What are Miami Public Records?
According to the Florida Sunshine Law, Miami public records include documents made or received under a law or ordinance or relating to the transaction of an official business of any agency. It does not matter the physical form, characteristics, or means of transmission. These records could be documents, letters, books, or maps. They could also be data processing software, tapes, sound recordings, films, or photographs. The exceptions to this are information on agency administration, investigation, personnel; confidential information; security and fire safety; information that infringes a person’s privacy; other forms of personal information. Access to certain records may also be denied if there is a law that exempts the disclosure of the record to the public.
Miami Crime Statistics
The Miami Police Department provides data on crimes reported within the city on a yearly basis. In 2018, it reported that there was a total number of 19,815 crimes reported. This includes 2,978 violent crimes and 16,837 property crimes. The violent crimes include 46 murders, 131 rapes, 828 robberies, and 1,973 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 2,057 burglaries, 13,136 larcenies, 1,644 motor vehicle thefts, and 56 cases of arson.
When compared with the 2014 report, it reveals a decrease in the total crime rate of the city. Between these five years, there was an increase in rape (19%) rate only. Murder, robbery, and aggravated assault rates declined by 43%, 54%, and 21% respectively. Similarly, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson rates experienced a decline of 44%, 10%, 26%, and 15% respectively.
Are Miami Criminal Records Public?
According to Section 943.053 of the Florida Statutes, adult criminal records are generally public records. It includes information on arrest history, convictions, charges, and case dispositions. A criminal record may not be considered public where it has been sealed or expunged. Sealed criminal records are highly restricted and are available to specific agencies only. Expunged criminal records are removed from digital or computer systems and are physically destroyed.
Miami criminal records are available at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Interested persons can submit requests for city, county, or state criminal records from this state agency.
How to Obtain Miami Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Records Unit of the Miami Police Department is the primary repository for Miami arrest records and police reports. Interested persons may request arrest records online through the Public Records Request portal. New users should create an account before carrying out a search. Accident reports are available online through the Florida Official Crash Portal. Accident reports cost $10 per copy and $2 convenience fee. Accident reports are restricted to the category of individuals listed on the website.
Interested persons can also submit telephone, in-person, or mail requests for Miami arrest records and police reports. They can call the Miami Police Department Records Custodian at (305) 603-6477. To submit a mail or walk-in request, provide a written authorization with the location or radius that the report should cover, and the exact date range. Submit it to:
City of Miami Police Department
Miami Records Unit
400 NorthWest 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
Phone: (305) 603-6477
Fax: (305) 579-6635
City of Miami Records Unit
P.O. Box 01677
Miami, FL 33101
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Miami?
The FDLE provides the general public with an up-to-date list of sex offenders in all cities and counties in the state. It makes this registry available and publicly accessible on its website. Residents of Miami can search for sex offenders and predators with the search tool on the website. Interested persons can search for sex offenders by name. They can also search for sex offenders resident in different neighborhoods of Miami-Dade County as well as those living around schools and college campuses.
Miami-Dade County also provides a sex offender and predator search tool. It provides public access to information on specific offenders or predators. It can be used to search registered offenders and predators resident in an area or close to a school or landmark.
How to Find Miami Inmate Records?
The Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department provides interested persons with online access to inmate records. It can be searched with the inmate’s first and last name.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Miami Jail?
The Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department administers the daily operations of the detention centers in the county. They include Metro West Detention Center, Pre-Trial Detention Center, and Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Their locations and contact information is below:
Metro West Detention Center
13850 NorthWest 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178
(786) 263-5110
Pre-Trial Detention Center
1321 NorthWest 13th Street
Miami, FL 33125
(786) 263-4110
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
7000 NorthWest 41st Street
Miami, FL 33166
(786) 263-5341
To visit an inmate in any of these centers, contact the detention center or the Miami County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department with the information below:
Miami County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department
Dr. Martin Luther King Office Plaza
2525 NorthWest 62nd Street
Miami, FL 33147
(786) 263-7000
mdcrinfo@miamidade.gov
Court Records
Miami-Dade courts keep copies of all types of Miami court records. These court records involve civil, criminal, probate, traffic, family and domestic relations, and juvenile cases.
Location of Courts in Miami
Miami-Dade County has twelve District Courts. Below are their addresses and contact information:
Martin Luther King Office Building
Martin Luther King Office Building
2525 NorthWest 62nd Street
Room #1200 A
Miami, FL 33147
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Civil Court
Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 West Flagler Street
Suite 133
Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Coral Gables District Court
3100 Ponce de Leon Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Criminal Court
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NorthWest 12th Street
Miami, FL 33125
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Family Court
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
175 NW 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Hialeah District Court
11 East 6th Street
Hialeah, FL 33010
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Juvenile Court
Juvenile Justice Center
155 NorthWest 3 Street
Suite 3318
Miami, FL 33128
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Miami Beach District Court
1130 Washington Avenue
Suite 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 100
Miami, FL 33160
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County South Dade Government Center
10710 SouthWest 211th Street
Suite 1200
Miami, FL 33189
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Sweetwater County Court
Sweetwater Sub-Office
500 SouthWest 109th Avenue
Miami, FL 33174
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Miami-Dade County Traffic Court
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NorthWest 12th Street
Miami, FL 33125
Phone: (305) 275-1111
Are Miami Court Records Public?
