Dade County Clerk of Court: Records & Services
Looking for a court case, deed, divorce judgment, marriage license, traffic-ticket payment, probate estate or certified court document in Dade County? The office is now known as the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, and it maintains several different online record systems.
Knowing which system holds your document can save an unnecessary courthouse trip. This guide covers the Clerk’s principal services, direct official search routes, document-copy requirements, fees, and where to go in Miami, Hialeah, North Miami or South Dade.
Independent informational guide · October 2026 · Not affiliated with Miami-Dade County government or its Clerk of the Court.
What Does the Dade County Clerk of Court Do?
The Clerk maintains and processes court filings, makes eligible court documents available for inspection, issues certified copies, records instruments in the county Official Records, handles marriage license services and processes various payments and public records requests.
Civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic and other eligible cases use different search routes.
Deeds, mortgages, recorded liens, satisfactions, releases and certain judgments.
Orders, judgments, decrees, recorded documents and marriage records.
Traffic, court costs and certain other accounts through supported Clerk systems.
Pre-applications, in-person issuance, ceremonies and certified copies.
Electronic filings through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
How to Search Miami-Dade Court Cases and Dockets
The Clerk operates separate systems for civil-side proceedings and criminal cases. If you choose the wrong portal, even a correct case number may not produce a match.
Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System
Use for eligible civil suits, foreclosures, divorces, child-support matters, estates, guardianships and other covered civil-side cases.
Open Civil, Family & Probate SearchCriminal Justice Online Case Search
Use for eligible felony, misdemeanor, defendant, citation/police number and criminal calendar searches.
Open Criminal Justice Search- Identify the case type. Check whether your paperwork refers to civil, family, probate, criminal or traffic court.
- Open the matching official portal. Select OCS for civil-side cases or CJIS for criminal cases.
- Search by case number where possible. Otherwise use the available party, defendant, business or other search fields provided.
- Compare search results. Look at case number, parties, filing year, court division and any other available identifying details.
- Open the docket. Review filing entries, hearing dates, motions, orders, judgments and case dispositions.
- Check whether images are available. Certain documents require a free registered account or other authorization, and confidential files may be unavailable remotely.
- Request formal copies as needed. Use the Clerk’s service for the specific case category if an authenticated record is required.
How to Search Dade County Deeds, Mortgages, Liens and Recorded Documents
The Clerk also acts as county recorder. Unlike a lawsuit docket, Official Records document a recorded transaction or instrument. Most recorded documents from 1974 onward are searchable online; earlier records may require library or staff-assisted research.
- Open the Clerk’s Official Records service.
- Select its Search Official Records option.
- Choose a supported identifier such as party name, Clerk’s File Number, book and page, or available legal-description criteria.
- Open a matching result and compare the instrument type, recording date, parties and associated property information.
- Review the available recorded image. An ordinary image is not automatically certified.
- For authenticated proof, follow the Official Records Certified Copies instructions.
Need to record a new document?
The County Recorder accepts qualifying original documents in person, by mail and through approved electronic recording methods. The Clerk also provides direct eRecording for supported Notices of Commencement and Declarations of Domicile.
Recording mail address: Office of County Recorder, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 5.246, Miami, FL 33128.
How to Request Certified Dade County Court Documents
Use this procedure when you need an authenticated divorce judgment, court order, probate document, criminal record or recorded instrument rather than an ordinary online printout.
- Open the official Certified Copies directory.
- Choose the correct record category: Civil, Family, Marriage, Official Records, Probate, Criminal, Criminal History, Juvenile or Traffic.
- Find the case or recorded document, and note the case number, filing year, names and exact document title.
- Choose the applicable online certified-copy option, or follow the listed in-person or mail request route.
- When mailing, enclose the required details, an appropriately sized self-addressed stamped envelope and the permitted payment.
- Confirm the page and certification fees. An unknown case number or year may require a separate paid search.
- Inspect the completed copy for the correct case number, record pages and certification.
Family-law certified copies
Mail requests go to Family Court / Correspondence, Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 12th Floor, Miami, FL 33128. The published in-person Family Court copy counter is on the 14th Floor.
Family copy detailsCivil certified copies
Mail requests go to Civil Correspondence, Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.240, Miami, FL 33128.
