About Glades County
Glades County, located in south-central Florida, is one of the state's most rural and least populated counties, covering approximately 806 square miles. Glades County Seat is Moore Haven, a small city situated along the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee. With a population of approximately 12,000 to 14,000 residents, Glades County maintains its agricultural heritage and small-town character. Glades County was created in 1921 from DeSoto County and is named for the Everglades, which begins in Glades County.
Major landmarks include Lake Okeechobee, the largest freshwater lake in Florida and the second-largest in the contiguous United States, and the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area, a pristine wilderness area popular for outdoor recreation. The economy is predominantly agricultural, with cattle ranching and sugarcane production being major industries. Glades County Courthouse is located at 997 US Highway 27 in Moore Haven, housing Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court, which maintains public records including court documents, official records, and marriage licenses.
Glades County Property Appraiser's office, responsible for assessing property values, is located at 1002 US Highway 27 in Moore Haven. What makes Glades County unique is its frontier atmosphere, vast open spaces, working ranches, and its position as a path to the Everglades ecosystem, offering People an authentic Old Florida experience largely unchanged by modern development.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Glades County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order within Glades County. It patrols the unincorporated areas, runs Glades County Detention Center, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is focused on public safety and offers various community programs meant to crime prevention and community engagement. The Sheriff's Office also has specialized divisions that handle investigations, traffic enforcement, and emergency response, contributing to the overall safety and security of Glades County residents.
Police Departments
In addition to Glades County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement in Glades County includes the Moore Haven Police Department, which serves the city of Moore Haven. These agencies work together to address crime and ensure public safety within their respective jurisdictions. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement duties in unincorporated areas, while the Moore Haven Police Department focuses on city-specific issues. Coordination between these agencies is crucial for managing major crimes and emergency situations, making sure of a full approach to law enforcement across Glades County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Glades County Sheriff's Office, located at 1297 East SR 78 in Moore Haven, Florida 33471, is the primary law enforcement agency for the entire county. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at and maintains a website at gladessheriff.org. The agency provides full law enforcement services including patrol, criminal investigations, and detention services. Glades County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same address, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Because Glades County has no incorporated municipalities with their own police departments, the Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services countywide.
- Under Florida's full public records law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, specifically the Florida Sunshine Law, arrest records are public documents and can be requested from the Sheriff's Office.
- Requests can be made in person at the Sheriff's Office, in writing, or by phone.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records in Florida and are often available through the jail's online inmate search system or upon request.
- Processing fees may apply for copying and research time.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Glades County includes various types of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Glades County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Court maintain these records, providing access to residents and legal professionals. Background checks in Florida can be conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which offers statewide criminal history information. The Florida Bureau of Investigation also helps with providing resources and support for criminal investigations and record-keeping in Glades County.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Glades County are maintained by Glades County Sheriff's Office. These records document the details of arrests made within Glades County, including the charges, arresting officer, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly, following the procedures outlined under the Florida Sunshine Law, which ensures public access to government records. A Glades County arrest record typically includes the individual's personal information, the nature of the charges, and the arrest date.
Jail & Inmate Records
Glades County Detention Center is the primary jail facility in Glades County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Glades County, where they are processed and held until they post bail or appear in court. Inmate lookup services are available to the public, allowing individuals to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules at the detention center require visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to specific guidelines.
- The bond and bail process follows Florida state laws, allowing detainees to secure release through cash bonds or bail bondsmen, with details available through the Sheriff's Office.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Glades County are taken and retained by Glades County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. Florida law allows for the publication of mugshots, but individuals may seek removal under certain conditions, such as expungement or dismissal of charges. The Sheriff's Office provides guidelines on how to search for and request mugshots, for public access and public access to these records.
Courts & Case Records
Glades County is served by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which includes Glades, Hendry, Collier, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Glades County Courthouse is located at 997 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471, and handles circuit court matters including felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $30,000, family law matters, probate, and appeals from county court. Glades County Court, also located at the same address, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, small claims up to $8,000, and civil cases up to $30,000.
- The Clerk's office charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 for each additional page, plus a $2.00 certification fee.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Court, serving as the official record keeper, can be reached for Court records are accessible under Florida's public records law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and Rule 2.420 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, which governs public access to judicial branch records. The Twentieth Judicial Circuit maintains an online case search portal accessible through the circuit's website at ca.cjis20.org, where users can search civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases by name, case number, or other identifying information. Some records may be sealed or confidential by law.
Walk-in researchers can access public case files during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Remote access through the online portal is available 24/7 for basic case information.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Glades County are maintained by Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court, serving as the Official Records Custodian, located at 997 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471. The Clerk's office can be reached for The Official Records Division maintains and records documents including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions of mortgage, liens, lis pendens, easements, declarations of condominium, plat maps, and other instruments affecting real property in Glades County.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be obtained from the Clerk's Official Records office for a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $0.15 for each additional page, plus $2.00 for certification.
- Glades County provides a GIS mapping system accessible through the Property Appraiser's website, offering aerial photography, parcel boundaries, and property information in an interactive format.
These records are indexed and available for public inspection under Florida Statutes Chapter 28, which governs the duties of the Clerk of Court. Glades County Property Appraiser's office, located at 1002 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone, maintains property assessment records, ownership information, and property characteristics. The Property Appraiser's website at gladespa.org offers a free online property search where users can look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel identification number, viewing assessment values, exemptions, sales history, and property characteristics.
Glades County Tax Collector, located at 1001 US Highway 27, Suite B, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone, maintains tax payment records and issues tax deeds.
