Fort Myers Public Records Search

Public records in Fort Myers cover a wide range of government documents, from court case files and property deeds to city permits and police reports, all governed by Florida's open records law and held across Lee County offices and City of Fort Myers departments.

Open Records Rights in Florida

Florida's public records law is broad. Under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, every record made or received by a government agency is public unless a specific exemption applies. Fort Myers city records and Lee County records are both covered. The law doesn't care who you are or why you want the records.

You don't have to give your name. No reason is required. The agency cannot demand you explain yourself before handing over a public document. That's the baseline the law sets, and agencies must follow it.

Responses must be prompt. Agencies can't sit on a request indefinitely. If a file can be pulled right away, that's what should happen. For bigger or older requests, the agency has to give you an estimate of how long it will take. The exemptions under Section 119.071 cover things like active criminal investigations, personal medical data, and certain law enforcement intelligence records. Most routine requests don't hit these walls.

Court Records Through the Lee County Clerk

Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County and the home of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. The Lee County Clerk of Courts is the official keeper of all court records filed in the circuit. The clerk's online portal lets you search by name, case number, or date. Many records are free to view online.

Civil cases include contract disputes, civil claims, and injunctions. Criminal records cover both misdemeanors and felonies filed in Lee County. Family court handles divorce proceedings, custody orders, and adoptions. Probate files deal with estates and guardianship cases. Each division is separate but runs through the same clerk's office.

To get a copy of a court record, you can use the online system, call the clerk, or visit in person. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk's main office is in Fort Myers. If you know the case number, bring it. It saves staff time and gets you the file faster.

Not all records are fully online. Older case files, sealed records, or records involving juveniles may require an in-person visit and a formal request. Court staff can point you to the right division if you're not sure where to start.

City of Fort Myers Records

The City of Fort Myers manages its own records for local government functions. City Hall is at 2200 Second St, Fort Myers, FL 33901. The main line is (239) 321-7000. The screenshot below is from the City of Fort Myers official website, which has department contacts and links to records available online.

The site lists city departments and provides links to permit search tools, meeting agendas, and contact details for submitting records requests.

Building permits are some of the most-requested city records. If a property had construction work, there's a permit on file showing what was approved, the contractor's name, and whether inspections cleared. These records matter to buyers, lenders, and anyone doing renovation research.

The city also keeps zoning records, code enforcement files, and city commission documents. City contracts and financial records are public too. Many of these are posted directly on the city website. If something isn't posted, a direct request to the city clerk's office gets the process started.

Fort Myers Police Records

Fort Myers has its own police department. The Fort Myers Police Department handles records for incidents, arrests, and investigations within city limits. Routine police records, incident reports, and many arrest logs are open. Some files tied to ongoing investigations carry temporary exemptions. You can request records through the department's records unit directly.

For criminal court records tied to arrests in Fort Myers, those case files are held by the Lee County Clerk of Courts, not the police department. The two systems are separate. The police department has the initial incident report. The Clerk has the resulting court file once charges are filed.

Property and Land Records

Property records in Fort Myers are held by two county offices. The Lee County Property Appraiser maintains ownership, assessed values, and lot details. All of this is free to search online by address or parcel number.

Deed records, mortgages, and liens are maintained by the Lee County Clerk. When a property is sold or refinanced, a deed gets recorded. These documents go back many years and support title searches and real estate research. The Lee Clerk's website has a public records search that covers deeds and official records.

Tax records are kept by the Lee County Tax Collector. That office shows payment history, current tax bills, and whether taxes are current on a given property. Most of this is searchable online at no charge.

Making a Records Request in Fort Myers

You can ask for records by phone, email, in person, or by mail. No set form is required under Florida law. Just describe what you need clearly enough for staff to find it. Include the record type, date range, and names or addresses that apply.

Copies cost $0.15 per page for standard printed records. The first 30 minutes of staff search time is free. If the request takes longer, agencies can charge for additional time based on the hourly pay of the lowest-qualified staff who can do the job. Certified copies cost more than plain ones.

If an agency denies your request without a valid reason, contact the Florida Attorney General's office. Their Government Records Mediation Program runs at (850) 245-0140 and is free to use. More details are at myfloridalegal.com. Mediation resolves most disputes without going to court.

Vital Records

Birth and death records from Fort Myers events are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics. Order them through the Florida Department of Health.

Marriage licenses come from the Lee County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the circuit court record and are searchable through the Lee Clerk's online system. Certified copies of either type require a request and a fee. The Florida Court Clerks statewide directory at flclerks.com lists contact details for all 67 county clerks in Florida.

Nearby Cities

Other Southwest Florida cities near Fort Myers also have records through Lee County and neighboring county offices.

Lee County Records

Court records and official records for Fort Myers are maintained by the Lee County Clerk of Court.