Lehigh Acres City Court Records are public files kept by the Lee County Clerk of Court in Fort Myers, Florida. Lehigh Acres sits in Lee County as an unincorporated community with more than 127,000 residents.
The area has no city court or municipal clerk office. Every court case tied to a Lehigh Acres address goes through the Lee County court system, which serves the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida.
This page covers how to look up Lehigh Acres court records, what types of files exist, where to find them, and how to get official copies. You will see the exact steps for the Lee County MATRIX portal, e-certified records, traffic citations, civil and criminal cases, family law files, and probate records.
Why Lehigh Acres Has No Separate Court System
Lehigh Acres is an unincorporated community. It is part of Lee County but has no city government. Florida law gives unincorporated areas county-level services for courts, police, and records. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement for Lehigh Acres. The Lee County Clerk of Court handles all court filings and public records.
This setup means every Lehigh Acres court record sits inside the Lee County system. There is no “Lehigh Acres court” to call. The Lee County Justice Center in Fort Myers serves as the main courthouse. A satellite office in Lehigh Acres handles some clerk services like marriage licenses, traffic tickets, evictions, and injunctions for protection.
Lee County Clerk of Court Contact Details
| Office | Lee County Clerk of Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1700 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| Phone | (239) 533-5000 |
| Website | leeclerk.org |
| Lehigh Acres Satellite Office | Open for select services (see hours below) |
| Lehigh Acres Office Phone (Clerk Main) | (239) 533-5000 |
You can reach the clerk by phone Monday through Friday. Recorded court information runs 24 hours a day through the voice response line at (239) 533-5000. Mail requests go to the Fort Myers address. Email requests for public records go through the Lee County Public Records Request Center.
Official Website: https://www.leeclerk.org/
Public Records Email: PRRCustodian@leegov.com
Public Records Phone: (239) 533-8735
Lee County Justice Center Location Map
How to Search Lehigh Acres Court Records Online
The main search tool for Lehigh Acres court records is the Lee County MATRIX portal. This system holds every case filed in Lee County. That includes every Lehigh Acres case, since the area falls under county jurisdiction. You can look up cases by name, case number, or filing date.
The MATRIX portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims cases. Basic search costs nothing. You do not need an account. You can see party names, case status, filing dates, charges, hearing dates, and docket entries.
Step-by-Step: MATRIX Portal Search
- Open your browser and go to https://matrix.leeclerk.org/
- Pick a search type: name, case number, or date range
- Type the full name or case number in the search box
- Pick a court type from the drop-down list (civil, criminal, family, traffic, probate)
- Click the search button
- Review the list of matching cases
- Click a case number to see full docket entries and filings
You can print or save search results. The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers. No software install needed. Search results show public details only. Sealed cases do not show up in the system.
Criminal Court Records for Lehigh Acres
Lehigh Acres criminal cases go through the 20th Judicial Circuit. Felony cases go to circuit court. Misdemeanor cases go to county court. Both case types show up in the MATRIX portal.
Law enforcement for Lehigh Acres is the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies make an arrest, the report goes to the sheriff’s office. Once the State Attorney files charges, the case moves into the court system. The clerk keeps the public record from that point on.
Criminal court records show charges, pleas, motions, hearings, sentences, and final judgments. You can also see bond amounts, attorney names, and court dates. Victim names may show up in public dockets, but Florida law redacts some personal details like Social Security numbers and bank accounts.
Juvenile criminal records stay sealed. Expunged records do not show up in MATRIX. Sealed records can only be seen by the people named in the case or by court order.
Civil Court Records for Lehigh Acres
Lehigh Acres civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property damage, debt collection, foreclosure, eviction, and small claims. Circuit court handles claims over $50,000. County court handles claims under $50,000. Small claims court handles cases up to $8,000.
You can search civil records through MATRIX. The docket shows who filed the case, the cause of action, hearing dates, motions, and final rulings. Judgment liens from civil cases also appear in the Official Records search under leeclerk.org.
Common Civil Case Types
- Foreclosure filings
- Landlord-tenant disputes and evictions
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Breach of contract claims
- Small claims under $8,000
- Property damage suits
- Debt collection actions
Family Court Records for Lehigh Acres
Lehigh Acres family court records cover divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence injunctions. These cases are filed in the Lee County circuit court family division.
Some family court records are public. Others are sealed by law. Divorce decrees, final judgments, and parenting plans are public once filed. Adoption records, dependency cases, and child abuse files stay confidential. Domestic violence injunction petitions may be sealed to protect the petitioner.
You can search family cases in MATRIX. The system shows basic case info and docket entries. Financial affidavits and sealed motions stay hidden from public view. To get copies of sealed family files, you must ask the clerk with a court order or a valid legal reason.
Traffic Court Records for Lehigh Acres
Traffic tickets issued in Lehigh Acres go through the Lee County traffic division. This includes speeding tickets, red light violations, stop sign tickets, and other moving violations. You can pay tickets, view citations, and check court dates online.
