Miami-Dade County Court Records

Courts in Miami-Dade County, Florida, are statutorily obliged to document legal proceedings initiated by or involving private citizens, businesses, government agencies, the State of Florida, or other entities. These "court records," as so termed, have critical applications within the county's justice system and comprise the overarching Florida court records.

Preserving court records allows the courts to maintain a historical account of legal proceedings, which lends a better understanding of the law's applications, interpretations, and evolution. Moreover, it enables the establishment and use of legal precedents: judges and magistrates can examine prior rulings to guide their decisions in similar legal matters. At the same time, attorneys can review past rulings to build stronger cases.

According to the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Rule 2.420 and FS 28.24 (1), the term "court record" encompasses the contents of a court file. It includes docket information and other records generated to log case activity, transcripts, documentary exhibits, and electronic or stenographic records or materials maintained by or filed with the Clerk's office.

Are Court Records Public in Miami-Dade County?

Yes, court records are accessible to the public in Miami-Dade County under Florida's Sunshine Law and court rule.

The rulemaking power granted to the state supreme court in Article V, Section 2 of the Florida Constitution allows the court to adopt rules for court practice and procedure. The Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 regulates public access to judicial branch records, including court records. Meanwhile, the Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and Access Security Matrix, adopted by the Supreme Court in Administrative Order AOSC14-19 in 2014, governs public access to electronic court records.

Under these statutes and court rules, members of the public have greater access to Miami-Dade County court records and other adjudicative records maintained within Florida's judicial system.

Notwithstanding, trial and appellate court memoranda, unexecuted arrest and search warrants, juvenile dependency cases, and other confidential court records are inaccessible to the general public.

Miami-Dade County Court Records Search

A court records search in Miami-Dade County is a public inquiry for documentary materials generated from legal proceedings. The intention behind a Miami-Dade County court records search is peculiar to each interested party. Whatever the case, the search may be conducted as follows:

• At the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office.
• By accessing online databases provided by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.
• Using online databases provided by third-party aggregator websites.

Miami-Dade County Court Records Search by Name

To search for Miami-Dade court records by name, one must have a case party's name, typically a defendant or plaintiff's last name. However, an option to search with a witness or attorney's name may be available.

Armed with the necessary information, the researcher can visit a Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office location within working hours to request a search for identifiable records and obtain copies if needed. A search may also be performed online or requested by mail. Providing additional details like a first name or middle initial and filing date may expedite the retrieval of a case file.

Typically, inspection requests—where a person only examines a record—attract no fees. However, Florida law permits the Clerk's office to charge a fee to reproduce a court record on a person's behalf.

Miami-Dade County Courts

Miami-Dade County's justice system comprises the circuit and county courts, which make up Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Below are the county's courthouse addresses.

Coral Gables Branch Courthouse
3100 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 West Flagler Street
Miami, Florida 33130

Hialeah Branch Courthouse
11 East 6th Street
Hialeah, Florida 33010

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
175 Northwest 1st Avenue
Miami, Florida 33128

Miami Beach Branch Courthouse
1130 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Miami-Dade Children's Courthouse
155 Northwest 3rd Street
Miami, Florida 33128

North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33160

Overtown Transit Village South Building
601 Northwest 1 Court
2nd Floor
Miami, Florida 33136

Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 Northwest 12th Street
Miami, Florida 33125

South Dade Justice Center
10710 Southwest 211th Street
Miami, Florida 33189

Joseph Caleb Center
5400 Northwest 22nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33142

Miami-Dade County Superior Court Case Search

Florida's trial court system is organized into two tiers: the circuit and county courts. Unlike other U.S. states, the state has no "superior court," but the circuit courts execute the role usually assumed by superior courts. These courts are commonly called "general jurisdiction courts," having the authority to adjudicate all criminal and civil matters and even hear appeals from lower courts of limited jurisdiction.

The Miami-Dade County Circuit Court's jurisdiction extends to cases not allotted by statute to the county courts, such as civil disputes worth over $50,000 in damages, felony criminal cases, tax disputes, juvenile cases, malpractice matters, estate disputes, and more. The court also receives appeals from the county courts.

The public has the following options to search for cases filed or heard in Miami-Dade County's circuit court:

• Access online case management systems on the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Records web page. These systems are often accessible with a defendant's name, case number, or citation number.
• Visit any of the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office locations to request related files. Each inquirer must provide details that staff can use to locate the relevant record(s). For general information, one may call the Clerk's Interactive Voice Response System at (305) 275-1155. Other contact numbers are available on the Clerk's website.
• Submit an online, in-person, or mail request for copies to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office.

Miami-Dade County District Court Records

State district courts are occasionally courts of limited jurisdiction that hear misdemeanors, traffic matters, and limited civil cases. Still, in certain U.S. states, they have general jurisdiction in legal matters. No "district courts" exist in Miami-Dade County or Florida at large. However, Miami-Dade County has county courts that serve as courts of limited jurisdiction.

