Miami-Dade County Inmate Search

Locating a person in custody in Miami-Dade County can feel urgent and complicated. This guide explains—in plain language—how to perform a Miami-Dade County Florida Inmate Search, what information the official search returns, how to read booking and release details, and where to follow the court case after an arrest. It also outlines related topics like pretrial status, monitored release, juvenile detention, and state prison lookups so you can navigate county and state systems confidently.

Use the Official Miami-Dade Inmate Search the Right Way

Miami-Dade County maintains the sole official county-wide inmate database. Always start with the county’s corrections resources, as they publish the most direct custody information and booking details.

Access the county’s search portal

The county offers a dedicated lookup for arrests and current jail custody. Use the county’s MDCR Inmate Search to find people held by Miami-Dade County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR).

The search accepts first and last names.
Each name field requires a minimum of three characters to run a query.
Partial names will return a list of possible matches you can refine.

Visit the MDCR Inmate Search page via the official county site: MDCR Inmate Search.

Start from the Corrections home for broader context

If you need policies, services, or program information in addition to a search box, the main corrections site provides department overviews, custody services, and navigation to the search and related topics. Use Corrections and Rehabilitation for an official starting point: Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Master the Search: Names, Filters, and Practical Tips

A well-structured search can save time and reduce confusion when multiple people share similar names.

Enter names with at least three characters

Last name: Type at least the first three letters (e.g., “Gar” for Garcia).

First name: Add at least three characters to narrow results (e.g., “Mig” for Miguel).

If you’re unsure of spelling, try common variants (e.g., “Jon” vs. “John”) while meeting the three-character rule.

Use partial information to narrow results

If the last name is common, include a partial first name for a shorter list.

If you have a likely age or date of birth from other records (like court documents), compare that with profiles returned by the search to pinpoint the correct person.

Cross-check with case information

The inmate search focuses on custody and booking data. If you need case progress (charges filed, court dates, dispositions), use the county court portals described later in this guide and confirm that the name, date of birth, and booking details match.

Read the Result: What the County’s Inmate Profile Typically Shows

An inmate detail page is designed to help families, attorneys, journalists, and the public understand custody status. While field names and display format can change over time, county results often include:

Full name and date of birth
Booking number and booking date/time
Current facility or unit (identifies where the person is housed)
Status indicators (e.g., in custody, released)
Bond information (type and amount, when available)
Charge descriptions tied to local case numbers
Release-related notations when applicable

Use the booking number as your anchor for any follow-up with the department, and to ensure you’re referencing the correct individual across systems.

Interpret Booking and Release: What Changes Mean

Custody moves quickly—especially in the hours following an arrest. Knowing what the status lines mean will help you read the record correctly.

Booking isn’t conviction

A booking entry indicates a person has been arrested and processed into the jail system, not that they’ve been convicted. Court records will later show whether charges are filed, modified, or dismissed.

Release statuses vary

You may encounter terms like:

Bond posted: The person paid bond or was bonded out through an authorized method.

ROR (Release on Recognizance): Released without bond under court conditions.

Monitored or work release: Conditional release programs supervised by MDCR.
MDCR publishes information about release practices and expectations on official pages you can access from the department’s site.

If you have questions specifically about release processes, start with the MDCR site’s release information pages from Corrections and Rehabilitation and navigate to inmate release content hosted by the county: Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Follow the Case After Arrest: Where to Check Court Proceedings

The jail search shows custody; courts track charges and hearings. In Miami-Dade County, court administration and records are separate from the jail system.

Contact the Clerk of Courts for criminal records

For questions about case files, hearing dates, or certified copies, reach out to the county’s elected record-keeper. Use the official Clerk of Courts contact page for phone and in-person assistance:
Contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts.

Use online case search for public records

If you want to look up case numbers referenced in an inmate profile, use the court’s public portal. The site provides public records access where available, subject to court rules and redaction policies.
Access Criminal Justice Online Case Search from the court’s official public records area:
Public Records – Miami-Dade County Court.

