Glades County Family Law Court Records

Glades County family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Moore Haven. The county is located in south central Florida near Lake Okeechobee. The 20th Judicial Circuit presides over all family law cases here. Records include divorce filings, child custody orders, and domestic violence petitions. The Clerk's office on Avenue J provides access to these public documents.

Glades County Clerk of Court Office

The Glades County Clerk of Court serves as the official custodian for all family court records in this rural south central Florida county, maintaining comprehensive archives for cases filed in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The office is located on Avenue J in Moore Haven, processing filings and providing public access to records while ensuring that sealed materials and confidential information remain protected as required by Florida law. Staff members handle new case intake, maintain ongoing dockets, and assist the public with record searches during regular business hours.

The clerk's office serves Glades County's rural community, providing residents with access to divorce records, custody orders, adoption files, and domestic violence documentation. Visitors can examine case files in person, request certified copies for legal proceedings, and receive assistance from staff who understand the specific procedures governing family court records in the 20th Judicial Circuit.

How to Access Glades County Family Court Records

You can access family court records in Glades County through several channels designed to meet different research needs. Visiting the Moore Haven office provides complete access to case files, allowing you to examine entire folders from beginning to end. Staff will assist with locating specific documents and can provide certified copies for official purposes. Bring valid identification when visiting the office.

The Glades County Clerk website provides information about court services, office hours, and contact details. The site may offer links to record search tools. Checking the website before your visit can help confirm what you need and streamline your research process.

For statewide record access, MyFloridaCourtAccess.com offers a portal connecting to courts throughout Florida. This system enables searches across multiple jurisdictions, maintained by the Florida Courts eFiling Authority as part of the state's modernized court administration infrastructure.

Types of Family Court Records in Glades County

Family courts in Glades County handle various case types, each creating records that the clerk preserves for public access unless sealed by judicial order. Dissolution of marriage cases are a major part of family court work, with files including the petition starting the divorce, financial affidavits showing each spouse's income and property, settlement agreements documenting the parties' decisions, and the final judgment ending the marriage. Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes governs these proceedings.

Child custody cases produce extensive records including parenting plans establishing where children will reside, time-sharing schedules defining each parent's time with children, and support calculations following Florida's guidelines. The Florida Department of Revenue helps enforce support orders across Florida.

Domestic violence cases move quickly through the courts. Florida Statute 741.30 addresses protective orders, allowing temporary injunctions to be issued immediately when danger is shown, with full hearings required within 15 days. All proceedings are recorded and filed as public records.

Public Access to Glades County Family Court Records

Florida law ensures public access to court records under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, which establishes that state and county records must be open for inspection. This applies to family court files in Glades County, supporting the state's commitment to governmental transparency.

Certain information remains protected by law. Section 119.0714 specifies restrictions on court files, keeping social security numbers and financial account numbers confidential. Cases involving minors may have sealed portions, and the clerk automatically redacts sensitive information. Adoption records receive special protection and are sealed when finalized, with access limited to case parties only.

Electronic Filing in Glades County Family Court

Florida courts use electronic filing for most cases, allowing attorneys and self-represented parties to submit documents online. The e-filing portal creates a digital record of all submissions and stores filed documents for public access. The Florida Courts eFiling Authority maintains this system.

The e-filing portal enables electronic document filing and access to court records in Glades County.

Not all older cases are in the electronic system. Records from before e-filing may exist in paper form only. The clerk can help locate these older files, some of which may have been scanned into the digital archive.

20th Judicial Circuit Family Court Information

Glades County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, covering five counties in southwest Florida. Family law cases are heard by circuit court judges who preside over divorce trials, custody hearings, adoption petitions, and domestic violence matters. The circuit maintains courthouses in each county.

Each county keeps its own records separately. Glades County files remain in Moore Haven and cannot be accessed from other circuit counties. The Moore Haven staff understands local procedures and can help navigate the record request process.

The 20th Judicial Circuit follows Florida law for all cases. Local rules may have minor variations between counties. Court personnel can explain filing requirements and access procedures.

Nearby Counties in the 20th Judicial Circuit

These counties share the 20th Judicial Circuit with Glades County. Each maintains its own clerk's office for family court records. Procedures follow similar patterns throughout the circuit.