The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller maintains court files and recorded public documents. People use the office to search civil, family, probate and criminal cases, obtain certified copies, check traffic matters, or locate deeds and liens. Miami-Dade uses separate online systems for different case types. The main Clerk address is in downtown Miami, with other courthouses handling specialized services. This guide covers the current contacts, case-search process and record-copy options.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Office | Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller |
| Main Clerk address | 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 |
| Main phone | 305-275-1155 |
| Main downtown hours | Most core court counters: Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Online court search | Civil/Family/Probate Online System and Criminal Justice Online Case Search |
| Records/certified copies | Available online, by mail or in person for eligible records |
| Official website | miamidadeclerk.gov |
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court Address and Phone Number
The Clerk’s main public contact address is 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128, and the general information number is 305-275-1155. The Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center at this address handles major civil, probate and Official Records services. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Miami-Dade divides work among several courthouses. Criminal matters are centered at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building and family matters at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. Verify the correct division before visiting.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts Locations
| Location | Address | Phone | Hours |
| Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center | 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 | 305-275-1155 | M-F 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building | 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125 | 305-275-1155 | M-F 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center | 175 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 | 305-275-1155 | Family: M-F 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| North Dade Justice Center | 15555 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 100, North Miami, FL 33160 | 305-275-1155 | M-W/F 9:00-4:00; Thu/Sat extended for select services |
Services vary by location. North Dade has extended hours for selected traffic and domestic-violence services, so check the current schedule before traveling.
How to Search Miami-Dade County Court Records and Cases
Miami-Dade uses separate case databases. Civil, family and probate matters use the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System; felony and misdemeanor matters use the Criminal Justice Online Case Search. Traffic has a separate search.
- Go to the Miami-Dade Clerk website and choose Records or the relevant court division.
- Select the correct system: Civil/Family/Probate, Criminal Justice, or Traffic.
- Search with the most precise information available, such as case number, party/defendant name or citation number.
- Open the matching case to review docket details and any document images available to your level of access.
Registered access can reduce search limits and may be required for some non-confidential family or probate images. Sealed, juvenile and other protected records remain restricted. Use the official court record when formal verification is required.
How to Request Copies of Court Records
Certified copies are available online, by mail or in person for many case types. For mailed civil requests, include the case number, case year, party names, a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment. Miami-Dade lists $1 per page plus $2 per document for certification for many civil, family and probate requests; search fees may apply when key case details are unknown.
| Method | Useful when |
| Online | The document image is viewable and eligible for online certified-copy ordering |
| In person | You need help locating a record, an unredacted/limited-access copy, or a document not conveniently available online |
| You know the case details and can send the division-specific request, payment and return envelope |
Other Services Available Through the Clerk
The Clerk also handles civil and small-claims filings, criminal and traffic matters, family and probate cases, restraining orders, marriage licenses, child support, jury services, foreclosures, tax deeds, Official Records and certified copies. Many routine payments and searches are available online.
Court Records vs. Official Records
Court records concern lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family cases, probate and other judicial matters. Official Records are recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions and judgments. Miami-Dade uses a separate County Recorder search for Official Records, with most recorded documents from 1974 forward searchable online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why do Miami-Dade civil and criminal cases use different search systems?
Civil/family/probate matters and criminal felony/misdemeanor matters use separate Clerk applications. Start from the Records page to choose the correct database.
Q. Why can I find a case but not see every document image?
Some images require registered access. Sealed, confidential, juvenile and other restricted records are not available to ordinary public users.
Q. Can I order a certified copy directly from an online case search?
For many eligible records, yes. A viewable document may include an option to order a certified copy.
Q. What if I do not know the case year or case number?
A name search may still be possible, but staff research can carry a $2-per-year, per-name search fee.
Q. Should I search a deed in the civil case database?
No. Deeds, mortgages, liens and similar instruments belong in the County Recorder’s Official Records search.