Miami court records are generally open to the public. They are maintained and disseminated by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts. Access to juvenile records and adoption records is restricted. In addition to this, where a court record is declared confidential by the court, it is not subject to public disclosure.
Can you look up a Miami Court case online?
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts maintains all court records and provides the general public with access to these records via the Miami-Dade Courts Online System. Interested persons can search the County Recorder’s Official Record Search portal for various documents. The documents include affidavits, articles of incorporation, deeds, dissolution of marriages, lis pendens, mortgages, and notice of commencement. Requesters can search this online portal by:
- Party Name
- CFN Number
- Recording Book and Page
- Legal Description - Plat Book and Page
The Civil, Family, Divorce, Probate Search provides information on civil-related court records and cases. It can be searched by:
- Party Name
- Local Case Number
- State Case Number
- Hearing Date
In addition, the Criminal Justice Online System provides criminal court records and can be searched by:
- Case Number
- State Case Number
- Citation or Police Number
- Defendant’s Name
- Jail Number
There is also a Foreclosure search portal provided by the Clerk of Courts.
How to Obtain Miami Civil Court Case Records?
Miami civil court case records are available to be requested online, in person, or by mail. To search or request civil court case records, use the Civil, Family, Divorce, Probate Search. Interested persons can pay for the online service provided with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
To submit a mail request, fill out a written application with the following information:
- Case Number or Book & Page
- Year of case
- Names of parties involved
- Payment ($1 per page, $2 per certified document)
- Where a requester is not aware of the year/case number, an additional search fee of $2 per year, per name will be added for every year searched
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail the application to:
Dade County Clerk’s Office
Attn: Correspondence Department
73 W. Flagler Street
Suite 137
Miami, FL 33130
Make in-person requests at any of the offices below:
Miami-Dade County Courthouse
73 W. Flagler Street
Suite 133
Miami, FL 33130
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court
175 NorthWest 1st Avenue
14th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
Joseph Caleb Center Court
5400 NorthWest 22nd Avenue
Suite #103
Miami, FL 33142
Hialeah District Court
11 East 6th Street
Hialeah, FL 33010
Miami Beach District Court
1130 Washington Avenue
Suite 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite # 100
N. Miami Beach, FL 33160
South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211th Street
Suite #1200
Miami, FL 33189
The accepted payments for in-person and mail requests include cash (in-person requests only), cashier check or money order payable to the Clerk of Courts, and credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, MasterCard, or American Express).
How to Obtain Miami Criminal Court Records?
Miami criminal court records are available through online, in-person, and mail requests. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts provides online access to criminal case search information through the Criminal Justice Online System. Select the Defendant tab to request the Criminal Disposition Letter.
Mail requests for Miami criminal court records are submitted based on the court location that has jurisdiction over the type of crime. Below are the locations where criminal records requests for each type of crime should be submitted:
Felonies:
Miami-Dade County - Criminal Division
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NorthWest 12th Street
Suite 9000
Miami, FL 33125
Misdemeanors:
Miami-Dade County - Criminal Division
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NorthWest 12th Street
Suite 8100
Miami, FL 33125
Traffic:
Miami-Dade County - Criminal Division
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12th St., Suite 124
Miami, FL 33125
To submit a mail request to any of the locations above, a requester should provide a written application with the following information:
- Defendant’s Name
- Case Number
- Date of Birth
- Type of charges
- Specify the type of document requested, including information/indictment, affidavit of arrest (a-form), motions, judgment and sentence, orders of probation-community control, general orders, depositions.
- Payment ($1 per page; $2 per certified copy)
- If the copies requested should be certified or not;
- Requester’s name and address
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Scanned case files are available on CD-disc for felony cases only at $42. It attracts additional research fees.
To make an in-person, use any of the computers available at:
Miami-Dade County - Criminal Division
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12th St., Suite 9000
Miami, FL 33125
The accepted method of payments includes cash (in-person requests only), cashier check, or money order, made payable to the Clerk of Courts.
What are Miami Vital Records?
Miami vital records are official documents that evidence recording of vital events that happened within the city. They include Miami divorce, marriage, birth, and death records. These vital records are maintained at the county and state levels. The Clerk of Courts maintains marriage and divorce records. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issues certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records.
Where and How to Obtain Miami Divorce Records?
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts maintains Miami divorce records. Divorce records are available through online searches and mail or in-person requests. Interested persons can carry out online searches and order certified copies of divorce records. This service is paid for with credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express).
