Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records Search
Miami-Dade County civil court records are managed by the Clerk of Court in Miami. The 11th Judicial Circuit is the largest trial court in Florida, handling all civil cases filed in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Quick Facts
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Miami-Dade County is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. This office handles all civil court records for the county. Staff process new case filings, maintain court documents, and provide copies of civil records. The main office is at 73 W Flagler St in downtown Miami. With a population of 2.7 million, Miami-Dade County has one of the busiest clerk's offices in the state.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk website offers a full suite of online tools. You can search court records, look up official records, pay traffic fines, and file documents through the site. The clerk's office handles tens of thousands of civil court filings each year in Miami-Dade County.
The clerk's office has several locations across Miami-Dade County. The main courthouse is in downtown Miami. Branch offices are in Hialeah, Homestead, and other parts of the county. All locations can help with civil court records in Miami-Dade County.
| Clerk | Juan Fernandez-Barquin |
|---|---|
| Address | 73 W Flagler St Miami, FL 33130 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | miamidadeclerk.com |
How to Search Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records
You can search civil court records in Miami-Dade County online or in person. The clerk's website has a court records search tool. Look up cases by party name, case number, or other details. The basic search is free and open to anyone.
Miami-Dade County has a large volume of civil cases. The search tool covers civil, family, probate, and other case types. Results show the case number, party names, judge, case type, and filing date. You can also view docket entries and some document images online for civil court records in Miami-Dade County.
The 11th Judicial Circuit is the only circuit that covers just one county. Miami-Dade County is so large that it has its own circuit. This means all circuit and county court civil cases in Miami-Dade County are handled within a single court system.
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal also connects to Miami-Dade County. File new civil cases or check on existing ones through this statewide tool. Registration is free. E-filing is required for all attorneys in Miami-Dade County. Self-represented parties can also use the portal.
For in-person searches, visit the Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 W Flagler St in Miami. The clerk has staff who can look up civil court records and make copies. Bring your ID. You can also visit branch courthouses in Hialeah, the south Dade area, and other locations throughout Miami-Dade County.
The Miami-Dade County clerk also keeps official records separate from court case files. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded judgments. The official records search on the clerk's website can help you find civil judgments tied to property in Miami-Dade County.
Civil Court Structure in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County makes up the entire 11th Judicial Circuit. It is the only county in this circuit. Civil cases go to one of two court levels based on the amount in dispute.
Circuit Court handles civil cases with claims above $30,000. This includes contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, real property matters, and commercial litigation. Family law, probate, and guardianship cases also fall under Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County. Given the size of the county, the Circuit Court has many divisions and judges handling civil court records.
County Court handles civil cases up to $30,000. Small claims up to $8,000 are part of County Court. Evictions also go through County Court in Miami-Dade County. The county court has several locations across the county to serve different areas.
The Florida court locations page lists courthouse addresses for Miami-Dade County and the rest of the state. The clerk's office can help you figure out which court location and division handles your civil case in Miami-Dade County.
Confidential Information in Miami-Dade County Civil Court Records
Some data in civil court records must stay private. Florida law says social security numbers and bank account numbers cannot appear in public court files. If these numbers show up in a document, anyone can ask the clerk to remove them. There is no charge for this in Miami-Dade County.
To request redaction of private data from Miami-Dade County civil court records, submit the proper form to the clerk. Include the case name, case number, document heading, and page where the data appears. The clerk will take it out of the public version of the file.
Parties and attorneys filing civil court papers in Miami-Dade County must use the Notice of Confidential Information Form under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420. This form flags any private data so the clerk can keep it out of public view. Given the high volume of filings in Miami-Dade County, this step is important to protect personal information in civil court records.
Self-Help Resources for Civil Cases in Miami-Dade County
The Florida Courts self-help page has forms and guides for people handling civil matters on their own. Self-represented parties can find form packets for common case types. The Miami-Dade County clerk cannot give legal advice, but staff can point you to the right forms for civil cases.
DIY Florida is a free tool in the E-Filing Portal. It walks you through a set of questions and fills out court forms based on your answers. Over 20 form types cover small claims, evictions, and other civil matters. You can file completed forms through the portal to the Miami-Dade County clerk. Standard filing fees still apply.
Miami-Dade County has many legal aid organizations. These groups offer free or low-cost help with civil cases for people who qualify. They handle housing disputes, consumer issues, and other civil matters. The Florida Bar runs a lawyer referral service too. Miami has a large legal community, so finding an attorney for a civil court case in Miami-Dade County is generally not difficult.
Public Records Access in Miami-Dade County
Florida has broad public records laws. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes says all state, county, and municipal records are open for inspection and copying. This covers civil court records in Miami-Dade County. You do not need to be a party in a case. Anyone can ask to see a public civil court file.
A few limits exist. Records sealed by court order are off limits. Section 119.0714 lists items that must stay confidential. But the vast majority of civil court records in Miami-Dade County are open to the public.
For in-person access, visit the main clerk's office at 73 W Flagler St in Miami or any branch location. Copies cost a small fee per page. Certified copies cost more and carry the official seal. The clerk must respond to public records requests within a reasonable time under Florida law. Miami-Dade County civil court records are part of the public domain.
Cities in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County has many cities and municipalities. All civil court cases for these areas go through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. Miami is the county seat and largest city. Several other major cities have their own pages on this site.
Other communities in Miami-Dade County include Coral Gables, North Miami, Aventura, Kendall, and many more. All use the Miami-Dade County clerk's office for civil court records.
Nearby Counties
Miami-Dade County is the only county in the 11th Judicial Circuit. These adjacent counties have their own clerks and court systems. File your civil case in the county where the dispute took place.