Lee County Florida genealogy records cover birth, death, marriage, land, court, and burial papers that stretch back to the late 1800s. These papers sit in Fort Myers, Tall Florida, and Jacksonville offices.
This page shows where each record lives, who can see it, and how to order a copy. Lee County formed in 1887 and takes its name from Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Fort Myers serves as the county seat and holds the oldest files for the area.
Lee County Records at the Clerk of Court
The Lee County Clerk of Court keeps marriage licenses, probate files, land deeds, and court cases from 1887 forward. The office sits inside the Lee County Justice Center and follows Florida’s public records law under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Staff members help visitors search by name and date. Most older files stay in paper books on site. Newer files from the 1990s on also exist in a digital search system called Official Records.
Marriage Licenses Filed in Lee County
Marriage licenses filed before June 6, 1927 live only at the Lee County Clerk of Court office. The State of Florida began keeping marriage records on June 6, 1927. Couples who married before that date must be searched at the local level. The clerk holds license books in bound volumes. Each volume lists the bride, the groom, the date, and the officiant. Some early volumes also show the parents of each spouse, which helps build a family tree back one more generation.
Search these files in person at the Lee County Clerk of Court’s Official Records department. Request a copy of any license by mail using form CR-113 or online through the clerk’s public search portal. Certified copies cost $3.00 each plus a $2.00 search fee.
Probate and Estate Files
Probate files from Lee County show how a person died, what they owned, and who got each item. These files list heirs by name and relationship. They often name the spouse, children, siblings, and parents of the deceased. Probate records from the late 1800s and early 1900s hold the only proof of family ties for many pioneer settlers in the Fort Myers area. Case numbers start with P-IN for intestate estates and P-T for testate estates where a will was filed.
Search probate records at the Lee County Clerk’s Historical Records Room, which holds bound ledgers from 1887 through the 1970s. Later files exist in a digital index. Request copies of wills, inventories, and final decrees through the clerk’s office.
Land Deeds and Property Transfers
Land deeds trace how property moved from one family member to the next. Lee County deed books begin in 1887. Each book records the seller, the buyer, the price, and a legal description of the land. Many deeds include the seller’s spouse as a joining party, which proves marriage ties. Search deed books by grantee (buyer) or grantor (seller) name. Old Spanish and federal land patents from the early 1800s also appear in these books after the county formed.
Florida State Archives and State Library
The State Archives of Florida in Tall Florida holds many Lee County records that the local office does not keep. These include Confederate pension applications, territorial papers from before statehood, and early voter lists. The archives sit inside the R.A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tall Florida, FL 32399. Phone (850) 245-6700. The building opens Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call before visiting to confirm hours and plan your search.
Confederate Pension Applications
Confederate pension applications list the soldier, his unit, his residence, his age, and his widow. Many files also name the children and the place of marriage. Florida paid Confederate veterans and widows starting in 1885. Lee County applicants often came from farming and cattle families near the Caloosahatchee River. Search the State Archives’ online catalog to pull up the file before traveling to Tall Florida.
Spanish Land Grants and Territorial Papers
Spanish land grants from the early 1800s cover parts of what became Lee County. The United States confirmed many of these grants after 1821 through the Board of Land Commissioners. These papers name the original settler, the acreage, and the boundary markers. They sit in the State Archives under series S 1216. Researchers tracing pioneer families should check both the federal patent records and the Spanish claim files.
1867-1868 Voter Registration Rolls
The 1867 and 1868 voter registration rolls list every adult male resident in each Florida county. These rolls name African American men who registered to vote during Reconstruction. They often give the age, the place of birth, and the county of residence. Lee County did not yet exist in 1867, so search the rolls for Monroe County, which then covered the Fort Myers area. The State Archives holds microfilm copies of these rolls.
Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics holds statewide birth and death records. The office sits at 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. Phone 877-550-7330. The Bureau began keeping birth records around 1917 and death records around 1877. Statewide marriage records start June 6, 1927. Statewide divorce records start June 6, 1927. Records less than 125 years old follow strict privacy rules under Florida law.
Florida Birth Records 1917 to Present
Birth records from 1917 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. Records less than 125 years old stay sealed from public view. Only the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, a legal guardian, or a court order can order a certified copy. A valid photo ID is required. The fee is $17.00 per certified copy. Order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person.
