Find Lee County FL Deeds, Recorded Documents and the Recording Office
The Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller serves as the county recorder in Lee County, Florida. Its Official Records Services Department records and preserves deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, plats and other public land records.
This guide covers the free Landmark Web deed search, Fort Myers and Cape Coral recording offices, deed filing requirements, Florida documentary stamp tax, copies, e-recording and property fraud alerts.
Reviewed October 14, 2026 • Official county and Florida sources • Independent guide
Who Is the Recorder of Deeds in Lee County, Florida?
Lee County does not operate a separately elected office called the “Recorder of Deeds.” The Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller performs county recording duties through Official Records Services.
Official Records Services
Use for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, judgments, releases, document copies and recording fees.
Property Appraiser
Use for STRAP parcel numbers, assessed values, property characteristics, ownership assessment records and homestead exemptions.
Tax Collector
Use for property-tax bills, balances, payment history, tax certificates and delinquent property-tax questions.
How to Search Lee County FL Deeds Online
The Clerk uses the Landmark Web Official Records Search system. It supports multiple methods of locating recorded documents, including party names, document numbers, book/page references, recording dates and legal-description information.
Open Landmark Web and Accept the Disclaimer
Visit the Clerk’s Official Records Search page, then select Search Official Records. Read the disclaimer and accept it to enter Landmark Web.
Choose a Search Method
Select Name when searching an owner, seller, buyer, mortgage holder or business. Use Clerk File Number when you already know the document’s CFN. Other supported options include Document, Book and Page, Consideration, Record Date and Legal Search.
Search the Grantor and Grantee
For deeds, the grantor generally transfers the property interest and the grantee receives it. Search both sides of a transaction and try spelling variations, prior owners, trust names and business names.
Identify the Right Document
Match the recording date, document type, parties, legal description and CFN or book/page reference. If your search returns many similar names, use a narrower date range or a known instrument reference.
Check the Document’s Verification Status
Landmark Web identifies provisional records with R or I and verified records with V. Provisional records have not completed the same indexing-verification process and may later be changed or corrected.
View the Image and Save the Reference
Review the scanned document, including the full legal description and any related recording information. Save the CFN or book/page number if you need a copy, certification or follow-up research.
Which Search Option Should You Use?
| Information You Have | Landmark Search Option | Useful Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Owner or former owner name | Name | Try surname, full name, spelling variations and business names. |
| Clerk File Number | Clerk File Number | Use the exact CFN from a deed, title report or fraud alert. |
| Book and page | Book and Page | Especially useful for older recorded-document references. |
| Approximate recording date | Record Date | Search a wider date range if the document was recorded after closing. |
| Legal description | Legal | Check whether the legal information matches the property before relying on the result. |
What If You Only Know the Property Address?
The Lee County Property Appraiser’s search supports street address, owner name, STRAP parcel number, Folio ID and deed/recording information.
Find the parcel first, then use its owner name, grantor/grantee details or instrument reference in the Clerk’s Landmark Web system. This two-office approach is often more effective than trying to search a deed by street address alone.
Lee County Recording Office Locations in Fort Myers and Cape Coral
The Clerk’s Official Records Services Department provides in-person recording services at two locations. The department’s direct phone number is 239-533-5007.
Fort Myers — Official Records Office
Building: County Administration Building
Address:
2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Department phone: 239-533-5007
Call center: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:45 PM
Lobby: Listed as open until 5:00 PM, excluding observed holidays.
Fort Myers Directions ↗Cape Coral — Government Center
Building: Lee Government Center
Address:
1039 SE 9th Place, 2nd Floor
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Main phone: 239-533-5000
Official Records questions: 239-533-5007
Call center: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:45 PM
Lobby: Confirm service availability before arriving close to 5:00 PM.
Cape Coral Directions ↗Where to Mail Recording Documents
Regular mail:
Lee County Clerk of Courts
Official Records / Recording Department
P.O. Box 2278
Fort Myers, FL 33902
Express delivery:
Lee County Clerk of Courts
2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901
The Clerk instructs submitters to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with documents being recorded by mail or drop box. This is necessary for return of the recorded documents.
