Miami City Florida background check records include criminal history, court cases, arrest logs, and public files held by Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida. Anyone can look up these records online, by mail, or in person.
This page explains where Miami records live, who runs the searches, what each office charges, and what you actually see in the results. All facts below reflect current office rules, fees, and laws as of September 2026.
Miami Background Check Overview
A Miami background check pulls from county court files, state criminal history, and federal databases. The City of Miami sits inside Miami-Dade County, the most populated county in the state. All Miami court records pass through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. Statewide arrest and conviction data pass through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, also called FDLE. Local police departments keep their own arrest logs separate from court records. Each source covers a different slice of the same person’s history.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court is the main source for Miami City Florida background check records. The clerk keeps every criminal and civil case file filed in the county, no matter which city the case came from.
Clerk Office Contact Details
The clerk’s main office sits in downtown Miami. You can call, email, or visit during open hours to ask about cases, copies, or sealed files. The clerk also runs satellite offices across Miami-Dade County for in-person record requests.
- Clerk Name: Juan Fernandez-Barquin
- Address: 73 W Flagler St, Suite 242, Miami, FL 33130
- Phone: (305) 349-7333
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
What Records the Clerk Keeps
The clerk stores both criminal and civil case files for every city inside Miami-Dade County. That includes the City of Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Homestead, and North Miami. Court records show charges, plea deals, sentences, fines, and case dismissals. Civil files show lawsuits, small claims, landlord cases, and family court matters. A full Miami City Florida background check can pull from both criminal and civil files through the same clerk portal.
Online Search Tools at the Clerk
The clerk’s website lets you search case files for free. You can run a search by name, case number, citation number, or date range. The portal returns matching cases with the case type, party names, filing date, and current status. Disposition data appears once the judge signs off on the final order. The system does not require an account. You can pull as many names as you want at no cost.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
FDLE runs the state’s main criminal history database from Tallahassee. Every arrest and court outcome in Miami gets reported to FDLE. The FDLE database covers all 67 Florida counties, so a single search covers more than Miami-Dade records alone.
Name-Based Criminal History Check
A name-based check is the simplest statewide search. You submit a subject’s full name, date of birth, and sex through the CCHInet portal at cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us. FDLE charges $24 per search. Results come back by email, usually within one business day. This check pulls arrest records, dispositions, and convictions reported by law enforcement agencies across Florida.
Fingerprint and Level 2 Checks
Level 2 background checks use fingerprints instead of names. The prints get checked against both the FDLE state database and the FBI national database. LiveScan is the most common method for electronic fingerprinting in Florida. Many employers, licensing boards, and care facilities require Level 2 checks under Florida Statutes Chapter 435.
LiveScan Providers in Miami
You can book LiveScan fingerprinting at private vendors across the Miami area. The Florida Health Source website at flhealthsource.gov has a full list of approved background screening providers. Each vendor sets its own service fee on top of the FDLE processing charge. Call the location before visiting to confirm pricing, hours, and ID rules.
Miami Police and Arrest Records
Arrest records sit in two places: local police departments and county court files. Court files show what happened after the arrest. Police logs show what officers did at the scene and during booking.
City of Miami Police Department
The City of Miami Police Department handles arrests made inside Miami city limits. The department keeps its own records division for public records requests. You can request police reports, arrest affidavits, and booking photos through the department’s records unit. Older paper records get stored at the police archive. Most recent reports show up online through the city’s public records portal.
Miami-Dade Police Department Tools
The Miami-Dade Police Department covers unincorporated areas of the county. The department runs online inmate search and warrant tools through its website. The inmate search lets you look up people held in county jail. The warrant tool lists active felony and misdemeanor warrants. Both tools are free to use. They pull from county booking data, not court case files.
Florida Court Records and Case Searches
Court records tell you the full story of a Miami criminal case. The clerk’s portal handles most public searches. Some case data only shows up after the judge enters a final order.
