Highlands County probate help.

Clerk and filing

E-filing and records search

• The clerk's site links to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• Judge Estrada's orders go in Word format by email or e-file; the circuit's AO 1-61.1 governs proposed orders submitted through the portal. jud10.flcourts.org
• The circuit's step-by-step instructions: choose "Proposed Documents to Judiciary" in the portal, pick the county, and upload the Word proposed order. jud10.flcourts.org
• Highlands County's Online Court Records Search offers public, attorney, registered user and party access. civitekflorida.com

Probate filing fees posted by the clerk

Source: Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Probate Division fee schedule, checked October 16, 2026. The schedule is dated January 23, 2023. Each posted fee that has a § 28.2401 amount is $1 above that amount (plus the $4 petition charge where § 28.2401(3) applies).

Judges and divisions

10th Judicial Circuit. Serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties (§ 26.021(10), Fla. Stat.).

Courthouses that hear probate

• Highlands County Courthouse, 430 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring, FL 33870; (863) 402-6565; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. jud10.flcourts.org probate assignment

• Judge Peter F. Estrada's page lists his judicial assistant, Sierra Aguilera, at (863) 402-6994, at 430 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. jud10.flcourts.org
• The Tenth Judicial Circuit serves Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties. jud10.flcourts.org
• The circuit's courthouse hours page lists Highlands County, Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. jud10.flcourts.org

Administrative orders

Orders of the 10th Judicial Circuit that apply to probate and guardianship cases in Highlands County. Circuit order index.

• AO 1-1.69, Assignment of Judges. Date: June 2, 2026 (covers July 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027). Assigns judges to sections and divisions for Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties and has the three clerks assign cases to sections by the order's ratios.
• AO 4-16.0, Orders for the Determination of Homestead Property in Formal Administrations. Date: June 14, 2016. Directs that a proposed Order Determining Homestead not be submitted until the publication and creditor-claim periods expire, unless a motion shows good cause and a hearing is set.
• AO 4-1.2, Recordation of Probate Records. Date: Recorded November 12, 1998. Lists the probate documents recorded in the Official Records (wills admitted, letters, orders affecting real property and others) and includes the recording fees in the fee paid when the estate is opened. Paragraph 3 adds $25.00 to the filing fees for determination of homestead, summary administration, foreign transcripts, formal administration, guardianship of property, ancillary administration and curator and conservator proceedings. The clerk's fee schedule lists no $25.00 add-on, and no clerk page says whether it is still charged.
• AO 4-13.5, Magistrates for Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health and Public Health Proceedings. Date: November 21, 2025. Appoints general magistrates for probate, guardianship, mental health and public health proceedings in the three counties.
• AO 4-3.2, Guardianship Procedures in the Tenth Circuit. Date: March 5, 2025. Sets the circuit's guardianship procedures and replaces AO 4-3.1.
• AO 4-7.5, Guardianship Education Requirements for Non-Professional Guardians. Date: February 14, 2023. Sets the education requirements for non-professional guardians under § 744.3145 and vacates AO 4-7.4.
• AO 1-61.1, Uniform Procedures and Requirements for Electronically Submitting Proposed Orders Through CAPS. Date: April 14, 2023 (effective April 17, 2023). Requires Word .docx proposed orders, one case number each, the motion e-filed first, and no duplicate submissions by mail, fax or email.

Local requirements and forms

Filing and the clerk

• Probate proceedings are filed with the clerk of the circuit court, usually in the county where the decedent lived. A filing fee is paid to the clerk, who assigns a file number and keeps the record of papers filed. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• The clerk's Probate Division is in Room 5 of the courthouse at 430 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring. The clerk's mailing address is 590 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870-3867, phone (863) 402-6565. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• A personal representative must be represented by a Florida attorney unless the personal representative is the sole interested person (Probate Rule 5.030, cited by the clerk). highlandsclerkfl.gov
• Highlands County Probate Division services include formal administration, summary administration and disposition without administration. Real estate in the decedent's sole name or held as tenants in common is a probate asset unless it is homestead property. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• Judge Peter F. Estrada's section (JR) covers Highlands juvenile, probate, guardianship, mental health and risk protection cases under AO 1-1.69. jud10.flcourts.org

Wills

• The custodian deposits the will with the clerk of the county where the decedent lived within ten days after learning of the death. The clerk's page asks for the date of death and the Social Security number. There is no fee to deposit a will. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• Section 732.901 asks for the date of death or the last four digits of the Social Security number, and the clerk keeps the original at least 20 years. flsenate.gov

