Miami Gardens City Court Records cover every case filed in or tied to the city of Miami Gardens, Florida. The city sits in the northern part of Miami-Dade County.
Over 116,000 people live there. The local court system runs through the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. This office stores paper files and digital copies of all cases from the area. Anyone can search these files from a phone or computer at no cost. The system runs around the clock, every day of the year. This page covers the full court record system for Miami Gardens residents, attorneys, employers, and curious searchers. You will learn how to look up case files, get certified copies, file new cases, and contact the right office.
How the Court System Works for Miami Gardens
Miami Gardens falls under the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. This circuit serves all of Miami-Dade County. It handles every type of court case in the area. Felony criminal cases go to the circuit court. Misdemeanor criminal cases stay at the county court level. Civil cases split based on the dollar amount. Cases over $50,000 go to circuit civil court. Cases at or below $50,000 go to county civil court. Small claims up to $8,000 fall under county civil as well.
Family cases cover divorce, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence. Probate cases cover wills, estates, guardianship, and mental health matters. Traffic cases cover moving violations, tickets, and infractions. Each case type has its own search page on the Miami-Dade Clerk website. Records stay open to the public unless a judge seals them.
Florida law treats court records as public files. The state open records law, found in Florida Statute Chapter 119, gives every person the right to view these files. The Clerk’s office follows this rule for all cases tied to Miami Gardens residents, businesses, and properties.
The Office That Holds Miami Gardens Court Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller keeps all court records for Miami Gardens. The Clerk is the legal record keeper for the entire county. Miami Gardens does not have its own separate court clerk office. Every case that involves a Miami Gardens address, party, or event gets filed with the Miami-Dade Clerk. The main office sits in downtown Miami. It is about 17 miles south of Miami Gardens city limits.
| Office Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller |
| Main Address | 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 |
| Main Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Office Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Public Service Window | Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Court Division | 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida |
The Clerk also runs branch offices across the county. These branches accept filings, sell copies, and answer basic questions. The branch closest to Miami Gardens is the North Dade Justice Center. It sits at 15555 Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami Beach. That location is about 10 miles from central Miami Gardens. Branch hours match the main office.
Search Miami Gardens Court Records Online
The fastest way to look up a case is the Online Case Search tool on the Clerk website. The tool sits at miamidadeclerk.gov. You can search three ways: by name, by case number, or by filing date. The name search covers civil, family, and probate cases. You type the last name and first name. The system pulls up every case tied to that person.
The case number search needs the full docket number. This number starts with a year, then a letter code for the case type, then a sequence number. For example, a 2024 civil case might read 2024-CV-012345. The docket index appears on every court paper once a case is filed.
Criminal cases use a different system. The Criminal Online Information Network (COIN) covers all criminal cases in the county. COIN shows charges, bond amounts, hearing dates, and sentences. You can search by name or booking number. Both systems stay open 24 hours a day. No login or account is needed for a basic search. The records refresh throughout the day as new filings come in.
You can also search through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. That portal serves the entire state of Florida. It works well for checking case status when you already have a case number. The portal shows filed documents, hearing schedules, and party details for any case in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
Types of Court Records You Can View
The Clerk’s office holds records for every case type that passes through the 11th Judicial Circuit. The list covers thousands of new filings each week. Each record type has its own search rules and access limits.
Civil Case Records
Civil cases cover lawsuits between people or businesses. They include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property fights, and debt collection. For Miami Gardens, civil cases go to either county court or circuit court based on the dollar amount. You can pull up civil dockets through the Online Case Search tool. Most civil case files show the complaint, answer, motions, and final judgment. Some civil cases get sealed when trade secrets or personal data are at stake.
Small claims cases also fall under civil court. Small claims cover disputes up to $8,000. These cases move fast. Most resolve within a few months. You can search small claims records the same way you search other civil cases.
Criminal Case Records
Criminal records cover felony and misdemeanor charges. The Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami Gardens Police Department make arrests. The court side gets handled by the Clerk once a case enters the court system. You can search criminal records through COIN. The search returns charges, arrest dates, bond amounts, court dates, and final dispositions. Juvenile criminal records stay sealed under Florida law. Adult criminal records stay open unless a judge orders them sealed or expunged.
