Glades County, FL Property Records

    With over 12,000 residents, Glades County is the fourth least populous county in Florida, according to recent U.S. Census data. The county's average home value is approximately $250,787, representing a 2.2% annual decline but about 32.2% lower than Florida's average of $369,996. Home listings in Glades County generally remain on the market for about 83 days. This indicates a buyer's market, where supply exceeds demand.

    Recent data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data reveal that the median household income in Glades County is about $58,721, and approximately 19.7% of households are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs. This implies that about one in five households in the county experience housing affordability challenges, making it a county with one of the lowest cost-burdened households in the state.

    In Glades County, tangible personal property assessments and real estate inventories are handled at the county level by the Glades County Property Appraiser's Office. The office calculates the value of properties, applies exemptions, and provides access to ownership records, property maps, and valuation information for all municipalities in the county.

    Who Keeps the Official Land Records?

    The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining the county's official real estate records. It records and files property-related documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate transactions for all municipalities within the county. The records are available in physical and digital formats. You can contact the office to examine and copy them or use the online search tools. Contact details and the link to the search tool are provided below:

    • Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court - 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471.

    • Phone: (863) 946-6010, Official Records, Quicklinks

    • Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    • Coverage: All municipalities in Glades County

    What Glades County Property Records Include

    Glades County property records are the official documentation of property ownership, transfers, liens, and boundary descriptions across the county. They encompass a wide range of recorded instruments, including deeds, mortgages, assignments, releases, tax records, sales certificates, judgments, foreclosure filings, lis pendens notices, covenants, easements, restrictions, agreements, subdivisions, plats, and surveys.

    Glades County operates a centralized recording system for all land records. The Clerk of the Circuit Court records deeds, mortgages, and other property documents in the county's official records and makes them available to the public. Records from 1921 to the present have been digitized for online access.

    How to Access Glades County Property Records

    Glades County property records can be accessed online, in person, or by mail.

    Online Access

    The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court provides online access to property records through the Official Records platform. You may search by name, legal description, instrument number, book and page, or date range. Indexes of property records from 1921, when the county was founded, are also available on the Quicklinks platform. After locating a record, you may view, download, or print copies for reference purposes. You can also purchase official copies online from the platforms.

    Alternatively, users can use the Glades County Property Appraiser's Office's Property Records Search portal to access property records from all municipalities in the county. They can search by owner's name, property address, parcel ID, account number, or subdivision number. The result can be viewed, saved, or printed.

    In Person

    You can access property records by visiting the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office in person. Be prepared to provide basic information, such as the owner's name, property address, or parcel ID, to search. Public access computers are available on-site, and copies of records may be obtained upon payment of applicable fees.

    Documents may be recorded in person at the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office. All documents must comply with county recording standards and include original, notarized signatures of the involved parties. Deeds specifically require the signatures of two witnesses, with their full names and addresses listed below their signatures.

    By Phone or Email

    While you cannot access official records by phone or email in Glades County, you can contact the Clerk's Office for property records-related inquiries.

    By Mail/Overnight

    The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court accepts property recording submissions and record requests by mail. Documents submitted for recording must meet county formatting requirements and be properly notarized. Be sure to include the required fees and a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope for the return of the original documents.

    When requesting property records by mail, include key identifying information such as the document number, book and page number, or property address. Enclose payment for applicable copy fees by check or money order, as well as a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of documents. Send the complete package to the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court at P.O. Box 10, 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471.

    E-Recording (Professionals)

    Glades County accepts electronic recording of property documents through approved third-party vendors. E-recording service in the county improves the processing time for recording documents, reduces costs, and minimizes submission errors. Call the Clerk's Office at (863) 946-6010 for more information.

    What's Not at the Registry (But Matters for Property Research)?

    While the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court maintains most property records, including deeds, mortgages, maps, lien discharges, and recorded plans, some essential property-related information required for detailed research is maintained by other departments in the county.

    The Glades County Property Appraiser's Office maintains personal property valuations and real estate assessments, while the Tax Collector's Office manages tax billing, delinquencies, and tax payment history.

    Step-by-Step: How to Pull a Deed Online

    Take the following steps to pull up Glades County deeds online:

    • Go to the Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court's Official Records platform.

    • Select Deeds from the Standard Document Type section to limit the search to only deeds

    • Enter other information about the property, such as the party name, legal description, instrument number, book and page, or date range, to find the deed.

    • Examine the results, open the matching record, and confirm its accuracy.

    • Click the document link to view the deed, and download or print a copy of the deed.

    Alternatively, you can also pull a deed online through the Quicklinks platform by doing the following:

    • Go to the Quicklinks platform

    • In the ‘Search for a Document' Section, select ‘Deed Record' under 'Book.'

    • Provide the volume and page values, then click Search

    • A copy of the deed will be returned

    • Add the deed to the cart and proceed to pay for the deed.

    • You can then print a clear copy of the deed

    Cities & Towns in Glades County (and Their Registry Districts)

    The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court is responsible for recording and safeguarding all property documents in every municipality in the county. These municipalities include:

    • Moore Haven, Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation, Buckhead Ridge, Port LaBelle, Lakeport, Muse, Palmdale, and Ortona.

    City/Town Resources for Assessments & Taxes

    The Glades County Property Appraiser's Office manages comprehensive property data, including assessed values, exemptions, abatements, and land details. It offers a searchable portal (Property Records Search portal) for accessing real estate information from all municipalities across the county.

