Lee County public records cover court files, property deeds, arrest logs, booking photos, inmate data, marriage licenses, and many other documents held by county and state offices. These records are open to any person under Florida law.
You do not need to live in Florida, give your name, or explain your reason for asking. The Lee County Clerk of Courts, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Property Appraiser each keep their own files. This page explains how each office works, what they hold, and how to search them online or in person.
Florida Public Records Law That Applies to Lee County
Florida Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes sets the rules for public records across every county, including Lee. Section 119.01 states that all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection by any person. The agency that holds a record must prove a legal exemption before it can deny access. Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution adds a second layer of protection at the constitutional level. Courts in Florida treat this right seriously. Agencies that block access without a clear exemption face real penalties.
Section 119.07 of the statutes requires each records custodian to allow inspection at any reasonable time during normal business hours. The custodian must also provide copies on request, though the office may charge a fee. If a request is denied, the Florida Attorney General runs a free mediation program at (850) 245-0140. Most disputes end at the mediation stage without going to court.
Lee County Clerk of Courts
The Lee County Clerk of Courts in Fort Myers is the main records office for the 20th Judicial Circuit. It holds court case files, official property records, marriage licenses, and many other public documents. The office processes civil, criminal, family, and probate filings. It also records deeds, mortgages, and liens as they arrive.
| Office | Lee County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 1700 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | leeclerk.org |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Lee County belongs to the 20th Judicial Circuit along with Charlotte, Collier, Glades, and Hendry counties. Each county keeps its own files through its own Clerk. Lee County handles the largest volume of the five. The Clerk’s website offers online access to most record types it holds.
Lee County Arrest Records and Arrest Search
Lee County arrest records come from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Police Department, the Cape Coral Police Department, and other city police departments. An arrest record shows who was taken into custody, the date and time, the charge, and the booking facility. The Sheriff’s Office keeps arrest records for cases handled by its deputies and for people booked into the Lee County Jail.
To search Lee County arrest records, start with the Sheriff’s Office public records portal. The portal lets you search by name, booking date, or case number. Records from 2007 forward are searchable online. Older records require a direct request to the Sheriff’s Records Unit.
Florida law treats arrest records as public once an arrest is made and the person is booked. Sealed or expunged records are removed from public access under specific court orders. Juvenile arrests follow a separate set of rules and are usually not posted online.
Lee County Booking Records and Booking Photos
Lee County booking records include the booking number, booking date, charges, bond amount, and housing location. A booking photo, often called a mugshot, is taken at the time of intake. Photos are part of the public booking record and are released by the Sheriff’s Office through its online portal.
The booking process at the Lee County Jail starts with fingerprinting, a medical screening, and a photo. Personal items are stored, and clothing is exchanged for jail-issued wear. Once intake is done, the arrestee appears in the booking log with a unique booking number. That number stays attached to the inmate for the duration of the stay.
Booking photos for recent arrests are posted to the Sheriff’s website within a few hours of intake. The Sheriff does not remove booking photos on request. A person who wants a photo taken down must get a court order or follow the Florida expungement process under Section 943.0585 of the Florida Statutes.
Lee County Inmate Lookup and Jail Records
Lee County inmate lookup runs through the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Corrections page. You can search by name or booking number. Each inmate profile shows the current charge, bond, court date, housing location, and projected release date. The database updates several times a day.
| Facility | Lee County Jail (Main) |
|---|---|
| Address | 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 477-1300 |
| Operator | Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Bureau |
The main Lee County Jail holds people charged with misdemeanors, felonies awaiting trial, and people serving county sentences. The jail also holds federal inmates under contract with the U.S. Marshals Service. Inmate mail, visitation, and phone rules are listed on the Sheriff’s website under the Corrections section.
Lee County Arrest Log and Recent Arrests
The Lee County arrest log is a daily list of people booked into the Lee County Jail. The log shows the name, booking time, charge, and bond for each new arrest. The Sheriff’s Office posts the log on its public site each morning. Local news outlets also republish the daily arrest list.
Lee County recent arrests are searchable by date range. The default range is the last 30 days. For older arrest logs, contact the Records Unit at the Sheriff’s Office and ask for a specific date range. A small research fee may apply for searches that go back more than one year.
The arrest log is a public record under Chapter 119. Police reports, however, may be exempt while a case is still under active investigation. Once the investigation closes, the report becomes public unless a court order keeps it sealed.
Lee County Mugshots
Lee County mugshots are booking photos held by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. They are public once a person is booked. The Sheriff’s website posts mugshots for most felony and misdemeanor bookings. Photos for minor charges or first-time bookings may be delayed or not posted, depending on office policy.
