Florida Records / Miami-Dade County
Dade County
Arrest Records
& Recent Bookings
Find official Miami-Dade jail bookings, inmate records, arrest reports, mugshots, bond information, and criminal court cases. Learn where to search and how to verify the result.
Which Dade County? This guide covers Miami-Dade County, Florida, formerly called Dade County. The name changed in 1997. If you are searching for arrests in Dade County, Georgia, use the separate Dade County Sheriff’s Office in Trenton, Georgia.
Where to Search Dade County Arrest Records
The official Miami-Dade inmate search is the quickest starting point for finding someone currently held by Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation.
However, recent jail bookings, police arrest reports, filed criminal charges, and statewide criminal history are maintained through different systems.
For a recent arrest, begin with the inmate search. If the person is no longer in county custody, use the Sheriff’s records process or the court system, depending on what you need to establish.
Important: An arrest or jail booking is not proof of guilt. Charges may change, an inmate may be released, and a criminal case may eventually result in dismissal, acquittal, conviction, or another disposition.
How to Find Recent Dade County Bookings
A booking record is created when a person is received and processed by a detention facility. It can identify the person, the time of admission, associated charges or holds, and the detention location.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation operates the county’s jail custody system. Its official inmate locator is designed for people currently reported in custody, not as a complete historical list of everyone arrested during a particular day.
Step-by-step recent booking search
- Open the official inmate database.
Go directly to the Miami-Dade Corrections Inmate Search.
- Enter the person’s last name.
The official search form requires at least three characters for a name field used in the search. You can use the first-name field to narrow matching results.
- Submit the lookup.
Select the Search control and review the returned records carefully. A common surname can produce multiple matches.
- Read the booking details.
Examine the recorded booking date and time, jail number, charges, bond information, and assigned location when displayed.
- Check whether the information is current.
Custody changes may not be immediately reflected online. Contact the department for a confirmed present status.
- Search the court system for the case outcome.
Use the Clerk’s criminal case search when you need filed charges, hearing information, or an available disposition.
Can you view arrests from today or yesterday?
The inmate locator can show recently admitted individuals who are currently within the department’s reported custody population. It does not promise a complete public daily booking history for a selected date.
A person arrested recently may not appear if intake processing is incomplete, the individual has already been released, or another agency has custody. Do not assume a missing record proves there was no arrest.
What information can a booking entry show?
Miami-Dade County’s official inmate search guidance identifies fields including the person’s name, date of birth, facility, charges, bond amount, jail number, booking date, booking time, and an associated booking photograph when available.
Some fields may be missing, delayed, or subject to legal restrictions. A charge recorded at booking is not necessarily identical to a charge later filed in court.
Does the official search include every arrest?
No. An in-custody locator reflects its defined detention population. It should not be treated as an exhaustive database of arrests made by Miami-Dade police agencies, all historical bookings, state prisoners, or federal detainees.
For eligible historical arrest forms, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office operates a separate public records process.
Miami-Dade Jail Inmate Search by Name
The county’s public inmate search allows users to look for an individual by surname and optional first-name information. The search is available without first purchasing a commercial background-check report.
How to avoid selecting the wrong person
Do not rely on a name alone. Compare any available identifiers with information obtained from an authoritative source.
- Confirm the spelling of the name and any additional first-name information.
- Review the booking date and the reported facility.
- Use a known jail number when available for agency follow-up.
- Check the criminal court record separately if a case number is known.
- Contact corrections staff when the identity or current custody status remains uncertain.
How to confirm someone is still in jail
The online listing is useful for initial research but is not a guarantee of current status at the moment you view it. A release, transfer, or new booking can affect the listing.
Call 786-263-7000 for Miami-Dade Corrections general inquiries. The department also lists specialized contacts for booking, inmate records, and release information.
- General inquiries
- 786-263-7000
- Booking
- 786-263-5312
- Inmate records
- 786-263-4222
- Release
- 786-263-5360
Can you use the jail number to locate a case?
A jail number helps identify a correctional record. The criminal court system also offers search methods that may include a jail number, depending on the currently available case-search options.