Criminal Case Search
Criminal cases show up in the clerk’s case search by defendant name. Each listing shows the charges, the statute cited, the next court date, and the assigned judge. Misdemeanor and felony cases appear in the same portal. Juvenile criminal records have stricter access rules and often do not show up in a basic public search.
Civil Case Records
Civil cases cover lawsuits between private parties. They include contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosure filings, and family law orders. Many employers skip civil records during a basic background check. Landlords, lenders, and licensing boards often ask for them. Civil files cost the same as criminal files to copy.
Disposition and Conviction Records
Disposition records show how a criminal case ended. The possible outcomes include guilty plea, no contest plea, trial verdict, dismissal, deferred adjudication, or acquittal. Conviction records list the final charge after plea bargaining or trial. The clerk’s portal shows disposition data once the clerk enters the signed court order. FDLE updates its state database based on those same court orders.
Florida Public Records Access Laws
Florida has one of the broadest public records laws in the country. State law gives anyone the right to see government records without explaining why.
Chapter 119 Public Records Law
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes covers access to government records. Any person can request records from a state, county, or city agency. The agency must respond in a reasonable time. The law applies to police reports, court files, property records, and many other documents. Agencies can charge only the actual cost of copying records.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Records sealed by a judge are not open to the public. Expunged records get destroyed from public view. Both types stay hidden from a regular background check. Only the FDLE or the FBI can see them for specific law enforcement purposes. People who want their own sealed records can petition the court under Florida Statutes Section 943.059.
Attorney General Open Government Office
The Florida Attorney General runs an Open Government office. The office helps citizens when an agency refuses a records request or charges too much. You can file a complaint through the Attorney General’s website at myfloridalegal.com. The office can issue advisory opinions on tough public records questions.
Background Checks for Employment
Most Miami employers run some form of background check before a job offer. The type of check depends on the job and the industry.
Level 1 vs Level 2 Checks
Level 1 checks are name-based searches of Florida criminal history. Most private employers use this level. Level 2 checks add fingerprint-based searches of state and FBI databases. State law requires Level 2 checks for jobs involving children, the elderly, vulnerable adults, and certain licensed professions. The employer picks the vendor for fingerprinting.
Caregiver and Teacher Checks
Florida requires Level 2 screening for people who work with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, and home health agencies must run these checks. Chapter 435 lists the exact job categories that trigger the requirement. Employees must clear the screening before starting work.
Federal FBI Background Checks
Some jobs require a federal FBI check beyond the FDLE database. These roles include federal contractors, law enforcement officers, and certain financial industry positions. The FBI check runs through a separate process, often at a federal LiveScan site. Results take longer than a state-only check.
Warrant and Sex Offender Searches
Two public databases let you check active warrants and sex offender status. Both tools are free and run by Florida government agencies.
Active Warrant Search
The Miami-Dade County Clerk and the Miami-Dade Police Department both list active warrants. The clerk’s portal shows warrants tied to open criminal cases. The police department’s warrant tool covers outstanding warrants that have not yet been served. A name search on either system returns current warrants with the case number, charge, and bond amount.
Florida Sex Offender Registry
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the state’s sex offender registry. Anyone can search the registry at offender.fdle.state.fl.us. The search returns the offender’s photo, current address, offense details, and registration status. The registry also lists absconded offenders and out-of-state registrants living in Florida.
Costs, Fees, and Payment Options
Costs vary based on which database you use and what format you need. Some searches are free. Others charge per page or per search.
Clerk Copy Fees
The clerk charges $1.00 per page for certified copies. Plain copies cost $0.15 per page. You pay at the clerk’s counter in cash, money order, or card. Online certified copy requests go through the clerk’s e-portal with a small service fee on top of the per-page cost.
FDLE Fees
FDLE charges $24 for a name-based state criminal history check. Fingerprint-based Level 2 checks cost more. The exact price depends on the LiveScan vendor’s service fee. The vendor collects both the FDLE processing fee and its own service charge in one payment.