    In addition, the Glades County Tax Collector's Office uses the information provided by the Appraiser's Office to prepare property tax bills for all properties in the county. It calculates property taxes, collects taxes, maintains payment records, and oversees delinquent accounts.

    Furthermore, the Glades County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) handles property assessment appeals for the county. Assessment petitions must be filed with the board within the period stipulated on the Truth in Mileage (TRIM) notice. Filing a petition with the VAB costs $50.00 per petition. The petition may be filed in person or sent by mail to the Clerk, Value Adjustment Board, 500 Avenue J, Suite 102, Moore Haven, FL 33471.

    Glades County-Specific Nuances

    Glades County, FL, has several distinctive features that may affect how property research is conducted:

    • Glades County operates a single, countywide registry where properties in both incorporated and unincorporated areas are recorded at the county level.

    • Under the county's unified land title system, recording and registration are the same process. Glades County, like all counties in Florida, does not use a land court or the Torrens system.

    • The Glades County Clerk of the Circuit Court serves as the official recorder of all property documents in the county.

    • Property records from 1921 have been digitized and can be accessed online.

    • Electronic recording services are available in the county through approved vendors.

    • The Glades County Property Appraiser's Office manages property assessment, while the county's Tax Collector's Office handles property tax collection.

    Typical Contents of a Glades County Property Record

    A typical Glades County property record contains information about the property's ownership, value, assessment, legal description, transfer details, ownership history, and taxes. It gives a detailed picture of a property's history and ownership. You will find the following information when examining these records:

    • Deeds (evidence of ownership transfer)

      • Grantor and grantee names

      • Mailing address

      • Property address

      • Legal description of the property

      • Date of conveyance and execution

      • Property boundaries and lines

      • Sale consideration (the purchase price or transfer value)

      • Prior deed book and page references

      • Homestead declarations (if applicable)

      • Notary acknowledgement and recording stamp

    • Mortgages and Discharges

      • Lender's name

      • Borrower's name

      • Trustee information

      • Recording date and document number

      • Loan amount, repayment terms, and interest rate

      • Discharge, satisfaction, or release details

    • Plans (maps, surveys)

      • Subdivision plats

      • Survey or plan number

      • Endorsement references

      • Acreage and parcel size

      • Lot layout, boundaries, and measurements

    • Encumbrances (claims and restrictions affecting the property)

      • Rights of way and any shared agreements

      • Lis pendens notices

      • Restrictions or covenants

      • Liens or judgments recorded against the property

      • Easements for access, utilities, or shared driveways

    • Other Document

      • Power of attorney filings

      • Declarations of trusts

      • History of sales

      • Cross-references

      • Corrective or confirmatory deeds

    Recording Changes to Property Titles

    In Glades County, all title modifications must be filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for recording. These changes may include ownership transfers, mortgage recordings, lien satisfactions, homestead declarations, or assignments. The new document, such as an affidavit, quitclaim deed, warranty deed, or corrective deed, must comply with the state's recording standards and be notarized. The applicable recording fees must be paid before the document can be recorded.

    Documents can be submitted by mail, in person, or through authorized electronic recording vendors. Recordings are accepted weekdays during business hours, except on county holidays. All documents, including electronically submitted documents, are recorded in the order they are received.

    Practical Research Flow (Checklist)

    This checklist can help you perform detailed and accurate property research in Glades County, FL:

    • Verify ownership and title - Look up the property on the Official Records portal and Quicklinks platform to confirm details about the property. Check for any liens, encumbrances, or disputes on the property. Review previous ownership and confirm that all transfers were legally completed.

    • Record reference numbers - Write down unique property identifiers and reference numbers, such as the book/page number or parcel ID, to help track related documents.

    • Trace the chain of title - Trace former property owners and review significant property history details using the grantor's name and address. Verify that all previous ownership transfers were completed and properly recorded.

    • Confirm property taxes - Contact the Tax Collector's Office to confirm that the property's taxes are paid and no outstanding balances remain. You can review up to 10 years of tax history.

    • Identify environmental concerns - Check the property's location relative to wetlands, flood zones, hazard zones, and potential risks to determine necessary insurance coverage. Consult with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for accurate data about the location.

    • Confirm zoning and land use - Verify zoning and use restrictions with the Planning and Zoning Division under the Glades County Community Development Department. Review any recorded plans or encumbrances affecting the property. Check nearby development activities that may increase or decrease the property value, including rezoning requests, road expansions, commercial developments, and new subdivisions.

    • Confirm access to utilities - Verify ready access to essential utilities, including water, sewer, electricity, and gas.

    • Verify with the Appraiser's office - Confirm that the information in the Clerk's Office records matches the data held by the County Appraiser's Office. Carefully note and document any discrepancies identified during your review. Ensure the boundary lines match the official legal description and title.

    • Document your findings - Keep copies of all documents and correspondence for future reference. Summarize your findings and store them in a secure location.

    Appendix A - Municipalities in Glades County

    Glades County, Florida, comprises a single incorporated city that serves as the county seat and multiple unincorporated communities. There is also an Indian reservation within the county. The following are the municipalities in the county.

    • City: Moore Haven

    • Indian Reservation: Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation

    • Census-designated places: Buckhead Ridge and Port LaBelle

    • Unincorporated areas: Lakeport, Muse, Palmdale, and Ortona (Wikipedia)

    Appendix B - Key Contacts & Portals