The MyFloridaCounty.com portal handles most traffic payments. You enter your citation number and pay the fine. Some tickets require a court appearance. The clerk’s office can tell you if your ticket needs court or just payment.
Traffic court records show in MATRIX once the citation enters the court system. You can see the charge, fine amount, court date, and outcome. If you completed traffic school, the result shows in the record after the clerk processes it.
Probate Court Records for Lehigh Acres
Probate records for Lehigh Acres residents go through the Lee County probate court. These include wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, and mental health filings. Probate cases become public once filed with the court.
You can search probate records in MATRIX using the decedent’s name or case number. Will filings, letters of administration, inventory of assets, and final discharge show up in the public record. Some personal details like account numbers and beneficiary addresses get redacted.
Guardianship records for minors and incapacitated persons have extra privacy protections. Mental health commitment records stay sealed. These cases appear in MATRIX as case numbers only, with no public docket details.
E-Filing Court Documents in Lee County
Most new court filings in Lee County happen through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. E-filing is required for attorneys in most case types. Self-represented parties can also e-file or submit paper filings.
E-filing runs 24 hours a day. You can file motions, petitions, responses, and other documents. Filing through the portal costs the same as paper filing. Court fees apply based on the case type. The system accepts credit card payments for filing fees.
Documents You Can E-File
- Civil complaints and answers
- Criminal motions and responses
- Family law petitions
- Probate filings
- Traffic responses
- Small claims filings
- Notices of hearing
Certified Copies and Document Fees
The Lee County Clerk charges $1 per page for certified copies of court records. Regular copies cost $0.10 per page. You can order certified copies online through the e-certified records system on leeclerk.org.
Common certified record requests include marriage certificates, divorce decrees, probate letters, and judgment copies. The clerk mails certified documents to your address. You can also pick them up at the Fort Myers office. E-certified records arrive by email in PDF form with a digital clerk signature.
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified Copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Regular Copy (per page) | $0.10 |
| E-Certified Document | $1.00 per page plus $2 convenience fee |
| Marriage License | $30.00 |
| Passport Photo Service | Available at select offices |
Sealed and Expunged Records
Florida law lets people ask the court to seal or expunge certain criminal records. Sealed records stay with the clerk but the public cannot see them. Expunged records get destroyed by court order. Both types do not show up in MATRIX search results.
To seal or expunge a Lehigh Acres case, you file a petition with the Lee County Clerk. The State Attorney reviews the request. A judge makes the final call. Eligibility depends on the case outcome, prior record, and time passed since the case closed.
Florida law also requires automatic sealing for certain non-conviction records. Cases that ended in acquittal, dismissal, or no information get sealed without a petition in many cases. You can check the status of your case through the clerk’s office.
Public Records Laws in Florida
Florida Statute Chapter 119 gives the public the right to see most government records. Court records fall under this law. The clerk must provide access unless a judge orders the file sealed or state law makes it confidential.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists what gets redacted from public court files. Redacted items include Social Security numbers, bank account details, credit card numbers, and minor children’s names in some cases. The clerk’s office follows these rules for every Lehigh Acres file.
Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14 lets clerks post public court documents online. This is why most Lehigh Acres case files show up in MATRIX. Confidential files stay out of the public system by law.
Lehigh Acres Satellite Clerk Office
The Lee County Clerk opened a satellite office in Lehigh Acres to serve the local community. The office offers most services available at the Fort Myers location. You can get help with court payments, official records searches, and filing documents without driving 20 miles to Fort Myers.
Lehigh Acres Clerk Office Services
- Traffic ticket payments
- Eviction filings
- Injunctions for protection
- Marriage license applications and ceremonies
- Passport applications
- Court record searches
- Document recording
Call (239) 533-5000 before visiting to confirm service hours and appointment needs. The Lehigh Acres office shares the same phone system as the main Fort Myers location.
Florida Courts Website Resources
The Florida Courts website at flcourts.org is a free starting point for court information across the state. Lehigh Acres residents can use this site to find self-help forms, court rules, judicial directories, and case search links for every Florida county.
The site also links to self-help centers for people filing without an attorney. You can find family law forms, small claims forms, name change petitions, and other common filings. These forms work for Lehigh Acres and all of Lee County.
The Florida Clerks and Comptrollers website at flclerks.com connects all 67 county clerks in one portal. You can pay traffic fines, check jury duty status, and access clerk services from any device.
Lehigh Acres residents can use this portal to handle most court business online. The site links to the Lee County clerk and other regional offices.
Jury Duty in Lee County
Lehigh Acres residents may get called for jury duty in Lee County. The clerk’s office sends jury summons by mail. You can check your status, postpone service, and respond online through the Lee County jury portal on leeclerk.org.