Miami Gardens police reports sit with the police department, not the court. Arrest records and booking photos sit with Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation. Court records only cover the part of the case that happens after filing.
Family Court Records
Family court covers divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence petitions. Miami Gardens residents file family cases at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center in Miami. The Family Court Self Help Program offers free forms and basic guidance for people who file on their own. Adoption records get sealed after the case closes. Other family records stay open to the public, though some details get redacted to protect minors.
Probate Records
Probate covers wills, estates, guardianship, and mental health commitments. Most probate cases are open to the public. The Clerk’s probate smart forms page lets you file new probate cases online. Mental health records get the strictest access rules. Baker Act and Marchman Act files stay sealed.
Traffic Court Records
Traffic cases cover moving violations, speeding tickets, and infractions. Most people pay their traffic ticket online through the Clerk’s office. If you contest the ticket, the case moves to traffic court. You can search traffic cases by name or citation number through the Online Case Search tool. Traffic cases include court dates, fine amounts, and final rulings.
Get Certified Copies of Court Records
A certified copy carries the Clerk’s seal and signature. Banks, employers, and government agencies often ask for certified copies of court records. Each certified copy costs $7. You can order certified copies three ways: online through the Clerk’s website, in person at any branch office, or by mail. Mail orders need a written request, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment by check or money order.
Online orders take a few business days to process. In-person orders finish on the same day at the public service window. The Clerk charges extra for rush service. The Clerk also offers electronic certified copies through the eCert system. The cost is $7 plus a small processing fee. You can download the certified PDF as soon as the Clerk approves the order.
Miami Gardens Court Record Fees
Court fees change from time to time. The table below shows the most common fees for Miami Gardens court records as of mid-2026. Always check the Clerk’s website for the latest fee schedule before you place an order.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified Copy (standard) | $7.00 per document |
| Electronic Certified Copy (eCert) | $7.00 plus processing |
| Plain Photocopy | $1.00 per page |
| Document Search Fee | $2.00 per year searched |
| Apostille (state authentication) | Set by Florida Department of State |
| E-Filing Convenience Fee | Varies by filing type |
| Credit Card Processing Fee | Around 3% of the total |
You can pay fees with cash, check, money order, or credit card at the public service window. Online payments require a credit or debit card. The Clerk does not accept cash for online orders. Mail orders need a check or money order made out to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court.
Sealed and Confidential Records
Some Miami Gardens court records stay sealed by law. A judge must sign an order to seal a record. The Clerk cannot open a sealed file without that court order. Common reasons for sealing include juvenile cases, sensitive family matters, trade secrets, and expunged criminal records.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 sets the rules for sealing. The Clerk redacts sensitive data from public files on a set schedule. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s details get removed before the file shows up in a public search. You do not need to file a request for that redaction. The Clerk handles it on the back end.
To get an expungement, you file a petition with the court. The court then holds a hearing. If the judge signs the order, the Clerk seals or destroys the record. Expunged records do not show up in a public search. The Clerk keeps a private index for law enforcement use only.
File a New Case From Miami Gardens
You can file new cases from Miami Gardens through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. The portal sits at myflcourtaccess.com. The portal serves every county in Florida. It works for civil, family, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. Criminal cases get filed by the State Attorney’s Office, not private parties.
You must create a free account to file a new case. The account lets you track filings, pay fees, and serve documents on other parties. The portal accepts credit card payments for filing fees. A small convenience fee applies to each transaction. The portal runs around the clock, but the Clerk reviews filings during business hours. New filings get a docket number once the Clerk accepts them.
You can also file in person at the Clerk’s branch offices. The North Dade Justice Center accepts filings for civil, small claims, and family cases. The Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center in downtown Miami handles all other filing types. Walk-up filers get a receipt at the public service window.
Physical Courthouse Locations Near Miami Gardens
The 11th Judicial Circuit runs several courthouses across Miami-Dade County. Each location handles different case types. Miami Gardens residents often visit the closest branch for simple tasks. Major hearings take place at the main courthouses in downtown Miami.
- Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center – 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128. Civil, family, and probate cases.
- Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building – 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125. Felony criminal cases.
- North Dade Justice Center – 15555 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami Beach, FL 33160. Civil, small claims, and family cases. Closest branch to Miami Gardens.
- South Dade Justice Center – 10710 SW 211th Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. Civil, family, and criminal cases for southern Miami-Dade.
- Osvaldo Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center – 225 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128. Circuit civil and complex litigation cases.
All courthouses open Monday through Friday. Court hearings start at 9:00 a.m. The Clerk’s public service windows open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Bring a photo ID. Bring your case number or party name. Bring cash, check, or credit card for any fees.
Federal Court Records for Miami Gardens
Federal cases that involve Miami Gardens residents go to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The main federal courthouse sits at 400 North Miami Avenue in Miami. Federal cases cover bankruptcy, federal crimes, civil rights claims, and lawsuits that cross state lines.
Federal court records live on the PACER system. PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records. You need a free PACER account to search federal cases. PACER charges $0.10 per page viewed. Users get up to $30 of free usage per quarter.
You can search PACER by name, case number, or party type. Federal cases cover a wide range of matters, from drug charges to immigration appeals. Miami Gardens residents involved in federal cases can pull their docket entries, motions, and orders through PACER. Certified copies of federal court records come from the federal clerk’s office at a separate cost.
Appellate Court Records
Appeals from the 11th Judicial Circuit go to the Third District Court of Appeal. That court sits at 2001 SW 117th Avenue in Miami. The Third District handles every appeal from Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. You can search appellate dockets on the Florida Courts website at flcourts.gov.
Most appeals involve civil, family, or criminal cases. The appellate court reviews the lower court’s decision. It does not hold new trials. The appellate record includes briefs, oral argument transcripts, and the court’s written opinion. The Clerk of the District Court of Appeal stores these records. Certified copies of appellate decisions cost $2 per page plus certification fees.
Some cases go further. The Florida Supreme Court hears the highest appeals in the state. The U.S. Supreme Court can review federal issues. Each court level has its own search system and its own rules for access.
Common Court Record Tasks for Miami Gardens
Most people who look up Miami Gardens court records want to do one of a few basic tasks. The list below covers the most common requests the Clerk handles each day.
- Pay a traffic ticket – Use the Online Case Search tool. Find your case. Pay the fine by credit card. Get a receipt by email.
- Check a court date – Search by name or case number. The docket shows the next hearing date and the courtroom.
- Request a copy of a divorce decree – File a written request at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, Family Court, 14th Floor. Pay $7 for a certified copy.
- Check jury duty status – Use the jury portal on the Clerk’s website. Enter your juror ID. See your reporting date and location.
- Pull a case docket – Search the Online Case Search tool. Click the case number. See all filings, motions, and orders.
- Look up a warrant – Warrants show in the COIN criminal search. Active warrants list the charge and bond amount.
Contact the Miami-Dade Clerk
The Clerk’s office fields calls, emails, and walk-in visits every day. Phone lines stay open during business hours. The main phone number is (305) 275-1155. For traffic tickets, call (305) 275-1111. For family court questions, call (305) 349-7300. For probate questions, call (305) 349-7300. For criminal records, call (305) 275-1155. Email options sit on the contact page of the Clerk’s website. Response times run one to three business days.
The main office sits at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128. The public service window opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office closes on federal and state holidays. Free parking sits on the north and south sides of the building. Valet parking costs a flat fee.
The Clerk’s official website is miamidadeclerk.gov. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal sits at myflcourtaccess.com. The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers state site sits at flclerks.com. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs statewide criminal history checks at fdle.state.fl.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common requests the Clerk’s office gets from Miami Gardens residents, employers, attorneys, and curious searchers. Each answer gives you a clear, direct path to the right tool, fee, or office. Read through the list before you place a request. The Clerk’s office can save you a trip downtown when you use the right online portal.
How do I look up a criminal case for someone who lives in Miami Gardens?
