About Miami Dade County
Miami-Dade County is Florida's most populous county and the seventh-most populous in the United States, with over 2.7 million residents as of the latest census. Located at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, Miami Dade County includes approximately 2,431 square miles, including both land and water. Miami Dade County Seat is Miami, a vibrant international city that is the economic and cultural hub of South Florida. Miami-Dade County was created in 1836 as Dade County and renamed in 1997 to honor Miami Dade County's flagship city.
Miami Dade County is unique as a majority-minority community with a predominantly Hispanic population and is a path to Latin America and the Caribbean. Major landmarks include Biscayne National Park, the Everglades, Miami Beach, the Port of Miami (one of the world's busiest cruise ports), and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Miami Dade County operates under a strong mayor-commission form of government.
Key public records agencies include the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts located at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130; the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser at 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 710, Miami, FL 33128; and the Miami-Dade County Recorder's Office (part of the Clerk's office). Miami Dade County's subtropical climate, diverse economy, and multicultural character make it a distinctive American jurisdiction with strong international connections.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Miami Dade County Sheriff's Office, officially known as the Miami Dade Police Department, is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of Miami Dade County. The department oversees the operation of Miami Dade County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. It is known for its specialized units, including the Special Response Team and the Homicide Bureau, which handle complex investigations and emergencies. The department also engages in community outreach programs to foster public safety and trust within the community.
Police Departments
Miami Dade County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Miami Dade Police Department and various municipal police departments. The Miami Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, and Hialeah Police Department are among the key city departments operating within Miami Dade County. Each agency has jurisdiction over its respective city, while the Miami Dade Police Department covers unincorporated areas. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, making sure of full law enforcement coverage throughout Miami Dade County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated Miami-Dade County and provides contractual services to 27 municipalities. The MDPD headquarters is located at 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172, and can be reached for Their website, www.miamidade.gov/police, provides access to various public records and services.
- Inmates can be searched online by name, booking number, or date of birth.
- Arrest records are public under Florida Statute Chapter 119 (Florida Public Records Act) and may be requested directly from MDPD or individual municipal agencies.
- Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in arrest records and available through the online inmate search system or by submitting a public records request to the arresting agency.
Major municipal police departments include the City of Miami Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, Coral Gables Police Department, Hialeah Police Department, Homestead Police Department, and Miami Gardens Police Department, among others. Arrest records and booking information are accessible through the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department's Inmate Information System at www.miamidade.gov/corrections. The primary detention facility is the Metro West Detention Center at 2775 NW 74th Avenue, Miami, FL 33122.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office at also maintains records of prosecutions. Florida's broad sunshine laws ensure substantial public access to law enforcement records, though certain active investigation materials may be temporarily exempt.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Miami Dade County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Miami Dade Police Department and the Miami Dade Clerk of Courts maintain these records. Residents can conduct background checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which provides statewide criminal history information. The Florida Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for Miami Dade residents seeking detailed criminal records, for public access and access to public safety information.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Miami Dade County are maintained by the Miami Dade Police Department. These records can be requested by residents and attorneys through the department's public records request process, under the Florida Sunshine Law. An arrest record in Miami Dade County typically includes the individual's name, charges, booking date, and arresting agency. The process for obtaining these records involves submitting a formal request, either online or in person, to the police department's records section.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center is the primary jail facility in Miami Dade County. It handles the booking and processing of individuals arrested within Miami Dade County. Inmates can be located through the Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation at the facility is subject to specific rules, including scheduled times and identification requirements. The bond and bail process in Florida allows for the release of inmates pending court proceedings, with bail amounts set according to the severity of the charges.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Miami Dade County are taken and retained by the Miami Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the department's website or third-party services. Florida law allows for the publication of mugshots, but individuals may request removal under certain circumstances, such as if charges are dropped or the individual is acquitted. The process for searching mugshots involves using the online inmate lookup tool or contacting the department directly.
Courts & Case Records
Miami-Dade County is served by the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, which handles felony criminal cases, civil cases over $30,000, family law matters, probate, and appeals from county court. The circuit court is located at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125, phone. The Miami-Dade County Court handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $30,000, traffic violations, and small claims.
- Most searches are free online, though certified copies require fees (typically $2.00 per page for certified documents, $1.00 per page for non-certified).
- The clerk's office also provides in-person access during business hours.
- Traffic and municipal ordinance violations are handled through county court divisions located throughout Miami-Dade County, with payment and case information available online.
Online case searches are available through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at www.miami-dadeclerk.com, where the public can search civil, criminal, family, and probate cases by name, case number, or citation number. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts, Harvey Ruvin, maintains all court records at 73 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 and Florida Statute 28.24, court records are presumed public unless specifically exempted by law, such as records involving juveniles or certain sensitive family law matters.
Miami Dade County also operates specialized divisions including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, and Domestic Violence Court.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records in Miami-Dade County are maintained by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts (Official Records Division) at 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 110, Miami, FL 33128, phone. The office records and maintains deeds, mortgages, liens, satisfactions, easements, right-of-ways, condominium declarations, plat maps, military discharges (DD-214s), and other instruments affecting real property.
- Most searches are free, though downloading or printing documents may incur nominal fees.
- The Property Appraiser's office at 111 NW 1st Street, Suite 710, Miami, FL 33128, phone, provides a free online property search tool with detailed parcel information, tax history, sales data, and aerial photography.
- Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested in person, by mail, or online through the clerk's website for $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page, plus applicable service fees.
