Cape Coral City Family Court Records cover all family law cases filed by residents of Cape Coral, Florida. These cases include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence matters.
Because Cape Coral sits inside Lee County, the Lee County Clerk of Court holds and manages every family court file for the city. The Cape Coral City Clerk does not store any court documents. Anyone who needs a family court record from Cape Coral must work with the Lee County Clerk’s office in Fort Myers or use the official online search tools.
Who Holds Cape Coral City Family Court Records
Family court records for Cape Coral residents live at the county level, not the city level. The Lee County Clerk of Court serves as the official keeper for all court files in the 20th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties, but for Cape Coral, the Lee County office is the only place to look. Kevin C. Karnes serves as the elected Clerk of Court. His office runs the records system, processes new filings, issues certified copies, and runs the public search portal.
Lee County Clerk Office Location and Hours
The Lee County Clerk’s main office sits at 1700 Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers, inside the Lee County Justice Center. This building handles all family law hearings, filings, and record requests. The office opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Visitors must pass through security screening before entering the clerk’s service windows. Cape Coral residents can reach Fort Myers by driving south on Del Prado Boulevard or north on US-41, which takes about 30 minutes under normal traffic.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Lee County Clerk of Court |
| Clerk Name | Kevin C. Karnes |
| Address | 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Website | www.leeclerk.org |
Cape Coral City Clerk Does Not Hold Court Records
The Cape Coral City Clerk works at 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard and can be reached at (239) 574-0416. This office handles city council minutes, municipal contracts, business tax receipts, and local permits. It does not hold any court files. Anyone who calls the city clerk about a divorce decree, custody order, or support judgment will be redirected to the Lee County Clerk. Knowing this difference saves time and prevents wasted trips across the Caloosahatchee River.
Types of Family Court Records Filed in Cape Coral
Cape Coral family courts handle every type of family law case under Florida law. Each case type creates its own set of records, and all of them sit in the Lee County Clerk’s database. The most common case types include dissolution of marriage, parental responsibility and time-sharing, child support, paternity, adoption, name changes, and domestic violence injunctions.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
A divorce case starts when one spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage. The Lee County Clerk assigns a case number and opens a court file. The file holds the petition, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, parenting plans (if children are involved), and the final judgment of dissolution. Cape Coral residents who got divorced after 1990 can usually pull up the basic case data online through the Lee County search portal. Older paper files may require an in-person visit to the clerk’s records room.
Child Custody and Child Support Files
Custody cases in Florida now use the term “parental responsibility and time-sharing.” The records contain the parenting plan, which spells out where the child lives, how holidays work, and who makes decisions. Child support records show the income calculations, the support order amount, and the payment history. Both types of records are public, but financial account numbers and Social Security numbers are removed before the file goes online.
Paternity, Adoption, and Name Change Records
Paternity filings establish legal fatherhood for children born to unmarried parents. Adoption cases create new birth records and seal the original file. Name change petitions, often tied to marriage or adoption, also leave a public trail. These files can be more sensitive, and some are sealed by court order. The Lee County Clerk’s staff can tell you which parts of a sealed file remain viewable and which do not.
Online Search Tools for Cape Coral Family Records
Two main online tools let you search Cape Coral family court records without driving to Fort Myers. The Lee County Clerk runs a free search portal on its website, and the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal covers cases statewide. Both tools show basic case data, but they work in different ways.
Lee County Clerk Public Records Portal
The free public search sits at www.leeclerk.org. From the homepage, click the “Records Search” link and choose “Court Records.” You can search by party name, case number, or attorney bar number. Results show the case type, filing date, judge, and current status. For older paper-only files, the search may show a note that the file is stored offsite. In that case, you can request a copy by mail or pick it up in person.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
The statewide portal at www.myflcourtaccess.com works for attorneys and self-represented filers who need to submit new documents or check filing status. It does not replace the county’s public search tool. Most people use the E-Filing Portal to submit new petitions, motions, and responses. If you only need to look up an existing case, the Lee County portal is faster and easier to use.
What You Can and Cannot See Online
Online search results show the case number, the parties’ names, the filing date, the case type, and a list of docket entries. You can usually view the final judgment and most motions. Bank statements, tax returns, and documents that contain personal identifiers get redacted. Sealed cases do not show up in public search results at all. Certified copies of any document require a separate request through the clerk’s office.
How to Request Certified Copies of Family Records
A regular printout works for most personal needs, but legal filings, name changes, and immigration paperwork often require certified copies. A certified copy carries the clerk’s stamp and signature, which proves the document is a true copy of the original court record. The Lee County Clerk offers three ways to get certified copies.
In-Person Requests at the Clerk’s Office
Walk into the Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, and head to the clerk’s service window. Bring a valid photo ID, the case number (if you have it), and payment. The clerk’s staff can pull the file and produce certified copies while you wait, in most cases. Standard fees apply per page, and certified copies carry an extra charge. Parking is available in the lot behind the courthouse for a small fee.
Mail and Email Requests
For those who live far away or cannot travel, the clerk accepts mail requests. Send a written letter with the case number, the names of the parties, the documents you need, your contact details, and a check or money order for the fees. Mail the request to the Lee County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 9347, Fort Myers, FL 33902. Processing times for mail requests usually run 5 to 10 business days. The clerk does not accept email requests for certified copies, but you can call (239) 533-5000 to check on the status of a pending order.
