Miami Dade County Court Case Search & Dockets
Need to look up a Miami-Dade criminal charge, find a civil lawsuit, check a divorce case, locate a probate estate, confirm a hearing, or obtain a certified court order? The Clerk of the Court and Comptroller provides official systems for these tasks—but civil/family/probate cases and criminal cases use different online portals.
This guide shows exactly where to search, what to enter, how to read docket entries, how to find public document images, and how to request certified court records. It also explains the difference between a lawsuit docket and recorded deeds, mortgages or liens.
Independent court-record information guide · Reviewed October 2026 · Not affiliated with Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.
Which Miami-Dade Court Case Search Should You Use?
Use this for civil lawsuits, foreclosure cases, small claims, eviction matters, divorce, family-law cases, probate estates and other eligible proceedings in the Clerk’s civil-side system.
Open Civil, Family & Probate OCSUse this for felony and misdemeanor proceedings, defendant cases, criminal dockets, eligible documents and criminal hearing calendars.
Open Criminal Justice SearchUse the Clerk’s Traffic and Parking service for citations, payment options, driver-related obligations and eligible traffic hearings.
Open Traffic Citation InstructionsUse Official Records for recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, satisfactions and other instruments. These are not searched the same way as court lawsuits.
Open Official RecordsHow to Search Miami-Dade Civil, Family and Probate Cases
Miami-Dade’s newer Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System provides standard and advanced record searching. The Clerk calls this the OCS system and identifies its civil cases as part of Odyssey.
- Open the official OCS portal. Go to Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System.
- Select your preferred search method. Use the case-search navigation to choose a relevant standard or advanced search option.
- Enter the required information. Search by a full case number when available. For a name search, use the party fields provided by the portal. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.
- Complete security verification. Anonymous users may encounter CAPTCHA or other search limitations. Registration can avoid repeat CAPTCHA requirements.
- Review the search-result cards. Compare the case number, parties, filing date and case type. Do not identify someone solely because a common name matches.
- Open the correct case record. Select its result card to review the available case and document details.
- Examine the docket sequence. Read both earlier filings and subsequent orders, especially when looking for a judgment, dismissal, hearing change or final outcome.
- Check document availability. An image may be publicly viewable, available to a registered user or restricted under Florida’s electronic access rules.
- Order a certified document if required. After confirming the correct image, follow the official certified-copy service for the case category.
How to Search Miami-Dade Criminal Cases and Defendant Dockets
Miami-Dade’s Criminal Justice Online Case Search, also identified as CJIS/COIN, supports searches by several identifiers. Use the strongest clue you have.
Use the complete criminal case number copied from a notice, docket or court document.
Useful when court or law-enforcement paperwork identifies a statewide case number.
Use the relevant number printed on qualifying police or citation paperwork.
Use available defendant-name and identifying fields, subject to privacy and search rules.
Available when the relevant jail identifier is known.
Look up judge hearing calendars or first appearances using the appropriate calendar tool.
- Open the official criminal search. Visit Criminal Justice Online Case Search.
- Choose the search method. The navigation includes case number, state case number, citation/police number, defendant, background check, jail number and calendar searches.
- Enter the required fields. Defendant searches may require multiple identifying fields. Supply only information you know to be accurate and which the official form requests.
- Complete security verification where prompted. Registered users can avoid recurring CAPTCHA and some public search limits.
- Review the resulting case card. Compare defendant details, case number, filing year, type of offense and other available information.
- Open the docket. Inspect the chronology of charges, appearances, motions, plea events, orders, sentences, dismissals or other dispositions.
- Find the relevant document. For certified-copy ordering, the Clerk instructs users to open Dockets, expand the appropriate entry and select the image icon.
- Confirm the current status. For an active case, approaching hearing or question about a warrant or bond condition, verify directly with the Clerk or issuing court.
How to Read a Miami-Dade Court Docket
A docket is a timeline of recorded court activity. It does not automatically display every document image, nor does a single docket entry tell the complete story of a case.
| Docket term | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Case number | Court-assigned identifier for the proceeding. | Court category, year and entire identifier. |
| Case style / caption | Names of parties in the lawsuit or prosecution. | Correct people, business and party roles. |
| Complaint / petition | Document starting or requesting relief in a proceeding. | A filing is not a final ruling. |
| Motion | Party request asking the court to act. | Look for a later order granting or denying it. |
| Hearing | Scheduled or completed court proceeding. | Latest date, judge, location and subsequent changes. |
| Order | Court instruction or ruling. | Read the signed entry and later modifications. |
| Judgment | A court determination that may resolve a claim or case. | Whether final, modified, appealed or satisfied. |
| Disposition | Result of a criminal charge or other case matter. | Check each count and relevant final order. |
| Dismissed | A claim, charge or case may have been dismissed. | Whether without prejudice, with prejudice or later refiled. |
| Document image | Scanned or electronic copy of an available filing. | Whether public, certified and complete. |
Family Law and Probate Case Searches in Miami-Dade
Family Court Records
Family matters include divorce, child support, parentage, some custody proceedings, guardianship-related matters and domestic violence. The available public documents depend on the case type and access rules.