Important: The Clerk says documents held without a return envelope may be destroyed after 90 days. Include your return mailing information when submitting a recording package.
How to Record a Deed in Lee County, Florida
Lee County follows Florida Statutes, including section 695.26, when reviewing deeds submitted for recording. Recorder staff cannot prepare a deed, determine the correct deed type or offer legal advice.
Prepare the Deed for the Correct Property
Identify the grantor and grantee, state the correct legal description and select the legally appropriate instrument. A warranty deed, quitclaim deed, corrective deed or trust-related conveyance can have different legal consequences.
Include All Required Names and Mailing Addresses
Lee County requires legibly printed grantor and grantee names, their mailing addresses, and a prepared-by statement showing the name and address of the natural person who prepared the deed.
Complete Signatures, Witnesses and Notarization
The Clerk’s deed checklist calls for grantor signatures, printed names beneath the grantor and witness signatures, two witnesses for each applicable grantor signature, and a complete notarial acknowledgment including the notary’s identifying details and seal.
Leave Space for the Recording Stamp
Leave a 3 × 3-inch blank area at the upper-right corner of the first page and a 1 × 3-inch blank area at the upper-right corner of later pages. An improperly formatted document may require an added page.
Determine the Correct Documentary Stamp Tax
For a taxable deed, the county collects Florida documentary stamp tax at $0.70 for each $100 of consideration or fraction thereof. Consideration may include more than cash changing hands, so verify transfers involving assumed mortgages, gifts, estates or related parties.
Calculate Recording Fees and Submit
For a standard deed, the county lists $10 for page one, $8.50 for every additional page and $1 for each indexed name beyond four. Check the complete amount before paying and choose in-person recording, mail, drop box or supported e-recording.
How to Submit Your Documents
In Person
Visit the Official Records office in Fort Myers or the Cape Coral branch with the completed instrument and payment.
Mail or Drop Box
Include the document, correct payment and self-addressed stamped envelope. Confirm the correct mailing address before sending.
Electronic Recording
Use one of the third-party vendors identified on the Clerk’s eRecording page. A submission acknowledgment does not mean the document has already been recorded.
Lee County FL Recording Fees and Documentary Stamp Tax
The Clerk’s current published fee schedule distinguishes recording charges from taxes. The final cost can depend on the number of pages, indexed names, consideration, document type and mortgage obligations.
| Fee or Tax | Published Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recording — first page | $10.00 | Standard letter- or legal-size recorded documents. |
| Additional recording page | $8.50 | Each additional page after the first. |
| Extra indexed name | $1.00 | Each name after the first four indexed names. |
| Deed documentary stamp tax | $0.70 per $100 or fraction | Taxable deed consideration; certain transfers may have exemptions or special treatment. |
| Mortgage documentary stamp tax | $0.35 per $100 or fraction | Generally based on the debt secured by the recorded mortgage. |
| Nonrecurring intangible tax | 0.002 × taxable secured obligation | Certain obligations secured by Florida real property. |
| Standard record copy | $1.00 per page | Office-provided copies of official recorded instruments. |
| Electronic certified official record | $8.00 | The Clerk’s listed e-certification service fee for one official-record document. |
| Recording a large plat | $30 first page; $15 additional | Plats larger than 8.5 × 14 inches. |
Example: Recording a $300,000 Deed
Assume a taxable deed has three pages, four indexed names and $300,000 in taxable consideration.
Recording Fee
$27.00
$10 for the first page plus $17 for two additional pages.
Documentary Stamps
$2,100.00
3,000 increments of $100 multiplied by $0.70.
Illustrative Total
$2,127.00
Recording and deed documentary stamp tax, without other transaction-specific fees.
Lee County Deed Recording Cost Estimator
Estimate ordinary deed recording charges plus documentary stamp tax on an amount you have already determined to be taxable consideration. This is not an official tax determination.
Assumes a standard taxable deed, no exemption, no unusual recording charges and no mortgage-specific taxes.
