Official source: Lee County Clerk

How to search deeds, liens and easements at the Lee County Clerk of Court

The Lee County Clerk of Court maintains official public records for all properties in the county. Here you can verify deeds, liens, easements and plats for any lot in Cape Coral.

Quick Answers
  • Deed = legal document that transfers property ownership.
  • Lien = legal claim against the property for outstanding debts.
  • Easement = right for third parties to use part of the property.
  • Plat = official recorded map defining subdivisions and lots.
  • Everything is verified at the Lee County Clerk — Property Records.
  • Basic online search is free.

How to search records at the Lee County Clerk (step by step)

Access the Official Records portal

Go to leeclerk.org — Property Records.

Select your search type

  • Owner name: Search all documents recorded under a person or entity.
  • Instrument number: If you have a specific document number.
  • Document type: Filter by deeds, liens, mortgages, easements, plats, etc.
  • Date range: Limit search to a specific period.

Review found documents

For each document you'll see: type, recording date, parties involved (grantor/grantee), official instrument number, and legal description.

Identify red flags

  • Active liens: Tax, construction, judgment or city assessment liens.
  • Lis pendens: Indicates pending litigation affecting the property.
  • Extensive easements: That significantly limit the buildable area.
  • Incomplete chain of title: Gaps in the deed sequence may indicate legal issues.

Complement with professional title search

For an actual transaction, it's recommended to hire a title company for a complete title search. This protects with title insurance against hidden issues.

Key document types

Warranty Deed

Most secure form of property transfer. Seller guarantees clean title. Standard for most transactions.

Quit Claim Deed

Transfers only what the seller owns, with no guarantees. Used between family or to correct titles.

Lien

Legal claim against the property for taxes, construction, judgments or municipal assessments. Must be resolved before or at closing.

Easement

Third-party use rights (utilities, drainage, access). Utility easements are common. Drainage easements may affect where you can build.

Plat

Official recorded subdivision map defining lot boundaries, streets, easements and common areas.

Lis Pendens

Public notice of pending litigation. If present, the property is in legal dispute — not recommended to purchase without resolution.

Official Sources
SourceWhat it validatesLink
Lee County Clerk of CourtDeeds, liens, easements, plats, public recordsleeclerk.org
Lee County Property AppraiserOwnership, STRAP, assessed value (complementary)leepa.org

FAQ about Lee Clerk records

The county office maintaining official public records: deeds, liens, easements, plats and other legal property documents.

LCPA assesses property value and ownership. The Clerk maintains legal documents: deeds, liens, easements, plats. Both are complementary for due diligence.

Search the Official Records section at leeclerk.org by owner name. Liens appear as recorded documents.

A legal claim against a property for unpaid debts: taxes, construction, judgments or assessments. Can prevent the sale.

A legal right allowing third parties to use part of your property for utilities, drainage or access. Recorded at the Lee Clerk.

Basic online search is free. Certified copies have a fee. Search indexes are publicly available at no charge.