Lee County Divorce Decree Records are public court files held by the Lee County Clerk of Court. These records show that a marriage has legally ended in Lee County, Florida.
Anyone can search the records by name or case number through the clerk’s online portal. A certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 per copy and can be ordered in person, by mail, or online. The clerk office processes most requests within a few business days, but statewide filing can take up to 60 days. This page explains each step, fee, contact method, and search option in plain language so you can get the right record fast.
What Lee County Divorce Decree Records Contain
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. In Lee County, this document is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court. It carries the official seal of the court, the judge’s signature, and the case number. Anyone who needs to prove a divorce was finalized can request a copy of this document.
Basic Details Found in a Decree
Every Lee County divorce decree includes the same core data fields. These fields help identify the case, the parties, and the terms of the final judgment. Reviewers use this data to confirm the divorce date, the county of filing, and the legal authority behind the order.
- Full legal names of both spouses before and after the divorce
- Case number assigned by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court
- Filing date and final judgment date
- Judge name and division handling the case
- Property division, alimony, and child custody orders
- Court seal and clerk certification stamp
Why These Records Are Requested
People need divorce decrees for legal, financial, and personal reasons. Banks may ask for a decree before changing account names. Insurance companies request it to update marital status. Government agencies ask for it to process name changes, remarriage paperwork, tax filings, and Social Security updates. Employers sometimes request a copy for benefits administration.
Who Maintains Divorce Records in Lee County
The Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the official record keeper for all court files in the county. This includes family law cases, civil suits, criminal files, and divorce records. The clerk office also serves as the comptroller for Lee County government, but the records division handles all public file requests.
Role of the Lee County Clerk of Court
The clerk’s office stores paper and electronic copies of every divorce judgment filed in Lee County. Staff members index cases by party name and assign unique case numbers. The same office issues certified copies, processes mail requests, and provides online search access. The clerk office is the only official source for a certified Lee County divorce decree.
Connection to the Twentieth Judicial Circuit
Lee County is part of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida. The Circuit Court handles all family law cases, including divorce filings. Once a judge signs a final judgment, the document is sent to the clerk office for recording. The clerk then indexes the case and makes it available through the public records portal.
How to Search Lee County Divorce Records Online
Online search is the fastest way to confirm a Lee County divorce case. The clerk office provides a public records portal that lets users look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows case type, party names, filing date, and current status. Certified copies must still be ordered separately.
Using the Lee County Clerk Public Portal
The official Lee County Clerk of Courts website has a public records search tool. Visitors can type a last name, first name, or case number to pull up matching cases. The system covers civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases. Divorce cases show up under the family law case type. Each result shows the case number, parties, division, and filing date.
Searching by Name or Case Number
Name searches work best when the full legal name of either spouse is used. If the name is common, add a date range or middle initial to narrow the list. Case number searches are exact and return the file right away. The case number can be found on prior paperwork, attorney correspondence, or older court documents.
What the Online Search Shows
The online portal shows index-level data, not full document scans. Users can see the names, filing date, case status, and division. To see the actual decree, the user must order a copy. Some sensitive case data may be restricted by Florida law, even when the case itself is public.
Requesting a Certified Divorce Decree Copy
A certified copy of a Lee County divorce decree is a stamped, signed, and sealed version of the original judgment. It is the only version accepted by banks, courts, and government agencies. The clerk office offers three main ways to request a certified copy: in person, by mail, or through the online e-services portal.
In-Person Request at the Clerk Office
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Lee County Clerk of Courts office in Fort Myers. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number if available, and payment for the copy fee. Staff will pull the file, print the certified copy, and apply the court seal while you wait. This is the fastest option for urgent needs.
Mail-In Request Method
Mail requests work for people who live outside Lee County or cannot visit the office. Send a written request that includes the full names of both spouses, the case number if known, the filing year, and a copy of a valid photo ID. Include a check or money order for the certified copy fee. Mail the request to the official clerk mailing address listed on the clerk website.
Online Certified Copy Request
The clerk office e-services portal allows online certified copy orders. Users create an account, search for the case, and submit a request through the portal. Payment is made by credit or debit card. The certified copy is mailed to the address on file or held for pickup, based on the option selected at checkout.
Lee County Clerk Office Contact Details
The Lee County Clerk of Courts office is the central point of contact for all divorce decree requests. Phone, mail, and online options are available during normal business hours. The main office is located in Fort Myers, with branch offices serving other parts of the county.
Address, Hours, and Phone
The main Lee County Clerk of Courts office is located at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Office hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays. The main phone line for records requests is (239) 533-5000. Callers can ask about case status, copy fees, and mail request status.
Email and Online Contact Options
The clerk office does not accept record requests by email, but the public can send general questions through the contact form on the clerk website. The official website is leeclerk.org. The site also lists hours, holiday closures, fee schedules, and links to the online records portal and e-services platform.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Office Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone Number | (239) 533-5000 |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Official Website | leeclerk.org |
| Public Records Portal | matrix.leeclerk.org |
Fees, Payments, and Processing Time
The fee for a certified copy of a Lee County divorce decree is set by Florida statute. The clerk office charges the same rate for in-person, mail, and online requests. Payment methods vary by request type. Processing time depends on the request method and office workload.
