Divorce records in Lee County, Florida, are available through several channels. LeeCourt.us helps find public information about divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the circuit court that issued the decision, the clerk of court's office, or the Florida Department of Health in Lee County to obtain divorce certificates. Online tools, personal visits, and mail requests all work depending on the specific document you need.
Lee Divorce Records Search
In Lee County, divorce cases are handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, which is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The clerk maintains complete case files: final judgments of dissolution of marriage, marital settlement agreements, child custody and support orders, and all related procedural documents.
Separately from the court, the Florida Department of Health maintains a registry of divorce certificates — brief documents that confirm the fact of divorce but do not contain details of the agreement or court decision. Certificates are available for divorces finalized from June 6, 1927, onward.
The collection of records includes:
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
- Divorce Certificate
- Marital Settlement Agreements
- Orders regarding custody, visitation schedules, and support
- Petitions, motions, and other procedural documents from the case
Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Lee
In Florida, divorce cases are handled by the Circuit Court, specifically its family law division. For Lee County, this is the Circuit Court within the 20th Judicial Circuit. Once a judge issues a final decision, it remains in the case file with the clerk of court's office — that's where you can obtain a full copy of the decision or any other document from the case.
At the same time, the court notifies the state's Department of Health about the divorce, which registers the certificate. So, which institution to choose depends on the purpose:
- Full court decision, property agreement, custody orders — contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office.
- Divorce Certificate (confirmation of the fact without details) — contact the local office of the Department of Health or order online through the Lee County divorce certificates page.
Clerk of the Circuit Court's Office (court records)
Florida Department of Health — Lee County Office (certificates)
According to the Florida Public Records Law (Chapter 119), court records of divorce are generally public. However, some documents containing financial information or data about minor children may be sealed by court order. If you are unsure whether a specific document is available, ask the clerk.
For exploring court resources and self-help forms, the Lee County Law Library in the Justice Center can be useful. General information about county courts can also be found on the Florida Courts page for Lee County.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Lee
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Certificate — Florida Department of Health | $5.00 | 2–4 weeks by mail |
| Registry Search (per year searched) — Department of Health | $5.00 | Included in request processing |
| Certified copy of court document — Clerk of the Circuit Court | $1.00 per page + $2.00 for certification | Usually same day (in-person visit) |
| Non-certified copy of court document — Clerk's office | $1.00 per page | Usually same day |