Fort Myers Family Court Case Records Access
Fort Myers serves as the historic county seat of Lee County and the administrative center for the 20th Judicial Circuit. Family court records for Fort Myers residents are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court, not the city clerk. All divorce, custody, child support, and related family law cases are filed and stored at the county level. This guide provides Fort Myers residents with comprehensive information about accessing their family court records through the proper channels.
Fort Myers Quick Facts
Lee County Clerk Maintains Fort Myers Family Court Records
Family court records for Fort Myers are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court, with Kevin C. Karnes serving as the elected clerk. His office manages all court records for the 20th Judicial Circuit, which includes cases from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and all other communities throughout Lee County. As the county seat, Fort Myers hosts the main courthouse and clerk facilities, making record access particularly convenient for city residents compared to those living in outlying areas who must travel to the city center.
The Lee County Clerk's office is located at 1700 Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers, inside the Lee County Justice Center. This central location houses all family court records including divorce proceedings, custody determinations, child support orders, adoption files, 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, closed weekends and major holidays.
The Lee County Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers houses all family court records for the city.
| Office | Lee County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk Name | Kevin C. Karnes |
| Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | www.leeclerk.org |
The Fort Myers City Clerk's office is located at 2200 Second Street and can be reached at (239) 321-7000. This office maintains city council records, municipal contracts, business permits, and local government documentation, but they do not possess any court files or family law records. Fort Myers residents seeking family court documentation must contact the Lee County Clerk directly at the Justice Center.
Online Access to Fort Myers Family Court Records
You can search Fort Myers family court records remotely through the Lee County Clerk's digital portal. 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, hearing dates, and filing history, offering a convenient starting point for residents who need to verify case status or track ongoing proceedings without visiting the courthouse in person.
The Lee County Clerk's online portal provides Fort Myers residents with remote access to family court case information.
The Florida E-Filing Portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com provides statewide access to court records, including all cases from Lee County and Fort Myers. This broader search capability proves valuable when you need to verify case information across multiple jurisdictions or when you are uncertain about where specific records are maintained. Online access displays case status and party information, though full document access may require an in-person visit, and certified copies must be obtained directly from the clerk's office.
Types of Family Court Records in Fort Myers
Fort Myers 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, property settlement agreements, parenting plans, and final judgments. Child custody proceedings produce detailed records establishing time-sharing schedules and documenting parental rights and responsibilities. Child support records contain payment orders, income calculations, and enforcement actions.
Domestic violence cases are processed quickly through the Fort Myers courthouse, with temporary injunctions available to protect victims and permanent orders following full hearings. Paternity actions establish legal parentage and set support obligations, while adoption and guardianship proceedings create permanent records of new family relationships. Most family court records in Fort Myers 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.
Fort Myers City Clerk vs County Clerk
Fort Myers operates two separate clerk offices with fundamentally different responsibilities that residents must understand to locate the correct records. The Fort Myers 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 Fort Myers residents live or how long they have resided in the city.
The Fort Myers City Clerk is located on Second Street and maintains city council minutes, municipal contracts, business permits, and local government records. They do not possess family court files and cannot assist with accessing divorce, custody, or support documentation. The Lee County Clerk is located at the Justice Center on Monroe Street 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 Fort Myers residents. Both offices require photo identification, and the courthouse has mandatory security screening, so arrive early to allow sufficient time for these procedures.
How to Request Fort Myers Family Court Records
You have several options for obtaining family court records as a Fort Myers resident. In-person visits to the Lee County Clerk's office at 1700 Monroe Street provide the fastest results, allowing direct consultation with staff and immediate production of copies. Bring valid photo identification and any case information you possess, including case numbers, party names, and approximate filing dates. Staff can locate files quickly and provide both plain and certified copies, with certified copies carrying additional fees required for legal proceedings.
Online searches through the Lee Clerk's website offer convenience for residents who prefer remote access. The case search feature displays basic case information and some downloadable documents, though full access may require an in-person visit. Mail requests are also accepted for those who prefer written correspondence by submitting a detailed letter including case information, your contact details, and payment for copies, though this method requires additional processing time. Phone inquiries at (239) 533-5000 can help clarify procedures before you visit.
Lee County Family Court Records
As the county seat of Lee County, Fort Myers serves as the administrative hub for all family court records in the region. The Lee County Clerk maintains comprehensive family law files for Fort Myers residents as well as residents of Cape Coral and other communities throughout the county. Understanding this county-level record maintenance structure is essential for efficiently accessing family court documentation in Southwest Florida, whether you live in the city center or in surrounding unincorporated areas.