Miami Dade County court records are public files kept by the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. These records cover civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, small claims, and appellate cases.
Anyone can look up a case by name, case number, or party type from a computer or phone. The clerk’s office runs the official Miami Dade court records portal at no cost for basic searches.
Miami-Dade sits in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. The county has close to 2.7 million people, which makes it the most populated county in the state. The clerk’s office stores every case file filed in the county. Florida law keeps most records open to the public, with a few exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile records, and protected personal data.
Miami Dade County Clerk of Court Records Office
The Miami Dade County clerk of court records office is the main hub for all court filings in the county. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Esq. serves as the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. His office keeps every case file, issues certified copies, and runs the online search tools. The clerk’s office answers to Florida Statute Chapter 119, which sets the rules for public access to government records.
The main office sits at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128. You can reach the clerk by phone at 305-275-1155 during business hours. The office also runs satellite locations across the county for different case types. The clerk’s official website is miamidadeclerk.gov, where you can find the search portal, forms, and fee schedules.
Office Contact Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller |
| Main Address | 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128 |
| Phone Number | 305-275-1155 |
| Official Website | miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Online Portal | www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/QOS/ |
Miami Dade Court Case Search Portal
The Miami Dade court case search portal lets you look up case files from home. Guest users can view basic case data at no cost. Registered users get more search fields, including date of birth, booking number, and arrest date. The portal follows the Florida Supreme Court Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and the Access Security Matrix.
Each Official Records search costs $1.00. You buy search units in advance and spend one unit per search. If you do not know the year or case number, the clerk charges $2 per year per name to look up the case. Certified copies cost $7 each. Online queries are limited to the first 200 results for each search.
Search Methods Available
- By Name: Type the full legal name of any party in the case
- By Case Number: Use the unique case number from a court document
- By Booking Number: Search criminal cases by jail booking ID
- By Date of Birth: Filter results with a birth date for criminal cases
- By Arrest Date: Look up criminal cases from a specific arrest window
Two Main Online Search Systems
The clerk runs two main search systems. The first is the Online Case Search portal for civil, family, and probate records. The second is the Criminal Justice Online Case Search and Images system, called COIN. COIN gives you access to criminal case files, dockets, and court document images from the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building.
Miami Dade Civil Court Records
Miami Dade civil court records cover disputes between people, businesses, or groups that do not involve criminal charges. These cases include contract fights, property disputes, personal injury claims, debt collection, and landlord-tenant issues. Civil cases in Miami-Dade are split into Circuit Civil (claims over $50,000) and County Civil (claims up to $50,000).
You can search Miami Dade civil court records through the Online Case Search portal on the clerk’s site. Each case file shows the filing date, party names, case number, division, and the judge’s name. You can also pull up the docket, which lists every motion, hearing, and order filed in the case. Civil case document images became available online under Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC 16-14.
Common Civil Case Types
- Contract disputes
- Property and real estate cases
- Personal injury claims
- Debt and collection matters
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Insurance disputes
- Employment lawsuits
Miami Dade Criminal Court Records
Miami Dade criminal court records cover all felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the county. The criminal court has two levels. Circuit Criminal handles felony cases, grand jury indictments, and arrest warrants. County Criminal handles misdemeanor cases, including DUI, petty theft, simple assault, and drug possession charges.
The Criminal Division sits in the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building at 1351 NW 12th St., Suite 9000, Miami, Florida 33125. Felony records are in Suite 9000. Misdemeanor records are in Suite 8100. Traffic court records are in Suite 124. You can look up all criminal cases through the COIN system on the clerk’s criminal court page.
Criminal Arraignment Schedule
Misdemeanor jail arraignments run Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 5-3. Weekend and holiday arraignments run once at 9 a.m. You can check the clerk’s site for the latest criminal court calendar. The clerk’s office does not give legal advice or help fill out forms.
Public Access to Criminal Records
Florida law makes most criminal records public. You can view dockets, charges, plea deals, sentences, and court orders. Sealed cases, expunged records, and juvenile criminal files are not open to the public. Email addresses sent to the clerk are public records under Florida law. Watch out for jury duty scam emails that ask for payment or personal data.
Miami Dade Family Court Records
Miami Dade family court records cover cases about marriage, divorce, children, and family support. These cases go through the Family Division of the circuit court. Common family case types include divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence restraining orders.
