Miami-Dade County Court Records

What Is Miami-Dade County Court Records

Miami-Dade County court records are official documents created and maintained by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Office pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 28. These records document judicial proceedings within the county's court system and serve as the official account of court actions, decisions, and related filings.

Court records typically include:

• Case filings and pleadings
• Court orders and judgments
• Hearing transcripts
• Evidence presented in court
• Docket entries
• Case dispositions
• Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
• Property records related to court proceedings

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller serves as the custodian of these records as mandated by Florida law. The Clerk's Office is responsible for maintaining the accuracy, accessibility, and preservation of these documents.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller 73 W. Flagler Street Miami, FL 33130 305-275-1155 Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Are Court Records Public In Miami-Dade County

Court records in Miami-Dade County are generally public documents in accordance with Florida's Public Records Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes) and the state's constitutional commitment to government transparency. The Florida Constitution, Article I, § 24, establishes that all records made or received in connection with official business are open for inspection by any person, with certain exceptions.

Members of the public may access most court records through:

• In-person requests at the Clerk's Office
• Online portals maintained by the Miami-Dade County Clerk
• Written requests submitted to the Records Department

However, certain records may be exempt from public disclosure or subject to confidentiality restrictions under Florida law. These exemptions include:

• Records involving juvenile proceedings (except as provided in § 985.04, Florida Statutes)
• Records sealed or expunged pursuant to court order
• Certain family court matters involving minors
• Records containing social security numbers, bank account information, and other sensitive personal data
• Cases involving domestic violence where a protective order has been issued
• Mental health proceedings under the Baker Act

The determination of whether a specific court record is accessible to the public is governed by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 2.420, which establishes procedures for both access to and protection of court records.

How To Find Court Records in Miami-Dade County in 2025

Members of the public seeking court records in Miami-Dade County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and retrieve these documents. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller has implemented enhanced systems to facilitate public access to judicial records.

To obtain court records in person:

1. Visit the Miami-Dade County Clerk's Office Records Division at the main courthouse or one of the branch locations
2. Complete a records request form specifying the case number, party names, or other identifying information
3. Present valid photo identification
4. Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $1.00 per page for certified copies and $0.15 per page for uncertified copies)

For electronic access:

• Criminal court records can be searched through the Criminal Justice Information System
• Civil, family, and probate cases are accessible via the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System
• Traffic citations can be located through the Traffic Citations Search portal
• Official records including property transactions, mortgages, and liens are available through the Official Records Search

For assistance with locating court records, the public may contact:

Miami-Dade County Clerk's Records Division 175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1200 Miami, FL 33128 305-275-1155 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

How To Look Up Court Records in Miami-Dade County Online?

The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller provides comprehensive online access to court records through several specialized portals. Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 16-03, electronic access to court records is available 24 hours a day, subject to system maintenance periods.

To search for criminal court records online:

1. Navigate to the Criminal Justice Information System
2. Select the desired search method (case number, defendant name, or citation number)
3. Enter the required information in the search fields
4. Review the search results and select specific cases to view detailed information

For civil, family, and probate cases:

1. Access the OCS Search portal
2. Choose the appropriate search criteria (case number, party name, or attorney)
3. Enter the search parameters
4. Review the list of matching cases
5. Select individual cases to view dockets, parties, and available documents

Traffic and parking citations can be searched through the Traffic Searches portal by entering the citation number, driver's license information, or party name.

Users should note that pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect confidential information. Additionally, some documents may require registration with the Clerk's Office to establish viewing credentials in accordance with Florida Supreme Court standards.

Can You Search Miami-Dade County Court Records for Free?

Miami-Dade County provides both free and fee-based options for accessing court records. In accordance with Florida Statutes § 28.24, which establishes fee schedules for clerk services, basic record searches are available without charge, while certain specialized services and document copies incur fees.