The Miami-Dade County courts handle civil matters involving $50,000 or less, criminal traffic offenses, civil traffic infractions, county ordinance violations, minor criminal misdemeanors, landlord-tenant/eviction cases, and more. Most cases in Miami-Dade County begin in the county courts, leading to their popular designation as the "people's courts".

The duty of court records management in Miami-Dade is centralized in one principal office: the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office. Thus, to find county court records, an interested individual may query the office online, via mail, or in person, as highlighted in the previous section.

Miami-Dade County Criminal Records

Individuals seeking Miami-Dade County criminal records (i.e., criminal history information or background checks) from law enforcement should query the Central Records Bureau (CRB). The Central Records Bureau maintains and disseminates Miami-Dade County public records, including criminal history, arrest affidavits (arrest forms or a-forms), and incident reports.

The CRB provides a Police Clearance Letter (which details criminal history information for an individual) upon request. Individuals can access this service in person at designated stations, online via the Miami-Dade Police Public Records Center, or by mail.

Mail Address

Central Records Bureau
9105 Northwest 25th Street
Miami, FL 33172

One may also email or call the CRB at (305) 471-2085 to request Miami-Dade County Arrest Records or criminal records

Regardless of the reason for requesting a police clearance letter (personal, employment, legal, immigration, etc.), each inquirer must provide these details to the agency:

• The subject's name, including maiden and aliases
• The subject's sex, race, and date of birth
• The inquirer's name, phone number, and address

Note:

• For any in-person visit, an appointment must be scheduled online. The CRB does not accept walk-in requests.
• Each police clearance letter costs $5. Other service charges may apply.
• The CRB provides fingerprinting services for $15. However, the requester must provide a fingerprinting card (obtained from the agency that requested fingerprinting) and two valid forms of ID (at least one with a photo).

More information about fees and designated district stations for fingerprinting and police clearance letters is available on the CRB's Request Police Reports & Records page.

Miami-Dade County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court case records generated by the Miami-Dade County circuit and county courts are accessible through the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office.

Individuals can navigate to the Clerk's Criminal Justice Online System on a browser to look up felony and misdemeanor criminal cases and calendars. Persons accessing the system's Case Search feature may view case information with a case number, citation/police number, defendant's name, or jail number.

After viewing a criminal case online, one can order certified copies. However, certified copies of criminal cases are only ordered by mail or email in Miami-Dade County. Below are the applicable fees:

• $1 per page
• $2 per certification
• $2 per year, per name, for every year searched, where the requester cannot provide a search year or case number
• $42 for scanned felony criminal case files on CD

Email and mail order addresses are listed on the Clerk's Criminal Cases Certified Copies page. Moreover, the web page highlights information that must be included in each copy request, such as a defendant's name, date of birth, document type, and case number. Requesters must also include their contact information (name and address).

The Clerk's office provides a service for interested persons to request certified criminal history checks (disposition letters) associated with criminal felony, criminal misdemeanor, or civil infraction cases.

Get Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records

Civil courts in Miami-Dade County hear various non-criminal legal matters, including small claims (up to $8,000 in damages), auto negligence, contract disputes, eviction cases, malpractice, tort actions, and intellectual property infringements. Individuals seeking case files on civil matters litigated in the county have the following options:

• Access the Clerk's Civil, Family, And Probate Courts Online System. The system has a standard and advanced search. A standard search can be performed with a party name, local/state case number, and hearing date. However, users must register to access the advanced search system, which provides upgraded access to civil court records.
• Order certified copies of Miami-Dade County civil court records in person, via mail, or online. Below are the respective addresses and ordering guidelines:

Mail Requests

Dade County Clerk's Office
Attn: Correspondence Department
73 West Flagler Street
Suite 137
Miami, FL 33130

Each request letter must carry the case year, case number or book & page, and names of case parties. One must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the appropriate fee ($1 per page; $2 per document for certification). Payment can be made by money order or cashier's check to the "Clerk of the Courts".

In-Person Requests

Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 W. Flagler Street
Suite 133
Miami, FL 33130

Alternatively, one can visit any district court location to obtain certified copies of civil court records.

Online Requests

Users of the Civil, Family, And Probate Courts Online System can order certified copies of a civil document image retrieved after a search. Where no image is provided, one may register to access the Clerk's advanced search system or order the record via mail or in person.

Miami-Dade County Family Court Records

Family court records include all documentary materials from family law cases, i.e., cases involving families and children. Examples include child custody, adoption, paternity, dissolution of marriage, name change, juvenile delinquency, termination of parental rights, and certain domestic violence injunction cases.

Members of the public can view family court records through the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Civil/Family/Probate Court Online System. They can also order certified copies via the online system, in person, or by mail.

Mail requesters should draft a letter containing the case year, case number or book & page, and names of case parties. The letter should be sent to the address below with a self-addressed stamped envelope and fee ($1 per page; $2 per certification) payable to the "Clerk of the Courts" by money order or cashier's check.

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court/Correspondence
175 Northwest 1st Avenue
12th Floor
Miami, FL 33128

Alternatively, requesters can visit the address below or any district court location to request certified copies.

Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court
175 Northwest 1st Avenue
14th Floor
Miami, FL 33128

Admittedly, not all family court records are released publicly. Some records are assigned confidential status and accessible only to the case parties or by court order.

Miami-Dade Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage (divorce or annulment) records fall under the category of family court records in Miami-Dade County. Thus, they can be requested and obtained like any other family court record. That is to say, a person can order a final judgment or other marriage dissolution record (child custody, property division, alimony, etc.) from the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center.

One can also access the Clerk's Civil, Family, And Probate Courts Online System to examine and obtain dissolution of marriage certified copies, or they can request dissolution of marriage certificates from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Miami-Dade County Marriage and Divorce Records

People can purchase copies of Miami-Dade County divorce records from the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office using earlier guidelines. However, for Miami-Dade County marriage records, the Clerk maintains a standard search portal to view marriage licenses recorded in Miami-Dade County at no cost. The system can be queried with a spouse's name or marriage license number.

Additionally, members of the public can order a certified copy of a Miami-Dade County marriage certificate from the Clerk's office online or by mail. Miami-Dade marriage licenses issued after 1995 can be purchased online after registration. Licenses from 1971 to 1995 may be viewed online, but the certificates are only available via mail.

Mail requesters must complete the Marriage License Certified Copy Request form, including a self-addressed stamped envelope and fee ($9 for the first copy; $7 per additional copy), and send all to the address below:

Marriage License Bureau
Overtown Transit Village South
601 Northwest 1 Court
Suite 1900
Miami, FL 33136

Miame-Dade marriage and divorce certificates (from June 6, 1927, to date) that have been recorded with the Clerk's office can also be ordered from the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics, a Florida Department of Health division.

Miami-Dade Birth and Death Records

The State Department of Health in Miami-Dade County disseminates birth and death records to the public. Requests for copies of these Miami-Dade County vital records can be made online through a third-party vendor, by mail, or in person at any vital records location within the county (Downtown, North Dade, or West Perrine). No appointment is required.

It costs $20 for a certified copy of a Miami-Dade County birth certificate or Miami-Dade County death certificate. Additional copies cost $16 each when ordered simultaneously. Other fees apply for optional purchases, such as an expedited or express delivery service.

However, per FS 382.025, only eligible persons can obtain Miami-Dade County birth records less than 125 years old and death records less than 50 years old with cause of death and complete social security number.

Birth records are critical documents that assist in proving a person's identity, age, or citizenship. On the other hand, death records assist beneficiaries in estate and inheritance matters. The records also help spotlight health-related issues and understand regional health trends and disparities. This allows policymakers and healthcare professionals to administer targeted health palliatives, programs, and interventions to improve overall health and well-being.

Miami-Dade County Probate Court Records

Cases heard in the Miami-Dade County probate court division include mental health, estates and trusts, and guardianship. Individuals can look up probate cases using the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Civil, Family, And Probate Courts Online System. They can also order certified copies of probate cases via the online system (user registration may be required), in person, or via mail. Below are the respective addresses:

Mail Address
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts
Attn: Probate Correspondence Department
73 West Flagler Street
Room 238
Miami, FL 33130

Physical Address
Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 West Flagler Street
Room 238
Miami, FL 33130

Each requester must provide a case number or book & page, case year, or case party's name. If sending a request by mail, one must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Clerk's office charges $1 per page and $2 to certify a document. Additional charges may apply.

Miami-Dade County Property Records

Miami-Dade County property records include all documents pertaining to real estate situated in the county, including mortgages, deeds, liens, and releases. Collectively, these records make up the Miami-Dade County Official Records and are preserved by the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office.

To obtain a Miami-Dade County property record, a person can access the Clerk's Official Records Search application. Users are offered standard (no registration) and advanced (with registration) searches. Search parameters include:

• Party name/document type
• CFN (Clerk's File Number)
• Book & page number
• Legal description

The Clerk's office also accepts requests for certified property record copies via mail, in person, or online.

At the same time, the general public can find detailed property information through the county's Office of the Property Appraiser. The office provides an online search application for viewing property assessments, characteristics, ownership, and sales information, among other details. Individuals can also submit a Miami-Dade County Public Records Request to the appraiser's office by email, visit the agency's main office in Miami, or call the public records custodian at (305) 375-2480.

Miami-Dade County Court Records Online

Many third-party aggregator websites offer Miami-Dade court records to the public online. Unlike the official court record repositories, third-party sites like courtrecords.us are not limited geographically. Also, they can provide the user with other local public records associated with a search subject, such as Miami-Dade arrest records, unclaimed assets, vital records, and property records.

To execute a Miami-Dade court records search on a third-party site, one must possess at least a first and last name or phone number. These keywords are inputted into the site's search bar and the city or state within which an inquiry should be constrained. Several websites also allow for a nationwide search.

In most cases, a person can search a third-party website for free, but a service charge may apply to obtain a comprehensive report. This fee varies by service provider.