Florida Death Records 1877 to Present
Death records from 1877 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death records without a cause of death stay public under Chapter 119 of Florida law. The cause of death stays sealed for 50 years. Certified copies of death records cost $10.00 each for the first copy and $5.00 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Order through VitalChek or by mail using form DH 261.
Florida Marriage Records 1927 to Present
Marriage records from June 6, 1927 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Bureau holds a statewide index by name and date. Anyone can order a certified copy of a marriage record that is more than 75 years old. Younger records require proof of direct interest. Search the index online before ordering to confirm the record exists.
Florida Divorce Records 1927 to Present
Divorce records from June 6, 1927 forward sit at the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Older divorce decrees may sit at the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Search the statewide index by the names of both spouses. Certified copies of divorce records follow the same fee rules as marriage records.
Federal Census Records for Lee County
Federal census records for Lee County start with 1890 and run forward every ten years. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed by fire in 1921, but a small fragment of Florida schedules survives. The 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses hold full household data. Each census names every person living at the address on the day the census taker came. Census records show age, birthplace, occupation, and family relationships.
1900 Census Records
The 1900 census lists every person at each Fort Myers address as of June 1, 1900. The schedule asks the year of immigration, the year of naturalization, and the number of years married. Women show how many children they bore and how many still lived. This census helps confirm family ties and trace immigration from Europe or the Caribbean.
1930 and 1940 Census Records
The 1930 and 1940 censuses cover Lee County during the Great Depression and the early World War II years. The 1940 census added questions about income, education, and military service. Both censuses list renter or owner status and the value of the home. Search these years on Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage.
Church, Cemetery, and Funeral Records
Church and cemetery records fill gaps before civil registration started. Many Lee County families attended local Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches before 1920. Cemetery markers often show birth and death dates that differ slightly from official records. Funeral home records from the mid-1900s on also hold family names, residences, and burial locations.
Church Baptism and Marriage Records
Baptism records list the child’s name, the parents, the date, and the church. Some churches also kept member lists and dismissal records. The Diocese of St. Petersburg holds Catholic records for Lee County parishes. Local Baptist associations keep their own archives. Contact each church directly to ask about older records.
Cemetery Burial Records
Cemetery records for Lee County include Fort Myers Cemetery, Greenwood Cemetery, and several smaller pioneer burial grounds. Find a Grave and BillionGraves hold photos and transcripts of many markers. The Lee County Historical Society also holds a card file of pioneer graves in the area.
Funeral Home Records
Funeral homes in Fort Myers have kept records since the early 1900s. Harter, Harvey, and Hodges funeral homes hold older files. These records often name the spouse, the parents, and the place of burial. Contact each funeral home to ask about older records and search fees.
African American and Minority Genealogy in Lee County
African American family research in Lee County faces common barriers. Slave records before 1865 sit mostly in plantation papers and church books. After 1865, Freedmen’s Bureau records and Freedmen’s Bank records help trace families. The 1867-1868 voter rolls at the State Archives list many African American men by name. The 1870 and 1880 censuses are key sources for tracing parents, children, and siblings.
Freedmen’s Bureau Records
The Freedmen’s Bureau kept labor contracts, complaint records, and school records in Florida from 1865 to 1872. Search these records on FamilySearch. Lee County papers sit under the Florida volume. The records name former slaves, their employers, and the labor terms.
Seminole Tribal Records
Seminole tribal genealogy records sit in federal archives, not local Florida offices. Search records at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and at the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s own historical office. Tribal rolls from 1842, 1850, and the early 1900s help trace Seminole families in Southwest Florida.
Online Databases and Digital Collections
Many Lee County records now exist in free online databases. FamilySearch, Ancestry, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage all hold scanned Florida records. The Florida Memory project at the University of Florida in Gainesville holds photos, letters, and newspapers. Many local libraries offer free Ancestry and HeritageQuest access on site.
FamilySearch Florida Collections
FamilySearch holds the largest free collection of Florida records. Search Florida birth index 1900-1920, Florida death index 1877-1969, and Florida marriage index 1927-1969. Lee County probate records from 1887 to 1970 are partly indexed. Search the FamilySearch catalog for “Florida, Lee County” to see the full list.
Florida Memory Digital Collection
Florida Memory at the University of Florida holds photographs, maps, oral histories, and newspapers from the Fort Myers area. The Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford winter estate papers sit in this collection. Search by name or place to find photos of pioneer families and the Fort Myers riverfront.