Third-party mugshot sites often copy photos from the Sheriff’s portal. These sites may keep photos online even after charges are dropped or after a person is found not guilty. Removal requests sent directly to the third-party site are the only way to clear a photo from those sites. The Sheriff’s Office does not control third-party sites.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Public Records
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is the main law enforcement agency in the county. It runs the county jail, handles patrol service in unincorporated areas, and provides court security. The Records Unit responds to public records requests for police reports, arrest affidavits, 911 audio, and body camera footage.
| Office | Lee County Sheriff’s Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912 |
| Phone | (239) 477-1000 |
| Records Phone | (239) 477-1080 |
| Website | sheriffleefl.org |
Police arrest records from city departments, such as Fort Myers PD or Cape Coral PD, are held by those departments. The Sheriff’s Office only has records for cases its deputies handled. For a full search, contact each department separately, or use the statewide Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) network through a licensed channel.
Searching Lee County Records Online
The Clerk’s website at leeclerk.org provides two main search tools. The court records search covers civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by party name, case number, or filing date. The official records search covers deeds, mortgages, judgment liens, and other instruments recorded against real property in Lee County. Both searches are free and do not require an account.
Lee County also takes part in myfloridacounty.com, a statewide official records portal. For property searches that cross county lines, the statewide system is faster. For case searches, the Clerk’s local site is the best choice.
The Sheriff’s Office offers its own search tools for arrests, inmates, and warrants. The Corrections page covers current inmates. The Records page covers arrest logs, incident reports, and warrants. Most files from the last 10 years are online. Older files require a direct request.
Lee County Arrest Records Search Free
Free arrest record searches in Lee County are available through three official channels. The Clerk’s online case search, the Sheriff’s inmate lookup, and the Sheriff’s arrest log are all free. You do not need an account. You do not need to give your name. You can search from any computer or phone with internet access.
For a statewide criminal history check, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offers a public criminal history search at fdle.state.fl.us. A statewide check costs a small fee. The fee covers the cost of running the search through the FCIC database. A statewide check shows arrests, dispositions, and sentences from every Florida county, including Lee.
Lee County Arrest History and Background Checks
An arrest history is the full list of arrests for one person in Lee County. It includes charges, dispositions, sentences, and release dates. A background check is a wider search that pulls data from multiple counties, state systems, and federal databases. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies often order background checks.
You can pull your own arrest history through the FDLE. The request costs a small fee, and results arrive by mail or email within a few business days. Third-party background check services also pull arrest data, but they may charge more and may not include sealed or expunged records.
For an arrest history on another person, you must have a legal reason under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Personal use only is allowed for self-checks. Employment, tenancy, and licensing checks must follow FCRA rules.
Lee County Booking Information
Booking information for each new arrest is posted to the Sheriff’s booking log within a few hours. The log shows the booking number, full name, date of birth, charge, bond, and arresting agency. You can view the log online or request a printed copy at the Sheriff’s Records window.
Once a person is released, the booking record stays in the Sheriff’s database. Past booking records are searchable by name and date range. Records that are part of a sealed or expunged case are removed under court order. The Sheriff’s Office cannot remove a booking record without a signed court order.
Lee County Detention Records and Corrections
Detention records cover the full time a person spends in the Lee County Jail. They include intake forms, incident reports inside the jail, medical records, visitation logs, and release paperwork. These records are public under Chapter 119, but medical and mental health records have a separate exemption under Section 945.10 of the Florida Statutes.
The Corrections Bureau handles all detention records. To request a copy, contact the Records Unit at the Sheriff’s Office. A small fee applies for copies. Large research requests require a written cost estimate before staff begins work.
Lee County Arrest Report and Arrest Inquiry
An arrest report is the written account an officer files after making an arrest. It includes the time, location, witness statements, and a description of what led to the arrest. Arrest reports become public once the investigation closes. Active investigations are exempt under Section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes.
To file an arrest inquiry, contact the Sheriff’s Records Unit or the police department that handled the case. Give the name of the person, the date of arrest, and the case number if you have it. The office will tell you the status of the report and how to request a copy. There is no fee to check the status of a report.
Types of Public Records Held in Lee County
The Clerk of Courts holds the widest range of public records in Lee County. Court records cover civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases. Official records cover deeds, mortgages, satisfaction of mortgages, judgment liens, construction liens, and lis pendens notices. The Clerk also holds marriage licenses, tax deed files, and jury records.
The Sheriff’s Office holds arrest records, booking logs, offense reports, and inmate records. The Property Appraiser holds parcel data, ownership history, and assessed values. The Tax Collector holds property tax payment records and vehicle registration files. Each office acts as an independent custodian.
