Miami Beach City Booking and Release Records are public files that show every person booked into or released from custody after an arrest in Miami Beach, Florida. These records come from the Miami Beach Police Department and the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.
They list the arrest date, the charges, the bond amount, the release date, mugshots, physical descriptions, and booking numbers. Florida law makes most of this data open to anyone who wants to look it up. You can search by name, booking number, or arrest date. The county jail updates the online roster several times each day. This page explains how the system works, where to search, what data each record shows, and how to request certified copies.
How Miami Beach Booking and Release Records Work
Every arrest in Miami Beach creates a booking record. A release record forms when that person leaves custody. The booking and release cycle forms the core of the local jail system. Records begin at the moment a police officer brings a suspect to the county jail for processing. Each step of the journey through the system adds a data point to the file that the public can read.
What a Booking Record Contains in Miami Beach
A booking record is a file that police and jail staff create when a person enters custody. It lists the full legal name, date of birth, address, and a physical description. It includes the arrest date, the booking time, the arresting agency, and the charges filed. The booking number serves as a unique ID that links every step of the case. Officers collect fingerprints, take a mugshot, and note any injuries or medical needs. The record gets stored in a county-wide database managed by Miami-Dade Corrections and stays available to the public for the life of the case.
How Release Records Get Created in Miami Beach
A release record forms when a person leaves the county jail. The release may happen for many reasons. Bond payment, court order, time served, transfer to state prison, or case dismissal each create a different release code. The jail logs the exact time, the reason, and the destination of the released person. Release data feeds into the same online roster where the public searches for current inmates. The release record stays attached to the booking number for easy tracking.
Why Florida Law Makes These Records Public
Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law requires most government records to stay open. Booking and release data fall under this rule. The law aims to keep police work transparent. Members of the public, journalists, attorneys, and family members all have the right to review these files. A small set of records stays sealed, such as juvenile cases and active undercover operations. The rest of the data goes straight to the public roster.
Official Sources to Search Miami Beach Records
Several state and county agencies maintain searchable databases for Miami Beach booking and release data. The sources listed below are the most direct and accurate places for current data. Each one covers a different slice of the case, from the moment of arrest through the final court outcome.
Miami-Dade Corrections Inmate Search Portal
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs the main online inmate search. The portal shows every person currently in custody at the county jail and lists recent releases from the past 24 to 48 hours. You can search by name, booking number, or date of birth. Each result includes the charges, bond amount, next court date, and a mugshot. The database refreshes throughout the day as new bookings occur. Access the portal at https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/.
Miami Beach Police Department Online Records
The Miami Beach Police Department runs a separate public records portal. It holds arrest reports, incident logs, and booking photos for cases handled by MBPD officers. The site accepts searches by case number, name, or incident location. Records span several years back. The MBPD portal links to the city clerk’s office for older files. You can reach the MBPD records desk by phone at (305) 673-7900 during business hours for help with searches that the portal cannot resolve.
Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Public Records
The Miami-Dade Clerk of the Courts hosts a separate online docket search. This portal focuses on court case data rather than jail data. It shows the charges filed, bond hearings, plea deals, sentences, and final case outcomes. The clerk’s search works well for tracking a case after release and for pulling older records that have aged out of the jail roster. Access the records at https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/.
Florida Department of Corrections Lookup
The Florida Department of Corrections runs a separate inmate search for people serving state prison sentences. If a Miami Beach arrest leads to a state prison transfer, the person moves from the county jail roster to the FDC database. The FDC search uses the DC number assigned at intake. You can search the FDC database at https://offender.fdcservices.florida.gov/ for anyone convicted of a felony and sentenced to state time.
Data Fields Found in Miami Beach Booking Files
Booking records contain dozens of data fields. Some fields appear in every record. Other fields show up only when relevant to the case. The list below covers the most common entries you will see in a Miami Beach booking file. Knowing what each field means helps you read the record with confidence.
Personal Details in Booking Files
Personal data starts with the full legal name. The record lists known aliases, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, and hair color. It includes the home address at the time of arrest. The booking number appears near the top of the file. The arrest date and booking time appear in standard date format. Each entry links to the arresting officer and the agency that handled the arrest, with a unique ID for the case file.
Charges, Bonds, and Court Dates
Charges show the Florida Statute number, a short description, and the case severity. Bond amounts appear next to each charge. Some bookings list a single bond for the entire case. Other bookings list a bond for each charge. The record shows the next court date and the court division. You will see flags for hold orders, ICE detainers, or transfer requests when those apply to the case. A few charges may show a “no bond” flag when the judge rules that bond is not an option.
Mugshots and Physical Description
A mugshot photo appears with most adult bookings. The photo shows a front-facing view. Some records include a side profile shot. The physical description section gives a written summary of the person’s appearance at the time of booking. Tattoos, scars, and other marks get noted when visible. Photos and descriptions update if a person gets re-booked under a new case. Old photos stay archived for reference.
Search the Roster for Recent Miami Beach Arrests
Searching for a recent arrest in Miami Beach takes only a few minutes when you know where to look. The county jail database serves as the best starting point. The steps below walk through a full search from start to finish. Each step builds on the one before it to narrow the result set.
Start With the County Jail Roster
Open the Miami-Dade Corrections inmate search portal. Type the person’s full legal name into the search field. Use quotation marks around the name for a more exact match. Press search to see all matching results. The roster shows people currently in custody. You can switch to a release search to find people released in the past 48 hours by toggling the filter at the top of the page. The filter cuts through the active population to show only recent departures.
Search by Name or Booking Number
If you have a booking number, type it into the booking number field. The booking number gives a direct match and returns one result. The booking number appears on most arrest paperwork and court documents. If you only have a partial name, type what you know. The system accepts last name first or first name first. Use date filters to narrow the search to a specific arrest window. A common window is the past 7 days, which covers most recent arrests.
Check Florida DOC for State Prison Inmates
If the county jail roster returns no result, the person may have moved to state prison. Open the Florida Department of Corrections offender search. Type the full name and date of birth. The FDC site returns the DC number, current facility, sentence length, and release date. The FDC search covers anyone convicted of a felony and sentenced to state time. Search this database after a county search to cover both systems.
Bond Release, Time Served, and Custody Status
Release records show how and when a person leaves the county jail. The release type affects how soon the person gets out. Bond release, time served, and court-ordered release each follow a different process. The jail logs every release event with a code and a timestamp that the public can read.
How Bond Release Works in Miami Beach
Bond release happens after a person or a bail bond agent posts the full bond amount set by the court. The jail processes the release after verifying payment. Processing time ranges from 30 minutes to several hours. High-volume release periods can stretch the wait time. After release, the person signs a bond release form and gets a court date for the next hearing. Cash bonds get refunded at the end of the case, minus any fees the court orders.
Types of Release Outcomes
The county jail logs many types of release outcomes. Common release codes include bond posted, release on recognizance, time served, transfer to state prison, transfer to another county, dismissal, and court-ordered release. Each code updates the person’s custody status in the online database. The release date and time appear with the code on the public roster. The codes help lawyers, family members, and reporters track where a case stands.
Sentence Completion and Time Served
Some bookings end with a sentence of time already served. The judge orders the person released after the time spent in jail meets the sentence requirement. The release record shows the sentence length, the credit for time served, and the release order signed by the judge. The clerk of court receives a copy of the release order for the official case file. Credit for time served applies to short misdemeanor sentences that the judge wants the person to serve behind bars.
Florida Public Records Law and Transparency
Florida’s public records law shapes how booking data gets released. The law sets the rules for what stays open and what stays sealed. Citizens and journalists rely on the law to monitor police work. The framework has stayed in place for decades, with updates to handle modern data formats.
Chapter 119 of Florida Statutes
Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes forms the basis of the state’s public records law. The chapter says all government records are open unless a specific law closes them. Booking and release records fall under the open category. Agencies must respond to records requests in a reasonable time. The law allows agencies to charge a fee that covers the cost of producing copies. Most routine searches cost nothing when done online.
Records Exempt From Public Disclosure
A small set of records stays exempt. Juvenile booking records stay sealed under Florida law. Records tied to active undercover operations stay sealed until the operation ends. Records that reveal the identity of a confidential informant stay sealed. Medical and mental health records tied to a booking get redacted before release. Sealed or expunged court orders remove records from public search after the court signs off. Redactions protect personal health data while keeping the rest of the file open.
Fees and Request Response Times
Most online searches through the county jail portal cost nothing. A request for a printed or certified copy of a record may cost a small fee. The fee covers staff time, copy costs, and any redaction work needed. Response time for online searches is instant. Response time for written records requests ranges from a few business days to a few weeks, depending on the request size. Older records stored in archives take longer to retrieve than recent records.
Common Uses for Miami Beach Booking and Release Data
People search Miami Beach booking and release data for many reasons. Family members check on loved ones. Journalists verify arrest reports. Employers run background checks. Attorneys track case progress. Each use case relies on the same set of public records, with different filters applied to the search.
Checking Status of a Friend or Family Member
Family members often search the county jail roster when a loved one gets arrested. The roster shows the facility, the booking time, and the charges. It shows the bond amount and the next court date. Family members can post bond through a licensed bondsman or pay the full bond directly to the jail. The jail staff can answer release questions by phone during business hours. The MBPD non-emergency line can also help with status checks for arrests handled by Miami Beach officers.
Verifying a News Report About a Local Arrest
Local news outlets and journalists use public booking data to confirm arrest reports. The county jail roster and the MBPD arrest log serve as primary sources. The data includes the official charges, the booking time, and the arresting agency. Reporters cross-check the data with court records from the clerk of court. This process helps avoid errors in published stories. Reporters also use the data to update ongoing coverage of a case as it moves through the courts.
Running a Background Check for Safety
Some employers, landlords, and volunteer groups search booking data as part of a background check. The check reveals recent arrests, charges filed, and case outcomes. A booking record alone does not prove guilt. The case outcome from the court system gives a clearer picture. Many screening services combine jail data, court data, and state DOC data for a full report. Landlords often use the check before signing a lease to confirm the applicant has no recent violent charges.
Contact Details for Miami Beach Records Offices
The table below lists the main offices that handle Miami Beach booking and release records. Each office has its own hours, phone line, and online portal. Use the contact data to reach the right agency for your request. Calling ahead saves time when you need a record pulled from the archives.
| Agency | Address | Phone | Online Portal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Beach Police Department | 1100 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | (305) 673-7900 | https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/yourmbpd/ |
| Miami-Dade Corrections | 2755 NW 87th Ave, Doral, FL 33172 | (786) 263-7000 | https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/ |
| Miami-Dade Clerk of Court | 73 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130 | (305) 275-1155 | https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/ |
| Florida Department of Corrections | 501 S Calhoun St, Tallahassee, FL 32399 | (850) 488-5021 | https://offender.fdcservices.florida.gov/ |
You can visit the Miami Beach Police Department at the Washington Avenue address shown in the table above. The records desk is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a valid photo ID and any case numbers you have on hand. The staff will pull the records you need while you wait or schedule a pickup for older files.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Beach Records
Below are answers to common questions people ask about Miami Beach booking and release records. The answers explain how records work, what shows up online, and what steps to take when records do not match your needs. Each answer reflects the rules in place as of 2026 and may change as state law updates. Always confirm details with the agency before filing a formal records request.
How often does the Miami Beach jail update records?
The Miami-Dade Corrections inmate search updates several times each day. New bookings appear within minutes of intake once a person enters the county jail. Release entries appear within an hour of the person leaving the jail, with most release codes updating in real time through the jail management system. The system pulls data straight from the booking software used by intake officers. Weekends and holidays may slow the process when staffing levels drop or arrest volume rises. If you do not see a record right away, wait an hour and try your search again. If the record still does not show, call the Miami-Dade Corrections records desk at (786) 263-7000 and ask staff to look up the case by name and date of birth. The records desk can confirm whether a person is in custody, what charges they face, and when the next court hearing will occur. For older records that fall outside the 48-hour window, the Miami Beach Police Department arrest log keeps a searchable archive of past cases handled by MBPD officers. The archive spans several years and accepts searches by name, case number, or incident location. Some delays may occur during major events, severe weather, or system upgrades that require temporary downtime.
Can I remove my booking photo from public websites?
Florida law does not give people the right to remove a booking photo from a government website. The photo becomes part of the public record at the time of booking and stays part of the record unless a court orders otherwise. Third-party sites that repost government booking photos operate under their own removal policies. Some sites will remove a photo after a case ends in a not-guilty verdict, a dismissal, or a full pardon. You must contact each site directly and submit a removal request through the site’s support page. Most reputable sites respond within 30 days. Court-ordered sealing or expungement is the only way to force a government agency to take a record off a public search portal. Once a judge signs an order for sealing or expungement, the clerk of court sends certified copies to every agency that holds a copy of the record. The agencies must remove the record from public search within the time set by Florida law. If a record stays visible after a valid order, the person can file a complaint with the clerk of court or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. You may also search your name on major mugshot sites and file individual removal requests with each one to clear the cached data from search results.
What if I cannot find a person in the inmate search?
Several reasons explain a missing record in the Miami Beach booking and release search. The person may have been released before you searched and now falls outside the 48-hour release window. The person may have been booked under a different name or alias that does not match what you typed. The person may have been transferred to state prison, another county jail, or a federal facility after their case moved through the courts. Try a different spelling, a date of birth, or a booking number to broaden the search. If the county jail roster still returns no result, check the Florida Department of Corrections offender search for a state prison match. The FDC search uses the DC number assigned at intake and covers anyone convicted of a felony and sentenced to state time. If neither search shows a match, the person may have been released and the record may have aged out of the public roster. Older booking records move to the Miami Beach Police Department archive or the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court case file system. You can call the records desk at the Miami Beach Police Department and ask staff to run a manual search by name and date of birth. The desk can pull archived records that do not show in the online roster.
Do sealed or expunged records still show up online?
Sealed and expunged records should not appear in public search portals after the court signs the order. The clerk of court sends a certified copy of the order to every agency that holds a copy of the record. The agencies must remove the record from public search within the time set by Florida law, which is typically 30 to 60 days. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also gets a copy and updates the state criminal history system to reflect the sealing or expungement. Some third-party sites hold cached copies that take longer to clear because they scrape data from public sources on a set schedule. You can ask those sites to remove the cached data through their support page. A valid court order for sealing or expungement gives you the legal right to demand removal from any site that keeps the record. Keep a copy of the court order and the clerk’s certification when you contact third-party sites. If a site refuses to remove the data, you can send a formal takedown notice that cites the court order and the relevant Florida statute. Most sites comply once they receive a proper legal notice backed by court paperwork.
How do I request a certified copy of a booking record?
You can request a certified copy of a booking record through the Miami Beach Police Department records desk or the Miami-Dade Corrections records office. Start by submitting a written request that includes the full legal name, date of birth, and the approximate arrest date of the person. The agency uses those details to locate the correct booking record in the jail management system. Pay the certified copy fee set by the agency, which covers staff time, copy costs, and any redaction work needed for protected data. The agency processes the request and mails a certified copy to the address on file. The work takes a few business days for current records and longer for older records stored in archives. You can pick up the certified copy in person if you want to skip the mail step. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the records desk. Certified copies carry an official stamp and the signature of the records custodian, which makes them valid for court use, immigration filings, and background check submissions. If you need the record for an active court case, the clerk of court can also issue a certified copy from the case file. The clerk’s copy costs a separate fee and may include the full court docket.
Do juvenile records appear in the public search system?
Juvenile records do not appear in the public inmate search portal. Florida law keeps juvenile booking records sealed under Chapter 985 of the Florida Statutes. The Department of Juvenile Justice handles all juvenile cases through a separate system that only authorized users can access. Parents, guardians, attorneys, and court staff with a legitimate need can view juvenile records. The same rules apply to mugshots, fingerprints, and court outcomes for minors. Even a parent cannot view their child’s record without going through the proper legal channel. If you need a juvenile record for court use, contact the Department of Juvenile Justice in the circuit where the arrest happened. For Miami-Dade County, the local DJJ office handles requests for cases involving minors arrested in Miami Beach. The office will ask for proof of identity and a written statement explaining the reason for the request. Approved requests get a redacted copy of the record that protects the minor’s identity. Some records stay sealed even after the minor turns 18, depending on the charges and the case outcome. A judge can unseal a juvenile record in rare cases when public safety requires it.
What is the difference between a county and state inmate?
County inmates stay in the custody of Miami-Dade Corrections. They include people awaiting trial, people serving short misdemeanor sentences of less than one year, and people held on bond. The county jail roster shows current county inmates and recent releases. State inmates serve in Florida Department of Corrections facilities. They include people convicted of felonies and sentenced to more than one year. The FDC offender search shows current state inmates and their projected release dates. A single arrest can move a person from one system to the other after a court case ends. For example, a person booked at the county jail for a felony charge may stay in county custody during the trial. After a guilty verdict, the judge sentences the person to state prison time. The county jail then transfers the person to a state prison, and the record moves from the county database to the FDC database. Each system uses a different ID number. The county system uses a booking number. The state system uses a DC number. You can match the two systems using the full name and date of birth, which appear in both databases. The data stays linked through the person’s identity, even after the case moves between systems.