Claims and disposition without administration

• A creditor files a written statement of the claim, and the claimant pays no additional charge to file a claim against the estate. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• The clerk's page quotes § 735.301: no administration is needed for an estate with only exempt personal property and nonexempt personal property not above preferred funeral expenses plus reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness. Services are in Room 5 of the courthouse. highlandsclerkfl.gov
• Section 733.707(1)(b) caps preferred funeral expenses at $6,000 in aggregate. flsenate.gov

Hearings (Judge Estrada)

• Every hearing is set by email with the case name and number, a time estimate, a copy of the motion and a copy to all attorneys. After the parties agree on a date, email to reserve the slot and do not send a notice of hearing until the judicial assistant confirms. jud10.flcourts.org
• Trials are held in person in courtroom 1A and other hearings can be in person on request of the court or attorneys; virtual hearings use courtrooms 1A and 3A. Documents and packets reach the office a week before the hearing. jud10.flcourts.org
• Filing a petition does not put the matter before the court, because the court is not notified of new filings. The parties place it before the court. jud10.flcourts.org
• Counsel and unrepresented parties attend all status and case management conferences unless excused. A continuance needs a status report and motion at least 10 days before the conference. Continuances are not routinely granted. jud10.flcourts.org
• Many hearings of 30 minutes or less can be held remotely, and a hearing noticed by Teams is not attended at the courthouse. The court is not allowing telephonic appearances, and a remote appearance at an in-person hearing needs a motion at least 10 days ahead. jud10.flcourts.org
• Only the party who set a hearing may cancel it and must tell everyone, including unrepresented parties. jud10.flcourts.org

Orders and original documents

• All orders are Word files, by email or e-file, with one-inch blank margins, a 12-point or larger approved font, the section and case number, and a service address to the right of each recipient. Duplicate orders are not submitted. jud10.flcourts.org
• Original wills and other original documents go directly to the clerk, never to the judicial assistant or case manager. All documents are e-filed or filed with the clerk. jud10.flcourts.org
• Proposed orders sent through the portal follow AO 1-61.1: Word .docx files, one case number each, the motion e-filed first, and no duplicates by mail, fax or email. jud10.flcourts.org

Case management (circuit)

• A monthly delinquent list goes to the Probate Division case manager. The attorney of record gets a no-activity or delinquent letter with 30 days to comply, then a status conference, then an order to show cause hearing. jud10.flcourts.org

Homestead

• AO 4-16.0 directs that a proposed Order Determining Homestead not be submitted until the publication and creditor-claim periods expire, unless a motion shows good cause and a hearing is set. jud10.flcourts.org

Summary administration

• The clerk's probate page names formal and summary administration and gives no dollar limit. Section 735.201(2) reads $150,000 since July 1, 2026 (ch. 2026-57, s. 7). flsenate.gov

Forms and checklists

• Judge Estrada general information, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Estrada procedures, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Estrada submission of orders, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Instructions for submitting proposed orders to the E-Filing Portal, Tenth Judicial Circuit
• Circuit probate case management page, Tenth Judicial Circuit

Property and homestead

• Homestead: the owner must have legal or equitable title as of January 1, live on the property and make it a permanent home in good faith, and be a Florida permanent resident as of January 1 of the year after the year of purchase. hcpao.org
• The annual filing period for homestead exemption is January 1 through March 1. The exemption page says new applications for all exemptions are made in person at the appraiser's office. hcpao.org
• The Property Appraiser is at 560 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., phone (863) 402-6659. hcpao.org

Death certificates

• The Department of Health in Highlands County holds Florida death records from 2009 to the current year. Earlier records come from the State Office of Vital Statistics. highlands.floridahealth.gov
• A death certificate without cause of death can go to any person of legal age (18). One with cause of death goes to the decedent's parent or current spouse, child, grandchild or sibling of legal age, or a person who provides a will executed under § 732.502 or an insurance policy or other document showing an interest in the estate. highlands.floridahealth.gov
• The fee is $10 per certified copy and $8 for each additional copy of the same record bought at the same time. In person, the office at 7205 S. George Blvd., Sebring is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. highlands.floridahealth.gov

Records and help

• Highlands County's Online Court Records Search is linked from the clerk's court records page. civitekflorida.com

Sources

Last checked: October 16, 2026. Each source shows the text that supports the facts above.

