Clerk of the Court
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller maintains court records, processes filings, collects court-related payments, records official documents, supports jury administration, issues marriage licenses, and provides access to civil, family, probate, criminal, traffic, and parking information. This article explains how to identify the correct Clerk service, select the appropriate online search system, prepare case or citation information, request certified copies, and contact the office responsible for a specific matter.
Clerk Services and Responsibilities
The Clerk of the Court and Comptroller performs several different public functions. Some involve court cases, while others involve county records, marriage licenses, parking citations, traffic matters, jury service, or financial administration. These services may be handled by separate divisions, online systems, and office locations.
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller website is the main official starting point for Clerk services. Its online options include court case searches, certified-copy requests, traffic and parking payments, marriage-license searches, jury information, property fraud alerts, driver-license status services, civil-infraction tracking, and financial transparency information.
Before visiting an office or submitting a request, identify the type of record or transaction involved. A court case search is different from an official-record search. A criminal case number is different from a jail number, police citation number, traffic citation number, or parking citation number. Selecting the wrong system can produce no results even when the record exists.
Choosing the Correct Division
The Clerk’s divisions are organized around the type of case or public record being handled. The following distinctions can help users avoid contacting the wrong office:
Civil Court handles county civil cases, circuit civil cases, small claims, evictions, foreclosures, real-property disputes, injunction-related filings, garnishments, replevin matters, and other civil actions.
Family Court handles domestic-relations matters, simplified divorces, child support and alimony records, domestic violence matters, name-change cases, and related family filings.
Probate Court handles wills, probate proceedings, guardianships, and certain related cases.
Criminal Court maintains felony and misdemeanor case records, criminal calendars, dispositions, arrest-related court filings, and certain criminal-history search results.
Traffic and Misdemeanor handles civil traffic infractions, criminal traffic violations, misdemeanor matters, and certain boating, wildlife, and municipal ordinance violations.
Parking Operations handles parking citations issued to vehicles by local municipalities or other authorized agencies.
County Recorder records deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, satisfactions, powers of attorney, declarations of domicile, and other official documents.
Marriage License Bureau processes marriage-license applications, ceremonies, searches, and certified marriage-license copies.
Jury Administration provides reporting instructions, questionnaire access, postponement requests, excusal or disqualification requests, and proof of jury service.
A person may interact with more than one division for the same general issue. For example, a divorce case is maintained through Family Court, while a certified copy of the final judgment may be ordered through the Clerk’s certified-copy service. A recorded judgment affecting real property may also appear in the County Recorder’s Official Records.
Court Case Search Options
The Clerk operates multiple search systems because civil, family, probate, criminal, citation, and official-record information is stored and presented differently. Users should select a search portal based on the record category rather than entering the same information into every system.
Universal Case Search
The Universal Case Search provides a quick online search for a case or citation using the case or citation number. The search page requires the identifying number and may require a security verification. Registering or logging in can help users avoid repeated captcha requirements.
This system is useful when the exact case or citation number is already available. Enter the number as it appears on the court notice, citation, docket, payment notice, or other official correspondence. Do not substitute a booking number, jail number, driver-license number, or police report number unless the search field specifically requests it.
Online search results are provided for public access and convenience, but electronic access is not the official court record. The Clerk states that it makes efforts to maintain accurate information but does not guarantee completeness, accuracy, or timeliness. When a record must be verified for a legal proceeding, filing requirement, certification, employment review, or other formal purpose, request the official record or a certified copy from the appropriate Clerk division.
Civil, Family, and Probate Cases
The Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System provides standard and advanced search options for cases within those divisions. Search methods include single-case searches, local or state case searches, multiple-case searches, party-name searches, and hearing searches.
Required fields are marked with an asterisk. Search results appear as record cards, and selecting a card displays available document details. Registration or login can reduce captcha interruptions and search limits. This portal should be used for matters such as civil lawsuits, small claims, evictions, family cases, probate proceedings, guardianship cases, and related hearings.