Free search options include:

• Basic case information searches through the Miami-Dade County Clerk's website
• Public access terminals located at courthouse facilities throughout the county
• General docket information for criminal cases via the Criminal Justice Information System
• Basic case status information for civil, family, and probate matters through the OCS Search portal

Services that may require payment include:

• Certified copies of court documents ($1.00 per page plus $2.00 certification fee)
• Uncertified copies ($0.15 per page)
• Records research conducted by clerk staff ($2.00 per name search)
• Bulk data requests or specialized reports
• Access to certain document images online

The Miami-Dade County Clerk accepts payment by cash, credit card, money order, or attorney check for in-person requests. Online services requiring payment typically accept major credit cards through secure payment portals.

What's Included in a Miami-Dade County Court Record?

Miami-Dade County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as required by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.430. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include the following components:

• Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments, or informations)
• Summonses and service of process documentation
• Pleadings, motions, and responses filed by parties
• Court orders, judgments, and decrees
• Hearing and trial transcripts when prepared
• Evidence admitted during proceedings
• Financial information including filing fees, fines, and restitution
• Case disposition documents
• Appellate documents if applicable

For criminal cases, additional elements may include:

• Arrest reports and booking information
• Charging documents
• Bond and pretrial release information
• Plea agreements
• Sentencing documents
• Probation reports (with appropriate redactions)

Family court records typically contain:

• Petitions for dissolution of marriage
• Child custody and support determinations
• Parenting plans
• Financial affidavits (with certain information redacted)
• Final judgments

Pursuant to Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.420(d), certain information is automatically designated as confidential and either redacted or maintained separately from public view, including social security numbers, bank account information, and information related to minors.

How Long Does Miami-Dade County Keep Court Records?

The retention of court records in Miami-Dade County is governed by Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.430 and the Florida Department of State's records retention schedules. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller maintains records according to these established timeframes, which vary based on case type and disposition.

General retention periods include:

• Felony cases: Permanently maintained for capital felonies; 75 years from date of final disposition for other felonies
• Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final disposition
• Traffic infractions: 3 years after final disposition
• Civil cases: 10 years after final judgment
• Domestic relations cases: 75 years from date of final judgment
• Probate cases: Permanently maintained
• Juvenile cases: Until the child reaches 25 years of age
• Court reporter notes: 10 years from date of final judgment

Electronic records are maintained according to the same schedules as paper records. The Clerk's Office has implemented digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility of electronic court records.

Records designated for permanent retention are preserved through microfilming or digital archiving in compliance with standards established by the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services.

Types of Courts In Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County's judicial system encompasses multiple court types operating within the Florida state court structure and the federal court system. Each court exercises specific jurisdiction as established by the Florida Constitution and statutes.

State courts in Miami-Dade County include:

• Circuit Court (11th Judicial Circuit of Florida)

  • Handles felonies, civil cases over $30,000, family matters, probate, and appeals from county courts
  • Located at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
  • Phone: 305-349-7777

• County Court

  • Adjudicates misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, traffic cases, and small claims
  • Multiple locations throughout the county, including:
    • Miami-Dade County Courthouse, 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
    • South Dade Justice Center, 10710 SW 211th Street, Miami, FL 33189
    • North Dade Justice Center, 15555 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33160

Federal courts with jurisdiction over Miami-Dade County:

• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

  • Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse
  • 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
  • Phone: 305-523-5100

• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida

  • C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse
  • 301 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
  • Phone: 305-714-1800

The Florida Supreme Court serves as the highest appellate court in the state, with the Third District Court of Appeal handling appeals from Miami-Dade County circuit courts.

What Types of Cases Do Miami-Dade County Courts Hear?

Miami-Dade County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional parameters established by the Florida Constitution Article V and Florida Statutes. The case types are distributed among different court divisions based on subject matter and monetary thresholds.