Keep jail identifiers separate from court case numbers. The two numbers serve different administrative purposes.
What if the person is no longer listed?
Someone may have been released or transferred. The online disappearance of an entry does not independently establish the reason for the change.
Contact corrections staff if you need verified release or transfer information. For the legal status of charges, check with the Clerk of Court rather than relying on custody information.
Arrest Records, Booking Details, Mugshots, and Bond Information
Public searches often combine information from several stages of the criminal justice process. Understanding their differences helps readers avoid interpreting an allegation as a final judicial finding.
| Record | What It Means | Where to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest form | Information recorded by law enforcement about an arrest. | Arresting agency or Sheriff’s records bureau. |
| Jail booking | Administrative record of admission to detention. | Miami-Dade Corrections. |
| Current inmate | Person listed in the department’s current custody population. | Official inmate locator and corrections staff. |
| Booking photograph | Identification photo associated with a custody event. | Available inmate or booking entry. |
| Bond information | Reported release-related financial information or conditions. | Correctional record, court, or authorized agency. |
| Criminal case | Court proceedings concerning filed charges. | Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case system. |
| Criminal history | Qualifying criminal history information maintained by the state. | Florida Department of Law Enforcement. |
Are Dade County mugshots public?
Some booking photographs appear with public inmate records. Access may be affected by the particular record, applicable protections, or publication restrictions.
A booking photo is not a conviction record. It should never be used alone to make allegations about someone’s guilt.
What does the bond amount mean?
The listed bond amount may relate to eligibility for release under specific conditions. It is not a fine and should not be interpreted as the total amount necessarily required in every release scenario.
Multiple charges, court orders, holds, or other restrictions may affect release. Contact the correct department or court before arranging any payment.
Do felony and misdemeanor charges appear together?
An individual may face allegations classified as misdemeanors, felonies, or a combination. Booking descriptions are initial records and may differ from charges subsequently filed in court.
Check the Clerk’s criminal docket for the formal proceedings and any available final outcome.
How to Search Miami-Dade Criminal Court Records
If you need to know what happened after an arrest, use the Miami-Dade Clerk’s Criminal Justice Online Case Search.
The Clerk provides access to available felony and misdemeanor case information, including dockets and calendar-related records. The electronic search is not a substitute for the official certified court record when formal proof is required.
Step-by-step criminal court search
- Open the criminal case portal.
Visit the official Miami-Dade Clerk Criminal Justice Online Case Search.
- Choose a search method.
Select an available search option, such as defendant name or known case number.
- Enter the relevant information.
Use the recorded legal name, case identifier, or other available search details.
- Examine the matching case.
Compare the court division, case number, parties, charges, and dates to avoid confusing similar names.
- Review the docket and proceedings.
Look for hearings, judicial orders, case activity, and any reported disposition.
- Order a certified document if necessary.
Follow the Clerk’s official instructions when an authenticated copy or disposition letter is required.
Can you obtain a certified disposition letter?
Yes. The Clerk offers a criminal history disposition letter service for qualifying Miami-Dade felony and misdemeanor case records. Requests may be made online, by mail, or in person under its published procedures.
A disposition letter provides results from a local case-record search. It should not be mistaken for a nationwide or statewide criminal history check.
Where are criminal court records maintained?
The Clerk identifies the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building as a mailing destination for certain criminal division requests.
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12th Street
Miami, Florida 33125
For the correct suite, certification requirements, and fees, consult the Clerk’s Criminal Court page.
What if a case is not visible?
Possible reasons include incomplete identifying information, delayed updates, a record maintained under a different case identifier, or a record that is confidential or legally restricted.
The Clerk warns that its electronic information may be incomplete or not current. For an official determination, contact the Clerk’s office and request the appropriate certified record.
How to Request Older Dade County Arrest Reports
For historical arrest forms, law enforcement incident reports, and certain police documentation, use the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office records request service.
The Sheriff’s Central Records Bureau handles eligible arrest forms and related records. Correctional records, such as jail booking reports and inmate movement records, may require a separate request to Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Request a Sheriff’s arrest report
- Identify the type of record: arrest form, offense or incident report, or another eligible agency document.
