Find a court case, docket, or judgment
Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts case search or records desk
The Clerk is the custodian of Circuit and County court records and provides dockets, filings, and certified copies.
Where To Start In Miami-Dade
Pick the office based on the record type you need.
Look up a deed, mortgage, or lien
Miami-Dade County Recorder (Official Records) index
All deeds and most real estate liens are recorded at the county level by the Official Records division.
Check who owns a property and its value
Miami-Dade Property Appraiser
The Appraiser lists the folio (parcel) number, owner, situs address, values, and property characteristics.
Obtain a birth or death certificate
Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (Vital Records)
Florida vital records are issued through the Department of Health; eligibility and ID requirements apply.
Get a police or crash report
Miami-Dade Police Department Records or the city police department
Incident and crash reports are held by the agency that took the report; report numbers and dates help locate files.
Miami-Dade Official Sources
| Source Or Office | Best For | Helpful Search Input | Access Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts (Circuit & County Courts) | Case lookup, dockets, filings, judgments, traffic, family, probate | Party name, case number, citation number, filing year, division | Online case index, in-person records desk, written records request | Certified copies available; sealed/juvenile records restricted; older files may be in archives. |
| Miami-Dade County Recorder (Official Records, Clerk’s Office) | Deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, assignments, plats | Grantor/grantee name, address/legal, Book/Page, Clerk’s File Number (CFN) | Online index and images, in-person records room, mail request | Use certified copies for real estate and legal matters; some older images may be index-only. |
| Miami-Dade Property Appraiser | Parcel ownership, assessed value, property characteristics, folio number | Property address, owner name, folio/parcel number, subdivision | Online property search and GIS map, counter assistance | Assessment data is not proof of title; links to Tax Collector for bills and payment status. |
| Miami-Dade Police Department Records (and municipal police) | Incident/offense reports, arrests, background letters, crash reports | Report number, names, date/time, location, vehicle plate/VIN | Online request portal or form, in-person, mail | Active cases may have redactions or delays; some crash reports are available via the state portal. |
| Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (Vital Records) | Certified birth and death certificates; marriage/divorce certifications via state | Full name, event date/place, parents’ names, spouse name, valid ID | In-person, mail, or state online ordering | Eligibility and ID required; records access varies by event year and relationship. |
| Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources (RER) | Building permits, inspections, code enforcement, zoning | Address, folio number, permit/violation number, contractor/business name | Online permitting/records portals, public records request, in-person | Check the city building department if the property is within a municipality. |
Useful Search Inputs
- Full legal name (first, middle, last) and known aliases
- Case number or citation number
- Property address (situs) and unit number
- Folio/parcel number
- Grantor/grantee or party name on a deed or lien
- Book/Page or Clerk’s File Number (CFN)
- Date range of the event or filing
- Report number, incident date, and location
- Parent names or spouse names for vital records
Find The Right Record Type
Court Records
Civil, criminal, traffic, family, probate, and small claims case dockets and documents.
- Where To Start
- Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts case search or records counter.
- Best Search Input
- Case number, party name, citation number, filing year.
- Official Copy Note
- Request certified copies from the Clerk for court filings, judgments, and dispositions.
Property & Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, and plats; ownership and assessment data.
- Where To Start
- Official Records (Recorder) for recorded documents; Property Appraiser for parcel data.
- Best Search Input
- Owner name, property address, folio number, Book/Page or CFN.
- Official Copy Note
- Use certified copies of recorded documents for real estate or legal transactions.
Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce)
Certified birth and death certificates; marriage licenses; divorce case records.
- Where To Start
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade for birth/death; Clerk of Courts for divorce files; Clerk for marriage license record.
- Best Search Input
- Full name, event date/place, parents’ names or spouse name, ID for eligibility.
- Official Copy Note
- Certified vital records require eligibility and valid ID; some indexes are limited by law.
Police, Arrest, and Crash Reports
Incident/offense reports, arrests, clearance letters, and traffic crash reports.
- Where To Start
- Miami-Dade Police Department Records or the municipal police agency that took the report.
- Best Search Input
- Report number, names, date/time, location, vehicle info.
- Official Copy Note
- Active investigations may be restricted; expect redactions where required.
Permits and Code Enforcement
Building permits, inspections, violations, and zoning approvals.
- Where To Start
- Miami-Dade RER records and permitting portals; check city departments for municipal addresses.
- Best Search Input
- Address, folio, permit/violation number, contractor name.
- Official Copy Note
- For closings or compliance, request attested histories or letters on agency letterhead if needed.
Official Records vs Background Check Services
Official Miami-Dade and Florida agencies hold the authoritative records you need for court filings, certified deeds, and vital certificates. Use the Clerk, Recorder, Appraiser, police departments, and the health department for documents that may require certification. Background check services can help with broad, name-based searches across many locations, but they do not replace the county clerk, recorder, court, or vital records offices for official copies.
How To Request Copies Or Certificates
- Identify the exact record type (court filing, deed, birth certificate, police report) and the office that holds it.
- Decide whether you need a plain copy, a certified copy, or an attested letter; agencies and courts may require certification.
- Gather key details: names, case or report number, address/folio, document number (Book/Page or CFN), and date range.
- Submit your request through the office’s online portal, in person at the counter, or by mail, following their instructions.
- Be prepared to show valid ID for vital records and some police records; eligibility rules may apply.
- Select delivery method (pickup, mail, or electronic if offered) and keep your receipt or confirmation for tracking.
Access Limits And Accuracy Notes
- Some records are restricted or sealed (e.g., juvenile, certain criminal, confidential vital records) and will not appear in public searches.
- Recent filings or reports can take time to be indexed and imaged; check back or request assistance for pending items.
- Official Records index primarily by names and document numbers; use the Property Appraiser to confirm owner and folio first.
- Police and crash reports may include redactions or temporary holds during active investigations.
- Municipal addresses may require checking city police or city building departments rather than county offices.
Miami-Dade Public Records FAQs
How can I find my Miami-Dade court case number?
Search the Clerk of the Courts by party name and narrow by filing year or division. If it’s a traffic matter, a citation number can also locate the case.
Can I search deeds by address in Miami-Dade?
Official Records are primarily indexed by names and document numbers. Use the Property Appraiser to find the folio and owner name, then search Official Records by the owner or legal description.
Are Miami-Dade birth certificates public?
Florida restricts birth records to eligible applicants with valid ID. Request certified copies through the Department of Health in Miami-Dade; availability depends on your relationship and event year.
Where do I get a police or crash report?
Request it from the agency that took the report—Miami-Dade Police or the relevant city police department. Provide the report number, date, and location; some crash reports are available through the state portal.
Who keeps marriage and divorce records in Miami-Dade?
The Clerk issues marriage licenses and keeps the license record; certified marriage certificates are issued through Florida’s vital records. Divorce case files, including final judgments, are held by the Clerk of the Courts.
How do I check for property tax bills or liens?
Confirm ownership and folio with the Property Appraiser, check the Official Records for recorded liens, and review tax bill status with the county tax authority. City code liens may be held by the municipality.