- Open OCS.
- Search the proper family case using case number or available party details.
- Locate the judgment, order, docket entry or specific document required.
- Use the Family Certified Copies service for authenticated documents.
Probate Court Records
Probate records can concern estate administration, wills, guardianships and related proceedings. The online index may be visible while particular images remain restricted.
- Open the same OCS portal.
- Search for the decedent, case number or another permitted party field.
- Check appointment entries, orders and other relevant documents.
- For certified copies, use the Probate Certified Copies service.
How to Obtain Certified Miami-Dade Court Records
A certified copy is an official authenticated copy of a Clerk-maintained court document. It is different from a docket screenshot or an ordinary downloaded image.
Option 1: Request copies online
- Open the Clerk’s Certified Copies page.
- Select the case category: Civil, Family, Probate, Criminal, Marriage Licenses or Official Records.
- Search the case using its relevant official portal.
- Open the correct image or document entry where available.
- Follow the order-certified-copy action and review the fees before checkout.
- Pay with an accepted online card when applicable and retain the confirmation.
Option 2: Request copies by mail
Mailing instructions vary by case division. For example, civil requests go to the civil correspondence department, family requests to Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, and probate requests to the Probate Correspondence Department.
| Record category | Official mailing route | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Civil | Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, Civil Correspondence, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.240, Miami, FL 33128 | Case number, year, parties, return envelope and payment. |
| Family | Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, Family Court / Correspondence, 175 NW 1st Avenue, 12th Floor, Miami, FL 33128 | Case number, year, parties, return envelope and payment. |
| Probate | Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, Probate Correspondence, 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.223, Miami, FL 33128 | Case number, year, parties, return envelope and payment. |
Criminal copy requests have separate current instructions, including online and designated mail/email procedures. Review the official criminal certified-copy page rather than using a civil mailing address.
Miami-Dade Court Record Search & Certification Fees
| Service | Published amount | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Court document copying | $1 per page | Applies to civil, family, probate and other eligible copied records. |
| Document certification | $2 per document | In addition to applicable page fees. |
| Clerk-assisted search without case number/year | $2 per year, per name | Applies to the years searched. |
| Advanced Official Records search | $1 per search unit | Purchased account units; ordinary and advanced search options differ. |
| Certified juvenile records | Fees vary | Authorized requests only, by mail or in person. |
Always verify your specific transaction on the official certified-copy instructions.
How to Search Miami-Dade Traffic Citations and Check Court Options
Civil traffic tickets follow their own procedure. Miami-Dade’s official traffic guidance states that motorists generally have 30 days from the citation’s issue date to pay or respond to a civil traffic infraction.
- Open the Civil Traffic Infractions page.
- Identify whether the citation is a civil traffic infraction, criminal traffic matter or parking citation.
- Use the official Traffic Online System or linked search route for the relevant citation.
- Enter the citation or case details requested.
- Review the available options: payment, eligible driver improvement school, hearing request or other legally permitted response.
- Confirm the deadline before electing an option; do not assume paying is always the best or only response.
- Save the confirmation and check case status after the transaction.
Search Miami-Dade Deeds, Mortgages, Liens and Official Records
The Clerk’s County Recorder maintains recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, mortgage satisfactions, liens, affidavits and recorded judgments. Most recorded documents from 1974 onward can be searched online.
- Open the Miami-Dade Official Records page.
- Select the official Records Search option.
- Search using a name, company name, Clerk’s File Number (CFN), book and page, or available property/legal-description information.
- Verify the instrument type, parties, recording date and document identifier.
- Open the image where available and review the recorded document.
- For a certified copy, use the Official Records Certified Copies service.
For in-person research, the Records Library provides public computers and assistance. The Clerk’s published rate for staff searches is $2 per name per year.
Why Some Miami-Dade Court Records or Images Are Restricted
Miami-Dade follows Florida’s Standards for Access to Electronic Court Records and the Access Security Matrix. A person may be able to see a case summary without being authorized to inspect every filing.
Juvenile records are confidential. Certified copies require an authorized request by mail or in person.
Ordinary public portal access does not override sealing or expungement orders.
Certain filings may contain protected personal, financial, health or minor-related information.