You can search family court records through the Online Case Search portal. The portal shows case numbers, party names, filing dates, and hearing schedules. Adoption records stay sealed by law. Some family court files may be confidential by court order, especially those involving minors or domestic violence. You can request certified copies of family court orders for $7 each.
Common Family Court Case Types
- Divorce and marital dissolution
- Child custody and timesharing
- Child support orders
- Paternity cases
- Adoption (sealed by law)
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Name changes for adults and minors
Miami Dade Probate Court Records
Miami Dade probate court records cover cases about wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health. The Probate Division handles cases where someone died with or without a will. It also handles cases where an adult cannot manage their own affairs. Probate records are open to the public unless a judge orders them sealed.
You can search probate court records through the Online Case Search portal. The portal shows the case type, decedent’s name, personal representative, attorney, and hearing dates. Guardianship cases involving adults may have parts sealed for medical privacy. Mental health commitment records are also restricted in many cases.
Common Probate Case Types
- Last will and testament filings
- Estate administration
- Formal and summary administration
- Adult guardianship
- Minor guardianship
- Mental health commitments
- Trust cases
Miami Dade Traffic Court Records
Miami Dade traffic court records cover traffic citations, infractions, and violations issued in the county. The Traffic Division handles cases like speeding tickets, careless driving, DUI, license violations, and crash reports. You can look up and pay most traffic tickets online through the clerk’s traffic search system.
Visit the traffic citations search at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/trafficapp/AllSearches.aspx to look up a ticket by citation number, license plate, or driver’s license. You can pay fines, view the case status, and check court dates. The clerk also offers a Civil Infractions Application for boating, park, and wildlife citations. You can review, track, and pay these from home.
Traffic Court Costs and Fees
- Basic search: free
- Certified copy of ticket: $7
- Traffic school election fee: set by court
- Late payment penalty: set by statute
Miami Dade Small Claims Court Records
Miami Dade small claims court records cover civil disputes where the claim is $8,000 or less. These cases are filed in the County Civil Division. Common small claims cases include security deposit returns, minor contract disputes, and small property damage claims. You do not need a lawyer to file a small claims case in Miami-Dade County.
You can search small claims records through the Online Case Search portal. The portal shows the claim amount, party names, hearing dates, and judgment entries. Small claims hearings are held at the main courthouse and at satellite court locations. You can also check the docket to see if a judgment has been paid or vacated.
Miami Dade Appellate Court Records
Miami Dade appellate court records cover cases that one party asked a higher court to review. Most appeals from Miami-Dade go to the Florida Third District Court of Appeal in Miami. The appellate court does not hold a new trial. It reviews the record from the lower court to check for legal errors.
You can search appellate court records through the Florida Third District Court of Appeal’s website. The clerk’s office in Miami-Dade can also help you pull the trial court record for an appeal. Appellate briefs, motions, and orders are public once filed. Sealed appellate records stay out of public view by court order.
Miami Dade Public Court Records Access Rules
Miami Dade public court records are open to everyone under Florida law. Florida Statute Chapter 119 sets the rules for public access. Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists the records that stay confidential. Trial court memoranda and draft opinions are exempt from public view. Cases sealed by a judge or by law are also off-limits.
The clerk must remove social security numbers and bank account data from public records without a request. This rule comes from Florida Statute 119.0714. Sealed records include adoption files, juvenile criminal records, certain mental health files, and cases under a court-issued protective order. Registered user agreements for enhanced access must be notarized before the clerk grants full access.
Records That Are Public
- Civil case dockets and orders
- Criminal case dockets and judgments
- Family court orders (except sealed parts)
- Probate case files
- Traffic citations and dispositions
- Small claims judgments
- Appellate briefs and orders
Records That Stay Confidential
- Adoption records
- Juvenile criminal records
- Sealed cases by court order
- Mental health commitment files
- Personal data (SSN, bank accounts)
- Draft trial court memoranda
- Domestic violence victim info in some files
Miami Dade Electronic Court Records and E-Filing
Miami Dade electronic court records are available through the clerk’s online portal and the Florida Courts E-Filing system. You can view case dockets, orders, and many court document images online. The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal runs around the clock for Miami-Dade County filings. Attorneys and self-represented filers can submit new cases, motions, and other documents through the portal.