For state-level criminal records, the FDLE holds the central database at fdle.state.fl.us. County arrest records and FDLE state records are separate systems. A complete search may require both.
Fees for Copies and Research in Lee County
Florida law sets the fee structure for all counties. Administrative records from county agencies cost $0.15 per single-sided page or $0.20 for double-sided copies. Court records and official records from the Clerk cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies add a $5.00 certification fee on top of the per-page charge.
Research fees apply when a request needs a lot of staff time. The first 30 minutes of staff research are free. After that, the agency may charge at the rate of the lowest-paid employee who can do the work. For large requests, ask for a written cost estimate before agreeing to proceed. Lee County must provide that estimate on request.
How to Request Lee County Public Records
Requests go to the Lee County Clerk in person at the Fort Myers courthouse, by phone, by mail, or through the online form on the Clerk’s website. No specific form is needed under Florida law. A clear description of the records is enough to start the process. Anonymous requests are accepted. You do not have to give your name or explain why you want the records.
For records held by the Sheriff’s Office, submit a request through the Records Unit. The Sheriff’s Office has an online portal for arrest logs, booking photos, and incident reports. The Records Unit responds in the order requests arrive. Most requests are filled within 5 to 10 business days. Large or complex requests may take longer.
If you do not know which office holds a record, call the Clerk’s main line at (239) 533-5000. Staff can point you to the right office. They can also tell you the request process and the fees you should expect.
Cities in Lee County
Lee County includes several large communities. Each has its own police department that holds arrest records for cases handled inside the city limits.
- Cape Coral
- Fort Myers
- Lehigh Acres
- Bonita Springs
- Estero
- Sanibel
- Fort Myers Beach
Nearby Counties
Counties that border Lee County each have their own Clerk’s office and records system. For searches that cross county lines, contact each Clerk or use the statewide portal.
- Charlotte County
- Collier County
- Hendry County
- Glades County
Contact Information and Official Links
Lee County Clerk of Courts: 1700 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: (239) 533-5000. Website: leeclerk.org. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: 14750 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Phone: (239) 477-1000. Records Phone: (239) 477-1080. Website: sheriffleefl.org.
Lee County Jail: 2115 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Phone: (239) 477-1300. Inmate Lookup: sheriffleefl.org.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (statewide criminal history): fdle.state.fl.us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee County Public Records
The following questions cover the most common issues people face when searching Lee County public records, including arrest records, booking photos, and inmate data. Each answer points to the right office, the right fee, and the right law so you can complete your search without delay.
How do I search Lee County arrest records by name?
Go to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office website at sheriffleefl.org and open the Corrections or Records page. Type the full name into the inmate search or arrest log search box. The system will show every booking that matches the name, including booking date, charge, and bond. You can also search by booking number if you have it. Records from 2007 forward are online. For older arrest records, contact the Sheriff’s Records Unit at (239) 477-1080.
Are Lee County booking photos public?
Yes. Booking photos are public once a person is booked into the Lee County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office posts booking photos to its online portal within a few hours of intake. Photos stay online even after the person is released. To remove a booking photo, the person in the photo must get a court order or follow the Florida expungement process under Section 943.0585. The Sheriff’s Office does not remove photos on request.
Can I find Lee County mugshots for free?
Yes. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office posts booking photos to its website at no charge. You can also view them through the inmate lookup or the daily arrest log. Third-party mugshot sites copy photos from the Sheriff’s site and may charge a fee to remove them. The Sheriff’s Office does not run or control third-party sites.
How do I find out if someone is in Lee County Jail right now?
Use the Lee County Sheriff’s inmate lookup at sheriffleefl.org. Search by full name or booking number. The database updates several times a day and shows the current charge, bond, court date, and housing location. You can also call the jail directly at (239) 477-1300 to ask if a person is in custody.
What is the difference between an arrest record and an arrest log?
An arrest log is a daily list of every person booked into the Lee County Jail. It shows the name, time, charge, and bond for each new arrest. An arrest record is the full file on one person. It includes the arrest log entry, the police report, the booking photo, and the court outcome. The arrest log is a public list. The full arrest record may need a records request if the case is still open.
How much does it cost to get a certified copy of a Lee County arrest record?
A standard copy of a Lee County arrest record costs $0.15 per single-sided page. A certified copy adds a $5.00 certification fee. The Sheriff’s Office charges these fees under Florida law. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at the Records window. Mailed requests must include a check or money order.
Can I get Lee County arrest records from 20 years ago?
Yes, but the records may not be online. Records from before 2007 are kept in the Sheriff’s paper archive. Contact the Records Unit at (239) 477-1080 and ask for a specific date range. A small research fee may apply for searches that go back more than a year. Staff will tell you the cost before starting work.