Lee County Court Records Search
FloridaStateCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on FloridaStateCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Lee County is located in southwest Florida and forms part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, which also serves Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties. The Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller is the official custodian of all court records generated by both the Circuit Court and the County Court. These records span civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law proceedings, probate estates, traffic citations, and juvenile matters. Florida’s court system provides a centralized starting point for locating publicly available case information at FloridaStateCourts.us, and the Lee County Clerk maintains dedicated portals, in-person services, and mail-based request options to help individuals obtain the records they need.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Lee County?
There are three primary ways to search for court case records in Lee County: online through the Clerk’s electronic portal, in person at a Clerk office, or by submitting a written records request.
Online Search Through the Records Inquiry System
The Lee County Clerk of Courts Records Inquiry system is the main public portal for looking up court cases. General public users can search criminal, traffic, civil, and certain other case types without creating an account. The system allows searches by:
- First, last, or middle name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Hearing date
The portal covers felony, circuit civil, county civil, ordinance violations, criminal traffic, misdemeanor, municipal ordinance, parking, small claims, and traffic infraction cases. Certain case types—including family law, juvenile, custody, and mental health—are restricted and require registered access tied to specific user categories such as attorneys, parties to a case, or authorized agencies.
Cases opened before 2004 may not have full document images available in the online system. For older records, the Clerk’s Records Request System is the preferred method.
The Clerk follows the Florida Supreme Court’s Access Security Matrix, which establishes 14 levels of access for viewing court records online. Documents flagged as Viewable on Request (VOR) require a submission before release.
In-Person Visits
Court records are available for review at two Clerk office locations during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; lobbies remain open until 5:00 p.m.):
Lee County Justice Center
Address: 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-5000
Cape Coral Branch – Lee County Government Center
Address: 1039 SE 9th Place, 2nd Floor, Cape Coral, FL 33990
Phone: (239) 533-5000
Visitors should bring a state-issued photo ID and know the party name or case number for the record they wish to locate. Copies are available at the counters for applicable fees.
Fees for Copies and Certification
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents | $1.00 per page |
| Certification of documents | $2.00 per document |
| E-Certification (court document) | $2.00 statutory fee + $6.00 vendor fee |
| Exemplified copy | $7.00 |
| Search fee | $2.00 per name, per year |
| Sealing court records | $42.00 |
The full Fees & Costs schedule is published on the Clerk’s website. Payments can be made by credit card, money order, cashier’s check, business check, or cash. Personal checks are accepted for case filing fees when not e-filed.
Are Court Records Public in Lee County?
Florida has one of the broadest public-records frameworks in the country. Under the Florida Sunshine Law and the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, records created or maintained by any public agency—including courts—are presumed open for inspection and copying.
Rule 2.420 of the Rules of Judicial Administration governs public access to judicial branch records specifically. It establishes that court records are open to the public unless a statutory exemption or court order requires confidentiality. The following categories of records are confidential under Rule 2.420(d)(1):
- Arrest and search warrants that have been returned to the issuing judge
- Records sealed by court order to protect a compelling interest
- Adoption records
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency records
- Mental health records
- Grand jury records
- Substance abuse treatment records
- Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and other financial identifiers
- Guardianship examination reports
- HIV/AIDS test results and related medical information
- Birth records held by the court
- Information identifying victims of sexual offenses
The Clerk’s office uses a Viewable on Request process for documents containing potentially confidential information. When a record is flagged VOR, the requester must submit a formal request and provide identification before access is granted.
Florida Rule 2.425 requires filers to minimize confidential information in court documents. Parties must redact Social Security numbers, dates of birth (using only the year), financial account numbers (using only the last four digits), and names of minor children (using initials only) unless otherwise ordered.
Records that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public view entirely. Individuals seeking to seal or expunge a criminal record must petition the court under Florida Statutes §§ 943.0585 and 943.059.
Lee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Lee County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court handles felony prosecutions, while the County Court adjudicates misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, and criminal traffic offenses.
