Miami Beach Civil Court Records Lookup

Miami Beach civil court records are handled by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. All civil cases in Miami Beach go through the 11th Judicial Circuit, with the main courthouse located in downtown Miami.

Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court

Miami Beach does not have its own civil court clerk. Civil court records for Miami Beach are managed by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court, Juan Fernandez-Barquin. The main clerk's office is at 73 West Flagler Street in Miami, across Biscayne Bay from Miami Beach. All civil case filings, record requests, and court services go through this office.

The Miami-Dade County Clerk website provides online access to court records and official records. You can search for Miami Beach civil court cases by name or case number at no cost. The site also handles e-filing and other court services.

The main courthouse is a short drive from Miami Beach. Many civil court tasks can be done online instead.

How to Search Miami Beach Civil Court Records

You can search Miami Beach civil court records online. The Miami-Dade County court records search is free and open to everyone. Enter a name or case number to find civil cases. The system pulls up results from across the county, including all Miami Beach filings.

Results show case type, filing date, parties, and current status. Docket entries are visible online. Some document images may be available too. For certified copies or documents not in the online system, contact the clerk's office.

The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also connects to Miami Beach civil court records. This statewide system links all 67 Florida county clerks. You can file new civil cases and check existing ones through the portal. Creating an account is free.

For in-person searches, go to the Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 W Flagler Street in Miami. Staff can pull up Miami Beach civil court records and make copies. Bring your ID. Copy fees apply at the counter. The courthouse can be busy, so plan ahead if you need to visit.

Miami Beach generates a significant number of civil cases. Property disputes, contract claims, and evictions are common. Online search is the quickest way to check records.

Civil Court Structure for Miami Beach Cases

Miami Beach is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit. This circuit covers all of Miami-Dade County. Civil cases go to one of two court levels.

Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims over $30,000. Contract disputes, injury suits, and property actions go here. Family law, probate, and guardianship are also Circuit Court matters. County Court covers claims up to $30,000. Small claims under $8,000 fall here too. Eviction filings for Miami Beach rental units go through County Court.

If you are not sure which court level applies, call the clerk at (305) 275-1155. They can tell you where to file your Miami Beach civil case.

Official Records for Miami Beach

The Miami-Dade County Clerk keeps official records separate from court case files. The official records search covers deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded judgments. This tool is useful if you need to see whether a civil judgment has been recorded against a Miami Beach property.

Recorded judgments become liens on real property. A search by owner name or address can reveal these liens. Miami Beach has a very active real estate market, so checking official records is common for buyers, sellers, and attorneys working on civil matters.

Confidential Information in Miami Beach Civil Court Records

Some information in civil court records stays private. Social security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers must not appear in public court files. This rule covers all Miami Beach civil court records. If you find these numbers in a public document, ask the clerk to redact them. There is no fee.

Anyone filing civil court papers for a Miami Beach case must submit the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This flags private data so the clerk keeps it out of public view. Sealed cases and adoption records are not in the public search.

Public Records Law and Miami Beach Civil Court Records

Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes opens government records to the public. Civil court records in Miami Beach fall under this law. Anyone can request access to a public civil court file. You do not need to be a party in the case.

The clerk must respond within a reasonable time. Exempt categories include social security numbers and sealed files. But most Miami Beach civil court records are fully public. Search them online or request copies at the courthouse.

Florida's Sunshine Law gives broad access rights. This benefits Miami Beach residents and anyone else looking for civil court records in the county.

Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Miami Beach

The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling civil cases on their own. DIY Florida, part of the E-Filing Portal, creates court forms for you. Over 20 form types cover small claims, evictions, and other civil case types.

The clerk's office cannot give legal advice. For legal help in the Miami Beach area, try Legal Aid of Miami-Dade County or the Dade County Bar Association lawyer referral service. Standard filing fees apply when you submit civil court documents through the portal.

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. Call if you need help filing a civil case for Miami Beach.

Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records

Miami Beach is one of many cities in Miami-Dade County. All civil court records go through the same clerk's office. For more on court procedures, fees, and search tools, see our full Miami-Dade County page.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Miami Beach and have civil court records pages on this site. Other Miami-Dade cities use the same clerk. Broward County cities to the north use a different clerk.