The Lee County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller keeps court files and Official Records for Lee County, Florida. People use the office to look up civil, criminal, traffic, family or probate cases, print public documents, order certified copies, research deeds and mortgages or find marriage records. Lee County provides separate online paths for court cases and Official Records, and access depends on record type, case age and confidentiality rules. Many court files can be searched online, but older cases and some document images require a records request. This guide covers the main contact details, locations, search steps, copy options and access limits so readers can choose the right route without an unnecessary courthouse visit.
Lee County Clerk of Courts Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Office | Lee County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller |
| Main court location | Justice Center, 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Main phone | 239-533-5000 |
| Call center hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. |
| Lobby hours | Open until 5:00 p.m. on business days |
| Court search | Court Records Public Search / Court Records Inquiry |
| Official Records | Searchable records dating back to 1887 |
| Official Records phone | 239-533-5007 |
| Official website | leeclerk.org |
Lee County Clerk of Court Address and Phone Number
The main court-service location is the Lee County Justice Center at 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The central phone number is 239-533-5000. The Clerk lists call-center hours of Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., while public lobbies remain open until 5:00 p.m., excluding observed holidays.
Court divisions use the same main number with department options. Civil and small claims use option 3, traffic uses option 2, while probate and guardianship services are also based at the Justice Center. Official Records uses 239-533-5007 and serves customers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Lee County Clerk of Courts Locations
| Location | Address | Main use |
| Justice Center | 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901 | Civil, criminal, traffic, probate and general court services |
| Cape Coral Branch | 1039 SE 9th Place, 2nd Floor, Cape Coral, FL 33990 | Court services, Official Records, marriage services and branch assistance |
| County Administration Building | 2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901 | Official Records and land-record services |
| County Administration East | 2201 Second Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901 | Records-management and selected Clerk functions |
How to Search Lee County Court Records and Cases
Lee County separates Criminal & Traffic from Civil, Family & Probate searches. Public users can search by case number, party name or attorney; traffic matters can also use a citation number. Some records reach back to 1984 or earlier, but many cases opened before 2004 do not have full document images online.
- Open leeclerk.org and choose Court Case Records or Search Court Cases, then accept the search disclaimer.
- Choose Criminal & Traffic or Civil, Family & Probate. Use the case number when known; otherwise search by the full party name or attorney. Traffic users can enter the citation number.
- Open the matching case and verify the parties, case type and docket before relying on a document. If a name is only partly known, follow the portal’s wildcard/search guidance rather than guessing.
- If the case is older, confidential or a document image is unavailable, use the Records Request System or the Viewable on Request process when offered.
Not every record is available through public internet access. Lee County follows the Florida Supreme Court access-security matrix, which assigns access according to user role and record type. Some documents require a Viewable on Request review. The Clerk also notes that certain closed cases may no longer retain images online after the applicable retention period, although a case summary or progress docket may still be requested.
How to Request Copies of Court Records
If you need a copy rather than simply viewing a docket, collect enough information for the Clerk to locate the exact record. Helpful details include:
- Case number, citation number, Official Record instrument number or book/page reference, if available.
- Full party names and an approximate filing or recording date.
- Exact document needed, such as a final judgment, order, complaint, deed or marriage record.
- Whether you need an ordinary copy, a paper certified copy or an eligible electronically certified copy.
| Request method | Best used for |
| Online | Viewing/printing public court documents, ordering eligible e-certified court or Official Record copies, and submitting records requests |
| In person | Traditional certified copies, records requiring identity review, and help locating older or restricted material |
| Court or Official Record copy requests when you can provide detailed identifiers, payment and return-mail materials |
Registered users of Lee County’s Court Records Inquiry system can print non-certified court documents at home without a copy fee, and eligible certified documents are offered online for $8 each. Through the records-request process, traditional court copies are generally $1 per page plus $2 per certified document. Some agencies may not accept electronic certification, so check the receiving agency before ordering.
Other Services Available Through the Clerk
The Clerk handles civil and small-claims matters, criminal cases, traffic, family law, probate, guardianship, mental-health cases, child-support records, appeals, Official Records, marriage licenses, passports and tax deeds. Services vary by location. For example, Official Records notes that passport services are not offered at its Cape Coral location, so checking the department page before traveling can prevent a wasted trip.
Court Records vs. Property Records
Court Records contain lawsuits, criminal proceedings, family cases, probate matters and related docket filings. Official Records contain recorded instruments such as deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, judgments and marriage licenses. Lee County’s Official Records date back to 1887. For property ownership or a recorded mortgage, use Official Records rather than the civil court-case portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why can I see a case but not the document image?
The image may require Viewable on Request review, may be confidential, may not have been digitized, or may no longer be retained online. Use the records-request route when the docket exists but the image does not.
Q. What should I do if the case was opened before 2004?
Search online first, but expect that some older cases may require the Records Request System. Lee County specifically notes that many pre-2004 files are not fully available through online viewing.
Q. Can I use an electronically certified copy for every government purpose?
Not necessarily. Some agencies require a traditional certified copy. Ask the receiving agency what format it accepts before paying for e-certification.
Q. How far back do Lee County Official Records go?
The Clerk states that Official Records date back to 1887. Older property documents therefore belong in the Official Records system rather than the modern court-case search.
Q. Do I need to visit Fort Myers if I live closer to Cape Coral?
Not always. The Cape Coral branch handles many court and Official Records services, but specialized services vary by location. Confirm the department before traveling.