Court Divisions and Contact Information
| Division | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Justice Center, 1st Floor, 2075 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901 | (239) 533-5000, option 2 |
| Misdemeanor / Municipal Ordinances | Justice Center, 1st Floor (Fort Myers) and Cape Coral Branch | (239) 533-5000, option 2 |
| Traffic (Criminal & Non-Criminal) | Justice Center, 1st Floor (Fort Myers) and Cape Coral Branch | (239) 533-5000, option 2 |
Mailing address for all criminal and traffic divisions: P.O. Box 2507, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
Searching Criminal Court Records
The Records Inquiry portal allows public users to search criminal and traffic cases by name, case number, or citation number at no charge. The results display case summaries, charges, docket entries, hearing dates, and case status. Document images for cases opened after 2004 may be available for viewing.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Records
The Central Records Division of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office maintains all incident reports, arrest reports, and crash reports generated by the agency. Requests can be made through:
- The Sheriff’s Public Records Request Portal
- Phone: (239) 477-1350
- In person at 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912, during normal business hours
Copy fees are $0.15 per page. Fees are waived for crime victims and crash participants. Reports can be picked up in person or mailed with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Crime victims who provide a copy of government-issued ID may receive reports by email.
Arrest and Booking Information
The Sheriff’s Office publishes a searchable Arrest Search database online. This tool displays recent bookings and releases, with search fields for first name, last name, date of birth, and booking number.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains statewide criminal history records. An instant name-based search through FDLE’s online system costs $25.00 (including a $1.00 credit card processing fee). Certified criminal history checks conducted through the FDLE background check process cost $24.00.
Lee County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Lee County are handled by both the Circuit Court and the County Court depending on the amount in controversy and case type. Circuit Civil covers disputes exceeding $50,000, foreclosures, and other complex litigation. County Civil handles disputes between $8,000 and $30,000, tenant evictions, and small claims (up to $8,000).
Filing Fees — Circuit Civil
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General civil action | $400.00 |
| Contraband forfeiture | $1,001.00 |
| Foreclosure (property < $50,000) | $470.00 |
| Foreclosure ($50,000–$250,000) | $975.00 |
| Foreclosure (> $250,000) | $1,975.00 |
| Summons issuance (each) | $10.00 |
| Garnishment / attachment / replevin service | $85.00 |
| Reopen case | $50.00 |
Filing Fees — County Civil
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tenant eviction | $185.00 |
| Civil action ($8,000–$15,000) | $300.00 |
| Civil action ($15,000.01–$30,000) | $400.00 |
| Cross-claim / counterclaim / third-party complaint | $295.00 |
Filing Fees — Small Claims
| Claim Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $100 | $55.00 |
| $100–$500 | $80.00 |
| $500.01–$2,500 | $175.00 |
| $2,500.01–$8,000 | $300.00 |
Civil court records can be searched online through the Records Inquiry system under the Civil, Family & Probate search category. The Clerk’s Civil Division is located on the 2nd Floor of the Justice Center and can be reached at (239) 533-5000, option 3 (mailing address: P.O. Box 310, Fort Myers, FL 33902).
Attorneys are required to file civil documents electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Self-represented litigants may also e-file but are not required to do so. The Clerk’s Self-Help Center provides guidance and how-to videos for navigating the filing process.
Official records such as liens, judgments, and lis pendens related to civil cases are searchable through the Landmark Web Official Records Search, which covers documents recorded in Lee County dating back to 1887.
Lee County Family Court Records
The Family Law division of the Lee County Circuit Court handles dissolution of marriage (divorce), child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence injunctions, and other domestic relations matters. Due to the sensitive nature of these proceedings, online access to family law case records is significantly restricted. Only parties to the case, their attorneys, authorized agencies, and certain judicial personnel can view family law documents through the Records Inquiry system.
Filing Fees — Family Law
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution of marriage / annulment | $408.00 |
| Separate maintenance | $310.50 |
| Custody, visitation, paternity, and support | $300.00 |
| Other domestic relations | $400.00 |
| Injunction for protection (domestic violence) | No charge |
| Modification of final judgment (reopen) | $50.00 |
The Family Law and Child Support divisions are located at the Justice Center, 2nd Floor, 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Contact the Clerk at (239) 533-5000, option 4 for domestic violence, injunctions, and eviction matters or option 4 for child support inquiries. Child support payments can also be directed to (844) 577-5649.