- Collect the approximate arrest or incident date, location, relevant names, and case number if available.
- Open the Sheriff’s official Request Reports & Records page.
- Follow the link to the Sheriff’s Public Records Center.
- Submit the information required by the current request form.
- Review any confirmation, fee estimate, or additional information requested by the records custodian.
- Follow the agency’s instructions for payment and delivery when the record is ready.
Request a jail booking or corrections record
For records maintained by Miami-Dade Corrections, use the county’s Public Records Request system. The department identifies records such as inmate booking reports, jail cards, inmate movement records, and related correctional documents as potential request categories.
Provide the individual’s name, known jail number, approximate date, the specific record requested, and enough contextual detail to help locate the document.
Where to contact the Sheriff’s Central Records Bureau
- Agency
- Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Central Records Bureau
- Address
- 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172
- Telephone
- 305-471-2085
- Public counter
- Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., by appointment
- Online request
- Official Sheriff’s records request instructions
Send the request to the correct custodian. Sheriff’s arrest forms, correctional custody records, and criminal court documents are not interchangeable. A request sent to the wrong office may need to be redirected.
Are all arrest reports available to the public?
No. Florida public records law provides broad rights of access, subject to exemptions and confidential information protections. Investigative information, victim details, juvenile material, sealed records, and other protected information may be restricted or redacted.
An agency may provide part of a report while withholding legally exempt portions. For formal disputes, consult the applicable Florida law or qualified legal counsel.
Dade County Arrest Records Fees and Processing
Basic public inmate searches and formal records requests are different services. The online inmate locator does not require the purchase of a commercial background check, while obtaining copies or certifications may incur official fees.
| Service | Published Fee | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff report copies | 15¢ single-sided page; 20¢ double-sided page | Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office |
| Sheriff certified copies | $1 per page | Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office |
| Sheriff clearance letter | $5 per letter | Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office |
| Certified criminal disposition letter | $7; additional search fees may apply | Miami-Dade Clerk |
| Florida instant criminal history check | $24 plus $1 card-processing fee | Florida Department of Law Enforcement |
These are the published fees for the listed services, not guaranteed totals for every request. Extensive research, copying, mailing, or special processing may create additional costs.
The Sheriff’s Office states that requests involving substantial research may require a cost estimate and deposit. Check its current instructions before authorizing work.
How long does a records request take?
Florida public records law generally requires access or production within a reasonable time under the applicable circumstances. It does not establish one guaranteed processing deadline for every police or corrections request.
Processing depends on how clearly the record is identified, the work required, applicable exemptions, necessary redactions, and whether payment is required.
How to Search Florida Statewide Criminal History
A Miami-Dade arrest or inmate search does not provide a complete Florida criminal history report. For qualifying statewide records, use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal History Record Check.
FDLE serves as Florida’s central repository for criminal history information and offers several types of public and authorized searches.
Available FDLE search methods
- Instant Search: An electronic public search with results available immediately. Results are not certified.
- Certified or non-certified search: A request handled by FDLE staff, with results supplied according to the selected service and current processing rules.
- ORI-based search: A specialized process requiring an authorized Originating Agency Identifier, generally used for qualifying agency purposes.
Step-by-step Florida criminal history request
- Visit FDLE’s official page.
Open the Florida Criminal History Record Check instructions.
- Choose the search type.
Select instant, certified/non-certified, or another authorized option appropriate to the intended purpose.
- Prepare identifying information.
Enter the required demographic information accurately. A name-based search may produce possible matches that need further verification.
- Pay the applicable official fee.
Use the payment method specified by FDLE. Do not make payments through an unrelated people-search website.
- Review the results carefully.
Determine whether the report matches the correct person and provides the scope of records required.
Does an FDLE report show arrests in other states?
A Florida criminal history search is not a comprehensive nationwide search. Other states and federal authorities maintain separate records and access procedures.
Where a regulated screening process is involved, the agency or employer requesting the check may require a specific authorized state and national process.
Can inaccurate criminal history be corrected?
FDLE provides a personal review process for individuals seeking to examine the accuracy and completeness of their Florida criminal history records.
