Homestead Civil Court Records

Homestead civil court records are managed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. All civil cases filed in Homestead go through the 11th Judicial Circuit, the largest trial court in Florida.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court

Homestead does not have its own civil court clerk. Civil court records for Homestead are handled by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, Juan Fernandez-Barquin. The main clerk's office is at 73 West Flagler Street in downtown Miami. Homestead sits at the southern end of Miami-Dade County, so the drive to the main courthouse can be long. Many tasks can be done online instead.

The Miami-Dade County Clerk website has online tools for searching civil court records, official records, and more. You can look up cases filed in Homestead by name or case number. The site also handles e-filing, traffic payments, and marriage licenses.

Homestead's city government website provides local resource links, but for civil court records, everything goes through the county clerk.

Walk-in service is available at the main courthouse weekdays during business hours.

How to Search Homestead Civil Court Records

You can search Homestead civil court records online. The Miami-Dade County court records search is free and open to the public. Type in a name or case number and the system pulls up matching civil cases from across the county, including those filed in Homestead.

Results show case type, parties, filing date, and current status. You can view docket entries and some documents online. For full document images, you may need to visit the clerk's office or request copies by mail.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal is another way to access Homestead civil court records. This statewide system connects to all 67 Florida county clerks. You can file new cases and check existing ones. Setting up an account is free.

For in-person searches, go to the main courthouse in Miami. Bring your ID. Copy fees apply. Staff can help you find civil court records tied to Homestead addresses or parties.

The 11th Judicial Circuit is the largest trial court in Florida. It handles a massive volume of civil cases each year. Online searches are the fastest way to check Homestead civil court records without waiting in line at the courthouse.

Civil Court Structure for Homestead Cases

Homestead is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers all of Miami-Dade County. Civil cases go to one of two levels based on the claim amount.

Circuit Court handles civil cases over $30,000. This includes breach of contract claims, personal injury suits, and real property disputes. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also fall under Circuit Court. County Court covers civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims under $8,000 go here too. Eviction filings for Homestead properties are in County Court.

Not sure which court level applies to your case? Call the clerk's office. They can point you in the right direction. Filing in the wrong court can delay your Homestead civil case.

The Florida court locations page lists courthouse addresses for Miami-Dade County and every other county in the state.

Getting Copies of Homestead Civil Court Records

You can get copies of civil court records for Homestead cases in several ways. Online requests are the fastest. The Miami-Dade County Clerk offers electronic certified documents for a fee. These are available right after payment goes through.

At the courthouse, plain copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards. Personal checks may not be accepted for all transactions.

Mail requests are also an option. Send a written request with the case details and payment to the clerk's office. Allow up to two weeks for processing. Include a return envelope if you want the documents mailed back.

Confidential Information in Homestead Civil Court Records

Some data in civil court records must stay private. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers cannot appear in public court files. This rule applies to all Homestead civil court records. If you find these numbers in a public document, ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee for this.

Anyone filing civil court papers in Homestead must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form. This form, required by Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420, tells the clerk which parts of a filing have private data. The clerk then keeps it out of public view. Sealed records and adoption files are not in the public search at all.

Public Records Law and Homestead Civil Court Records

Florida's public records law is broad. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes makes all state, county, and city records open for inspection and copying. Civil court records in Homestead fall under this law. You do not need to be a party in a case to see the file. Anyone can ask.

The clerk must respond in a reasonable time. A few categories are exempt from public access. Social security numbers, sealed records, and certain personal details are off limits. But most Homestead civil court records are fully open to the public.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Homestead

If you want to handle a civil case on your own, free tools are available. The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for common civil case types. DIY Florida, built into the E-Filing Portal, walks you through form preparation step by step. Over 20 form types cover small claims, evictions, and other civil matters.

The clerk's office cannot give legal advice. Staff can tell you which forms to use but cannot help you fill them out. For legal help in the Homestead area, consider Legal Aid of Miami-Dade or the Dade County Bar Association lawyer referral service. These services help people who cannot afford a private attorney for their civil court case.

Standard filing fees apply when you submit documents. The E-Filing Portal support desk is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time at (850) 577-4609.

Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records

Homestead is one of many cities in Miami-Dade County. All civil court records across the county go through the same clerk's office. For more details on court procedures, search tools, and fees that cover Homestead and all of Miami-Dade County, visit our full county page.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Homestead and have civil court records pages on this site. Other Miami-Dade cities share the same clerk's office. Cities in Broward County to the north use a different clerk.