Hendry County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Hendry County?

Public records in Hendry County encompass all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material made or received in connection with official government business. Under Florida Statutes § 119.011, the term "public record" is broadly defined to include any material regardless of physical form or characteristics that is made or received by a public agency in the course of its official duties.

The following categories of records are currently available to members of the public in Hendry County:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Hendry County Circuit Court, part of Florida's Twentieth Judicial Circuit, holds these records at the courthouse in LaBelle.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are recorded with the Clerk of Court and the Hendry County Property Appraiser.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health. Divorce and dissolution of marriage certificates from June 6, 1927, to present are available through the Florida Department of Health, having been recorded by the clerk of court. The Florida Department of Health in Hendry County serves as the local point of contact for vital statistics requests.
Business records — Occupational licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by the Hendry County Tax Collector and the Florida Division of Corporations.
Tax records — Property tax bills and assessment records are held by the Hendry County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data, election results, and related documents are maintained by the Hendry County Supervisor of Elections. The Hendry County Elections Office public records request policy requires that requests be submitted in writing identifying the specific record sought.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Board of County Commission minutes, agendas, and supporting documents are maintained by the County Administrator's Office and the Clerk of Court.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and expenditure reports are available through the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, may be obtained through the Hendry County Sheriff's Office or through Clewiston Police Department records services.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, land use plans, and permit applications are maintained by the Hendry County Planning and Zoning Department.

Is Hendry County an Open Records County?

Hendry County fully complies with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine laws, which are among the broadest open records frameworks in the United States. Under Florida Statutes § 119.07, every person who has custody of a public record shall permit the record to be inspected and examined by any person desiring to do so, at any reasonable time, under reasonable conditions, and under supervision by the custodian of the public record. This statute further requires that the custodian furnish a copy or certified copy of the record upon payment of the applicable fee.

Florida's Public Records Law, commonly referred to as Chapter 119, establishes that all state, county, and municipal records are open for personal inspection by any person unless specifically exempted by the Legislature. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's public records request framework reflects this statewide standard, noting that all government records are subject to established retention schedules. Hendry County agencies operate in accordance with these statewide provisions and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those authorized by state law. The Florida Sunshine Law, codified at Florida Statutes § 286.011, further requires that all meetings of public boards and commissions be open to the public, with minutes recorded and made available.

How to Find Public Records in Hendry County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Hendry County public records through several channels currently available. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial agency. Determine which office maintains the record being sought. Court records are held by the Clerk of Circuit Court; property records by the Property Appraiser or Clerk; vital records by the Florida Department of Health; and law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office or municipal police department.
Submit a written request. Although Florida law does not require a written request for most records, submitting one in writing creates a clear record of the request. The Hendry County Elections Office, for example, requires written requests identifying the specific public record sought.
Submit in person, by mail, or electronically. Requests may be delivered to the relevant agency's public counter during business hours, mailed to the agency's address, or submitted via email where the agency accepts electronic requests.
Provide sufficient description. Requestors should describe the record with enough specificity to allow the custodian to locate it. No reason or justification is required under Florida law.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that the record is available, the requestor pays any applicable copying or service fees before receiving the documents.
Access federal court records. For federal matters involving Hendry County, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida serves the county from its Fort Myers courthouse and maintains federal case records accessible through the PACER system.
Seek legal assistance if needed. Individuals who require guidance navigating the records request process may access Florida Rural Legal Services, which currently serves Hendry County among thirteen Florida counties.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hendry County?

Standard fees for public records in Hendry County are governed by Florida Statutes § 119.07(4), which establishes the maximum charges custodians may impose. Current fees applicable to most Hendry County agencies are as follows:

Single-sided copies (up to 8½ × 14 inches): $0.15 per page
Double-sided copies: $0.20 per page
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; court-certified copies are typically $1.00 per page plus a certification fee
Extensive use fee: When a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or clerical or supervisory assistance, the agency may charge a reasonable service charge based on the actual cost incurred
Electronic records: Duplication costs for records provided in electronic format are based on the actual cost of the medium used

Accepted payment methods vary by agency but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card at offices equipped to accept card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established under Florida law for standard public records requests; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees for nominal requests. Vital records such as birth and death certificates carry separate statutory fees set by the Florida Department of Health.