Fee Waivers
People who cannot afford court fees can ask for a fee waiver. The court reviews the request under a process called In Forma Pauperis. A judge decides if you qualify based on your income and assets. The waiver covers clerk fees for certified copies. It does not cover FDLE charges.
How to Get a Background Check in Miami
Follow these steps to pull a Miami City Florida background check record using public tools. Each step points to a real database you can use today.
Step 1: Pick the Right Database
Start at the Miami-Dade Clerk portal for local court cases. Use the FDLE CCHInet portal for statewide Florida records. Add the Miami-Dade Police Department warrant tool for active warrants. Use the FDLE sex offender registry for sex offender status.
Step 2: Gather Subject Details
You need a full legal name, date of birth, and last known city. Middle names help narrow the search. A current or past address in Miami-Dade County speeds up the clerk search. Without a date of birth, common names return many false matches.
Step 3: Submit and Pay
Free searches run instantly through the online portal. The FDLE name-based check costs $24 and runs after payment. LiveScan fingerprint checks cost more and need an in-person visit. Keep your payment receipt and confirmation email for your records.
Step 4: Review the Results
Read each case carefully. Look at the charges, plea, sentence, and case status. A dismissed case stays in the system unless sealed or expunged. Pleading guilty to a reduced charge may not show the original charge on the public docket. Court orders contain the final details.
Official Contact and Location
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court serves as the main office for Miami City Florida background check records. You can reach the clerk by phone, in person, or through the public records portal. Use the details below to start a request.
- Office: Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
- Clerk: Juan Fernandez-Barquin
- Address: 73 W Flagler St, Suite 242, Miami, FL 33130
- Phone: (305) 349-7333
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the most common concerns about Miami City Florida background check records. Each answer pulls from current Florida law, clerk rules, and FDLE procedures. Use them to plan your search before contacting any agency.
How long does a Miami background check take?
Online searches through the Miami-Dade Clerk portal return results right away. FDLE name-based checks usually come back by email within one business day. LiveScan fingerprint checks take three to five business days after the LiveScan vendor sends the prints to FDLE. FBI federal checks run longer, often two to four weeks. The exact timeline depends on the agency and the type of search.
Can employers run a background check without telling me?
Yes, under federal law, employers can run background checks without telling you first. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the employer to get your written consent before using a third-party screening service. Direct searches through the clerk portal do not require consent. Some states add extra rules. Florida does not require extra notice beyond the FCRA.
What shows up on a free Florida background check?
Free searches show public court records, warrant status, and sex offender registry entries. They do not show sealed records, expunged records, or pending charges that have not been filed in court. The FDLE name-based check at $24 shows more data than a free search. The free clerk search covers both criminal and civil cases.
Can I remove my criminal record from a Miami background check?
You can ask the court to seal or expunge your record under Florida law. Section 943.059 covers expungement. Section 943.058 covers sealing. You file a petition with the clerk of court in the county where the case ended. A judge reviews the petition and decides whether to grant it. Once granted, the record no longer shows up in a public search.
Does a Miami warrant show up on a Florida background check?
Yes. Active warrants show up in the Miami-Dade Police Department warrant tool and in many clerk portal searches. An out-of-state warrant does not show up in Florida tools. You would need to check the National Crime Information Center database through law enforcement channels. Florida courts do not enter out-of-state warrants into state systems.
What is the difference between a Florida Level 1 and Level 2 background check?
A Level 1 check is a name-based search of Florida criminal history. It costs $24 and runs through FDLE. A Level 2 check uses fingerprints and searches both the FDLE state database and the FBI national database. Level 2 checks cost more and take longer. Florida law requires Level 2 checks for jobs with children, the elderly, and vulnerable adults.
Can someone run a background check on me using my Social Security Number?
Some private screening companies ask for a Social Security Number to pull credit and public records. You must give written consent before they can run the search under FCRA. Free government searches do not ask for a Social Security Number. Be careful sharing your SSN with any background check site. Stick with verified government portals when possible.