To submit a mail request, prepare a written application with the following information:
- Case Number or Book & Page
- Year of Case
- Names of parties involved
- Payment ($1 per page, $2 per document for the certification)
- If the requester does not know the year/case number, an additional search fee of $2 per year, per name will be added for every year searched
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
Send the written application to:
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court/Correspondence
175 NorthWest 1st Avenue
12th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
To make an in-person request, visit any of the offices below:
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court
175 NorthWest 1st Avenue
14th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
Joseph Caleb Center Court
5400 NorthWest 22nd Avenue
Suite #103
Miami, FL 33142
Hialeah District Court
11 East 6th Street
Hialeah, FL 33010
Miami Beach District Court
1130 Washington Avenue
Suite 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite # 100
N. Miami Beach, FL 33160
South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211th Street
Suite #1200
Miami, FL 33189
The accepted means of payment are cash (in-person requests only) and cashier check or money order payable to the Clerk of Courts.
The Florida Department of Health provides interested persons with copies of Miami divorce records from June 6, 1927, to the present. To apply for copies of a divorce record, fill out the Application for Dissolution of Marriage form. Include payment and a valid ID and submit by mail or in person to:
Mailing Address:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Attn: Vital Record Section
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Physical Address:
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
A certified copy of a Miami divorce record costs $5. There is an additional $4 for each copy of the same record ordered at the same time. An expedited request attracts a $10 fee. The requester should write RUSH on the outside of the request envelope and include the surcharge.
Where and How to Get Public Miami Marriage Records?
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts provides copies of marriage records through online, in-person, and mail requests. Requesters can order up to nine records of marriages performed after November 1995. Marriage records from October 1971 to October 1995 are viewable only online. If a requester is not certain about the date of the marriage, contact the State of Florida Vital Statistics Office in Jacksonville at (904) 359-6900, extension 9000, to obtain information.
To submit a mail request for Miami marriage certificates, prepare a written application with the following information:
- Groom’s name
- Bride’s maiden name
- Date of the marriage
The application, along with the appropriate fee ($9 for one and $7 for each additional copy) and a self-addressed stamped envelope, should be mailed to:
Overtown Transit Village South
601 NorthWest 1 Court
Suite 1900
Miami, FL 33136
To make an in-person request, visit the Marriage License Bureau at:
Overtown Transit Village South
601 NorthWest 1 Court
Suite 1900
Miami, FL 33136
Or any of the District Court Offices at:
Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
Family Court
175 NorthWest 1st Avenue
14th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
Joseph Caleb Center Court
5400 NorthWest 22nd Avenue
Suite #103
Miami, FL 33142
Hialeah District Court
11 East 6th Street
Hialeah, FL 33010
Miami Beach District Court
1130 Washington Avenue
Suite 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
North Dade Justice Center
15555 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite # 100
N. Miami Beach, FL 33160
South Dade Justice Center
10710 SW 211th Street
Suite #1200
Miami, FL 33189
The Florida Department of Health also issues Miami marriage certificates from June 6, 1927 to date. Interested persons can order Miami marriage records by completing the Application for Marriage Certificate form. Enclose payment and a valid ID and submit to:
Mailing Address:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
Attn: Vital Record Section
P.O. Box 210
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042
Physical Address:
1217 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202
A Miami marriage record costs $5 for each certified copy and $4 for each copy of the same record requested at the same time. An expedited service is available at $10. A requester should write RUSH on the outside of the request envelope and include the surcharge.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Miami?
All marriage records in Miami are considered public.
Where and How to Find Miami Birth Records?
Miami birth records are kept in the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade. To obtain a Miami birth certificate, complete the Birth Certificate Request Form. Attach a copy of a valid ID and payment. A copy of a birth record costs $20 and $16 for every additional copy requested. In-person requests are payable in cash. Money order, cashier’s check, and debit/credit card payments are accepted for mail and in-person requests.
Submit requests to any of the following locations:
North Dade
18680 NorthWest 67 Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33015
(305) 628-7227
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Walk-in Applicants Only)
Central Dade
1350 NorthWest 14 Street
Room 3
Miami, FL 33125
(305) 575-5030
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Walk-in and Mail Applicants)
South Dade
18255 Homestead Ave #113
West Perrine, FL 33157
(305) 278-1046
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Walk-in Applicants Only)
Where and How to Find Miami Death Records?
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade maintains Miami death records. These death records can be obtained through in-person or mail requests. Simply fill out the Death Certificate Request Form and provide a copy of a valid ID and payment. A copy of a Miami death record costs $20. There is a $16 fee for every additional copy ordered at the same time.
Submit requests to any of the following locations:
North Dade
18680 NorthWest 67 Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33015
(305) 628-7227
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Walk-in Applicants Only)
Central Dade
1350 NorthWest 14 Street
Room 3
Miami, FL 33125
(305) 575-5030
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Walk-in and Mail Applicants)
South Dade
18255 Homestead Ave #113
West Perrine, FL 33157
(305) 278-1046
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Walk-in Applicants Only)
Cash payments are accepted in walk-in requests only. Mail and walk-in requests can be paid for with money order, cashier’s check, and debit/credit card payments.