Tip: When you switch between the inmate search and the court portal, match full name, DOB, and any case or booking numbers shown. This ensures you’re tracking the correct person across systems.

Understand Pretrial, Classification, and Housing: How the Jail Organizes People

MDCR manages classification, intake, and pretrial services to assign housing, track bond or release eligibility, and connect defendants to courts.

Intake and classification

Intake processes identify the person, record charges, and begin medical and safety screening.

Classification assigns housing based on security level, medical needs, and other criteria.

Pretrial services

Some defendants may be reviewed for pretrial release options depending on court directives and eligibility criteria.

If a person is approved for a monitored release or another program, you may see a custody or status change in the inmate profile.

For updates, you can check the inmate profile periodically, then verify any court adjustments through the Clerk of Courts portal referenced above.

When the Person Is a Juvenile: Which System to Check

Juvenile arrestees are handled through Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), not the adult jail. Juvenile records and processes have different confidentiality rules.

For facility information and official contacts related to juvenile detention in Miami-Dade, consult the official DJJ page for the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center:
Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Note: Because of privacy protections in juvenile matters, the information you can obtain will differ from adult inmate searches.

County Jail vs. State Prison: Expand Your Search When Necessary

If the person you’re looking for is not in the county search, consider whether the case has moved beyond county jail jurisdiction.

When to search the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC)

After sentencing to a state term, a person may be transferred to the Florida Department of Corrections.

To locate a person under state custody (state prisons or state-supervised facilities), use the FDC facility directory as a jumping-off point for state offender searches and institutional contacts:
Facility Directory – Florida Department of Corrections.

If the person was recently sentenced, allow time for transfer and record updates. If your county search shows “released to other agency,” that can signal a move to state custody or another jurisdiction; verify next steps with the Clerk of Courts case record.

Accessibility, Privacy, and Responsible Use of Records

Public safety information must be accessible and handled respectfully. Miami-Dade maintains policies that support equal access and responsible use.

Accessibility

If you use assistive technologies or need accommodations to access county web services, review the county’s ADA Notice for available assistance and contact methods:
ADA Notice – Miami-Dade County.

Privacy and security

Custody, arrest, and case data can include sensitive information. Use the county’s Privacy Statement to understand how the county handles data you provide or encounter on county websites:
Privacy Statement – Miami-Dade County.

Disclaimers and site governance

Official county websites include legal notices that describe terms of use and limitations. You can review the county’s general Website Disclaimer and county overview to understand the governance framework:
Disclaimer – Miami-Dade County
About Miami-Dade County

Always rely on official portals for searches and case checks. Avoid third-party sites that may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate.

Practical Walkthrough: From Arrest to Disposition Using Only Official Sources

This section ties the pieces together so you can move confidently from jail search to court follow-up.

1) Confirm custody using the county jail search

Go to the MDCR Inmate Search.
Enter Last Name (≥ 3 letters) and First Name (≥ 3 letters) as needed.
Click into the correct person’s profile using DOB, booking number, or other identifiers.

2) Note booking number and charges

Record the booking number—you’ll use this with corrections staff if you call for clarification.

Review each listed charge and matched case number (if shown) to prepare for court lookups.

3) Check bond and release fields

Look for bond amount, conditions, or indicators like ROR or monitored release.

If the person is released, the status or release date may appear; keep these details for your case timeline.

4) Pivot to the court portal

Use the Clerk of Courts contact page for official guidance and public counters:
Contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts.

Search case records and calendars using the court’s public records gateway:
Public Records – Miami-Dade County Court.

5) Evaluate whether the person could be in state custody

If custody shifts beyond county control (e.g., sentencing to prison), consult the Florida Department of Corrections:
Facility Directory – Florida Department of Corrections.

