Court records of Miami-Dade County, Florida, are available through several channels. MiamiDadeCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the official online portals of the Clerk of Court, directly at the court clerk's office, or on public terminals in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and service fees.
Miami-Dade Court System & Jurisdictions
The county operates two main levels of general jurisdiction courts in the state of Florida — Circuit Court and County Court. Both are part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
Circuit Court handles the most serious cases:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil lawsuits over $50,000
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, alimony
- Probate (proceedings regarding inheritance and guardianship of incapacitated individuals)
- Juvenile cases — delinquency and child protection
County Court deals with smaller-scale cases. These include traffic violations, misdemeanors, civil lawsuits up to $50,000, and small claims cases up to $8,000. It is in County Court that most residents encounter the judicial system for the first time — usually due to a speeding ticket or a minor dispute with a neighbor.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida operates separately, handling federal criminal and civil cases. Its records are stored in the PACER system and are not duplicated in state databases.
Miami-Dade Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out when a hearing is scheduled — today, tomorrow, or this week — use the clerk's online tools.
- Go to the Online Court Services portal of the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts.
- Select a search by case number, party name, or hearing date.
- The system will display the schedule of sessions indicating the judge, room, and time.
Individual Circuit Court judges' calendars are also published on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit website. Administrative orders, which may change the court's schedule on holidays or due to emergencies, are also posted there.
If you do not have internet access, public terminals are available in each county courthouse. A clerk's office employee will help you find the necessary session.
How to Get a Copy of a Miami-Dade Court Document
The Clerk of Courts stores all case materials considered in the county courts. Copies come in two types:
- Uncertified copy — suitable for personal review.
- Certified copy — has the clerk's seal and legal force for submission to other institutions.
Online
Through Online Court Services, you can view images of many documents and order copies. Some records — for example, in juvenile or sealed cases — are not available through the portal.
In Person
Contact the clerk's office in the main courthouse:
Bring identification and the case number if you know it. The clerk will prepare a copy on-site or inform you how long it will take to search the archive.
By Mail
Send a written request to the clerk's office, specifying the full name of the party, case number (if available), type of document needed, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Processing mail requests usually takes one to two weeks.
Miami-Dade Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to Florida Statutes, including § 28.24, and administrative orders of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Below are the most common fees:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name, by case) | $2.00 per name |
| Document copy (uncertified) | $1.00 per page |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $2.00 per document (in addition to the cost of copies) |
| Certified copy of judgment | $2.00 for certification + $1.00 per page |
| Apostille / Authentication | Depends on the type of document; check with the clerk's office |
The clerk's office accepts payment in cash, check, money order, as well as credit and debit cards. An additional service fee for electronic payment may be charged for online orders through the portal.
Some fees differ for specific categories of cases — for example, separate rates apply for filing documents in probate or guardianship cases. If you are unsure of the exact amount, call the clerk's office at (305) 275-1155 before visiting or sending a request by mail.