Civil copy detailsMiami-Dade Clerk of Court Records and Service Fees
| Service | Published charge | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Court or recorded-document copy | $1 per page | Applies to standard copies in the published records instructions. |
| Document certification | $2 per document | Added to applicable copying charges. |
| Search without year/case number | $2 per year, per name | Clerk-assisted research when identifying information is incomplete. |
| Official Records advanced search | $1 per search unit | Applies when using paid advanced search features. |
| Record most documents | $10 first page, $8.50 each additional page | Recording taxes and other charges may also apply. |
| Record a lis pendens | $5 first page, $4 each additional page | Special recorded-instrument category. |
| Marriage license | $86 | Reduced to $61 with a qualifying premarital course. |
| Clerk marriage ceremony | $30 | Appointment availability depends on location. |
| Certified marriage copy | $9 first copy; $7 each additional copy | Refer to the dedicated certified marriage copy page for the applicable order. |
Fees can change or vary with exemptions, statutory categories, recording taxes, payment method and delivery. Confirm the amount on the official transaction page before sending payment.
Miami-Dade Marriage Licenses, Civil Ceremonies and Certified Copies
Couples can complete an online pre-application, then finish the license application in person. Both applicants must appear with acceptable original identification. A prior marriage requires the exact date that the previous marriage ended.
- Open the Clerk’s Marriage Licenses page.
- Complete the online marriage license pre-application before visiting.
- Schedule an application appointment when possible; walk-ins may involve longer waits.
- Both applicants should bring valid, accepted identification and the other required information listed by the Clerk.
- Review the Family Law Handbook, premarital-course rules and waiting period.
- Pay the applicable license fee and complete issuance.
- Have the ceremony within the license’s valid period and return the completed license for recording as instructed.
How to request an older certified marriage record
- Open the official Marriage License Certified Copies page.
- For marriage licenses issued from 1971 onward, use the online record-search/order route.
- For licenses issued before 1971, use the mail or in-person request process.
- Prepare both spouses’ names, the marriage date, and any other identifying information requested.
- For mail requests, follow the instructions for Marriage License Bureau, Overtown Transit Village South, 601 NW 1 Court, Suite 1900, Miami, FL 33136.
How to Pay or Contest a Miami-Dade Traffic Citation
The Clerk states that most civil traffic infractions require a response within 30 days of the citation’s issue date. Depending on the violation, you may pay, elect qualifying traffic school, request a hearing or pursue another authorized option.
- Open the official Civil Traffic Citations page.
- Identify the citation type and read its available response options.
- Use the Traffic Online System to search for the citation or make an eligible payment.
- Before paying, check whether you may elect traffic school or contest the violation. Some elections affect points and future eligibility.
- If choosing a hearing, follow the official Request for Trial or online hearing request instructions.
- If your case qualifies for a payment plan, review the published setup fee and agreement.
- Retain confirmation and verify that your payment or election is reflected in the case record.
Florida Courts E-Filing: How to Submit Documents in Dade County
The Clerk uses the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal for qualifying documents. An e-filed document is not necessarily an issued court order, and a summons accepted for docketing is not automatically an executed summons.
- Open the official Miami-Dade E-Filing instructions.
- Select the link to the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
- Create or sign into an account in the correct filer category, such as self-represented litigant or attorney.
- Choose the correct county, division and case number, or follow the new-case workflow where allowed.
- Prepare the required signed documents in the acceptable electronic format, taking care to follow confidential-information rules.
- Upload the filing and complete payment where required.
- Monitor the submission for acceptance or rejection and confirm its appearance on the docket.
Other Miami-Dade Clerk Services Worth Knowing
Find Clerk-managed central depository information and related court-case services where applicable.
Records services directoryAccess eligible parking citation search and payment functions through the Clerk’s services directory.
Find parking servicesFind assessment appeal and filing information for qualifying property-tax disputes.
Find VAB servicesResearch the Clerk’s tax-deed-sale service and requirements. This differs from a normal deed search or foreclosure lawsuit.
Tax deed services directoryIf a record is not found in the published online systems, use the Clerk’s formal records request routing instructions.
Public records requestThe County Recorder provides a procedure to request redaction of qualifying sensitive personal identifiers in recorded documents.
