Find Miami Beach Background Check

Background check records in Miami Beach are filed through the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. Miami Beach is a barrier island city with roughly 83,000 residents, connected to the mainland by causeways. While Miami Beach has its own police department and city government, all criminal court records and civil filings go through the Miami-Dade County system. The clerk office in downtown Miami keeps the records. For statewide criminal history searches, the FDLE database covers Miami Beach and every other Florida city at once.

Miami-Dade County Clerk and Miami Beach

Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. Juan Fernandez-Barquin is the Clerk of Court. His office manages all court records for the county, which includes Miami Beach, Miami, Hialeah, and dozens of other cities. The main courthouse is in downtown Miami at 73 W Flagler St. All criminal cases, civil suits, and traffic cases from Miami Beach flow through this office.

The Miami Beach Police Department handles law enforcement on the island. But once an arrest leads to charges, the case goes to the Miami-Dade County courts. That means the clerk's case search tool covers all court activity tied to Miami Beach addresses. See the Miami-Dade County background check page for a wider look at the county system.

Miami Beach City Resources

The City of Miami Beach runs local government services. Criminal records and court cases are county-level matters, not handled by the city directly.

The city website at miamibeachfl.gov covers city services, permits, and code enforcement. For a background check on a Miami Beach resident, go through the county clerk or FDLE instead.

Searching Miami Beach Background Check Records

The fastest way to start is the Miami-Dade County Clerk's online case search at miamidadeclerk.gov. Enter a name. The system pulls every matching case in the county. Criminal cases show charges and status. Civil cases show parties and filing details. This is free. No account needed. The results include cases from Miami Beach and all other Miami-Dade cities.

For a statewide search, use FDLE. Go to CCHInet and submit a name-based request for $24. This searches all 67 counties. If someone lived in another part of Florida before Miami Beach, those records show up here too. Results are emailed to you.

Official records like liens, judgments, and deeds are on the MyFloridaCounty portal. These records give you financial and property details that court case searches won't always include. Search is free.

• Miami-Dade clerk online search: free
• FDLE name-based check: $24
• MyFloridaCounty official records: free
• Copies from clerk: fees vary
• FDLE Level 2 fingerprint check: additional fees

Note: Miami Beach Police arrest data feeds into the Miami-Dade County court system once charges are filed.

FDLE Checks for Miami Beach

FDLE is the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Their criminal history database covers the entire state. Records from Miami Beach, Miami, and all other Florida cities are in this system. Two levels of checks are available. Level 1 is name-based at $24. Level 2 uses fingerprints and checks state plus FBI records.

Full info is at FDLE's criminal history page. For Level 2 checks, you need to go to a LiveScan provider to have your fingerprints taken digitally. Several providers operate in the Miami Beach and greater Miami area. Look them up through the Florida Health Source directory.

The FDLE database pulls data from law enforcement and courts across Florida. That includes Miami Beach Police arrests, the Miami-Dade County Sheriff, and all county court outcomes. An FDLE check gives you a wider view than the local clerk search. It covers any records the person may have from outside Miami-Dade County as well.

Public Records Law in Miami Beach

Florida's public records law under Chapter 119 gives everyone the right to access government records. You do not need to be a Miami Beach resident. You do not need a reason. The clerk must release the records unless a legal exemption applies.

Sealed and expunged records are not available. Juvenile records have restrictions. Active investigations can be held back for a time. Everything else is open. Court files, arrest reports, and booking data from Miami Beach are public records that anyone can request.

Problems getting records? Contact the Attorney General's Open Government division. They help resolve disputes between the public and government agencies across Florida.

Getting Record Copies for Miami Beach

For court record copies, contact the Miami-Dade County Clerk at (305) 349-7333. Visit the main office at 73 W Flagler St in Miami. Bring the person's name or the case number. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Ask about current fees when you call.

You can mail a request too. Include the name, case type, and date range in your letter. Enclose payment for the copy fees. For statewide FDLE results, submit a request at CCHInet for $24. Results come by email. You can also check your own record through FDLE if you want to see what shows under your name.

Note: The Florida Clerks directory can help you find clerk offices in other counties if you need records from outside Miami-Dade.

Miami-Dade County Background Check Records

Miami Beach is part of Miami-Dade County. All court records and criminal filings go through the Miami-Dade County Clerk. The county covers Miami Beach along with Miami, Hialeah, and the rest of the county. Visit the full county page for additional resources, fee details, and more search tools.

View Miami-Dade County Background Check Records

Nearby Cities

These nearby cities also have background check resource pages:

• Miami
• Hialeah
• Doral
• Miami Gardens
• Fort Lauderdale