Free registration may enable lawful access to additional images, but it does not make confidential records unrestricted.
No Miami-Dade Court Case Found? Troubleshoot the Search
| Problem | Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Civil case missing in criminal system | Wrong database. | Use the OCS Civil, Family and Probate portal. |
| Criminal case missing in OCS | Criminal cases use CJIS/COIN. | Search the separate Criminal Justice portal. |
| Name yields several matches | Common names or insufficient search criteria. | Compare case number, year, parties and docket details. |
| Case found but PDF not visible | Restricted access, image availability or login requirements. | Check whether free authorized registration or a copy request is appropriate. |
| Older case not shown | Archived records or incomplete electronic coverage. | Ask the relevant Clerk division for a records search. |
| Deed or mortgage missing | Searching a lawsuit portal. | Use County Recorder Official Records. |
| Hearing date inconsistent | Rescheduling or later docket updates. | Confirm with the proper court division before the hearing. |
| Juvenile or sealed case absent | Confidentiality restrictions. | Use the court’s authorized records procedure. |
Where to Request Miami-Dade Court Records In Person
The Clerk operates several courthouse and district locations. The correct destination depends on the division and whether you need a public copy, certified record, records research or a hearing.
Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center
20 NW 1st AvenueMiami, FL 33128
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Civil / County Court: Suite 6.240, 786-292-4845
Probate: Suite 6.223, 305-349-7492 or 305-349-7502
County Recorder: 786-463-0566
Official Justice Center detailsLawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center
175 NW 1st AvenueMiami, FL 33128
Family Division: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Family certified-copy counter: 14th Floor.
Family mail correspondence: 12th Floor.
Domestic Violence office: weekday service hours differ by day; consult the current schedule before visiting.
Official Family Courthouse detailsFor criminal matters, the official directory also identifies the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, 1351 NW 12th Street, Miami, FL 33125. Verify the actual courtroom and filing location against the latest case notice.
Miami-Dade Clerk Case Search and Records Links
Miami-Dade County Court Case Search & Dockets FAQs
1. How do I search a Miami-Dade County court case online?
Use the official Civil, Family and Probate Courts Online System for those case types. Use the separate Criminal Justice Online Case Search for felony and misdemeanor matters. Search by the available case number or party fields and verify the result before relying on its docket.
2. Can I search Miami-Dade court records by name for free?
The Clerk provides public online case searches. Civil, family and probate advanced account access is available without a registration fee, subject to access rules. Copies, certified documents, Clerk-performed research and certain advanced Official Records searches may have charges.
3. Where can I search Miami-Dade criminal cases by defendant name?
Use the Criminal Justice Online Case Search at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/cjis/. The system offers defendant, case number, state case number, citation/police number and other search methods. Review the case card and docket after identifying a likely match.
4. Can I see Miami-Dade civil and family court docket documents online?
Some public civil and family documents are accessible through the OCS portal. Other documents may require free registration, authorized party status or a certified-copy request. Sealed and confidential records remain restricted.
5. How much does a certified Miami-Dade court document cost?
The Clerk’s published civil, family and probate copy instructions list $1 per copied page and $2 to certify each document. When a case number or year is unknown, an additional $2 per year, per name may apply for a Clerk search.
6. How do I get a certified copy of a Miami-Dade divorce judgment?
Find the divorce case in the Civil, Family and Probate OCS portal and identify the final judgment. Then use the Family Certified Copies service online, by mail or in person. The Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center handles family-copy correspondence and in-person requests.
7. Where can I find a Miami-Dade probate case or estate record?
Search the Civil, Family and Probate OCS portal using the available case number or party information. For official certified estate documents, follow the Probate Certified Copies instructions, including the Probate Correspondence Department at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Suite 6.223, Miami.
8. Are Miami-Dade deeds and mortgages included in court case search?
No. Recorded deeds, mortgages and liens are searched through the Clerk’s Official Records system rather than the civil lawsuit docket. Most recorded documents from 1974 onward are available through online Official Records searching.
9. Why can’t I find a sealed, juvenile or older Miami-Dade case online?
Possible reasons include confidentiality, sealing, electronic-image restrictions, an older archived file, incorrect search information or use of the wrong case portal. Juvenile certified records follow authorized mail or in-person procedures. Contact the responsible Clerk division for confirmation.
10. Where do I go in Miami to request court records in person?
For many civil and probate matters, visit the Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center at 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami. Family court records are handled at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, 175 NW 1st Avenue. Confirm the relevant division, counter and office hours before traveling.
Editorial notice: This independent guide provides public-information assistance, not legal advice. Case status, hearings, fees, record access and Clerk procedures may change. For legal deadlines or formal proof, rely on the issuing court and officially certified records.