Deed Tax and Mortgage Tax Are Different
Florida imposes documentary stamp tax on qualifying deeds and separately on qualifying mortgage obligations. A financed real-estate transaction may have both deed documentary stamp tax and mortgage documentary stamp tax, as well as applicable nonrecurring intangible tax.
The $0.35-per-$100 mortgage tax and the 0.002 intangible-tax rate are not interchangeable. Certain promissory notes also have different tax caps from recorded mortgages. For complex financing, use the Clerk’s official fee calculator and Florida Department of Revenue guidance.
How to Get a Lee County Deed Copy or Certified Record
The Clerk provides free online viewing and printing for many Official Records. If you need proof suitable for a court, government application, lender or legal transaction, ask whether a certified document is required.
Free Online Copy
Find the document in Landmark Web, open the image and use the available printing or saving option.
Useful for reference and research; do not assume an ordinary download is certified.
Electronic Certification
Use the Clerk’s e-certified records option to request an electronically certified Official Record.
The county fee page lists $8 per e-certified Official Record. Check the ordering screen for any applicable additional charge.
Mail or Office Copies
Provide the recorded names, CFN or book/page, document type and other identifying information.
For mail requests, include the required payment and a stamped self-addressed return envelope.
Searching Very Old Lee County Records
Lee County’s recorded history dates back to 1887. The Clerk also maintains a Historical Document Library in the Official Records Office at 2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers.
Historic materials include original record books, plat books, early general indexes and other records. The Clerk says some fragile historical books cannot be photocopied, although visitors may be allowed to photograph pages or use a hand-held scanner.
If your deed predates readily searchable electronic records, contact the office about the relevant historical index before visiting.
Why Some Lee County Official Records Are Not Available Online
Florida law restricts general online access to certain categories of Official Records. An indexed document may exist in the county’s records even when its image is not displayed to an ordinary public user.
Restricted Online Categories
- Military discharges.
- Death certificates.
- Some documents relating to family-law cases.
- Some juvenile or probate court documents.
Additional statutory privacy and access rules may apply.
Subscriber Service
Lee County offers a free Subscriber Service for certain records restricted from general online display.
Access and permitted use remain subject to Florida law. A subscriber account does not make confidential information available for unrestricted purposes.
Read Subscriber Service requirements ↗Lee County Property Fraud Alert: Monitor Your Name or STRAP Number
Lee County provides a free Property Fraud Alert service. Registered users can receive email notifications when new Official Records match a monitored name or parcel identifier.
Locate Your Property’s STRAP Number
The county identifies the STRAP as a 17-character parcel identifier. Find it on the Property Appraiser’s search page or qualifying existing property documents.
Open the County’s Fraud Alert Registration
Use the official Lee Clerk Property Fraud page and select the registration link. Register your name, business, trust or parcel as appropriate.
Verify Your Email and Registration
Follow the confirmation instructions and register additional name variations or parcel IDs when relevant. The county explains that name matching can be exact.
Investigate Unexpected Alerts
If an unfamiliar document appears, use its Clerk File Number in Landmark Web to verify the record. Report suspected property fraud to the relevant law enforcement agency and consider qualified legal advice.
Official Lee County Recorder Links and What to Do After Opening Them
1. Lee County Official Records Search
Open the Clerk’s Official Records Search page ↗
- Select Search Official Records to launch Landmark Web.
- Accept the search disclaimer.
- Choose Name, Clerk File Number, Book and Page, Record Date or another available search.
- Open the result, verify its status and save the recording reference.
2. Recording Requirements and Submission Methods
Open official deed recording requirements ↗
- Read the Deed Requirements checklist.
- Check preparer, grantor, grantee, witness and notary information.
- Verify the blank recording-space requirements.
- Review mail, in-person, drop-box and e-recording submission instructions.
3. Recorder Fee Schedule
Open Lee County Fees & Costs ↗
- Find Official Records, Recording, and Land Records.
- Confirm the standard first-page and additional-page fees.
- Check extra indexing names, plat recording and copy charges.
