Lehigh Acres Public Records
Lehigh Acres public records are maintained through Lee County rather than through a city government, because Lehigh Acres is a census-designated place and not an incorporated municipality. Anyone searching for public records in Lehigh Acres will work through the Lee County Clerk of Courts, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, and other county agencies. Court records, property documents, permit files, and most other government records tied to this community are all held at the county level. Requests go to Lee County, and access is open to any person who asks.
Lehigh Acres Quick Facts
Unincorporated Community, County Records
Lehigh Acres is one of the largest unincorporated communities in Florida. It is not a city or town. There is no mayor, no city council, and no city hall. Instead, it is part of the unincorporated area of Lee County, which means all government services, including records, come from Lee County and not from a local city government.
This makes the records process simpler in some ways. There's one county system to work with. All public records requests for Lehigh Acres go to Lee County departments or the Lee County Clerk of Courts. There's no separate city clerk to contact. Whether you need a building permit, a court case, or a property record, the county is the right place to start.
Florida's Chapter 119 public records law still applies in full. Anyone can request records. No name or reason is required. The county must respond promptly and provide records unless a specific statutory exemption applies under Section 119.071.
Lee County Clerk of Courts
Court records for Lehigh Acres cases are filed with the 20th Judicial Circuit through the Lee County Clerk of Courts. Their website at leeclerk.org has an online case search for civil, criminal, family, and probate records. Searches are free. You can search by name or case number.
Civil court records include lawsuits, foreclosures, small claims, and injunctions. Criminal records cover everything from misdemeanors to felony charges filed in Lee County courts. Once a charge is filed, it becomes part of the public record. You can see the charge, court dates, and the outcome of the case.
Family court files include divorces, child custody orders, and support matters. Probate records cover estates and guardianships. Both are searchable through the Lee County Clerk's online system. Records involving children may have restricted access, but the case index is generally available.
The Lee County Justice Center is at 1700 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901. This is the main courthouse for the 20th Circuit. Certified copies cost $1.00 for the first page plus $0.15 per additional page. Plain copies are $0.15 per page. If you know your case number, bring it. It makes the process faster.
Lee County Government Records
Lee County manages public services for all unincorporated areas, including Lehigh Acres. The county government website at leegov.com is the main hub for county records, services, and contact information. County commission meeting minutes, budgets, contracts, and financial reports are available through the website.
Building and zoning records for Lehigh Acres are handled by Lee County's Community Development Department. Permits, inspections, code violations, and zoning decisions are all part of the county record system. If you want to check the permit history of a property in Lehigh Acres, you'll need to contact this department or use the county's online permit search tool.
Code enforcement records are also county-based. If a property in Lehigh Acres has had code violations, those records are with Lee County's Code Enforcement division. These are public records and can be requested. They're useful for buyers or neighbors who want to know about property conditions.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for unincorporated Lehigh Acres. There is no Lehigh Acres Police Department. Incident reports, arrest logs, and police records from the area are maintained by the LCSO. Most reports are available through the sheriff's records office. Some active investigation files may carry partial exemptions, but routine reports are generally public.
Lee County Government Website Screenshot
The image below was captured from the Lee County official government website, which provides access to county records, department contacts, and online services for Lehigh Acres residents.
The Lee County site includes links to building permits, court records, property searches, and public records request forms for residents throughout unincorporated Lee County, including Lehigh Acres.
Property Records
Property records for Lehigh Acres are held by the Lee County Property Appraiser. The online database is searchable by address or parcel number and shows ownership, assessed values, and tax status. Searches are free online.
Deeds, mortgages, and liens are recorded with the Lee County Clerk's Official Records division. Every sale and recorded document is public. These records go back decades and are the foundation for title searches. Online viewing is generally free; certified copies carry a fee.
Lehigh Acres has a large number of residential lots, many originally laid out in the 1950s and 1960s. Property ownership history and subdivision plats are all part of the county records system. Parcel maps and surveys are also available through the Lee County Property Appraiser. These records are useful for understanding lot boundaries and ownership chains.
Making a Records Request
A public records request in Florida requires no special form. A written description of the records is enough. Include the type of record, a date range, and any relevant names or addresses. Submit by email, mail, phone, or in person. Written requests are best since they create a paper trail.
Fees for copies are $0.15 per page under state law. Certified documents cost more. Staff time over 30 minutes may result in added charges. For most simple requests, the only cost is the copy fee itself.
If a request is denied, the Florida AG's free mediation program can help. Call (850) 245-0140 or check myfloridalegal.com for details. The program resolves disputes between requesters and agencies without going to court.
Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are filed with the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, not with Lee County. Certified copies can be ordered through the Florida Department of Health. Marriage licenses are issued by the Lee County Clerk. Divorce records are part of the 20th Circuit Court system and searchable through the Lee County Clerk's online portal.
Nearby Cities
Other Southwest Florida cities with public records pages are listed below.
Lee County Records
Public records for Lehigh Acres are maintained through the Lee County Clerk of Court. Visit the county page for office details and online search tools.