Party-name searches should use the legal name associated with the filing. Differences in spelling, middle names, initials, hyphens, or business names can affect results. When an exact case number is available, searching by that number generally reduces the chance of opening the wrong record for a person with a similar name.
The Clerk has also implemented a blind filing process for the County Civil Division. Selecting a particular branch location when filing does not guarantee that the case will be assigned to that branch. Users should review the judicial section after filing to determine where the case was assigned and where it will be heard.
Criminal Case Records
The Criminal Justice Online Case Search provides public access to felony and misdemeanor case information. Available search methods include case number, state case number, citation or police number, defendant information, jail number, calendar searches, judge hearing calendars, and first-appearance calendars.
Users select a search method, enter the required fields, and open a result card to review available details. To order a certified copy from an eligible criminal case, the user can navigate to the docket, expand the relevant entry, and select the image icon when that option is available.
Criminal search identifiers should not be treated as interchangeable. A local case number identifies a Clerk case. A state case number may follow a different format. A citation or police number comes from law enforcement documentation. A jail number identifies a person within the detention system. Entering one identifier into a field intended for another may return no match.
The system provides public information, but it is not a substitute for an official certified criminal-history disposition letter. A disposition letter reports the result of a local case-record search associated with felony or misdemeanor matters. Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
Certified Court Record Copies
Certified copies are official primary documents from records maintained by the Clerk. They are commonly requested when a court order, judgment, marriage record, disposition, recorded instrument, or other document must be presented in an official form.
The Clerk’s certified copies service accepts eligible requests online, by mail, or in person. Available categories include civil cases, family cases, probate cases, criminal cases, criminal-history checks, marriage licenses, official records, and traffic citation images. Juvenile cases are confidential and may be ordered only by mail or in person.
Information for a Copy Request
Providing the correct case information helps the Clerk identify the requested document and calculate applicable charges. Depending on the record, the request may require:
The complete case number
The case year
The name of the party or defendant
The defendant’s date of birth for a criminal disposition request
The title or docket entry of the requested document
The number of certified copies needed
A self-addressed stamped envelope for an eligible mail request
If the year or case number is unknown, the Clerk charges an additional search fee of $2 per year, per name, for every year searched. A broad request covering several possible years can therefore cost more than a request containing the exact case number and year.
Accepted Payment Methods
Online certified-copy orders may be paid by Visa, Discover, Mastercard, or American Express. Mail requests may be paid by cashier’s check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. In-person requests may be paid with cash, an accepted credit card, cashier’s check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted for certified-copy requests.
Users should distinguish the copy fee from search fees, certification charges, mailing expenses, filing fees, or other service charges. The amount due depends on the record type and the services requested.
Civil Court and Small Claims
Civil cases filed with the Clerk fall under County Court or Circuit Court jurisdiction. County Court includes cases where claimed damages exceed $8,000 but do not exceed $50,000, as well as tenant eviction cases. Small claims involve amounts up to $8,000, excluding interest, court costs, and attorney fees. Circuit Court handles cases exceeding $50,001 and other matters such as mortgage foreclosures, real-property title disputes, ejectment, eminent domain, negligence, professional malpractice, product liability, foreign judgments, and certain injunction proceedings.
Small claims actions may generally be brought in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action occurred, or where the property involved is located. Before filing, the Clerk recommends communicating the dispute to the other party. A written letter explaining the complaint may resolve the matter without a lawsuit.
A claimant must have the correct legal name of the person or business being sued and an address where service can be completed. If the defendant is a corporation, the filing party needs the corporation’s full legal name and the name and address of a corporate officer or registered agent. A case cannot proceed until the defendant has been served.
After the case is processed, a pretrial date is assigned. The plaintiff’s failure to appear may result in dismissal. If the defendant fails to appear, the judge may enter a default. Documents supporting the claim should be brought to the pretrial hearing, but witnesses are generally reserved for trial. If the dispute is not resolved at pretrial, a trial date may be scheduled, and the filing party is responsible for subpoenaing necessary witnesses.