Marriage Licenses and Ceremonies
Lee County issues marriage licenses through the Clerk’s Official Records division. Applicants must first complete an online application and then appear in person to have the license issued. Fees are as follows:
- Florida residents (three-day waiting period): $86.00
- Florida residents with premarital course completion (no waiting period): $61.00
- Non-Florida residents (no waiting period): $86.00
- Additional certified copy: $3.00
- Marriage ceremony performed by the Clerk: $30.00
Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days from the effective date and can be used in any Florida county. The three-day waiting period for Florida residents is waived if both parties complete a four-hour premarital preparation course and present the certificate. Marriage license records can be searched for free through the Official Records Search.
Marriage licenses and ceremonies are available at both the Fort Myers and Cape Coral Clerk locations. Contact the Official Records team at (239) 533-5007 for questions.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Dissolution of marriage certificates can also be obtained from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics for dissolutions occurring in Florida after June 6, 1927. The Bureau charges a $5.00 search and copy fee, $4.00 for each additional copy, $10.00 for same-day service, and a $1.00 shipping fee.
Birth and Death Certificates
Birth and death certificates are not court records but are frequently relevant to family and probate proceedings. The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issues certified copies:
- Birth certificates: available for Florida births from 1930 to present
- Death certificates: available for Florida deaths from 2009 to present (deaths before 2009 must be obtained from the state Bureau of Vital Statistics)
Orders can be placed in person at the Lee County Vital Statistics office, by mail, or online through VitalChek (phone: (800) 669-8312). The local office can be reached at (239) 332-9572.
Lee County Probate Court Records
Probate matters in Lee County fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court. The Clerk’s Probate, Guardianship, and Mental Health division manages all filings related to decedent estates, guardianships, incapacity determinations, Baker Act proceedings, and Marchman Act cases.
Types of Probate Proceedings
Lee County handles three main categories of probate administration:
- Formal Administration — Used for estates with substantial assets requiring appointment of a personal representative. Must be filed by a Florida-licensed attorney unless the personal representative is the sole beneficiary.
- Summary Administration — Available when the estate value does not exceed $75,000 or the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.
- Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration (Small Estate) — A simplified process for minimal estates consisting primarily of personal property as defined under Florida Statute § 732.402.
Probate Filing Fees
| Proceeding Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| General estate opening (petition, order) | $231.00 |
| Caveat and notice of trust | $41.00 |
| Admission of foreign will | $231.00 |
| Disposition without administration | $231.00 |
| Summary administration (estate < $1,000) | $235.00 |
| Summary administration (estate ≥ $1,000) | $345.00 |
| Formal administration / guardianship / trust | $400.00 |
| Guardianship of person only | $235.00 |
| Petition to determine incapacity | $231.00 |
| Restoration of capacity | $50.00 |
| Reopen case | $50.00 |
Guardianship Audit Fees
| Asset Level | Fee |
|---|---|
| Inventory with assets over $25,000 | $85.00 |
| Accounting — assets ≤ $25,000 | $20.00 |
| Accounting — $25,000.01–$100,000 | $85.00 |
| Accounting — $100,000.01–$500,000 | $170.00 |
| Accounting — over $500,000 | $250.00 |
How to File and Request Probate Records
Filings can be submitted in person at the Justice Center (2nd Floor), by mail to P.O. Box 9346, Fort Myers, FL 33902, or electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Original wills cannot be e-filed and must be delivered in person or by mail. Per Florida Statute § 732.901, the custodian of a will must deposit the original with the Clerk within 10 days of learning of the testator’s death.
The Probate division of the Clerk’s office can be reached at (239) 533-5000, option 5. For guardianship and incapacity cases, email guardianship@leeclerk.org. For probate, Baker Act, and Marchman Act matters, email probate@leeclerk.org.
Probate case records can be searched through the Records Inquiry system by registered users. General public access to guardianship and mental health case details is restricted under Florida law. Copies of probate filings for cases pre-dating 2004 or documents requiring exemplification should be requested through the Clerk’s Public Records Request system.