6) For youth cases, contact the juvenile system

Juveniles are processed under DJJ rules and facilities, not adult county jail. Use the official page for the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center for facility information:
Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

7) If you need help navigating county pages

Use the Corrections and Rehabilitation site as your navigation hub for department information, links to inmate services, and further instructions:
Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Bonding, Property, and Release Logistics: What Families Should Expect

Family members often need to plan around bond posting, personal property pickup, and release timing. These processes occur under MDCR rules and operational schedules.

Bond posting: If a bond is set, authorized payment methods and timing govern how quickly a person can be released once bond is posted. The inmate profile and the court record together indicate whether a bond exists and any changes after a court appearance.

Property retrieval: Property booked at intake is inventoried and held until release or transferred under department procedures. Confirm the booking number when coordinating property discussions with MDCR.

Release notifications: Status changes can occur after court sessions or when bond is posted. Recheck the MDCR Inmate Search for updates before traveling, and coordinate with the facility if the person has medical or transportation needs.

Program releases: Some individuals may transition to monitored release or similar programs when ordered by a court or approved by MDCR. A change from “in custody” to “released” may not mean a case is closed; always verify court status through the Clerk’s portals.

Visitation, Communication, and Accessibility Considerations

While this guide focuses on searching for people, families frequently need visitation, mail, or communication information. The county’s corrections home page provides program and policy navigation, and may route to visitation instructions, approved communications, and facility compliance information.

Check the Corrections and Rehabilitation site for program pages, then follow links to visitation or communication instructions appropriate for the current facility:
Corrections and Rehabilitation.

For accessibility accommodations or questions about equal access to online materials, consult the ADA Notice:
ADA Notice – Miami-Dade County.

Keep It Official: Why Government Sources Matter for Inmate Search

Using county and state websites ensures you are seeing the authoritative status:

Accuracy: Direct custody systems and court dockets are maintained by the agencies responsible for the data.

Timeliness: Jail and court records update as cases move; third-party mirrors may lag or omit changes.

Privacy and policy compliance: Official portals operate under public records laws, court rules, and privacy and accessibility commitments applicable to government agencies. Review the county’s Privacy Statement and governance notices if you have questions:
Privacy Statement – Miami-Dade County
Disclaimer – Miami-Dade County

If You Still Can’t Find the Person: Troubleshooting Paths

Even with the right tools, a record might not appear immediately. Here are common reasons and official paths forward:

Very recent arrest: The booking may be in progress. Check back later on the MDCR Inmate Search.

Different spelling or alias: Try alternative spellings that satisfy the three-character rule in each name field.

Transferred to another jurisdiction: If the county shows release to another agency, contact the Clerk of Courts to confirm what happened in the case and whether state or federal custody might apply.

Juvenile status: Search results are limited by law. Use the DJJ facility page for official contact information for juvenile detention in Miami-Dade.

State prison sentence: Use the FDC directory to move your search into the statewide prison system.

If you need county-level guidance and don’t know which number to call, start from the county’s general portal while staying strictly on official pages:
Miami-Dade Home

Miami-Dade County Florida Inmate Search — Official Departments and Contacts

Miami-Dade County Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation – Headquarters — Phone: 786-263-7000

MDCR – Booking — Phone: 786-263-5312

MDCR – Classification — Phone: 786-263-5344

MDCR – Intake — Phone: 786-263-5305

MDCR – Property — Phone: 786-263-5311

MDCR – Inmate Records — Phone: 786-263-4222

MDCR – Release — Phone: 786-263-5360

MDCR – Monitored Release / Work Release — Phone: 786-263-4899

MDCR – Pretrial Services Bureau — Phone: 786-263-4100

MDCR – Public Records Custodian — Phone: 786-263-5892

Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts – Criminal Records — Phone: 305-275-1155

Florida Department of Corrections – Miami-Circuit Office — Phone: 305-377-7040

Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center — Phone: 305-637-4500