A final judgment establishes that one party is entitled to recover a specified amount from another party. Obtaining a judgment does not automatically collect the money. Post-judgment procedures may be required.
Criminal Court Services
Miami-Dade Criminal Court has Circuit Criminal and County Criminal operations. Circuit Criminal processes felony affidavits of probable cause, grand jury indictments, arrest warrants, and felony-related court records. County Criminal maintains misdemeanor arrest records and certain civil infractions, including some boating, wildlife, and municipal ordinance violations.
Certified criminal-history disposition letters may be requested for local felony and misdemeanor case searches. A mail request should include the defendant’s name, case number, case year, date of birth, the required fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Certified copies are $7. When the year or case number is unknown, the additional search charge is $2 per year, per name.
Felony bond hearings are conducted Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. On weekends and holidays, bond hearings occur once per day after the 9 a.m. misdemeanor jail arraignments. Misdemeanor jail arraignments are conducted Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with one 9 a.m. session on weekends and holidays.
Case calendars are available shortly before the applicable hearing. Court schedules and courtroom assignments can change, so users should rely on the current case record and official court instructions rather than an older notice or saved search result.
Traffic and Parking Matters
The Clerk separates parking citations from traffic citations. The Traffic and Parking service page explains the difference and provides access to payment, search, certified-copy, and appointment options.
Parking Citation Numbers
A parking citation is issued to a vehicle found in violation of a county ordinance or state statute. The registered owner is presumed to have received the citation. Miami-Dade parking citation numbers contain a combination of eight numbers.
Because a parking case is associated with a vehicle citation, users should enter the parking citation number in the parking system rather than using the civil traffic search. The Clerk’s Parking Service Assistant can also help users pay eligible municipal parking citations and review common service questions.
Traffic Citation Numbers
Traffic citations contain a combination of seven numbers and letters. A civil traffic infraction is a noncriminal matter classified as moving or nonmoving. It is not punishable by incarceration, and there is no right to a jury trial or court-appointed counsel.
A criminal traffic violation is a misdemeanor-level allegation. A driver may be arrested when charged with a criminal traffic offense. Criminal traffic cases should not be treated as ordinary civil traffic payment matters.
Citations issued in Miami-Dade County may be reported to other states and may affect an out-of-state driver’s license record. A person living outside Florida or the United States should check the official system periodically until the citation information appears and should retain the information pamphlet provided by the officer.
A traffic payment plan may be available when the citation has not been placed with a collection agency. Eligibility depends on the citation’s current status, so users should verify the case before assuming a payment plan can be established.
Commercial License Reinstatements
Effective March 16, 2026, a federal regulation prevents states from issuing, renewing, or reinstating a Commercial Driver’s License or Commercial Learner’s Permit for certain non-immigrant holders without proof of lawful immigration status. As a result, the Clerk can no longer reinstate suspended commercial licenses or permits for affected non-immigrant holders. Those drivers must contact the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s Office for the reinstatement process.
Official Records and Recording
The County Recorder’s Office records, protects, preserves, and provides access to instruments authorized for recording under Florida law. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, certain affidavits, subdivision plats, judgments, declarations of domicile, satisfactions and releases, powers of attorney, and financial statements.
The Official Records service provides public search access and instructions for recording documents. Official Records are different from court case dockets. A deed or mortgage is generally searched through Official Records, while a lawsuit involving that property is searched through the civil court system.
Recording Submission Methods
Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or electronically through an approved eRecording vendor. In-person and mailed submissions require the original documents, applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. With eRecording, the submitter retains the original document and sends a scanned version through the selected system.
Most recorded documents cost $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each additional page. A lis pendens costs $5 for the first page and $4 for each additional page. Copies cost $1 per page, plus $2 for certification.