Official Records redaction instructionsWhat If the Clerk’s Search Cannot Find Your Record?
| Problem | Likely explanation | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Court case does not appear | Wrong division, number format, name variation or restricted case. | Recheck the original court and choose the correct OCS or CJIS portal. |
| Deed or mortgage missing | Court-case search instead of recorded property search. | Use Official Records; ask the Records Library about older files. |
| Marriage record before 1971 | Not within online marriage copy ordering coverage. | Use the marriage bureau’s mail or in-person process. |
| Document image unavailable | Confidentiality, restricted internet access or unavailable scan. | Check free account eligibility or the appropriate Clerk copy request. |
| Old record not indexed online | Historical electronic coverage differs by record type. | Ask the correct department to research physical or archived records. |
| Juvenile or sealed file | Legal confidentiality requirements. | Follow authorized access procedures; do not attempt to bypass restrictions. |
| Traffic citation not posted | Processing delay or wrong citation information. | Contact traffic services promptly; the legal response deadline still applies. |
Dade County Clerk of Court: Addresses and Contact Information
General Clerk phone: 305-275-1155. Office hours and available services differ by location. Check the official location details for a specific counter or upcoming hearing.
Miami, FL 33128
Civil, probate and County Recorder functions, with separate suite assignments.
Miami, FL 33128
Family-law records and related court services.
Miami, FL 33125
Criminal court and designated traffic services.
Miami, FL 33189
District court services; published extended-hour arrangements should be confirmed.
North Miami, FL 33160
District court services including selected filings and payments.
Hialeah, FL 33010
Selected district court, civil, traffic and marriage services.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
District court, traffic and eligible Clerk services.
Miami, FL 33142
Selected court services including certain domestic violence matters.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Websites and Records Services
Dade County Clerk of Court Records & Services FAQs
1. What is the official name of the Dade County Clerk of Court?
The office is the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller. Its official website is miamidadeclerk.gov, which provides links to case searches, recorded documents, marriage services, traffic payments and certified copies.
2. How do I search Dade County court cases online?
Use the Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System for those matters, and the separate Criminal Justice Online Case Search for felony and misdemeanor records. Search by the permitted identifying fields and verify the correct case before reviewing its docket.
3. Where do I find Miami-Dade deeds and mortgages?
Use the Clerk’s Official Records search for deeds, mortgages, recorded liens, satisfactions and other instruments. Most recorded documents from 1974 onward are available online, while older records may require Records Library research.
4. How much does the Clerk charge for certified court records?
The Clerk generally lists document copies at $1 per page and certification at $2 per document. If the case number or year is unknown, a $2-per-year, per-name search charge may also apply. Other service and delivery fees can vary.
5. Can I get a certified Miami-Dade divorce judgment?
Yes. Locate the family case and final judgment in the official case system, then use the Family Certified Copies service online, by mail or in person. The Family Court services are associated with the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center.
6. How do I apply for a Miami-Dade marriage license?
Complete the Clerk’s online pre-application, then visit an authorized location with both applicants and accepted original identification. The standard license fee is $86, or $61 with an eligible premarital course. Follow the Clerk’s waiting-period and eligibility instructions.
7. Can I order an old Miami-Dade marriage certificate online?
Marriage license copies from 1971 onward can generally be ordered through the online service. Licenses issued before 1971 must be requested by mail or in person through the Marriage License Bureau.
8. How long do I have to pay a Miami-Dade traffic ticket?
For most civil traffic infractions, you must pay or make another eligible response within 30 days of the citation’s issue date. Missing the deadline can cause late fees and driver-license suspension. Check the Clerk’s traffic instructions for your specific ticket.
9. Can I file court documents online with the Miami-Dade Clerk?
Eligible filings can be submitted through the statewide Florida Courts E-Filing Portal. Create the appropriate filer account, select Miami-Dade and the correct division or case, submit the required documents, and monitor whether the filing is accepted.
10. Where is the main Miami-Dade Clerk of Court office?
The Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center is at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128. Other functions operate at separate Miami-Dade courthouses and district locations. The Clerk’s main phone number is 305-275-1155; confirm the correct counter and hours before visiting.
Independent information notice: This guide is not legal advice. Verify court deadlines, fees, copies, access restrictions and office availability with the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller before relying on a document or making a payment.