Glades County Background Check Records

Glades County background check records are held by the Clerk of Court in Moore Haven and by state agencies including FDLE. This rural county in south central Florida has a population of about 14,000. Court records, criminal filings, and public documents are all on file at the clerk's office and can be searched by anyone. A background check in Glades County typically starts with the local clerk for court case data or with FDLE for statewide criminal history. Using both sources together gives you the most complete view of what is available for any person with records in Glades County.

Glades County Clerk of Court

The Glades County Clerk of Court is the local office for court records and public filings. Tami Pearce Simmons serves as the clerk. The office sits at 500 Ave J, Room 102, in Moore Haven. You can reach them at (863) 946-6010 to ask about records or hours. Staff at the Glades County courthouse can help you search for criminal cases, civil filings, and other records that feed into a background check.

Glades County is one of the least populated counties in Florida. That means the volume of court records is small compared to urban areas. Searches tend to be quick. The clerk's website at gladesclerk.com has some online tools for looking up case records. You can search by name or case number without going to Moore Haven in person. For full document copies from Glades County, you may need to visit the office or send a written request.

The Glades County Clerk of Court website and its records tools are shown below.

Use the clerk's online tools to look up court records in Glades County.

Note: Glades County has a small staff, so calling before you visit is a smart move to make sure someone can help you when you arrive.

Searching for Background Check Records in Glades County

Two main paths exist for running a background check in Glades County. The first is through the clerk's office and its case search tools. The second is through FDLE, which runs the state criminal history database. The clerk has local court records. FDLE has statewide data. For a thorough Glades County background check, it makes sense to check both.

To search in person, go to the courthouse at 500 Ave J in Moore Haven. Bring a valid ID. Give the clerk the name you want to look up. They can pull case records and print what they find. The MyFloridaCounty portal also lets you search official records from any Florida county online, including Glades. It covers documents like liens, deeds, and judgments. This is a free tool. Florida law under Chapter 119 makes all public records open to anyone. You do not need to explain why you want them.

For a statewide criminal history check, go to CCHInet and submit a name-based request. The fee is $24. Results arrive in about a day. This Level 1 check shows all criminal history FDLE has on file for a person across the whole state. If records exist in Glades County or anywhere else in Florida, they show up.

What a Glades County Background Check Costs

Fees for a background check in Glades County vary by source and type. FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history check. That fee is the same no matter which county you are in. You pay through the FDLE criminal history records page online. A fingerprint-based Level 2 check costs more, and the exact amount depends on the requesting agency.

The Glades County Clerk charges copy fees for court documents. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page. If you need a certified copy for court or legal purposes, the clerk's office in Moore Haven can provide it during business hours. Searching case records online does not cost anything.

• FDLE state check (Level 1): $24.00
• Plain copy from clerk: $0.15 per page
• Certified copy: $1.00 per page
• Online case search: Free

Public Records in Glades County

Florida's public records laws give everyone the right to see government records. Under Chapter 119, you can ask for public records from any Glades County office. You do not need to be a resident. You do not need to explain your reasons. The clerk must provide access. This applies to court files, police reports, and most government documents on file in Glades County. Only sealed or exempt records are off limits.

If a Glades County office refuses to give you records, the Attorney General's Open Government page can help. The AG's office handles disputes when agencies block access to public records. They can step in and make sure the law is followed. This is a good resource if your background check request gets stuck at any point.

Note: Records that have been sealed or expunged by a court order cannot be released through a public records request in Glades County.

Types of Background Checks in Glades County

Florida law creates two main levels. Both work the same way in Glades County as in any other part of the state. A Level 1 check is name-based. It searches FDLE's database for arrests, charges, and case outcomes statewide. Results come back fast. Most are ready in about 24 hours. This is the type most people use when they need a quick background check in Glades County.

A Level 2 check needs fingerprints. It runs through both FDLE and the FBI, pulling national records. Chapter 435 of Florida Statutes requires this for certain positions that involve trust or care of others. You must get fingerprinted at an approved location. Check the FDLE LiveScan vendor list to find a site near Moore Haven. Since Glades County is rural, the nearest provider may be in a neighboring county.

The VECHS program is another option. Run by FDLE under Chapter 943, it lets approved organizations check criminal history for people who serve children, seniors, or those with disabilities. This applies throughout Glades County and the rest of the state.

How to Get Copies of Glades County Records

Visit the Glades County Clerk at 500 Ave J in Moore Haven to get copies of court records. Tell the staff what file you need. They will pull it and print copies for you. Bring cash or a check for the fees. You can verify office details through the Find a Clerk directory before making the trip.

Mail requests work too. Write to the Glades County clerk with the person's full name, date of birth if known, and the type of record you want. Send payment for the expected copy fees. The clerk mails back the documents. This takes longer but is an option if Moore Haven is not close to you. For FDLE records, go online to CCHInet, pay the $24 fee, and get results by email.

Cities in Glades County

Glades County has very few incorporated areas. Moore Haven is the county seat and the main town. All court records for Glades County communities go through the clerk's office in Moore Haven. Background checks involving local court data are handled by the same office. Buckhead Ridge and Palmdale are other areas within Glades County, but they are unincorporated and also fall under the Glades County clerk for records purposes.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Glades County. Each one has its own clerk office and court records. If the person you are checking lived in a neighboring area, you may need to search that county too.