The Circuit Court (11th Judicial Circuit) handles:

• Felony criminal cases (punishable by more than one year imprisonment)
• Civil disputes involving amounts exceeding $30,000
• Domestic relations matters including divorce, child custody, and support
• Probate, guardianship, and mental health proceedings
• Juvenile dependency and delinquency cases
• Appeals from county court decisions

The County Court presides over:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases (punishable by less than one year imprisonment)
• Civil disputes with amounts in controversy up to $30,000
• Small claims cases (up to $8,000)
• Traffic violations and parking citations
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Ordinance violations

Specialized divisions within these courts include:

• Drug Court - addressing substance abuse-related offenses through treatment-based approaches
• Veterans Court - providing specialized services for eligible veterans
• Mental Health Court - handling cases involving defendants with mental health issues
• Domestic Violence Court - adjudicating cases involving allegations of domestic abuse
• Complex Business Litigation Division - managing complicated commercial disputes

Cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, or diversity of citizenship may be heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which maintains its primary courthouse in downtown Miami.

How To Find a Court Docket In Miami-Dade County

Court dockets in Miami-Dade County provide chronological listings of all actions taken in a case, including filings, hearings, and judicial rulings. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods established by the Clerk's Office.

To locate a court docket online:

1. For criminal cases:

   • Visit the Criminal Justice Information System
   • Enter the case number, defendant name, or citation number
   • Select the specific case from search results to view the docket

2. For civil, family, and probate cases:

   • Access the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System
   • Enter search criteria such as case number or party name
   • Select the desired case to view docket entries

3. For traffic cases:

   • Navigate to the Traffic Searches portal
   • Enter citation number or driver information
   • Review the case docket showing all actions and scheduled events

To obtain docket information in person:

• Visit the Records Division at the main courthouse or branch location
• Provide the case number or party names to the clerk
• Request a printed docket report (fees may apply)

Miami-Dade County Clerk's Records Division 175 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 1200 Miami, FL 33128 305-275-1155 Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

For upcoming court hearings, the public may also consult the daily court calendars posted on the 11th Judicial Circuit website or displayed on electronic boards at courthouse facilities.

Which Courts in Miami-Dade County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Miami-Dade County, certain judicial forums operate as non-record courts, meaning proceedings are not transcribed by court reporters and formal records of testimony are not maintained. These tribunals typically handle minor matters through simplified procedures.

The primary non-record courts in Miami-Dade County include:

• Small Claims Court - While administratively part of County Court, small claims proceedings (for cases up to $8,000) are conducted informally without court reporters. Pursuant to Florida Small Claims Rules 7.140, these proceedings emphasize simplified procedures and are designed to be accessible to self-represented litigants. Basic case information is recorded, but verbatim transcripts are not created unless a party makes private arrangements for a court reporter.

• Traffic Hearing Officer Program - Authorized under Florida Statutes § 318.32, this program allows specially appointed hearing officers to adjudicate certain civil traffic infractions. These administrative proceedings are not courts of record, though basic disposition information is maintained in the Clerk's traffic citation database.

• Code Enforcement Hearings - Municipal code violations are often heard by appointed special magistrates rather than judges. These administrative proceedings are not courts of record in the traditional sense, though summary reports of decisions are maintained.

• Mediation and Arbitration Proceedings - Alternative dispute resolution sessions ordered by courts are typically confidential and not recorded, though resulting agreements may be filed with the court.

Parties appearing before non-record courts should note that if they wish to appeal a decision, they may face limitations due to the absence of a transcript. In some instances, appeals from non-record courts proceed as de novo hearings, meaning the case is heard anew rather than reviewed based on a record of the original proceeding.

Lookup Court Records in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court

Criminal Justice Information System

Traffic and Parking Citations

Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System

Official Records Search

OCS Search for Civil, Family & Probate Cases

Traffic Citation Search Portal

Miami-Dade County Official Website

Florida Supreme Court

Florida State Courts System

Florida Appellate Case Information System

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida