Miami Dade County booking and release records show every person taken into and released from county jail. The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department keeps these records.
You can search them online or ask for copies by mail. This page covers how the system works, what you can see, and where to look for the data you need.
How Miami-Dade County Booking Records Work
Booking records start the moment a person enters the jail. Every arrest in the county leads to a new record. The records hold names, dates, charges, and bond data. These files stay in a central system that the public can view.
What Happens During the Booking Process
The booking process has set steps. Officers take the person’s name, date of birth, and address. They take fingerprints and a photo. They check for outstanding warrants. They list the charges and the arresting agency. This data goes into the jail computer system within hours.
- Name and date of birth get entered first
- Fingerprints and mugshot photo are taken
- Charges and arresting officer data go on file
- Medical needs get noted for jail staff
- Personal items get stored until release
Who Manages the Booking System
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs the jail. Their office sits at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. You can call them at (786) 263-7000. The main jail line is (786) 263-6300. Their team handles all intake, custody, and release tasks for the county.
Where the Records Are Stored
Booking data lives in two places. The county jail system holds daily records. The Clerk of Court keeps court-linked files. Both systems share data so charges, bonds, and case numbers match up. Older records get moved to state archives after a set time period.
How to Search Miami Dade County Jail Records Online
You can search booking and release records online for free. The county runs a public inmate search tool. It updates many times each day. You can search by name or booking number from any device with internet.
Using the Official Inmate Search Tool
The county’s inmate search page is the best place to start. Go to the Miami-Dade Corrections website. Type a full or partial last name. Add a first name to narrow the results. You can also enter a booking number if you have one. The tool shows people in custody and recent releases.
What You Can Find in Search Results
Each search result gives you a set of facts. You will see the inmate’s full name and date of birth. The list shows the booking date and time. You can read the charges and bond amount. The result may show a release date if the person is no longer in jail.
| Record Field | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Full Name | The person’s legal name at booking |
| Booking Date | Date and time the person entered jail |
| Charges | List of criminal charges filed |
| Bond Amount | Money set by the judge for release |
| Custody Status | Current status: in jail or released |
Tips for a Successful Search
Use a full last name for best results. Add a first name to narrow the list. If you do not find someone, try a different spelling. Try searching by date range if you know when the arrest took place. The system only shows adults, not juveniles.
Miami Dade County Release Records Explained
Release records show when a person leaves jail. They include the date, time, and reason for release. The county logs each release the same day it happens. You can see this data on the inmate search page or by request.
Types of Release From Custody
People leave jail in a few main ways. Some post bond and walk out the same day. Others get released on their own recognizance by a judge. Some serve their full sentence. A few get transferred to state prison or another county. Each type gets a clear note in the record.
- Bond posted: someone paid the full amount
- ROR release: judge allows release without payment
- Sentence served: time completed in full
- Transfer: moved to state or federal custody
- Dismissal: charges dropped, case closed
How Release Dates Are Recorded
The jail marks the exact minute a person leaves custody. Staff log the release time in the system. This data shows up on the public inmate page within hours. For older releases, you may need to ask the Clerk of Court or the Corrections Department for a certified copy.
Why Release Records Matter
Release records help families plan visits. They help lawyers track case timing. They help employers check background facts. They help journalists report on jail flow. The records give the public a clear picture of who is in custody at any time.
Bond and Bail in Miami-Dade County
Bond is the money that lets someone leave jail before trial. A judge sets the bond at the first court hearing. Most hearings happen within 24 hours of booking. The bond amount depends on the charges and the person’s past record.
How Bond Amounts Are Set
A judge looks at the charges and the person’s history. Serious charges get higher bonds. A person with no past arrests may get a lower bond. The judge can also deny bond for certain crimes. The booking record lists the bond amount and type once it is set.
Methods of Posting Bond
There are three main ways to post bond. You can pay cash in full at the jail. You can hire a bail bondsman who charges a fee. You can use property like a house as security. Each method has rules set by Florida law.
| Bond Type | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Cash Bond | Full amount paid in cash to the jail |
| Surety Bond | Bail bondsman pays, charges a fee (often 10%) |
| Property Bond | Real estate used as security for the bond |
Bond Hearing Process
After booking, the accused sees a judge within 24 hours. The judge reads the charges. The judge hears basic facts about the person. The judge sets bond or orders no bond. The booking record gets updated with the result right after the hearing.
Florida Public Records Laws and Your Rights
Florida law makes most booking records public. Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes gives citizens the right to see and copy these records. You do not need to be a lawyer or family member to ask. The law covers arrests, bookings, and releases.
Chapter 119 Florida Statutes
This law is the backbone of public records in Florida. It covers state, county, and city records. It says any person can ask for copies. The agency must respond in a set time. They can only charge for the actual cost of copies and staff time.
Requesting Official Records
You can ask for booking records in writing. Send a letter or email to the Corrections Department. Include the inmate’s full name and date of birth. Add the booking date if you know it. The agency has a set time to reply. They will send copies or tell you the cost.
Records That Stay Confidential
Some records stay sealed by law. Juvenile booking data is not public. Active investigation files may be held back. Victim data in sex crime cases is redacted. Some medical and mental health notes are also kept private under state law.
Booking Information Available to the Public
A booking record holds many types of data. Each part of the record comes from a different step in the booking process. Some data is public right away. Other data may take time to show up in the system.
Personal Details in Records
The personal part of a booking record includes the full legal name. It shows the date of birth and age. It lists height, weight, hair color, and eye color. It includes the booking photo, also called a mugshot. It may list known aliases used by the person.
Charge and Arrest Details
The charge section lists every charge filed at booking. It shows the statute number for each charge. It lists the arresting agency and officer. It shows the date, time, and place of arrest. It shows if any weapons or drugs were found at arrest.
Court and Case Details
Once the case goes to court, more data gets added. The court case number gets linked to the booking record. Court dates get added to the file. The bond amount and bond type get logged. Final outcomes like dismissal or sentence also show up.
Other Florida County Jail Records
Miami-Dade is one of many Florida counties with public jail records. Each county runs its own search tool. The records may look similar but each system works a bit differently. Knowing how to search other counties can save you time.
Hillsborough County Inmate Search
Hillsborough County runs its jail in Tampa. Their inmate search tool shows current inmates and recent releases. You can search by name or booking number. The site updates daily. Their main jail sits on Falkenburg Road in Tampa.
Orange County Jail Records
Orange County runs the Orange County Corrections Department. It serves Orlando and the surrounding area. Their search tool shows inmate status and bond info. You can also see mugshots. The jail sits near the Orlando central area.
Broward County Booking Records
Broward County runs the Broward Sheriff’s Office jail system. Their search tool covers Fort Lauderdale and nearby cities. You can search by name and view charges. The system shows bond and release dates. Their main jail is in Fort Lauderdale.
Palm Beach County Inmate Lookup
Palm Beach County runs the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Their inmate search covers West Palm Beach and the county area. You can see current inmates and recent releases. The tool shows charges, bond, and court dates. The main jail is in West Palm Beach.
Contact and Location Details for Miami-Dade
The main office for booking and release records sits at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. The general phone line is (786) 263-7000. The direct jail line is (786) 263-6300. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The jail lobby stays open 24 hours a day for bond payments and inmate drop-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about Miami Dade County booking and release records. Each answer gives you clear, direct facts. The questions come from real user searches about jail records and the booking process in Miami-Dade County.
How long does Miami-Dade keep booking records online?
Miami-Dade keeps recent booking records online for a set time. The inmate search page shows people currently in jail and those recently released. Older records move to the open data portal or the Clerk of Court system. The open data set goes back to 2015. For records older than that, you need to file a public records request. The Clerk of Court keeps court-linked files for many years. Some sealed records stay on file but cannot be viewed by the public.
Can I see mugshots from Miami-Dade booking records?
Yes, mugshots are part of the public booking record. You can see them on the county inmate search page. The photos show the person at the time of booking. Some older photos may no longer be online. For a copy of an older mugshot, you can ask the Corrections Department. You can also ask the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a statewide criminal history check, which may include photos.
What is the difference between a booking record and an arrest record?
An arrest record covers the act of being taken into custody by police. A booking record covers what happens after that at the jail. The booking record includes fingerprints, photos, and full personal data. Both records are public under Florida law. The arrest record shows the field facts. The booking record shows the jail intake facts. You may need both to get a full picture of a case.
How do I find out if someone was released from Miami-Dade jail?
You can check the inmate search page on the Miami-Dade Corrections website. If the person no longer appears, they have been released. You can also call the jail at (786) 263-6300. Give the full name and date of birth. Staff can confirm the release status. You can also ask the Clerk of Court for case updates if the person has a pending case.
Are juvenile booking records public in Miami-Dade County?
No, juvenile booking records are not public in Florida. State law keeps them sealed. Only certain people can see them, like parents, lawyers, and judges. The public inmate search tool only shows adults. If you need to find a juvenile in custody, you must contact the Juvenile Services Department. They can give facts only to approved family members or legal guardians.
Can I remove my booking record from public view in Miami-Dade?
In most cases, no. Florida law makes booking records public. They stay on file even if charges get dropped. You can ask the court to seal or expunge the record if you qualify under Florida law. This takes a court order. The Clerk of Court handles expungement requests. Once a record is sealed, it no longer shows on the public search tools. The process takes several months and may need a lawyer.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a Miami-Dade booking record?
The cost depends on the type of request. A basic search on the county website is free. A certified copy of a record may cost a small fee. The fee covers copies and staff time under state law. Broad requests that take many hours may cost more. The agency will tell you the cost before they finish the work. You can ask for an estimate before they start.