Fort Myers City family court records are public files that show divorce, custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence cases filed in Lee County. The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps all these files at the Justice Center on Monroe Street.
This page explains how to find, view, and request family court records for anyone living in Fort Myers or anywhere else in Lee County, Florida.
Who Keeps Fort Myers Family Court Records
Family court records in Fort Myers sit with the Lee County Clerk of Court. The Florida court system runs circuits by county, and Lee County is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Kevin C. Karnes serves as the elected Clerk of Court for Lee County. His office stores every family case file from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Bonita Springs, and Sanibel.
Lee County Clerk of Court Office Details
The main clerk office sits at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, inside the Lee County Justice Center. You can call the main line at (239) 533-5000. The office opens Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and stays closed on weekends and major holidays. The official website is www.leeclerk.org where you can search cases and download some documents.
| Office Detail | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Lee County Clerk of Court |
| Clerk Name | Kevin C. Karnes |
| Street Address | 1700 Monroe Street |
| City and ZIP | Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone Number | (239) 533-5000 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | www.leeclerk.org |
| Judicial Circuit | 20th Judicial Circuit |
Fort Myers City Clerk Versus Lee County Clerk
The Fort Myers City Clerk and the Lee County Clerk run two separate offices with different jobs. The city clerk handles city council minutes, local permits, and municipal contracts. The city clerk has no court files at all. Anyone who needs a family court record in Fort Myers must contact the Lee County Clerk of Court, not the city office. The city clerk sits at 2200 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, and answers at (239) 321-7000, but cannot help with family law files.
Online Search for Fort Myers Family Court Records
You can search Fort Myers family court records online without leaving home. The Lee County Clerk runs a public search tool on their website. You can also use the statewide Florida court access portal. Both systems let you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. Online searches show case status, hearing dates, party names, and docket entries.
Lee County Clerk Official Online Portal
The Lee Clerk website at www.leeclerk.org has a case search tool on the main page. Click on “Court Records Search” and pick “Family” as the case type. You can search by party last name, first name, and date of birth. The results show case number, filing date, judge name, case status, and upcoming hearing dates. Some documents are available as PDF downloads, but most certified copies still require an in-person visit or mail request.
Florida Statewide Court Access Portal
The Florida E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com covers all 67 Florida counties. You can search Lee County family cases through this statewide system. This tool helps when you need to check a case filed in another county or when you are unsure where the case was filed. The portal shows the same basic case data as the county system but lets you search across all Florida jurisdictions at once.
What You Can See Online Versus In Person
Online systems show basic case facts, hearing schedules, and docket entries. In-person visits let you pull complete file folders, see sealed exhibits, and order certified copies with a raised court seal. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page and an extra $2.00 for the certification. Regular copies cost $1.00 per page. Online access stays free for basic searches, but downloading documents sometimes carries a small fee.
Types of Family Court Records in Fort Myers
Family court cases in Fort Myers cover divorce, custody, child support, paternity, adoption, domestic violence, and guardianship. Each case type creates its own file folder with petitions, financial forms, court orders, and hearing transcripts. The Lee County Clerk stores all of these files in the same records system but tags them by case type for easy lookup.
Divorce Case Records
Fort Myers divorce case records include the petition for dissolution of marriage, financial affidavits, property settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final judgment of divorce. Each divorce file shows the grounds for divorce, asset division, debt assignment, alimony orders, and custody terms. You can search divorce records by either spouse’s name or by case number on the Lee Clerk portal.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Child custody records contain parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, relocation orders, and modification petitions. These files include detailed calendars that show which parent has the child on specific days, holidays, and school breaks. The court also files any violation petitions when a parent fails to follow the parenting plan.
Child Support Order Records
Child support records list the payment amount, payment frequency, and the income figures used to calculate support. Files also show payment history, enforcement actions, contempt motions, and wage withholding orders. The Florida Department of Revenue helps enforce child support orders and may file additional documents in the same case file.
Paternity Case Files
Paternity records show the results of DNA tests, court orders that name the legal father, and support orders that follow paternity. These files also contain birth certificate corrections and name change orders for the child. Paternity cases sometimes merge with later child support or custody filings.
Adoption Records
Adoption files include the petition for adoption, the home study report, the consent forms from biological parents, and the final adoption decree. Florida law seals most adoption records once the adoption becomes final. You can request limited information from the Clerk for medical reasons or through a court order.
Domestic Violence Injunction Records
Domestic violence records cover petitions for restraining orders, temporary injunctions, and permanent injunctions. Files also show hearing transcripts, witness statements, and the judge’s final order. Many injunction files stay open to the public, but the court can seal portions that reveal a safe address or protected identity.
How to Request Fort Myers Family Court Records in Person
An in-person visit to the Lee County Justice Center gives you the fastest access to complete file folders. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number if you have it, and exact party names. Plan for security screening at the courthouse entrance, which can add fifteen to thirty minutes during busy hours.
Steps for an In-Person Records Request
- Arrive at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Pass through the security checkpoint and bring only essential items.
- Go to the Records Department on the first floor of the Justice Center.
- Fill out a records request form at the counter with the case number or party names.
- Pay the copy fees at the cashier window, which accepts cash, check, money order, and most major cards.