Does Hendry County Have Free Public Records?

Florida law expressly provides that any person may inspect public records free of charge. Under current law, the right to inspect a record in person does not require payment of any fee; charges apply only when copies or certified reproductions are requested. The following government resources currently provide free access to Hendry County public records:

In-person inspection at the Hendry County Clerk of Circuit Court, where members of the public may review court filings, property records, and official documents without charge during regular business hours
Hendry County Property Appraiser's online portal, which provides free access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps
Florida Department of State Division of Corporations (Sunbiz.org), which offers free online searches of business entity registrations and fictitious name filings
Hendry County Tax Collector's online portal, which provides free access to property tax payment history and current tax bill information
Driver license and motor vehicle records may be reviewed through the Hendry County FLHSMV service center, subject to applicable statutory access restrictions

Who Can Request Public Records in Hendry County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to inspect and copy public records maintained by Hendry County agencies. Florida's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the requestor's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Hendry County and non-residents of Florida retain full rights to request public records.
Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not condition access to public records on the requestor providing identification, except in limited circumstances involving records that require verification of eligibility (such as certain law enforcement or juvenile records).
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not obligated to explain why they seek a particular record for the vast majority of record types.
Requesting records about oneself vs. others. Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, follow the same general process. Certain records pertaining to third parties, such as sealed court files or protected personal information, remain subject to statutory exemptions regardless of who is requesting them.
Attorneys and media representatives have the same rights as members of the general public under Florida law, though certain agencies maintain specific procedures for media inquiries.

What Records Are Confidential in Hendry County?

Not all government records in Hendry County are subject to public disclosure. Florida Statutes § 119.071 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the general public access requirement. The following records are currently classified as confidential or exempt:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings are confidential under Florida law
Active criminal investigation records — Documents that would reveal the identity of a confidential informant or compromise an ongoing investigation are exempt
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar financial data are redacted from publicly released documents
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both Florida law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Records pertaining to adoption proceedings are sealed and not available to the general public
Child welfare and protective services records — Case files maintained by the Department of Children and Families are confidential
Personnel records — Certain employee records, including home addresses and personal information of public employees, are exempt, though disciplinary records and employment history generally remain public
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted as part of a government contract or application, such information may qualify for exemption
Security plans and infrastructure details — Records revealing vulnerabilities in critical public infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

Agencies applying exemptions are required to identify the specific statutory basis for withholding any portion of a requested record and to release any non-exempt portions that can be separated from exempt material.

Hendry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller serves as the official recorder of public records in Hendry County, maintaining court records, official records, and related documents.

Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, FL 33935 (863) 675-5217 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding state holidays) Hendry County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Florida Department of Health in Hendry County (vital records) 520 W. Cowboy Way, LaBelle, FL 33935 (863) 674-4001 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Florida Department of Health in Hendry County

Hendry County Supervisor of Elections 25 E. Hickpochee Avenue, Suite 107, LaBelle, FL 33935 (863) 675-5230 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hendry County Supervisor of Elections

Hendry County Sheriff's Office 1100 Olympia Ave, Clewiston, FL 33440 (863) 674-5600 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hendry County Sheriff's Office

Clewiston Police Department — Records Services 115 W. Ventura Avenue, Clewiston, FL 33440 (863) 983-1474 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Clewiston Police Department Records Services

Hendry County FLHSMV Service Center (driver license and motor vehicle records) 825 E. Cowboy Way, LaBelle, FL 33935 (863) 675-0925 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Hendry County Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

U.S. District Court — Middle District of Florida (federal records) 2110 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (239) 461-2000 Middle District of Florida United States District Court