, any person preparing or filing a document for recording in the Official Record may not include a social security number in such document unless required by law.
Any person has the right to request the Clerk/County Recorder to redact/remove his or her social security number from an image or copy of an Official Record that has been placed on such Clerk's/County Recorder's publicly available Internet website.
The request must be legibly written, signed and delivered in person, by mail or facsimile to the Clerk/County Recorder. The request must specify the identification page number that contains the social security number. No fee is charged for this service.
Click Here To Access FormContact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #4 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
In recognition that there is sensitive information contained in a military discharge document, the Clerks and Comptroller of Florida have worked to assist in the passage of SB 24-E as passed in 2002 E Special Legislature Session to prevent identity theft and keep the veteran's personal information protected.
Any veteran of the United States Armed Forces or his or her widow or widower, attorney, personal representative, executor, or court-appointed guardian has the right to request the Clerk/County Recorder to remove from the Official Records any military-separation forms recorded by or on behalf of the requesting veteran. The forms eligible for removal include: DD-214; DD-215; WD AGO 53; WD AGO 55; WD AGO 53-55; NAVMC 78-PD; AND NAVPERS 553.
The request must be made in person at the Clerk/County Recorder's Office. The requestor must present appropriate identification and be able to specify the identification page number of the form to be removed. No fee is charged for the service.
Please be advised that once your request for removal is implemented, there will no longer be a record of the document in the Official Records and such process will be permanent and irreversible. Please obtain as many certified copies of your separation document as you might need in the future before removal is made.
Click Here To Access FormContact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #5 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Effective June 5, 2002
Prior to the implementation of a Florida Law which requires that images of the County Official Records be published on the Internet by 2006, the Clerk (or Comptroller) was instrumental in assisting the Legislature in developing measures to protect the most sensitive types of information belonging to the public.
Upon becoming law, CS/HB 1679 provides that images of the following types of documents may not be placed on a "publicly available Internet website" with a recorded date of June 5, 2002, or later:
Military Discharge Death Certificates Court files, records of paper relating to matters or cases governed by: The Florida Rules of Family Law The Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure The Florida Rules of Probate. Any "affected person" may request that the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller or County Recorder remove an image of one of the above-listed documents from the Clerk's "publicly available Internet website" This request must be in writing and may be delivered in person, by mail or facsimile. The request must specify the "identification" page number of the document to be removed. Forms are available in our office, upon request, to assist you.
No fee is charged for this service.
Florida Law requires that images and copies of the above listed documents remain on file and available to the public upon request in the office of the Clerk/County Recorder.
Click Here to Access FormContact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #6 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Effective September 17, 2009
To request information on our website that is not publicly available, and in accordance with Florida Statute 119.071 sections (5)(a)(5) and (5)(a)(8), please fill out the form below. We will then email you the login and password, upon receipt of your request.
Please note: The login and password are given to everyone submitting a Request form for Commercial Entities that qualifies, and are not for personal use.
Click here to access forms.Contact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #7 - a public service announcement from the Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Effective October 1, 2010
Effective October 1, 2010 the amendment to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 will take effect. Below is the new form to meet these requirements.
Click Here To Access FormContact: Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller, 590 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870
Notice #8- Notice of amended legislation in HB 1419 Real Property Fraud affecting Section 695.26, Florida Statutes, regarding “Requirements for recording instruments affecting real property.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Clerk will not record an instrument by which title to real property or interest is conveyed, assigned, encumbered, or disposed unless:
- The name of each witness is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped immediately beneath the signature of the witness;
- The post office address of each witness is legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on each instrument.