Newspaper Archives for Lee County
Historical newspapers for Lee County include the Fort Myers Press, the Fort Myers News-Press, and the Tropicalia. Search these on Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, and the State Library’s Florida newspaper collection. Obituaries, marriage announcements, and society news from 1885 forward appear in these papers.
Research Tips for Lee County Records
Good research starts with home sources. Talk to older family members and write down names, dates, and places. Gather birth, marriage, and death certificates from living relatives. Build a tree starting with what you know, then add records step by step. Check every name spelling. Florida records often misspell names, especially foreign and African American names. Search both the original and common American spellings.
Working With Border Changes
Lee County came from parts of Monroe County in 1887. Before 1887, search Monroe County records for Fort Myers families. Parts of Lee County also went into Charlotte County when Charlotte formed in 1921. Check Charlotte County for families who lived in what is now the northern part of Lee.
Using DNA and Surname Projects
DNA test results help confirm paper research. Join a Lee County surname project on FamilyTreeDNA or Ancestry. Compare matches to your paper tree. A shared match with a known cousin confirms a branch. Use Y-DNA tests for father-line surnames and autosomal tests for all lines.
Building a Research Plan
Write down the specific person, event, and place you need. List each record type that may hold the answer. Start with the most direct source, like a death certificate. Move back in time from there to parents and grandparents. Check each source against the next one to prove the chain.
Official Contacts, Hours, and Locations
Use the contact details below to reach each office that holds Lee County Florida genealogy records. Call before visiting to confirm hours, fees, and which records sit at which office. Bring a photo ID for any certified copy order.
Lee County Clerk of Court
1700 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 533-5000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (877) 550-7330
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
State Archives of Florida
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tall Florida, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-6700
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee County Genealogy
The questions below cover the most common points that researchers ask about Lee County Florida genealogy records. Each answer gives the record type, the office that holds it, and the fee or access rule that applies. These answers point you straight to the right office without wasted steps.
Where Do I Find Lee County Marriage Records Before 1927?
Marriage records filed in Lee County before June 6, 1927 sit only at the Lee County Clerk of Court’s Official Records office in Fort Myers. Florida did not keep statewide marriage records until June 6, 1927. Search bound license books by name and date at the clerk’s office. Certified copies cost $3.00 each plus a $2.00 search fee. Order by mail using form CR-113 if you cannot visit in person.
How Do I Order a Florida Birth Certificate From Lee County?
Order a Florida birth certificate through the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville or through VitalChek online. The fee is $17.00 per certified copy. Records less than 125 years old stay sealed. Only the person named on the record, parents listed on the record, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order can order a copy. Valid photo ID is required for all orders.
What Census Records Exist for Lee County?
Federal census records for Lee County exist for 1890 (a small fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed by fire in 1921. The 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 censuses give full household data. Search these years on Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage. Free access exists through HeritageQuest at many public libraries.
Are Lee County Probate Records Online?
Some Lee County probate records sit on FamilySearch under “Florida Probate Records, 1784-1990.” The Lee County portion covers 1887 to about 1970. Search by the deceased person’s name and estate number. Original bound ledgers sit at the Lee County Clerk’s Historical Records Room. Search the FamilySearch catalog to see which years are fully indexed.
How Do I Trace African American Families in Lee County?
Trace African American families in Lee County through the 1867-1868 voter registration rolls, the 1870 and 1880 censuses, and Freedmen’s Bureau records. Church records from Fort Myers’ African American congregations also help. The State Archives of Florida in Tall Florida holds the voter rolls. FamilySearch holds the Freedmen’s Bureau labor contracts and complaint records. Search slave-era papers in plantation records at the State Archives.
Can I Search Lee County Court Records for Free?
Yes. The Lee County Clerk of Court offers a free Official Records search on its website. Search by name, date, or document type for deeds, mortgages, and court judgments from 1990 forward. Older records from 1887 to 1990 sit only on microfilm at the clerk’s office. Visit in person to search the older index books and microfilm rolls.
What Records Exist for Spanish Colonial Settlers?
Spanish colonial records for the Fort Myers area sit in the State Archives of Florida under series S 1216. These records include land claims filed with the U.S. Board of Land Commissioners after 1821. Search the archives’ online catalog for “Lee County” and “Spanish land grant.” The P.K. Yonge Library at the University of Florida also holds copies of many Florida Spanish land papers.