Homestead, Florida Public Records

Felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law matters including divorce and child custody, and probate cases are heard at the main Miami-Dade County Courthouse at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 (phone: 305-349-7000). The Clerk of Courts for Miami-Dade County maintains all court records and can be reached at 305-275-1155. Court records for cases filed in Miami-Dade County can be searched online through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts website at www.miami-dadeclerk.com, which provides free access to civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case information. Users can search by case number, party name, or attorney. Certified copies of court documents cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus applicable service fees. For certain documents requiring apostille or authentication, additional state-level fees apply. The Miami-Dade Clerk's office also handles marriage license applications ($93.50 fee) and maintains official records of marriage ceremonies performed in the county.

The database includes detailed information on residential, commercial, and agricultural properties throughout Homestead, with interactive GIS mapping tools available. The Miami-Dade County Clerk's Official Records Division serves as the Recorder of Deeds for Homestead properties, maintaining documents at 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 213, Miami, FL 33128 (phone: 305-275-1102). This office records deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. Official records dating back to the 1800s are available, with recent documents accessible through the free online Official Records Search at www.miami-dadeclerk.com/officialrecords. Users can search by name, document type, book and page, or legal description. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Recording fees vary by document type but typically start at $10.00 for the first page. The county's comprehensive GIS parcel viewer integrates property appraiser data with zoning, flood zones, and infrastructure information, providing detailed mapping resources for Homestead properties.

The Homestead-Miami Speedway attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for NASCAR races and other motorsports events, generating substantial tourism revenue and supporting hospitality businesses. Retail and service sectors have expanded along the Homestead–Florida City corridor, with major shopping centers including the Homestead Towne Square and outlets serving both residents and tourists heading to the Florida Keys. According to U.S. Census data, Homestead's median household income is approximately $50,000, below the Miami-Dade County average, reflecting the city's working-class character and significant agricultural workforce. Major recent developments include continued residential growth as Homestead becomes increasingly attractive to families seeking more affordable housing compared to northern Miami-Dade areas, as well as commercial expansion along U.S. Highway 1. The proximity to both Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park has fostered growth in eco-tourism businesses, outdoor recreation outfitters, and hospitality services. Baptist Health Homestead Hospital serves as another major employer providing healthcare services to southern Miami-Dade County. The city's economy is closely integrated with Miami-Dade County's broader tourism, trade, and service sectors while maintaining its distinct agricultural and military-influenced identity.

The Homestead Police Department, located at 25 East Mowry Drive, Homestead, FL 33030 (phone: 305-247-1535, website: homesteadpolice.com), serves as the primary law enforcement agency within city limits. Residents can request police reports, incident records, and crash reports by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests under Florida's Public Records Law. The department maintains records of arrests, citations, and incident reports for crimes occurring within Homestead city limits. For unincorporated areas near Homestead, the Miami-Dade Police Department provides law enforcement services. The Miami-Dade Police Department headquarters is located at 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172 (phone: 305-476-5423).

Arrest and jail booking information for individuals detained in the Homestead area is accessible through the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. The main detention facility is the Metro West Detention Center at 3900 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, FL 33178. The public can search for current inmates through the Miami-Dade Corrections online inmate locator at www.miamidadecountyinmates.com, which displays booking photos, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and housing location. All requests for law enforcement records in Florida are governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 119, the Public Records Act, which requires agencies to provide access to most records with limited exemptions for active investigations and certain confidential information. Requests must be fulfilled promptly, and agencies may charge copying fees but cannot deny access based solely on the purpose of the request.

Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks for mail requests and 2-3 weeks for online orders. Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest. Only immediate family members, legal representatives, and individuals with a direct tangible interest can obtain certified copies. The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts, located at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 (phone: 305-349-7000), issues marriage licenses for Homestead residents. The fee is $93.50, reduced to $61.00 if couples complete a premarital preparation course. Both parties must appear in person with valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers. There is no waiting period, and licenses are valid for 60 days. Marriage records dating back decades are maintained by the Clerk and can be searched online at www.miami-dadeclerk.com. Divorce decrees are also available through the Clerk of Courts as part of family court case files. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Florida law requires requesters to demonstrate a direct tangible interest for access to certain vital records, though marriage and divorce records are generally more accessible than birth and death certificates.

Fictitious business name (DBA) registrations in Florida are filed with the Florida Division of Corporations rather than at the county level. The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, maintains all business entity records including corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and fictitious names. The online database at dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz allows free searching of business entities by name, principal, or registration number. Users can view entity status, registered agent information, officer names and addresses, annual report filing status, and document images. New business registrations, annual reports, and registered agent changes can be filed online. Corporations and LLCs must file annual reports with fees ranging from $61.25 to $150 depending on entity type. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) financing statements and lien searches are also filed with and searchable through the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations UCC system. Commercial property tax information for Homestead businesses can be researched through the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser's website at www.miamidade.gov/pa, where users can search commercial properties by address or folio number to view assessed values, millage rates, and tax history. The Property Appraiser's office at 111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL 33128 (305-375-4712) handles commercial property assessments and exemption applications.

Homestead voters are served by the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, located at 2700 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, FL 33172 (phone: 311 or 305-499-8683, website: www.miamidade.gov/elections). This office administers all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for Homestead residents, including voter registration, early voting, absentee ballots, and election results.

Florida residents can register to vote online at registertovoteflorida.gov, by mail, or in person at the Elections Department, driver license offices, or voter registration drives. The registration deadline is 29 days before each election. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Florida residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and provide a Florida driver license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Homestead holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions, with the next mayoral and council elections scheduled for November 2025. City elections are nonpartisan, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of votes, a runoff is held.

Homestead residents can find their assigned polling place by visiting the Miami-Dade Elections website and using the precinct finder tool, which requires entering a residential address. The county typically operates 30+ early voting sites during the two weeks before Election Day, including locations in Homestead. Vote-by-mail ballots are available to any registered voter upon request through the Elections Department website, by phone, or in writing. Requests are valid through the end of the calendar year for the second general election.

Florida public records law makes voter registration lists publicly available for purchase, showing names, addresses, party affiliation, and voting history (though not how individuals voted). Campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees are searchable through the Florida Division of Elections website at dos.elections.myflorida.com. Precinct-level election results are posted online after each election at the Miami-Dade Elections website.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Miami-Dade County reported approximately 67% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 900,000 ballots cast. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, Homestead and Miami-Dade voters will decide several key races: Florida will NOT have a U.S. Senate race in 2026 (next Senate election is 2024 and 2028); the Florida Governor's race is NOT on the ballot in 2026 (next gubernatorial election is 2026—correction, Governor in Florida is elected in midterm years, so 2026 WILL have the gubernatorial race for a four-year term); all Florida Cabinet positions including Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture; Florida House of Representatives seats (all 120 districts); Florida State Senate seats (approximately 20 of 40 districts on rotating basis); Miami-Dade County Mayor, County Commission districts, Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of Courts; and School Board positions. Homestead city elections for municipal offices would be held separately if scheduled for 2026.