Miami-Dade County Court Records

Miami-Dade County court records are the information in a court file, such as the progress docket and other documents created to record case activity. These could include electronic records, videotapes, or stenographic tapes of court hearings, documentary exhibits under the clerk's possession, transcripts filed with the clerk, and videotapes or stenographic tapes of depositions or other procedures filed with the clerk.

Court records, maintained by the Miami-Dade Circuit Court, serve as official records detailing the course of a case, guaranteeing openness and public access while safeguarding private data. The Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 and the Florida Public Records Act deem most court records to be public except otherwise prohibited by law for reasons of confidentiality or privacy. Public records, such as vital records and arrest information may be part of court records if they are filed. Federal case files are a specific type of court record maintained by federal courts.

Are Miami-Dade County Court Records Public?

Yes. Under the Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 and the Florida Public Records Act, public members have access to all records of the judicial branch of government, except as stated otherwise by law or statute. Some court records deemed confidential and exempt from public disclosure include:

• Records made confidential under the Florida and United States Constitutions and Florida and federal law
• Records presently deemed to be confidential by court rule
• Copies of arrest and search warrants and supporting affidavits retained by the court until the execution of the said warrants
• Adoption records
• Social Security, bank account, charge, debit, and credit card numbers
• Records relating to dependency matters, termination of parental rights, guardians ad litem, child abuse, neglect, and abandonment
• Protected information regarding victims of child abuse or sexual offenses

What Information is Available in Miami-Dade County Court Records?

The contents of court records in Miami-Dade County depend on the case type.

• Civil and Family Law Records: Civil case files typically include a mix of documents related to financial, property, and personal disputes like small claims, landlord/tenant disputes, mortgage foreclosures, contract and negligence actions, or protective injunctions. These records often include discovery documents, affidavits, exhibits, receipts, contracts, and photographs submitted during the case, complaint, or petition, the defendant's answer, counterclaims, and other formal requests made to the court. Family law records document all stages of a domestic relations case such as adoption files, mandatory disclosure documents, paternity and child support records, or domestic violence injunctions
• Criminal Records: These records cover criminal cases handled by Miami-Dade circuit and county courts and are overseen by the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. They include case dockets, charging documents, arrest records, affidavit for probable cause, arrest warrant, motions and court filings, exhibits, transcripts of proceedings, and sentencing information such as orders regarding probation, verdict, and judgment.
• Specialized Records: These court records may contain sensitive and confidential information which limits public access according to specific statutes and court rules. They include identifiers, health and personal records, victim and abuse records, privacy-protected records, investigations and reports, juvenile cases such as juvenile delinquency, dependency, and termination of parental rights, and records related to the emancipation of a minor. They also include probate records, which deal with wills, estates, and guardianships, and contain both public and confidential information.

Miami-Dade County Court Records Search

Persons looking to access Miami-Dade County court records have three options. While the records obtained will be the same, availability and the costs associated with access the records may differ.

• Online Access - Several areas of interest in court records are maintained by the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller online. Access differs by case type, with standard online services being free while advanced online services are fee-based. Users may be required to register to conduct advanced searches.
• In-Person Access - Individuals may request certified copies of Miami-Dade County court records in person. To request, contact the relevant office in charge of the particular record needed along with the required fees and other service charges
• Mail and Phone Requests - outline procedures, including requirements such as self-addressed stamped envelopes and accepted payment methods. Individuals may make inquiries on how to obtain records by calling (305) 593-1352. People may also request certified copies via mail. Mail requests will require a cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.

Fees for Court Records in Miami-Dade County

While standard online searches for Miami-Dade County court records are free, individuals who wish to perform an advanced search online may be required to pay a fee of $1.00. An additional search fee of $2 per year and per name will be added for every year searched for all documents where the record seeker does not know the year or case number of the record. The cost to purchase a certified copy of a marriage record is $9 for the first copy and $7 for each additional copy. Birth and death records cost $20.00 for the first certified copy and $16.00 for each additional certified copy of the same record.

Miami-Dade County Courthouse Locations

The following are the addresses and phone numbers of courthouses operating in Miami-Dade County.

This court handles misdemeanor and felony fines, civil summons and subpoenas, and marriage licenses and ceremonies.

Criminal Records Access in Miami-Dade County

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Division of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), is the central repository for criminal history information for the state of Florida. Individuals can perform an Instant Search which provides non-certified criminal history information online for a $24.00 fee, in addition to a $1.00 credit card processing fee.

Requestors may also request a Certified/Non-Certified Search, which is conducted by law enforcement staff. The results from this search can be notarized and are returned to the customer by regular US Mail. Each search costs $24. One may also conduct an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) Search. To conduct a criminal history record check using an established ORI number, one may contact that agency or entity to obtain a valid ORI number.

Alternatively, one may contact the county's Clerk of Court and Comptroller to obtain certified copies of a criminal history check. Certified copies are $7 and an additional search fee of $2 per name for every year searched if the year/case number is unknown. Requests may be made online, by mail, or in person at:

Miami-Dade County Probate Records

A wide range of matters, including those involving mental health, guardianship, estates, and trusts, fall under the jurisdiction of the Circuit Probate Division. To search for a probate record online, users may select their preferred search method in the navigation menu, enter the required search fields, and click on "Search".

Individuals may also request certified copies of probate records via mail or in person at:

Miami-Dade County Family Court Records

The Family Court handles cases involving dissolutions of marriage, child custody and support, adoptions, paternity, modification proceedings, name changes, URESA (interstate child support enforcement), and domestic violence permanent injunction cases where there is an open family court action. Requests for certified copies of family Court records can be made online, by mail, or in person. Fees cost $1 per page, $2 per document for the certification. To request via mail, include the case number or book & page, year of case, names of parties involved, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the required fees. To request in person, visit any of the district court locations or visit the family court at:

Federal Court Records in Miami-Dade County

The U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida has jurisdiction over federal cases filed in Miami-Dade County. Members of the public can access case data in Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) unless it has been sealed by the Court. The public access component of CM/ECF will require a user to enter a PACER login and password. PACER is an electronic public access service that enables users to obtain case and docket information from Federal Appellate, District, and Bankruptcy courts, and the U.S. Party/Case Index via the Internet. Fees apply, including $34.00 per name search and $0.10 per page of record requested.