US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 12055

Highlands County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Highlands County, Florida. Serving a population of 107.614 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Sebring • Land Area: 1017,66 sq mi • State: Florida (FL)
Call: (850) 735-9805 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Highlands County Courthouse / Recording Office, Sebring, FL 33870

Seat of government for Highlands County in Sebring, FL.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(850) 735-9805

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 12055 • Coordinates: 27.3411° N, -81.3424° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Highlands County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
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Land Records & Real Property

Highlands County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by Fla. Stat. § 28.24 & § 201.02
First Page Base Fee
$10.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$8.50
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$0.70 per $100 ($0.60 in Miami-Dade) Documentary Stamp Tax
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in Florida:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Highlands County

License Fee $86.00 ($61.00 with premarital course completion)
Waiting Period 72 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 60 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Highlands County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: 3-day waiting period for Florida residents waived if verified 4-hour premarital course is taken.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $15.00
Death Cert $10.00
Marriage Cert $15.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics and the local Highlands County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Highlands County

Filing Fee: $50.00
1. Filing Authority

In Highlands County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz.org).

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in Florida.

3. State Rules & Notice

Fictitious names in Florida must be registered with the State Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org after advertising once in a local newspaper.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Highlands County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Highlands County Florida Department of State (Sunbiz.org). Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in Florida.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
Florida Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official Florida Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with Florida county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get Florida Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in Florida

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring Florida recording offices:

Okeechobee County Seat: Okeechobee
~28.1 mi →
Glades County Seat: Moore Haven
~28.3 mi →
DeSoto County Seat: Arcadia
~30.3 mi →
Hardee County Seat: Wauchula
~31.2 mi →
Polk County Seat: Bartow
~47.5 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Highlands County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Highlands County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Highlands County office is located at Highlands County Courthouse / Recording Office, Sebring, FL 33870. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (850) 735-9805.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Highlands County?
Under Florida statute (Fla. Stat. § 28.24 & § 201.02), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Highlands County costs $10.00 for the first page, plus $8.50 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $0.70 per $100 ($0.60 in Miami-Dade) Documentary Stamp Tax.
How do I obtain a marriage license in Highlands County, FL?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Highlands County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $86.00 ($61.00 with premarital course completion). Florida requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Highlands County?
In Highlands County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz.org) with a standard statutory filing fee of $50.00. Fictitious names in Florida must be registered with the State Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org after advertising once in a local newspaper.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Highlands County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $15.00 and death certificates starting at $10.00) can be requested through the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics or directly at the Highlands County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.