Use the COIN system on the Miami-Dade Clerk website. COIN stands for Criminal Online Information Network. Type the person’s full legal name into the search bar. The system returns every criminal case tied to that name in Miami-Dade County. The result shows charges, court dates, bond amounts, and the final ruling. You can search COIN 24 hours a day. No account or fee is needed for a basic search. The system refreshes every few hours. If you need a certified copy of a criminal record, order it through the Clerk’s online services page or visit a branch office in person. The fee is $7 per certified copy. Note that juvenile criminal records do not show up in COIN. Sealed or expunged adult records also stay hidden from public view.
Can I see sealed Miami Gardens court records?
No, not without a court order. Sealed records stay hidden from the public. Only the parties named in the case, their attorneys, and certain government agencies can view sealed files. To open a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court. A judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant access. The Clerk cannot release a sealed file without that court order. If you want to seal your own record, you file a petition for expungement or sealing. The court holds a hearing. If the judge signs the order, the Clerk seals the file. Once sealed, the case no longer shows up in any public search tool. Florida law sets strict limits on who can petition for sealing. Most misdemeanor and felony cases qualify after the sentence is complete and a set waiting period has passed.
What is the cost of a certified copy of a Miami Gardens court record?
The cost is $7 per certified copy. This fee covers the Clerk’s seal, signature, and verification. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person. Online orders use the eCert system and cost $7 plus a small processing fee. In-person orders at any branch office cost $7 each. Mail orders need a check or money order for the full amount, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Clerk charges $1 per page for plain (uncertified) photocopies. Document searches cost $2 per year searched if you need the Clerk to find a specific file for you. Rush service is available for an extra fee. The Clerk accepts cash, check, money order, and credit card. Credit card payments carry a 3% processing charge.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Miami Gardens?
Search the COIN criminal system on the Miami-Dade Clerk website. Type your full legal name. The system shows every criminal case tied to your name, including any open warrants. Active warrants list the charge, the bond amount, and the issuing judge. You can also call the Clerk at (305) 275-1155. The Clerk’s office can confirm a warrant over the phone after you verify your identity. For a more complete search, order a statewide criminal history check from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at fdle.state.fl.us. That check covers warrants in every Florida county, not just Miami-Dade. Out-of-state warrants do not show up in either system. If you know you have a warrant, contact a criminal defense attorney before you turn yourself in. An attorney can help you handle the warrant without an unexpected arrest at your home or workplace.
Can I file a small claims case from Miami Gardens online?
Yes. Use the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com. Create a free account. Select Miami-Dade County as the venue. File the small claims complaint, the summons, and any supporting documents. Pay the filing fee by credit card. The Clerk reviews the filing during business hours. Once the Clerk accepts the filing, you get a case number and a hearing date. Small claims cases in Miami-Dade cover disputes up to $8,000. The filing fee is around $55 for claims up to $2,500 and around $105 for larger claims. The other side gets served with the summons and has 20 days to respond. Most small claims hearings happen within 60 to 90 days of filing. The judge hears both sides and issues a ruling on the same day in most cases.
Where do I get a copy of a Miami Gardens divorce decree?
Request a certified copy from the Miami-Dade Clerk’s office. The Family Court sits at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 14th Floor, Miami, FL 33128. You can order the copy in person, by mail, or online through the Clerk’s website. The fee is $7 per certified copy. Bring a photo ID if you visit in person. Mail orders need a written request, a check for $7, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Clerk mails the certified copy back within 5 to 7 business days. Online orders through eCert finish in 1 to 3 business days. You can also call (305) 349-7300 to check on a pending request. Note that some divorce records get sealed by the court, especially those involving minor children or sensitive financial details. Sealed records need a court order to release.
How do I check my jury duty status for Miami-Dade County?
Use the jury portal on the Miami-Dade Clerk website. Enter your juror ID number from your jury summons. The portal shows your reporting date, time, and location. You can also confirm or postpone your service online. Miami-Dade jurors serve at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, or the North Dade Justice Center. Your summons lists the exact location. Call (305) 349-4900 if you have questions about your service. Failure to report for jury duty can result in a contempt of court charge. Most jurors serve for one day or one trial. You can request a postponement once if your service date conflicts with work, school, or travel plans. The Clerk’s office tries to seat jurors from a wide range of backgrounds. Miami Gardens residents get called at the same rate as residents in other parts of the county.