Certified Copy Fee in Florida
Each certified copy of a divorce decree costs $15 under the standard Florida fee schedule. Additional copies of the same document cost $15 each. Non-certified copies are available for a lower fee but cannot be used for legal or financial purposes. Payments for in-person orders can be cash, check, money order, or card. Mail orders must be check or money order. Online orders accept credit or debit cards.
Standard Processing Time
Walk-in requests are filled the same day in most cases. Mail requests are processed within five to ten business days after the clerk office receives the letter. Online requests through the e-services portal are processed within two to three business days. These timelines can change during high-volume periods or after major holidays.
Statewide Filing Delay
The Florida Department of Health receives a report of each divorce for statewide vital records indexing. This statewide filing can take up to 60 days after the county records the final judgment. Recent divorces may not appear on statewide databases right away, but they are already on file with the local clerk office.
Florida State Divorce Records
Florida keeps two main types of divorce records: the certified decree held by the county clerk, and the state certificate held by the Florida Department of Health. Each serves a different purpose. The county decree is the legal proof of divorce. The state certificate confirms basic facts like the names, county, and filing date.
Florida Department of Health Records
The Florida Department of Health Office of Vital Records keeps a statewide database of divorces. The office issues state certificates, which confirm that a divorce was recorded in a specific Florida county. These certificates are ordered through the Florida Health website or through VitalChek, the official third-party processor.
Statewide Certificate vs Certified Decree
A state certificate is not a full court decree. It only confirms the names, filing date, and county of the divorce. A certified decree is the full court order with the judge’s signature, court seal, and all case terms. Banks, courts, and federal agencies usually require the certified decree, not the state certificate. The state certificate works for basic proof of divorce.
Official website: floridahealth.gov/certificates-records/divorce-certificates/
Phone: (904) 359-6900
Mailing Address: Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231
Common Issues When Requesting Lee County Divorce Decrees
Most record requests go through without trouble, but some situations cause delays. Common issues include missing case details, name mismatches, and old case numbers from sealed or archived files. Reviewers can clear most problems with a quick phone call to the clerk records division.
Missing Case Details
If the case number is not available, the clerk office can still locate the file by name and year of filing. The request should include the full legal name of either spouse and the approximate year. This helps staff narrow the search and avoid delays.
Old or Archived Records
Older Lee County divorce cases may be stored off-site. Requests for files older than 10 years can take longer because the clerk office must retrieve the physical file from the records archive. Plan for extra time when requesting historic divorce decrees.
Sealed or Restricted Records
Some divorce cases are sealed by court order. Sealed records are not open to public search, and certified copies can only be released to the parties named in the case or to a person with a valid court order. Requests for sealed files are processed only after legal review.
FAQ
The following questions cover the most common issues people face when searching or requesting Lee County divorce decree records. Each answer gives direct, step-by-step direction based on current Lee County Clerk of Court practice and Florida public records law. Use these answers to avoid delays and pick the right request method for your needs.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certified Divorce Decree in Lee County?
A walk-in request at the Lee County Clerk of Courts office is filled the same day in most cases. Mail requests take five to ten business days after the office receives the letter. Online e-services requests take two to three business days. Statewide vital records filing can take up to 60 days, so the local clerk office is faster for recent cases. Always keep a copy of your request and payment proof in case a follow-up call is needed.
Can I Search Lee County Divorce Records for Free?
Yes. The Lee County Clerk of Courts public records portal lets anyone search divorce cases by name or case number at no cost. The search shows the case number, parties, division, and filing date. The free search does not include the full decree. To get the actual document, a certified copy must be ordered for $15 per copy through the clerk office.
What Is the Difference Between a Divorce Certificate and a Divorce Decree?
A divorce decree is the full court order signed by a judge, with the court seal, case number, and all terms of the divorce. A divorce certificate is a shorter record from the Florida Department of Health that only shows the names, county, and filing date. Certified decrees are used by courts, banks, and federal agencies. State certificates are used for basic proof of divorce.
Can I Get a Lee County Divorce Decree Online?
Yes. The Lee County Clerk e-services portal lets users order certified copies of divorce decrees online. Create an account, search for the case, and submit the order. Payment is by credit or debit card. The certified copy is mailed to the address on file or held for pickup at the clerk office, based on the option selected at checkout.
What If I Do Not Know the Case Number?
The clerk office can search by full legal name and year of filing. Include the first and last name of either spouse, the approximate year of divorce, and the county. Adding a date of birth or middle name improves accuracy. If the search returns more than one match, the clerk records staff can help narrow the list by phone.
Are Lee County Divorce Records Public?
Yes, most Lee County divorce records are public under Florida law. The clerk office indexes these files in the public records portal. Sealed cases, protected identity cases, and certain sensitive family court records are restricted. Restricted records can only be released to the named parties or by court order.
How Much Does a Certified Divorce Decree Copy Cost?
The Lee County Clerk of Court charges $15 for each certified copy of a divorce decree. This fee is set by Florida statute and applies to in-person, mail, and online requests. Non-certified copies are available for a lower fee but cannot be used for legal or financial filings. Additional copies of the same decree cost $15 each.