See the FDLE criminal history challenge guidance for the responsible office and applicable steps.
Why a Dade County Arrest or Inmate Record May Be Missing
Not finding someone in the inmate locator is not proof that an arrest did not happen. Different systems have different coverage, purposes, and reporting schedules.
The arrest is too recent
Booking and intake processing may not be complete. Check again using correct identifying information or contact the appropriate authority if the status is urgent.
The person was released
The public in-custody search is not a complete archive of everyone previously booked. A person may no longer appear after release.
Use the Sheriff’s records request process for eligible historical arrest forms or the Clerk for court proceedings.
The recorded name differs
Spelling variations, aliases, compound surnames, or transcription differences can prevent a match. Use the official form’s permitted search fields and confirm the identity through additional reliable information.
Another agency has custody
Someone may be held by a municipal, state, or federal correctional authority rather than Miami-Dade Corrections. The county locator cannot be assumed to cover those separate systems.
A case is sealed or restricted
Some records may be legally exempt or unavailable to the general public. Do not use missing results as evidence that a record has necessarily been expunged.
The court case is not yet visible
Jail admissions and court filings follow different processes. For charges and dispositions, consult the Clerk or an attorney rather than treating a booking page as a judicial record.
Search checklist: Check the name spelling, confirm the correct county, distinguish current inmates from former bookings, and contact the agency responsible for the missing record.
Miami-Dade Jail Facilities, Contacts, and Map
Miami-Dade Corrections operates several detention facilities. The inmate search may identify the location where someone is housed.
Before visiting, determine the correct facility and confirm the applicable entry, visitation, release, or document-request procedure. The corrections headquarters is an administrative address, not automatically the correct location for inmate visitation.
Corrections department headquarters
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department3505 NW 107th Avenue
Doral, FL 33178
General inquiries: 786-263-7000
Open Headquarters Directions ↗
Major county detention facilities
| Facility | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Trial Detention Center | 1321 NW 13th Street, Miami, FL 33125 | 786-263-4110 |
| Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center | 7000 NW 41st Street, Miami, FL 33166 | 786-263-5341 |
| Metro-West Detention Center | 13850 NW 41st Street, Miami, FL 33178 | 786-263-5110 |
The addresses and numbers above are listed by Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation. Facility operations and visitation rules may change.
Where should you go for a criminal court record?
Do not visit a detention center expecting it to issue a certified court disposition. The Miami-Dade Clerk handles court records and certified case documentation through separate procedures.
Where should you request a police arrest form?
Use the Sheriff’s Central Records Bureau and its online public records system. This office is separate from corrections headquarters.
Privacy, Mugshot Removal, and Criminal Record Corrections
Arrest records can contain significant personal information. Public availability does not guarantee that a record is complete, current, or correctly associated with the person being searched.
An arrest is not a conviction
A booking occurs before any final judicial determination of guilt. A person may be released, charged differently, acquitted, or have charges dismissed.
Use official court records to determine the reported outcome of a criminal case.
Florida booking photograph removal
Florida Statute § 901.43 addresses businesses and entities that publish or disseminate arrest booking photographs. It prohibits charging a fee to remove such photographs.
The statute describes a written removal request sent by registered mail to the publisher’s registered agent, with proof of identity and identifying information about the photograph. It establishes a ten-calendar-day removal requirement after receipt of a qualifying request.
Read the 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 901.43 for the exact conditions, enforcement remedies, and legal requirements.
How to seal or expunge qualifying criminal records
Florida has statutory procedures for sealing or expunging certain criminal history records. Eligibility depends on the nature of the record, its disposition, prior relief, and other legal factors.
For certain court-ordered sealing or expungement processes, FDLE requires a Certificate of Eligibility before an individual petitions the court. Receiving a certificate does not itself seal or expunge a record.
See FDLE’s official Seal and Expunge Process for the applicable forms, requirements, and instructions.
What if the online record is incorrect?
Identify the original record custodian. Corrections staff handle correctional records, the Sheriff’s Office handles its law enforcement records, and the Clerk handles court case documentation.
