Lee County

Lee County is located in Southwest Florida along the Gulf of Mexico coast, with Fort Myers serving as Lee County seat. Established in 1887 and named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Lee County includes approximately 804 square miles of land and 285 square miles of water. The population has grown substantially to over 760,000 residents as of recent estimates, making it one of Florida's most populous counties. Lee County includes the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, renowned for their pristine beaches and shell collecting, as well as the communities of Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, and Lehigh Acres. The Caloosahatchee River flows through Lee County, providing vital ecological and economic resources. Major landmarks include the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, the J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, and the historic Fort Myers River District. Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, located at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, maintains court records and official documents. Lee County Property Appraiser, with offices at 2480 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, assesses all real and tangible personal property. Lee County Tax Collector handles property tax collections and motor vehicle registrations. Lee County's economy is heavily driven by tourism, real estate development, healthcare, and retirement services, with significant growth in recent decades transforming it from an agricultural region to a major metropolitan area.

Lee County Florida Court is located in Fort Myers, Florida. The address is 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The court is responsible for handling civil and criminal cases in Lee County. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m. The court also offers online services for filing documents and paying fines.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Processing times for formal public records requests vary but agencies must respond within a reasonable timeframe as required by Florida Statutes §119.07.

Jail & Inmate Records

• The bond and bail process in Florida allows for the release of inmates pending trial, and bail can be posted directly at the jail or through a bail bondsman.

• County Court addresses misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes up to $30,000, small claims up to $8,000, traffic violations, and evictions.
• The Clerk's office provides public access to court records through an online case search portal available on their website, allowing searches by party name, case number, or attorney.
• Fees for copies typically run $1.00 per page for standard documents, with certified copies costing an additional certification fee.

• The office maintains a full online Official Records Search available at www.leeclerk.org, providing free public access to scanned documents dating back several decades.
• The system displays indexed information free of charge, and document images can be viewed and printed without fees for most searches.
• Certified copies of recorded documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus applicable certification fees.
• Lee County Property Appraiser, located at 2480 Thompson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, phone, maintains property tax assessment records and provides a free online Property Search at www.leepa.org.
• Lee County Tax Collector, with multiple offices including the main location at 2480 Thompson Street, processes property tax payments and maintains tax payment history accessible online at www.leetc.com.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $12 for each additional copy of the same record ordered simultaneously, with processing times typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests.
• Expedited service is available for additional fees.
• Death certificates follow the same fee structure and can be requested from either Lee County health department or the state vital statistics office.
• Death certificates have fewer restrictions but still require requestor identification.
• Marriage certificates documenting completed marriages can be obtained from the Clerk's office for $5.50 for a non-certified copy or $13.50 for a certified copy.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• These local business tax receipts are required for most businesses operating in unincorporated Lee County, with fees varying based on business type and classification.
• Building permits, construction permits, and zoning information are handled by Lee County Community Development Department at 1500 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, phone, with permit searches available online.
• Lee County Economic Development Office promotes business expansion and provides resources for new businesses.