Fees and Payment Methods
Standard copies cost a set amount per page under Florida law. Certified copies carry an additional fee per document. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and most major credit cards for in-person requests. Mail requests must include a check or money order. Updated fee schedules appear on the Lee County Clerk’s website under “Fees” or by calling the office directly.
Court Locations Serving Cape Coral Residents
Cape Coral does not have its own family courthouse. All hearings take place in Fort Myers at the Lee County Justice Center. Some administrative services, however, run closer to home through the Cape Coral Clerk’s satellite office and remote video hearings.
Lee County Justice Center
The Lee County Justice Center at 1700 Monroe Street is the main family court building. Family law judges hold hearings here, and the clerk’s family law division operates on-site. Anyone attending a hearing must arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear security. The building has metal detectors, and bags go through x-ray machines. Cell phones must be turned off inside the courtroom.
Satellite Services in Cape Coral
The Lee County Clerk runs a satellite office in Cape Coral that handles some record requests and document drop-offs. Call (239) 533-5000 before visiting to confirm the satellite office can process your specific request. Some family law hearings also use video conference, which lets Cape Coral residents appear remotely from a local library or attorney’s office instead of driving to Fort Myers.
Sealed Records and Privacy Protections
Florida law protects sensitive family court information. Most files remain public, but certain parts get redacted, and some entire cases get sealed. The Lee County Clerk follows strict rules about what stays open and what stays hidden.
What Information Gets Redacted
By Florida law, the clerk must remove Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the names of minor children from public view. Financial affidavits stay available, but the sensitive lines on those forms are blacked out. Domestic violence injunctions may also have the petitioner’s address removed for safety reasons.
How to Seal a Family Court Record
A party can ask the court to seal a case by filing a motion to seal. The judge reviews the request and decides based on privacy interests and the public’s right to know. Adoption cases get sealed automatically once the adoption is final. Paternity records that lead to a sealed adoption also disappear from public search. Sealed records cannot be viewed without a separate court order.
Contact Details for Cape Coral Family Court Records
Anyone who needs Cape Coral City Family Court Records can reach the Lee County Clerk of Court by phone, in person, or online. The clerk’s office handles all family law cases for Cape Coral residents. Below are the official contact details and a map to the courthouse.
Official Website: www.leeclerk.org
Phone: (239) 533-5000
Address: 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Cape Coral Family Court Records
This FAQ section answers common questions from Cape Coral residents who need family court records. Each answer gives clear, direct facts based on how the Lee County Clerk handles these files. Use these answers to plan your request, avoid delays, and get the documents you need.
How Do I Look Up a Family Court Case in Cape Coral?
You can look up a Cape Coral family court case online through the Lee County Clerk’s public search portal at www.leeclerk.org. Search by the party’s full legal name or by case number. Results show the case type, filing date, judge, and docket entries. If the case is sealed or older than the online system’s records, you may need to visit the clerk’s office in Fort Myers with a photo ID. Staff at the service window can pull older paper files on the same day in most cases.
Are Cape Coral Divorce Records Public?
Yes, most Cape Coral divorce records are public. The Lee County Clerk makes them available through the online portal and at the courthouse. The final judgment of dissolution, the petition, and the settlement agreement all stay open for public view. Sensitive financial details and personal identifiers get redacted. Sealed divorce cases do not appear in public search results and require a court order to view.
Can I Get Child Custody Records Online in Lee County?
You can see the basic case information and the parenting plan online for most child custody cases filed in Lee County, including Cape Coral. The full court file, including motions and hearing transcripts, requires an in-person visit or a mail request. If you are a party to the case, you can also ask the clerk for copies of all filed documents. Non-parties can request copies but may need to show a valid reason under Florida law.
What Does It Cost to Get Certified Copies of Family Court Records?
Certified copies in Lee County cost a set fee per document, plus a per-page copy charge. The clerk posts the current fee schedule on its website and at the service window. As of 2026, certified copies of a standard family court document cost a few dollars per page plus the certification fee. Call (239) 533-5000 for the exact total before you place a mail order.
Can I Seal a Cape Coral Family Court Record?
You can ask the court to seal a record by filing a motion to seal. The judge reviews the motion and decides based on the facts of the case. Some records, like adoption final decrees, get sealed automatically under Florida law. Sealed records do not appear in public search results, and only people named in a court order can view them. The clerk’s office can explain the steps to file a motion to seal.
How Long Does the Lee County Clerk Keep Family Court Records?
Florida law requires clerks to keep family court records permanently in most cases. Divorce judgments, adoption decrees, and paternity orders stay on file forever. Older paper files from before 1990 may be stored offsite but remain available by request. Digital records going back to the early 2000s stay searchable online through the Lee County portal.
Does the Cape Coral City Clerk Hold Any Court Records?
No. The Cape Coral City Clerk only handles city records like council minutes, local ordinances, and business permits. Family court records sit with the Lee County Clerk of Court in Fort Myers. Anyone who contacts the city clerk about a court case will be sent to the county office. This split between city and county record keeping is common in Florida and helps keep court files organized at the judicial level.