The e-filing portal is at myflcourtaccess.com. You create a user account, pick the case type, upload your PDF documents, and pay the filing fee. The clerk reviews the filing and sends back an acceptance notice. E-filing is required for most attorneys in Florida civil cases. Self-represented filers can use e-filing or file paper documents at the courthouse.
Court Records Fees in Miami Dade County
Court records fees in Miami Dade County cover search fees, copy fees, and certification fees. The clerk’s office publishes a full fee schedule on its website. Basic online case searches are free for guests. Registered users and paid searches have set fees per Florida law.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Online guest case search | Free |
| Official Records search unit | $1.00 per unit |
| Name search without year or case number | $2 per year per name |
| Certified copy of a record | $7 each |
| E-certified document | $7 each |
| Plain copy of a record | $1 per page |
How to Request Miami Dade Court Record Retrieval
Miami Dade court record retrieval works in a few steps. First, search the online portal for the case. Second, view the docket and document list. Third, request certified copies through the clerk’s office. You can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person. Most certified copy requests are processed within three to five business days.
You can also visit the courthouse in person to pull case files. The clerk’s public terminal at 20 NW 1st Avenue lets you search and view records for free. Staff can help you find the right case and pull physical files. Some older case files may be stored off-site and require a few days to retrieve.
Official Contact and Office Hours
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller main office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office closes on county holidays. You can reach the clerk by phone at 305-275-1155. The clerk’s official website is miamidadeclerk.gov. The Criminal Division at the Gerstein Justice Building is open during the same hours.
Mailing address for the clerk’s main office: 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128. Mailing address for the Criminal Division: 1351 NW 12th St., Suite 9000, Miami, Florida 33125. The clerk’s office also has a Property Fraud Alert service that warns you if someone tries to file a false document against your property.
Official Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Phone: 305-275-1155
Address: 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about Miami Dade County court records. These cover search methods, fees, sealed records, and more. Each answer gives you direct facts based on Florida law and clerk office rules.
How do I search Miami Dade court records by name?
Go to the Miami-Dade clerk’s Online Case Search portal at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/QOS/. Type the full legal name of the person in the case. You can search as a guest for free. The portal shows case numbers, filing dates, party types, and division. If you do not know the year, the clerk charges $2 per year per name. Registered users can search by date of birth and booking number for criminal cases.
Are Miami Dade court records free to view?
Yes, basic case searches are free for guest users. The portal shows case data, party names, hearing dates, and docket entries at no cost. You pay only for certified copies ($7 each) and for advanced search units ($1 per unit). Court document images are also free to view once the case is posted under AOSC 16-14. Sealed records are not free because they are not public.
Can I access sealed Miami Dade court records?
No, sealed court records are not open to the public. A judge must order a record sealed for it to be hidden. Expunged criminal records are also removed from public view. You can only see sealed records if you are a party to the case, an attorney of record, or you get a court order to unseal the file. Adoption records stay sealed by Florida law.
What is the difference between the COIN system and the Online Case Search portal?
The COIN system covers criminal cases. It shows criminal dockets, charges, plea deals, sentences, and court document images. The Online Case Search portal covers civil, family, and probate cases. It shows dockets, party names, and orders. Both systems are free for basic searches. You can register on either portal to get more search fields and document access.
How long does it take to get a certified copy of a Miami Dade court record?
Most certified copy requests are processed within three to five business days. You can order online, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office. The fee is $7 per certified copy. E-certified documents are also available for $7 each. Rush requests may be available for an extra fee, but the clerk’s office does not guarantee same-day service for mailed requests.
Can I look up Miami Dade traffic tickets online?
Yes, you can search and pay Miami Dade traffic tickets online. Go to the traffic citations search at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/trafficapp/AllSearches.aspx. Type the citation number, license plate, or driver’s license number. You can pay the fine, check the case status, and view court dates. You can also elect traffic school for eligible violations through the same portal.
Are Florida court emails to the clerk public records?
Yes, email addresses sent to the clerk are public records under Florida law. Florida Statute Chapter 119 covers emails sent to government offices. The clerk may have to release your email address in response to a public records request. Watch out for jury duty scam emails. The clerk never asks for payment or personal data by email. Report scam emails to the clerk’s office right away.