Basic Recording Requirements
Documents must be original or court-certified, signed, and notarized when required. Requirements vary by document type. A deed, for example, must include the parties’ addresses, the seller’s signature, two qualified witnesses, a complete notary acknowledgment, and a “Prepared by” statement containing the preparer’s name and address. A self-addressed stamped envelope should also be submitted.
A mortgage must be original, signed, and notarized. It must identify the lender and borrower, include the required addresses, contain a “Prepared by” statement, and either have a copy of the promissory note attached or state the note amount on the mortgage. Documentary stamp tax and intangible tax may also apply.
A satisfaction or release of mortgage should identify the book and page of the original mortgage, contain the mortgage holder’s signature, be notarized and acknowledged, and include the preparer’s name and address. A document that does not meet statutory recording requirements may not be accepted.
Redaction and Confidentiality
Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers may be removed from official records displayed online. A redaction request must identify the Clerk’s File Number or the book and page containing the information.
Individuals covered by a public-record exemption may submit a confidentiality request. Certain requests to remove exempt information or protected record images must be notarized, identify the statutory basis for removal, and confirm eligibility for the exemption.
Marriage License Services
The Marriage License Bureau processes applications, ceremonies, license searches, corrections, and certified copies. Couples applying for a marriage license must generally appear in person and complete the online pre-application before visiting the office.
Both applicants must present valid federal or state government photo identification showing the correct legal name, date of birth, and signature. Accepted identification includes a state-issued driver license, passport, United States military identification, alien registration card, state identification card, or original naturalization certificate.
United States citizens and residents must provide their Social Security numbers. A noncitizen who has not been issued a Social Security number may provide an alien registration card number, state-issued driver-license number, or passport number. An applicant who was previously married must provide the exact date of the most recent divorce, death, or annulment.
Florida residents have a three-day waiting period before the license becomes effective unless they complete an approved four-hour premarital course and present the original completion certificate. Non-Florida residents are exempt from the waiting period. The marriage ceremony must occur on or after the license’s effective date and within 60 days after issuance. After the ceremony, the completed license must be returned to the Marriage License Bureau within 10 days.
Applicants who are 17 face additional requirements, including parental or legal-guardian participation, supporting identification, an original birth certificate, and parental consent forms. A 17-year-old may marry only when the other party is no more than two years older. The Clerk is prohibited from issuing a marriage license to anyone under 17.
Jury Summons and Reporting
The Clerk’s jury summons information directs prospective jurors to the Clearview Juror Portal. The portal is used to complete the required questionnaire, register for service, review reporting instructions, request a postponement, seek an excuse or disqualification, and obtain proof of service.
The questionnaire must be completed by the date shown on the summons. A summoned person is on standby during the week stated on the notice and may be required to report on any day during that week. Reporting instructions are sent by email on the Friday before the scheduled start date.
Jurors must bring the summons when reporting because it contains the juror badge. A person who lost the summons may attempt to access the portal using a Florida driver-license or identification-card number and date of birth.
The Clerk warns that it does not harass or threaten prospective jurors or demand financial penalties through threatening communications. Messages claiming immediate arrest or payment for missed jury service should not be treated as authentic Clerk payment instructions.
Common Errors to Avoid
Searching the Wrong Database
Court dockets, criminal cases, traffic citations, parking citations, and Official Records are maintained in different systems. A recorded deed will not necessarily appear in the civil case portal, and a criminal jail number may not work in a case-number field.
Using an Informal Name
Name-based searches should use the legal name appearing in the record. Nicknames, abbreviated business names, incomplete surnames, or an incorrect middle initial can prevent a match or lead to the wrong person’s case.
Relying on Online Results
Online access is intended for public convenience and is not the official Clerk record. A screenshot or printed search page should not be assumed to have the same status as a certified court document.
Sending Personal Checks
Personal checks are not accepted for certified-copy requests. Mail orders should use a cashier’s check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.