Jury duty scams do happen. The clerk’s office never asks for credit card numbers, bank details, or Social Security numbers by phone. Real jury summons come by mail. If someone calls asking for payment, hang up and call (239) 533-5000 to verify.
Most jury service lasts one day or one trial. You get paid a small daily amount plus mileage. Failure to respond to a jury summons can result in contempt of court charges. Check your status online if you think you missed a summons.
Common Record Search Mistakes to Avoid
Many people search with partial names and get no results. Always use the full legal name including middle name when you can. The MATRIX portal needs exact matches or close matches to pull records.
Searching the wrong county also causes problems. Lehigh Acres sits in Lee County, but the name “Lehigh Acres” sometimes confuses people into thinking it sits in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Always pick Lee County, Florida, not Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Another common issue is searching for sealed or expunged records. These files do not show up in public search. If you know a case happened but cannot find it in MATRIX, the record may be sealed. Call the clerk to ask about sealed case status if you are a party to the case.
Official Records vs. Court Records
Lee County has two separate search systems. MATRIX handles court case records. The Official Records search handles property deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded judgments. Do not confuse the two systems when looking up Lehigh Acres files.
Official Records include property transfers, marriage licenses, tax deeds, and court judgments that get recorded against property. You can search these records at leeclerk.org under the Official Records tab. The same $1 per page fee applies for certified copies.
Court records show in MATRIX. Property records show in Official Records. Both come from the same clerk’s office but serve different purposes. Property fraud alerts are available through the Official Records portal for free.
FAQs About Lehigh Acres City Court Records
Below are answers to common questions about Lehigh Acres City Court Records. These cover lookup methods, fees, eligibility rules, and contact details based on the Lee County Clerk of Court system.
1. Does Lehigh Acres Have Its Own Court?
No. Lehigh Acres is an unincorporated community in Lee County, Florida. It has no separate court or municipal judge. All court cases from Lehigh Acres go through the Lee County Court system as part of the 20th Judicial Circuit. The main courthouse sits at 1700 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. A satellite clerk office in Lehigh Acres handles some services like traffic tickets, marriage licenses, and injunctions for protection, but final court hearings happen at the Fort Myers Justice Center. The Lee County Clerk of Court serves as the official record keeper for every case tied to a Lehigh Acres address.
2. How Do I Search for Free Lehigh Acres Court Records?
Use the Lee County MATRIX portal at matrix.leeclerk.org. The system lets you search by name, case number, or date range at no cost. No account is needed. You can see party names, case status, filing dates, and docket entries. The search covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Regular copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per page. The portal runs 24 hours a day from any device with internet access. Sealed and expunged records do not show in search results.
3. What Records Are Sealed in Lehigh Acres?
Juvenile criminal records, adoption files, mental health commitments, and dependency cases stay sealed by Florida law. Cases sealed or expunged by court order also do not appear in public search. Some family court files, like financial affidavits and certain motions, stay confidential. Sealed records remain in the clerk’s office but the public cannot see them. Only people named in the case, attorneys, or court order holders can request access. Florida Statute 119.0714 controls what personal information gets redacted from public court files.
4. How Much Does a Certified Court Record Cost in Lee County?
The Lee County Clerk charges $1.00 per page for certified copies of court records. Regular photocopies cost $0.10 per page. E-certified records sent by email cost $1.00 per page plus a $2 convenience fee. Marriage licenses cost $30.00. You can order certified documents online through the e-certified records system on leeclerk.org. The clerk also accepts mail requests and in-person orders at the Fort Myers Justice Center. Payment methods include credit card, check, money order, and cash for in-person orders.
5. Can I View Lehigh Acres Court Records on My Phone?
Yes. The MATRIX portal works on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. The site uses a responsive design that adjusts to your screen size. You can search, view docket entries, and download case summaries from any device. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com also works on mobile devices. For official certified copies, the e-certified records system lets you request, pay, and receive PDF documents by email. You can print or save the files from your phone or computer once received.
6. How Do I Get My Lehigh Acres Criminal Record Expunged?
File a petition with the Lee County Clerk of Court. The State Attorney’s Office reviews the request and either objects or agrees. A judge makes the final decision. Eligibility depends on your case outcome, prior criminal record, and how much time passed since the case closed. Acquittals, dismissals, and no-information findings often qualify for sealing without a petition. You can download the Application for Certificate of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website. The clerk charges a $42 filing fee for expungement petitions.
7. What Phone Number Do I Call for Lehigh Acres Court Records?
Call the Lee County Clerk of Court at (239) 533-5000. The main line operates during business hours Monday through Friday. The 24-hour voice response system handles recorded court information. For public records requests, call (239) 533-8735 or email PRRCustodian@leegov.com. The Lehigh Acres satellite clerk office uses the same main phone number. The clerk’s office also takes mail requests at 1700 Monroe St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. Include your name, contact details, and the specific record you need in any written request.