- Wait for staff to pull the file, which usually takes 15 to 45 minutes for older cases.
- Review the file in the records viewing room or order certified copies for use in court.
What to Bring to the Clerk Office
Bring a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. Bring the case number if you know it, which speeds up the search. Bring exact party names with correct spelling. If you are requesting records for someone else, bring a notarized authorization letter. Bring cash or a card for copy fees, which cost $1.00 per page and $2.00 per certified copy.
Mail and Phone Requests for Family Court Files
You can request Fort Myers family court records by mail if you cannot visit in person. Mail requests work for basic case facts, copies of specific documents, and certified copies. Phone calls work for general questions about how to order records or check the status of a pending request.
Mail Request Process and Timeline
Send a written request to the Lee County Clerk of Court, Records Department, 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Include the case number, full names of both parties, your contact details, and the specific documents you need. Include a check or money order for the copy fees, payable to Lee County Clerk of Court. Mail requests take five to ten business days to process plus mail time. The clerk mails the copies back to you at the address you provide.
Phone Inquiries for Status Updates
Call (239) 533-5000 to ask about general procedures, office hours, and request status. The clerk cannot release case details over the phone due to privacy rules. You must visit in person, send a mail request, or use the online portal to see the actual case records.
Sealed and Confidential Family Court Records
Some Fort Myers family court records stay sealed from public view. The judge can seal a file when privacy outweighs public access. Common sealed records include adoption files, juvenile dependency cases, and cases that reveal trade secrets or sensitive personal data. Even when a file stays sealed, the case number and basic docket entries usually remain visible on the public system.
How to Request Access to Sealed Records
File a motion to unseal records with the Clerk of Court. The motion must explain why you need access and how the records relate to a pending legal matter. The judge reviews the motion and holds a hearing before granting or denying the request. You can also access sealed adoption records through Florida’s Adoption Reunion Registry if both parties register and consent to contact.
Costs and Fees for Family Court Records in Fort Myers
Fort Myers family court record fees stay low and follow Florida state law. Basic online searches cost nothing. Printed copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee. Some specialized documents like birth certificates or marriage licenses carry different fees set by Florida statute.
| Service Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online case search | Free |
| Standard copy per page | $1.00 |
| Certified copy per page | $1.00 + $2.00 certification |
| Document exemplification | $7.00 |
| Federal tax lien record | $5.00 |
| Written mail request processing | $1.00 per page |
Contact Details and Location Map
The Lee County Clerk of Court Records Department sits inside the Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone line is (239) 533-5000. The official website is www.leeclerk.org. Use the map below to find the courthouse and plan your visit.
Common Questions About Fort Myers Family Court Records
This section answers the most common questions people ask about Fort Myers family court records. Each answer covers a specific topic that helps you find, read, or request family law files in Lee County. Read through these questions to learn what the records contain, who can see them, and how the process works in 2026.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Copy of a Family Court Record?
In-person requests at the Lee County Justice Center usually finish within thirty to forty-five minutes for files stored on-site. Older files stored off-site can take up to five business days to retrieve. Mail requests take five to ten business days for processing plus standard mail time. Online PDF downloads happen immediately when the document is available in digital form. Certified copies add a small processing time at the cashier window but usually finish the same day.
Can I View Fort Myers Family Court Records for Free?
Yes, basic case information is free to view on the Lee Clerk website and the Florida statewide portal. You can see case number, party names, filing date, judge name, hearing dates, and docket entries at no cost. Printed copies, certified copies, and complete file folders require payment. In-person viewing in the public terminal room also stays free, but you cannot remove originals from the building.
What Information Gets Redacted From Public Family Court Files?
The Lee County Clerk redacts Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and minor children’s full names in some document types. Financial affidavits often have detailed account numbers removed. Protected party names in domestic violence cases may also show only initials. The redaction rules follow Florida Supreme Court standards and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Can I Access Family Court Records From Another State Through the Lee Clerk?
No, the Lee County Clerk only holds files filed in Lee County. To find family court records from another state, contact that state’s court system or use the federal PACER system for federal cases. For other Florida counties, use the statewide portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com. Each state runs its own records system with different access rules and fees.
How Do I Find a Divorce Record That Was Filed Years Ago in Fort Myers?
Search by the full name of either spouse on the Lee Clerk website. If the case predates the digital system, you may need to visit the Records Department in person with both names and an approximate filing date. The clerk staff can search microfilm records and archived files for older cases. Some very old records from before 1970 may sit at the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee.
Are Child Custody Records Public in Fort Myers?
Most child custody records stay open to the public, but the court seals sensitive details. Parenting plans, time-sharing schedules, and custody orders are public. Medical records, therapy notes, and school records filed as exhibits may stay sealed. The child’s name sometimes appears only as initials in domestic violence cases to protect the child from the other parent.
Can I Get an Apostille for a Fort Myers Family Court Record?
Yes, the Lee County Clerk can issue an apostille for family court records needed in a foreign country. You must request a certified copy first, then submit it to the Florida Department of State for the apostille stamp. The state charges $10.00 per apostille plus a $25.00 expedite fee if you need same-day service. Allow seven to ten business days for standard apostille processing through the mail.