- Calculate applicable deed or mortgage taxes separately.
4. Official Records Copies and E-Certification
Open the Clerk’s Copies of Documents guide ↗
- Choose an ordinary online printout, in-person copy, mail copy or electronically certified document.
- Locate the CFN, book/page and recorded names.
- Check certification and delivery fees.
- Use the Clerk’s current ordering service rather than the discontinued MyFloridaCounty ordering portal.
5. Electronic Recording
Open Lee County eRecording information ↗
- Review which document types are accepted electronically.
- Compare currently listed third-party recording vendors.
- Ask the vendor about account requirements and service charges.
- Keep the recorded confirmation and do not confuse submission with official recording.
6. Property Fraud Alert and Privacy
Open Lee Clerk Property Fraud Alert ↗
- Read the name and parcel monitoring instructions.
- Get your STRAP number from the Property Appraiser if needed.
- Register and confirm your email.
- Use Landmark Web to review any unexpected document alert.
7. Property Appraiser and Tax Collector
Open Lee County Property Appraiser search ↗
Open Lee County Tax Collector property taxes ↗
- Search by owner name, address, STRAP number or Folio ID to identify the property.
- Check its ownership, assessment and exemption details.
- Use the Tax Collector’s service to view bills and payments.
- Contact the correct office if a deed-related ownership update has not appeared as expected.
Related Lee County and Florida Property Guides
These published guides cover common next steps after a deed transfer, including property-tax exemptions, applications and recording services in other counties.
Lee County FL Recorder FAQs
Who is the Lee County Recorder in Florida?
The Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller performs recorder duties through Official Records Services. Kevin C. Karnes is the county’s Clerk and Comptroller.
Where is the Lee County Recording Office located?
The main Official Records office is at 2115 Second Street, 2nd Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901. Another recording location is at 1039 SE 9th Place, 2nd Floor, Cape Coral, FL 33990.
What is the Lee County Official Records phone number?
The Official Records Services phone number is 239-533-5007. The Clerk’s general contact number is 239-533-5000.
Can I search Lee County Florida deeds online for free?
Yes. The Clerk provides free public searching of many recorded documents through Landmark Web Official Records Search.
How far back do Lee County Official Records go?
Lee County Official Records date back to 1887. Some historical materials are maintained in the Clerk’s Historical Document Library and may require office research.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Lee County?
The Clerk lists $10 for the first page, $8.50 for each additional page and $1 for each indexed name beyond four. Documentary stamp tax and other applicable charges are additional.
What is the deed documentary stamp tax in Lee County?
Florida generally imposes documentary stamp tax of $0.70 per $100 of taxable deed consideration or fraction thereof in Lee County. Some transactions have exemptions or special consideration rules.
Can I obtain a certified Lee County deed copy online?
Yes. Lee County offers electronically certified Official Records. The published e-certification charge is $8 per official-record document, with any additional ordering charges shown by the service.
Does Lee County offer free property fraud alerts?
Yes. The Lee Clerk’s free Property Fraud Alert service can monitor registered personal names, business names, trusts and parcel identifiers for matching newly recorded documents.
Can the Lee County Clerk prepare a deed or give legal advice?
No. Clerk staff can explain recording procedures and provide public-record access, but they cannot draft deeds, choose the appropriate deed type or provide legal advice. Use a qualified Florida attorney or title professional when necessary.
Sources, Accuracy and Independent Website Notice
This guide is independently published and is not affiliated with the Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Lee County government, the Lee County Property Appraiser, the Lee County Tax Collector or the Florida Department of Revenue.
Recording requirements, statutory charges, staff, hours, online record availability and third-party vendor services may change. Verify current information directly with the responsible official office before submitting documents or payments.
Recorded documents are not a substitute for a certified title examination, legal advice, a survey, a tax assessment or a court order. A recording index may contain provisional entries, indexing errors or records that have a different legal effect from what their title suggests.
Public-record information should not be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit eligibility, insurance underwriting or another regulated purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This independent publisher is not a consumer reporting agency.