Cape Coral Family Court Case Records Access
Cape Coral family court records are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court. The city clerk does not handle these files. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Cape Coral residents are filed with the county. The 20th Judicial Circuit Court serves the Southwest Florida area. Family law matters stay at the county level. The city clerk manages municipal records only.
Cape Coral Quick Facts
Lee County Clerk Maintains Cape Coral Family Court Records
Family court records for Cape Coral are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court, not the Cape Coral City Clerk. Kevin C. Karnes serves as the elected clerk, and his office manages all court records for the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes cases from Cape Coral and Fort Myers. This county-level record maintenance means that Cape Coral residents must travel to Fort Myers to access family court records, as the city clerk has no jurisdiction over court documents and does not maintain any judicial records.
The county clerk's office is located at 32075 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Fort Myers, which serves as the county seat for Lee County. This location houses all family court records filed by Cape Coral residents, including divorce proceedings, custody determinations, support orders, and domestic violence documentation. Staff members are available to assist with case searches using party names or specific case numbers, and they provide certified copies for legal proceedings. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Cape Coral residents access family court records through the Lee County Clerk in Fort Myers.
| Office | Lee County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Kevin C. Karnes |
| Address | 32075 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Ft. Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | www.leeclerk.org |
The Cape Coral City Clerk's office is located at 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard and can be reached at (239) 574-0416. This office maintains city council records, municipal contracts, business permits, and various local government documentation, but they do not possess any court files or family law records. Cape Coral residents seeking family court documentation must contact the Lee County Clerk directly.
Online Access to Cape Coral Family Court Records
You can search Cape Coral family court records remotely through the Lee County Clerk's digital tools. The official website at www.leeclerk.org provides case search features that allow you to look up family law cases by party name or case number. This system displays case details and history information, offering a convenient starting point for residents who need to verify case status without making the trip to Fort Myers.
The Florida E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com provides statewide access to court records, including all cases from Lee County. This broader search capability is valuable when you need to verify case information across multiple jurisdictions or when you are uncertain about where specific records are maintained.
The Lee County e-filing portal provides online access to Cape Coral family court case information.
Online access displays case status and party information, though full document access may require an in-person visit. Certified copies must be obtained directly from the clerk's office.
Types of Family Court Records in Cape Coral
Cape Coral family courts within the 20th Judicial Circuit handle a comprehensive range of case types, each generating detailed records maintained by the Lee County Clerk. Divorce cases are common filings, creating extensive documentation that includes initial petitions, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, and final judgments. Child custody proceedings produce parenting plans that establish time-sharing schedules and detail parental rights and responsibilities. Child support records contain payment orders and income calculations. Domestic violence cases are processed quickly, with temporary injunctions available to protect victims.
Paternity actions establish legal parentage, while adoption and guardianship proceedings create permanent records of new family relationships. Most family court records in Cape Coral are public documents accessible to interested parties, though sensitive information such as social security numbers and bank account details are automatically redacted from public view. Some files may be sealed by court order when privacy interests outweigh public access rights.
Cape Coral City Clerk vs County Clerk
Cape Coral operates two separate clerk offices with fundamentally different responsibilities. The Cape Coral City Clerk serves the municipal government and handles administrative records related to city operations, while the Lee County Clerk serves the judicial system and maintains all court-related documentation. This distinction is particularly important for family law matters because the city clerk has no access to court records regardless of where Cape Coral residents live.
The Cape Coral City Clerk is located on Cultural Park Boulevard and maintains city council minutes, municipal contracts, business permits, and local government records. They do not possess family court files. The Lee County Clerk is located in Fort Myers at the county seat and serves as the official custodian of all court records for the 20th Judicial Circuit, maintaining comprehensive files for every family law case filed by Cape Coral residents.
Both offices require photo identification. The courthouse has mandatory security screening, so arrive early to allow sufficient time. Parking is available at both locations.
How to Request Cape Coral Family Court Records
You have several options for obtaining family court records as a Cape Coral resident. In-person visits to the Lee County Clerk's office at 32075 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Fort Myers provide the fastest results, allowing direct consultation with staff and immediate production of copies. Bring valid photo identification and any case information you possess. Staff can locate files quickly and provide both plain and certified copies, with certified copies carrying additional fees.
Online searches through the Lee Clerk's website offer convenience for residents who cannot make the trip to Fort Myers. The case search feature displays basic case information and some downloadable documents. Mail requests are also accepted for those who prefer written correspondence. Submit a detailed letter including case information, your contact details, and payment for copies, though this method requires additional processing time.
Lee County Court Locations for Cape Coral Residents
Cape Coral residents may need to appear in court in Fort Myers for family law proceedings. The Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street serves as the main courthouse for the 20th Judicial Circuit. Family law hearings take place at this location, with the clerk's office nearby on MLK Boulevard. The drive from Cape Coral to Fort Myers typically takes about 30 minutes, though you should plan extra time for traffic, parking, and security screening.
The 20th Judicial Circuit also maintains a satellite office in Cape Coral for some proceedings. Contact the clerk's office at (239) 533-5000 to confirm which location handles your specific case, as some matters may be scheduled closer to home.
Lee County Family Court Records
As the largest city in Lee County, Cape Coral's family court records are fully integrated into the Lee County court system. The Lee County Clerk maintains comprehensive family law files for Cape Coral residents as well as residents of Fort Myers and other communities throughout the county. Understanding this county-level record maintenance structure is essential for efficiently accessing family court documentation in Southwest Florida.