Ignoring Confidentiality Limits
Juvenile case records are confidential and cannot be ordered through the standard online certified-copy process. Certain family, probate, criminal, or protected records may also have access restrictions.
Submitting Incomplete Recording Documents
An original-recording submission may be rejected when required signatures, notarization, witness information, document preparation statements, fees, taxes, or return-envelope materials are missing.
Trusting Suspicious Payment Messages
Fraudulent text messages may falsely claim to involve Miami-Dade County services. Users should not click suspicious links or provide personal or payment information in response to an unexpected message.
Office Closures and Public Notices
The Miami Beach District Court is temporarily closed for repairs and maintenance. During the closure, users should select another Clerk location rather than traveling to that courthouse.
Hours, locations, filing procedures, system access, and court assignments can change. The Clerk’s official website should be reviewed before an in-person visit, particularly when a matter has a scheduled hearing, filing deadline, payment requirement, or branch assignment.
Under Florida public-record law, email addresses may be released in response to a public-record request. A person who does not want an email address disclosed should contact the Clerk by telephone or in writing instead of sending an email.
Clerk Offices and Contact Numbers
Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County
20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128
305-275-1155
Civil Court Office
20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.240, Miami, Florida 33128
786-29-CIVIL (24845)
Criminal Court Office
1351 NW 12th Street, 9th Floor, Miami, Florida 33125
786-971-CRIM (2746)
Family Court Office
175 NW First Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128
786-767-7FAM (326)
Probate Court Office
20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.223, Miami, Florida 33128
786-767-7FAM (326)
County Recorder Office
20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 5.246, Miami, Florida 33128
786-463-0566
Traffic and Misdemeanor Office
1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, Florida 33125
305-275-1111; 786-971-CRIM (2746)
Parking Operations Department
601 NW 1st Court, 18th Floor, Miami, Florida 33136
305-275-1133
Marriage License Bureau
601 NW 1st Court, Room 1900, Miami, Florida 33136
786-756-9047
Jury Pool, Civil
Osvaldo N. Soto Justice Center, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 4.213, Miami, Florida 33128
786-828-JURY (5879)
Jury Pool, Criminal
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12th Street, Room 700, Miami, Florida 33125
786-828-JURY (5879)
Clerk of the Court FAQs
How do I search for a Miami-Dade court case?
Use the Universal Case Search when you have a case or citation number. Enter the number exactly as shown on the court document or citation. Registration is not required, but signing in may reduce CAPTCHA prompts and search limits. Online information can change as documents are processed and does not replace the official court record. Verify important filing dates, judgments, or case status information through the Clerk before relying on it for a legal deadline.
Which online system covers my case type?
Civil, family, and probate matters are available through the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System. Users can search by case or party information and select a result to review available docket and document details. Felony and misdemeanor matters use the Criminal Justice Online Case Search, which also supports searches involving defendants, citations, police numbers, jail numbers, calendars, and hearings.
How can I order a certified court record?
The Clerk accepts requests for certified copies of eligible records online, by mail, or in person, depending on the record type. Available categories include civil, family, probate, criminal, marriage-license, official-record, and traffic documents. Juvenile records are confidential and may only be ordered by mail or in person. Provide the case number and year whenever possible. If those details are unknown, a search fee may apply for each name and year reviewed.
Can I pay every citation through the same service?
No. Parking citations and traffic citations use different payment and search processes. Parking citation numbers generally contain eight digits, while traffic citation numbers typically contain seven letters and numbers. Confirm the citation type before submitting payment so it is credited to the correct record. Criminal traffic violations may require a court appearance and should not be treated like ordinary civil traffic infractions.
What should I do after receiving a jury summons?
Complete the online juror questionnaire by the date printed on the summons and review the reporting instructions for the assigned service week. Jurors may be placed on standby and directed to report on any day during that week. Bring the summons when reporting because it contains the juror badge. Requests for postponement, excusal, disqualification, or proof of service are handled through the official juror portal.