1. Florida Statutes § 28.2401, probate service charges and filing fees (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • but not to include issuance of letters or order of summary administration .......... $230
   • Charge for caveat .......... $40
   • Fee for petition and order to admit foreign wills, authenticated copies, exemplified copies, or transcript to record .......... $230
   • Fee for disposition of personal property without administration .......... $230
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at $1,000 or more .......... $340
   • Fee for summary administration - estates valued at less than $1,000 .......... $230
   • Fee for formal administration, guardianship, ancillary, curatorship, or conservatorship proceedings .......... $395
   • Fee for guardianship proceedings of person only .......... $230
   • Fee for veterans' guardianship pursuant to chapter 744 .......... $230
   • Charge for exemplified certificates .......... $7
   • Fee for petition for determination of incompetency .......... $230
   • An additional service charge of $4 on petitions seeking summary administration, formal administration, ancillary administration, guardianship, curatorship, and conservatorship shall be paid to the clerk.
2. Florida Statutes § 28.241, filing fees for trial and appellate proceedings (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reopen fees are due at the time a party files a pleading to reopen a proceeding if at least 90 days have elapsed since the filing of a final order or final judgment with the clerk.
3. Florida Statutes § 732.901, production of wills (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The custodian of a will must deposit the will with the clerk of the court having venue of the estate of the decedent within 10 days after receiving information that the testator is dead.
   • the clerk shall retain and preserve the original will in its original form for at least 20 years
4. Florida Statutes § 735.201, summary administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • does not exceed $150,000 or that the decedent has been dead for more than 2 years
   • s. 7, ch. 2026-57
5. Florida Statutes § 735.301, disposition without administration (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • nonexempt personal property the value of which does not exceed the sum of the amount of preferred funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness
6. Florida Statutes § 731.110, caveat (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Any interested person who is apprehensive that an estate, either testate or intestate, will be administered or that a will may be admitted to probate without that person's knowledge may file a caveat with the court.
7. Florida Statutes § 733.707, order of payment of expenses and obligations (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Reasonable funeral, interment, and grave marker expenses, whether paid by a guardian, the personal representative, or any other person, not to exceed the aggregate of $6,000.
   • Reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last 60 days of the last illness of the decedent
8. Tenth Judicial Circuit, home page, checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • Hardee County Highlands County Polk County
9. Florida Statutes § 26.021, judicial circuits (2026), checked October 16, 2026
   Supporting text

   • The tenth circuit is composed of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties.
10. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Orders, probate and guardianship, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Recordation of Probate Records
    • In Re: Magistrates For Probate, Guardianship, Mental Health, And Public Health Proceedings
    • N RE: ORDERS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN FORMAL ADMINISTRATIONS
    • In Re: Guardianship Procedures In The Tenth Circuit
    • In Re: Authority Of Banks When Presented With Letters Of Administration Or Guardianship
11. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • On Guardianship and Estates cases a delinquent list is supplied to the case manager in the Probate Division monthly.
    • After review of each case a no activity letter or delinquent letter is sent to the attorney of record indicating they have 30 days in order to comply.
    • Once the 30 days has lapsed, the case manager will schedule all cases in which no record activity has occurred within that 30 days for a status conference hearing with the case assigned judge.
    • If after the status conference hearing there is still no record activity the case is rescheduled for an order to show cause hearing with the case assigned judge.
12. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 1-1.69, Assignment of Judges, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 1-1.69 ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES JULY 6, 2026 THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2027
    • Effective July 6, 2026, the Polk, Highlands, and Hardee County Clerks of Courts shall assign cases to the sections and divisions of the court in accordance with the ratio shown in Exhibit A
    • DONE AND ORDERED in chambers, at Bartow, Polk County, Florida this 2nd day of June 2026.
    • PETER F. ESTRADA
    • HIGHLANDS COUNTY Juvenile/Probate/
    • Guardianship-Mental Health/Risk Protection
    • Judicial Assistant: Sierra Aguilera
13. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-16.0, Homestead in Formal Administrations, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-16.0
    • IN RE: ORDERS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY IN FORMAL ADMINISTRATIONS
    • A proposed Order Determining Homestead should not be submitted to the Court prior to the expiration of the publication period and the period for known creditors to file a claim.
    • DONE and ORDERED on this 14th day of June, 2016.
    • the petitioner must file a motion showing good cause to do so and set a hearing before the presiding Judge.

    Note: Scanned order with no text layer. The text was read from the page image on 2026-10-16.

14. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-1.2, Recordation of Probate Records, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-1.2
    • RECORDATION OF PROBATE RECORDS
    • Wills and Codicils Admitted to Probate
    • The recording fees involved with the recording of the above described documents shall be included in the filing fee paid upon the opening of the estate proceeding.
    • Effective upon entry of this Order, the sum of $25.00 shall be added to the filing fees due to the Probate Department on the filing of the following probate matters:
    • Determination of Homestead
    • Summary Administration
    • Foreign Transcripts
    • Formal Administration
    • Guardianship of Property (Plenary and Limited)
    • Ancillary Administration
    • Curator and Conservator Proceeding
    • RECORDED 11/12/98

    Note: Scanned order with no text layer. The text was read from the page image on 2026-10-16.

15. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-13.5, Magistrates for Probate and Guardianship, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-13.5
    • IN RE: MAGISTRATES FOR PROBATE, GUARDIANSHIP, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROCEEDINGS
    • it is necessary to appoint magistrates in order to continue the efficient
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 21st day of November, 2025.
16. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-3.2, Guardianship Procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 4-3.2
    • IN RE: GUARDIANSHIP PROCEDURES IN THE TENTH CIRCUIT
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 5th day of March, 2025.
17. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 4-7.5, Guardianship Education, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 4-7.5
    • RE: GUARDIANSHIP EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS
    • DONE AND ORDERED on this 14th day of February, 2023.
18. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Administrative Order 1-61.1, Electronic Submission of Proposed Orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1-61.1
    • UNIFORM PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTING PROPOSED ORDERS THROUGH CAPS
    • Proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word .docx format.
    • If the submission relates to a written motion, the motion must be e-filed prior to submission of the proposed order.
    • A proposed order should, whenever possible, contain only one case number.
    • Duplicate proposed orders must not be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail.
    • is effective on April 17, 2023.
    • DONE AND ORDERED in Bartow, Florida, on this 14 day of April, 2023.
19. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Instructions for submitting proposed orders to the E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 10TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSED ORDERS TO FLORIDA COURTS E-FILING PORTAL
    • Select "Proposed Documents to Judiciary" then choose which county you need from the dropdown.
    • (document must be in Word .docx format)
20. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Probate Court, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Marchman and Baker Act petitions can be filed during normal office hours at the Courthouse (430 S. Commerce Ave. Basement, Room 5 Sebring, FL)
    • 590 South Commerce Avenue Sebring, Florida 33870-3867 (863) 402-6565
21. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Probate, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • There are two types of probate administration under Florida law: formal administration and summary administration.
    • Real estate titled in the sole name of the decedent, or in the name of the decedent and another person as tenants in common, is a probate asset (unless it is homestead property).
    • Probate proceedings are filed with the clerk of the circuit court, usually in the county in which the decedent lived at the time of his or her death.
    • A filing fee is required and should be paid to the clerk.
    • After you file for probate, the clerk then assigns a file number and maintains an ongoing record of all papers filed with the clerk for the administration of the decedent's probate estate.
    • Pursuant to 5.030 Probate Rules of Court every guardian and every personal representative, unless the personal representative remains the sole interested person, shall be represented by an attorney admitted to practice in Florida.
22. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Wills, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Pursuant to F.S. 732.901 The will of the decedent must be deposited by the custodian with the Clerk of the Courts Office in the county where the decedent resided within ten days after receiving information of the death of the maker of the will.
    • The custodian must provide the decedent's date of death and social security number to the Clerk of Courts when depositing the will.
    • There is no fee to deposit the will with the Clerk of Courts.
23. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Services available in the Probate Division (Room 5-Courthouse)
    • No administration shall be required or formal proceedings instituted upon the estate of a decedent leaving only personal property exempt under the provisions of s. 732.402
    • For more information concerning estates or guardianships, contact your lawyer.
    • A creditor shall file a written statement of the claim. No additional charge may be imposed by a claimant who files a claim against the estate.
24. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Location and Contact Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Highlands County Clerk of Courts Location: 590 S. Commerce Ave Sebring, FL 33870 Phone: (863) 402-6565
25. Highlands County Clerk, Civil Courts Service Charge & Fee Schedule (January 23, 2023), checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • HIGHLANDS COUNTY CIVIL COURTS SERVICE CHARGE & FEE SCHEDULE January 23, 2023
    • PROBATE
    • Disposal of Personal Property $231.00
    • Summary Administration (less than $1,000) $235.00
    • Summary Administration ($1,001 or more) $345.00
    • Formal Administration $400.00
    • Guardianship (person only) $235.00
    • Guardianship, Ancillary, Curatorship, & Conservatorship $400.00
    • Veterans Guardianship $235.00
    • Foreign Wills $231.00
    • Notice of Trust $41.00
    • Caveat $41.00
    • Opening any Estate $231.00
    • Determination of Incompetency $231.00
    • Reopen Fee $50.00

    Note: The PDF's text layer lists labels and amounts out of order, so the amounts were read from the page images on 2026-10-16. The schedule is dated January 23, 2023.