Vital Records
Vital records for Glades County, Florida, are managed through multiple channels depending on the type of record and when the event occurred. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, and locally through Glades County Health Department. For birth certificates occurring in Glades County, applications can be submitted to the Florida Department of Health in Glades County, located at 1021 Health Park Drive, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone.
- Birth certificates cost $9 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously.
- Processing time is typically 2-3 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at Glades County health department may be processed faster if the record is readily available.
- Online ordering is available through the Florida Department of Health's VitalChek service at floridahealth.gov, with additional service fees applying.
- The fee is $86 if the couple does not complete a premarital preparation course, or $61 with completion of such a course.
- Divorce records (dissolution of marriage) are maintained by the Clerk of Court as court records and can be accessed through the court records system.
Death certificates are the same price. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship to the person named on the certificate, as Florida Statute 382.008 restricts access to immediate family members and legal representatives. Marriage licenses are issued by Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court at 997 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone.
There is a three-day waiting period unless waived. For vital records older than 100 years or when local access is unavailable, the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville is the central repository and can be contacted at.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Glades County are accessible through several agencies depending on the type of business activity. Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court, located at 997 US Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone, accepts and records fictitious name registrations (doing business as or DBA filings) as required under Florida Statute 865.09. These filings are public records and can be searched through the Clerk's Official Records.
- Building permits, zoning approvals, and land use applications are processed by Glades County Building Department and Planning and Zoning Department, located at 1001 US Highway 27, Suite A, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone.
- Glades County Chamber of Commerce, serving Moore Haven and surrounding areas, provides business support and networking opportunities and can be contacted for local business information.
For full business entity information including corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and trademarks registered in Florida, the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, maintains a free online searchable database at sunbiz.org where users can search by business name, officer name, or document number to access formation documents, annual reports, and registered agent information. Local business tax receipts (formerly called occupational licenses) are issued by Glades County Tax Collector's office at 1001 US Highway 27, Suite B, Moore Haven, FL 33471, phone, and are required for most businesses operating in Glades County. Sales tax permits and resale certificates are handled by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Professional licenses for regulated occupations such as contractors, real estate agents, and health care professionals are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and can be searched at myfloridalicense.com.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Glades County, Florida, are administered by Glades County Supervisor of Elections, located at 997 US Highway 27, Room 101, Moore Haven, FL 33471. The office can be reached at and maintains election information at gladeselectionsfl.gov. Voter registration in Glades County can be completed online through the Florida Division of Elections at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person at the Supervisor of Elections office, at any Florida driver license office, or by mail using a Florida Voter Registration Application. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election.
- Glades County typically experiences voter turnout of 60-70% in presidential general elections and 30-40% in midterm elections, with higher participation among registered voters compared to some larger urban counties.
- Vote-by-mail ballots (absentee ballots) can be requested online through the Supervisor of Elections website, by phone, by mail, or in person at the elections office.
- Requests must be received no later than 10 days before the election, though voters are encouraged to request ballots earlier.
- Polling place locations can be found on the voter information card mailed to registered voters or by using the precinct finder tool on the Supervisor of Elections website.
Florida law requires voters to be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old, legal residents of Florida and Glades County, and not adjudicated mentally incapacitated about voting or convicted of a felony without rights restored. Public election records in Glades County include voter registration rolls (with some personal information redacted under Florida Statute 97.0585), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and political committees, candidate qualifying documents, precinct-level election results, and early voting and absentee ballot statistics.
These records are accessible under Florida's public records law, Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. The Supervisor of Elections office maintains historical election results and voter registration statistics. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House of Representatives races, U.S. Senate (depending on the cycle), Florida Governor and Cabinet if applicable, Florida Legislature seats, and local county offices. Voted ballots must be returned by 7:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.
Early voting is typically offered at designated locations in the weeks preceding an election, with dates and times published by the Supervisor of Elections. Glades County maintains transparency in elections through public testing of voting equipment, canvassing board meetings open to the public, and availability of election related records for inspection and copying upon request.
Economy & Demographics
Glades County's economy is predominantly agricultural, with cattle ranching and crop production forming the economic backbone of this rural Florida county. Glades County is home to extensive cattle operations, making it one of Florida's significant beef cattle producers, with thousands of acres dedicated to pastureland and ranching. Sugarcane cultivation is another major agricultural sector, with operations connected to the sugar industry centered around Lake Okeechobee.
- The median household income in Glades County is approximately $40,000 to $45,000, below the Florida state average, reflecting the rural, agricultural nature of the local economy.
Major employers include Glades County School District, Glades County government, agricultural operations, and correctional facilities including the Moore Haven Correctional Facility, a state prison that provides significant employment. Glades County's location on Lake Okeechobee supports recreational fishing and eco-tourism, with sport fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing attracting visitors to Glades County. Retail and service businesses primarily serve the local population, concentrated in Moore Haven.
The unemployment rate in Glades County has historically been higher than state averages, ranging from 5% to 8% depending on seasonal agricultural cycles. Economic development efforts focus on supporting agriculture, promoting eco-tourism, and improving infrastructure to attract new investment while preserving Glades County's rural character. The Fisheating Creek area and Lake Okeechobee waterfront offer potential for expanded outdoor recreation and tourism development.
Limited high-speed internet access and distance from major metropolitan areas present challenges for economic diversification, though Glades County's affordable land and low cost of living attract some remote workers and retirees seeking a rural lifestyle.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Online | Arrest/Jail: Limited: Online | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: Online (State) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 7/10, Glades County provides solid access to property and court records online, with good election transparency, though some services require in-person visits due to the county's small size.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Glades County
Explore public records for 2 cities and communities in Glades County, Florida.