For the state criminal history repository, use FDLE’s review or challenge process. Documents proving mistaken identity or an updated court disposition may help support a correction.
Employment and housing decisions
A public booking search is not an authorized consumer background-screening report. Employment, housing, credit, insurance, and similar eligibility decisions may involve additional legal obligations, including under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Do not use an unverified booking photograph or name match alone to make a consequential allegation or decision about someone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dade County Arrests
Where can I find recent Dade County arrests?
For Miami-Dade County, Florida, start with the official Miami-Dade Corrections Inmate Search. For older arrest forms or police reports, use the Sheriff’s records request system.
Is Dade County the same as Miami-Dade County?
Florida’s former Dade County is now officially named Miami-Dade County. Dade County, Georgia, is a separate jurisdiction with its own Sheriff’s Office and detention system.
Can I search Miami-Dade jail inmates by name?
Yes. The official search form accepts last-name and first-name information and requires at least three characters for a name search field used.
Can I see recent Miami-Dade booking photographs?
The official inmate service may display a mugshot associated with a matching custody entry. Photographs are not guaranteed for every record and do not establish guilt.
How can I find out if someone is still in jail?
Check the official inmate locator and contact Miami-Dade Corrections at 786-263-7000 for a more current confirmation. Online custody information may change.
Does the inmate search show every past arrest?
No. The in-custody lookup is not a complete historical arrest archive. The Sheriff’s records bureau, corrections records custodian, and court system may maintain different historical records.
Where can I check Miami-Dade criminal court cases?
Use the Miami-Dade Criminal Justice Online Case Search for available felony and misdemeanor case records.
Are Dade County arrest records free?
Basic online inmate searches are publicly accessible. Certified copies, Sheriff’s reports, clearance letters, and statewide criminal history checks may require official fees.
How do I request a historical booking report?
Use Miami-Dade County’s public records system and select the appropriate corrections-related record category. Include the person’s name, known jail number, approximate date, and specific document requested.
What if the inmate search shows no matching record?
Verify the spelling, minimum search-field characters, jurisdiction, and possible release or transfer. Contact the responsible office for time-sensitive confirmation.
How much does an FDLE criminal history check cost?
FDLE publishes a $24 public request fee. Its instant search also includes a $1 credit-card processing fee. Other authorized checks may have different requirements.
Can a Florida mugshot publisher charge a removal fee?
Florida Statute § 901.43 prohibits entities engaged in publishing or disseminating arrest booking photographs from charging for their removal. The statute contains specific written-request and notice requirements.
Can a dismissed arrest still appear in criminal history records?
Yes. Under Florida law, the fact that charges were dropped or dismissed does not automatically mean the associated adult criminal history record has been sealed or expunged. Eligibility for relief must be assessed separately.
Are arrest records proof of a conviction?
No. An arrest or booking is a law enforcement event. A conviction is a judicial outcome. Check the official criminal case and its disposition to determine what the court decided.
Official Sources and Next Steps
Use the government service responsible for the information you need. The following primary sources provide direct access or current agency instructions.
- Miami-Dade Corrections: Official Inmate Search — Current custody lookup.
- Miami-Dade Corrections Contact Directory: Official department contacts and facilities.
- Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office: Request Reports and Records — Arrest forms, incident reports, and clearance letters.
- Miami-Dade County: Public Records Requests — County document requests and status tracking.
- Miami-Dade Clerk: Criminal Justice Online Case Search.
- Miami-Dade Clerk: Criminal Court and Certified Disposition Letters.
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement: State Criminal History Checks.
- FDLE: Seal and Expunge Process.
- Florida Legislature: 2026 Florida Statutes, Chapter 901.
- Dade County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office: Georgia Jail Resources.
What Should You Do Next?
If you need to locate someone currently in Miami-Dade jail custody, begin with the official inmate search. If you need an older arrest form, contact the Sheriff’s records bureau. If you need a criminal court disposition, search the Clerk’s case system.
For broader Florida criminal history, use FDLE rather than assuming a single county jail result provides a complete background check.
Verify the identity, jurisdiction, reporting date, and record type before relying on any arrest-related information.