26. Highlands County Clerk of Courts, Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Florida Courts E-Filing Authority
    • MyFlCourtAccess
27. Highlands County OCRS, Online Court Records Search, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Highlands County OCRS Online Court Records Search
28. Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal serves as a single, statewide access point connecting thousands of users to Florida's court system.
29. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Peter F. Estrada, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Peter F. Estrada Circuit Assignment: Highlands - Juv/Probate/Guardian /Mental/Risk Protection - Sec JR
    • Judicial Assistant: Sierra Aguilera
    • Phone: (863) 402 - 6994
    • Address: 430 S. Commerce Ave Sebring, FL 33870
    • General Information
    • Procedures
    • Submission of Orders
30. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Estrada general information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • When filing a petition with the E-Portal or the Clerk of Court's Office does not place the matter before the Court.
    • The Court IS NOT notified of new filings, and therefore it is the obligation of the parties to place the matter before the Court.
    • Counsel and unpresented parties must attend all status and Case Management Conferences unless excused by the court
    • To request continuance or excusal the party or their attorney must file a status report along with a motion for Continuance not less than 10 days prior to the case management conference
    • Many hearings that are 30mins or less can be held remotely.
    • The court is not allowing telephonic appearances currently.
    • All original documents, including wills, should be deposited directly with the Clerk of Court.
    • Do not send any original documents to the judicial assistant or case manager.
    • Continuances are not routinely granted and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
31. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Estrada procedures, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • 1) All hearings must be set via email, information needed
    • Once all parties agree on time/date for hearing, email to reserve a slot.
    • Do not send out a notice of hearing until you have received confirmation from Judicial Assistant.
    • All Trials are held in-person in 1A
    • Virtual hearings are held in 1A/3A
    • All documents/packets must be sent to office a week prior of hearing
    • Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it
32. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Judge Estrada submission of orders, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Submission of Orders
    • All Orders shall be in Microsoft Word format, orders can be submitted via email or E-file
    • There should be a one-inch margin on all sides which is left blank.
    • as long as it is 12- point font or larger
    • Include service address to the right of the recipient's name
    • DO NOT SUBMIT DUPLICATE ORDERS!
33. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Locations, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Highlands County About Highlands Courthouse 430 S. Commerce Ave. Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 402-6565
34. Tenth Judicial Circuit, Courthouse Hours, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Highlands County Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM
35. Highlands County Property Appraiser, home page, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Highlands County Property Appraiser 560 S. Commerce Avenue Sebring, FL 33870-3899 Office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Except Holidays
36. Highlands County Property Appraiser, Property Tax Exemption Information, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • You must be a permanent resident of Florida as of January 1st of the year following the year of purchase.
    • You must have legal or equitable title to the property as of January 1st, reside thereon, and in good faith make it your permanent home.
    • You must make application in person with the Property Appraiser's Office between January 1 and March 1 of the year following the year of purchase.
    • New applications for all exemptions must be made in person.
37. Highlands County Property Appraiser, Exemption Filing Period, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • The annual filing period for Homestead Exemption is January 1st through March 1st.
38. Highlands County Property Appraiser, Contact, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
    • Phone: (863) 402-6659
39. Florida Department of Health in Highlands County, Death Certificates, checked October 16, 2026
    Supporting text

    • Currently, the Florida Department of Health in Highlands County has records dating back as far as 2009 and up to the current year.
    • Without Cause of Death: Any person of legal age (18) may be issued a certified copy of a death record without the cause of death.
    • Death records with the cause of death information may only be issued to the following individuals:
    • The decedent's parent or current spouse
    • The decedent's child, grandchild, or sibling, if of legal age (18)
    • Any person who provides a will that has been executed pursuant to s.732.502, or an insurance policy or other document that demonstrates his or her interest in the estate of the decedent
    • The fee for each certified copy of a Florida death record is $10.00. When purchased at the same time, additional copies of the identical death record are $8.00 each.
    • Florida Department of Health in Highlands County 7205 S. George Blvd. Sebring, Florida 33875-5847 Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
    • Vital Statistics Office at 863-382-7215
    • the only vendor authorized by the Florida Department of Health