Miami-Dade County offers full online access through the Official Records Search at www.miami-dadeclerk.com/property_records.asp, where users can search by name, document type, book and page, or legal description dating back to the 1950s. The Miami-Dade Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia, maintains property tax records, assessment values, ownership information, and exemption details at www.miamidade.gov/pa.
Miami Dade County also maintains a Geographic Information System (GIS) portal at gis.mdc.opendata.arcgis.com with interactive mapping tools, parcel boundaries, zoning information, flood zones, and environmental data layers available to the public at no cost.
Vital Records
Vital records for Miami-Dade County are maintained by the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Office of Vital Statistics, located at 1350 NW 14th Street, Miami, FL 33125, phone. Birth certificates cost $9.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, with typical processing times of 2-4 weeks for mail requests and same-day service for in-person requests with proper identification. Death certificates cost $5.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for additional copies, with similar processing timeframes.
- Marriage certificates can be obtained from the same office for $5.00.
- Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are maintained by the Clerk of Courts Family Division and can be searched online or requested in person.
- Online ordering through VitalChek is available at www.vitalchek.com with expedited processing options for additional fees.
- Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification and proof of relationship or legal interest when requesting vital records.
Certified copies are only issued to eligible applicants as defined by Florida Statute 382.008, including the registrant, family members, legal representatives, or individuals with documented legal interest. Marriage licenses are issued by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts Marriage License Bureau at multiple locations, including 140 West Flagler Street, Suite 102, Miami, FL 33130, and require both parties to appear in person with valid identification; the fee is $93.50, reduced to $61.00 for couples who complete a premarital preparation course. The Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee also is a backup repository for statewide vital records at or www.floridahealth.gov/certificates.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Miami-Dade County are accessible through multiple agencies depending on the type of business activity. The Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Department issues local business tax receipts (formerly called occupational licenses) and can be reached at or www.miamidade.gov/business. Applications and renewals can be completed online, and the department maintains records of active licenses by business name and address.
- The Sunbiz database is searchable by entity name, officer name, registered agent, or document number.
- Zoning information and land use applications can be accessed through Miami Dade County's online portal.
- The Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County's official economic development organization at www.beaconcouncil.com, provides resources for businesses.
Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA filings) are filed with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations at dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz, which provides free online access to corporate records, LLC registrations, partnership filings, trademark registrations, and fictitious name records dating back decades. Professional licenses (contractors, real estate agents, health professionals) are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr. Sales tax permits and employer accounts are managed through the Florida Department of Revenue.
Building permits, certificates of occupancy, and code enforcement records are handled by the Miami-Dade Regulatory and Economic Resources Department Building Division, with online permit searches available at www.miamidade.gov/permits. Multiple chambers of commerce serve Miami Dade County, including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce at www.miamichamber.com.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Miami-Dade County are administered by the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, located at 2700 NW 87th Avenue, Doral, FL 33172, phone, website www.miamidadeelections.gov. The department is overseen by Christina White, Supervisor of Elections. Voter registration in Florida can be completed online at registertovoteflorida.gov, by mail, or in person at the Elections Department or any driver license office. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Florida residents must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and mentally competent.
- In the November 2024 general election, Miami-Dade County reported approximately 58% voter turnout among registered voters, reflecting strong engagement in presidential and state races.
- Mail-in ballots (vote-by-mail) can be requested through the Elections Department website, by phone, by mail, or in person.
- Requests are valid through the end of the calendar year for the second ensuing regularly scheduled general election.
- Citizens may request copies of voter rolls, campaign finance documents, and election results data, though fees may apply for large data requests.
Voters can find their polling place by visiting the Elections Department website and using the precinct finder tool, or by calling the main office number. Florida statute requires that extensive election records be public, including voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted under Florida Statute 97.0585), campaign finance reports filed with the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections and the Florida Division of Elections, candidate qualifying paperwork, and precinct-level election results. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S.
House and U.S. Senate races, Florida Governor (depending on the cycle), state legislative seats, county commission seats, and various municipal offices and referenda. Florida Statutes Chapter 101 and 106 govern election administration and ensure public access to election records.
Early voting is typically available at multiple locations throughout Miami Dade County for approximately two weeks before election day.
Economy & Demographics
The economy is heavily service-oriented, with major sectors including international trade, tourism and hospitality, finance and banking, real estate and construction, healthcare, technology, and logistics. The Port of Miami is the world's busiest cruise port and a major cargo gateway, generating billions in economic impact annually. Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the nation's busiest airports and a primary hub for Latin American cargo and passenger traffic.
- The median household income in Miami-Dade County is approximately $57,000, though this varies significantly by county, with areas like Coral Gables and Pinecrest having substantially higher incomes.
Major employers include Baptist Health South Florida, Jackson Health System, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (the fourth-largest school district nationally), American Airlines, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ryder System, and Florida International University. The unemployment rate typically hovers around 5-6%, though it fluctuates with seasonal tourism trends. Key economic development initiatives include the Miami-Dade Beacon Council's efforts to attract technology companies, the continued expansion of the life sciences sector at the Miami Health District, and massive infrastructure projects including the expansion of PortMiami and MIA.
Miami Dade County benefits from its strategic position as the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, hosting numerous multinational corporate headquarters and regional offices. The real estate market, particularly luxury residential and commercial properties, drives substantial economic activity and investment.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search Available | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Preferred | Business: Yes: State Database Online | Elections: Yes: Online Access | Overall Score: 9/10, Miami-Dade County provides excellent digital access to nearly all major public records categories with user-friendly portals and strong compliance with Florida's sunshine laws.