Miami Dade County police records are public files created by law enforcement agencies across South Florida. They include incident reports, arrest records, traffic crash reports, and case files.
Anyone can request these records under Florida’s public records law. This page explains how to search, request, and obtain these documents from the right agency in 2026.
What Are Miami Dade County Police Records
Miami Dade County police records are written accounts of events handled by police. They cover crimes, traffic crashes, arrests, and other incidents. Each record includes a report number, date, location, names of people involved, and a summary of what officers found. Some records also include witness statements, body camera notes, and officer narratives.
These records serve many purposes. People use them for insurance claims, court cases, background checks, and personal knowledge. Florida law makes most police records open to the public once a case closes or an investigation ends.
Types of Records You Can Request
You can ask for several kinds of police records in Miami Dade County. The main types include:
- Incident reports for crimes like theft, assault, or vandalism
- Arrest reports and booking photos
- Traffic crash reports
- Case status updates
- Offense and incident data
- Calls for service logs
What Records Are Exempt
Some records are not open to the public. Florida law blocks the release of certain files. Active criminal investigations are one example. Police can hold back records while they work on a case. Other exempt items include juvenile records, confidential informant names, and personal details like Social Security numbers.
Agencies That Hold Police Records in Miami Dade
Miami Dade County has many police agencies. The right one depends on where the incident happened. Knowing which agency to contact saves time and speeds up your request.
Miami Dade Police Department (MDPD)
The Miami Dade Police Department serves unincorporated parts of the county. It also provides police services to some cities under contract. MDPD is one of the largest police agencies in the Southeast United States. It handles patrol, investigations, and special operations.
MDPD records cover incidents in unincorporated areas. They also cover cases in towns that contract with MDPD for police services. You can request reports through the MDPD records unit.
City Police Departments
More than 30 cities in Miami Dade County have their own police departments. Each city keeps its own records. Major city police agencies include:
- Miami Police Department
- Miami Beach Police Department
- Hialeah Police Department
- Coral Gables Police Department
- Homestead Police Department
- North Miami Police Department
- Miami Gardens Police Department
If your incident happened inside a city, contact that city’s police department. If you are not sure where it happened, call the non-emergency line of the closest agency. Staff can help you find the right records.
Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on major highways. This includes I-95, I-75, Florida’s Turnpike, and the Palmetto Expressway. If your crash happened on a state road, FHP may have the report. FHP crash reports go into the state database.
How to Search for Police Records Online
You can search for some Miami Dade police records online. The state of Florida offers a few tools that help. These tools do not have every report, but they cover many common requests.
Florida Crash Report Search
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles runs an online crash report system. You can order a crash report from any county through this site. The site charges a small fee per report. Most crash reports show up online within a few days of the crash.
To use the crash report search, visit the FLHSMV website. Enter the date of the crash and the county. You will need the name of at least one person involved. The site will show available reports for purchase.
FDLE Public Records Portal
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs a public records portal. This portal holds state-level law enforcement records. It does not have local police reports from Miami Dade. It does have statewide criminal history data and FDLE case files.
To use the portal, create a free account. Describe the records you need. FDLE staff will respond within a few business days. You can also call the public records unit for help.
City and County Online Tools
Some city police departments in Miami Dade County offer online search tools. These tools may let you look up basic case information. Not every agency has a public online database. You may need to contact the agency by phone or email for older reports.
How to Request Police Records in Person
You can request police records in person at the agency that holds them. Bring as much detail as you can. This helps staff find the right report quickly.
Details You Need Before You Go
Gather these details before you make your request. The more you have, the faster the search will be:
- Full name of the person involved
- Date or month of the incident
- Location where it happened
- Type of incident (theft, crash, arrest, etc.)
- Case or report number, if you have it
- Name of the agency that responded
What to Expect at the Agency
At the police agency, ask for the records unit. Some agencies call it the public records office. You will need to fill out a request form. Staff will tell you the cost and the expected wait time. You can pay for copies on site. Some agencies accept cash, check, or card.
Records may be ready the same day. Others may take a few weeks. Florida law says agencies must respond to public records requests in a reasonable time. They can charge for copies and for staff time spent on large searches.
Requesting Police Records by Mail or Email
You do not need to visit the agency in person. You can send your request by mail or email. This works well for people who live far from Miami Dade County.
How to Write a Public Records Request
A good public records request has clear details. Start with your contact information. Then describe the records you want. Include the names, dates, and locations from your list of details. End with your signature and the date.
Here is a simple example of the kind of information to include:
- Your name and address
- Your phone number and email
- A clear description of the records you want
- The date range you need
- The name of the agency you are writing to
- How you want to receive the records (paper, email, or USB drive)
Mailing Address for MDPD Records
Mail your request to the records division of the Miami Dade Police Department. The current address is 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172. You can also email the records unit. Check the MDPD website for the latest email address before you send your request.
Florida Public Records Law Explained
Florida public records law gives every person the right to see government records. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes is the main law. It covers police, fire, court, and other government files. You do not have to be a Florida resident. You do not have to explain why you want the records.
Your Rights Under Chapter 119
Under Chapter 119, you have several rights when you request police records in Miami Dade County:
- The right to ask for records in person, by mail, or by email
- The right to get copies in the format you want (paper or electronic)
- The right to a clear answer about whether the records exist
- The right to know the cost before you pay
- The right to challenge any denial in court
What Agencies Can Charge
Agencies can charge fees for copies and staff time. The law allows a fee for the actual cost of making the copies. For large requests, they can charge for staff time spent searching and reviewing records. If the cost will be over $200, the agency must give you a written estimate first.
You can ask the agency to narrow the request if the cost is too high. This often lowers the fee and speeds up the response.
Criminal History and Background Checks
You can get a criminal history check for anyone in Florida. This check pulls from a statewide database. It shows arrests, charges, and court outcomes across all Florida counties, including Miami Dade.
FDLE Criminal History Records
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement runs the statewide criminal history system. You can request a background check for $24 per search. You can order one online, by mail, or in person at the FDLE office in Tallahassee.
For a mail request, include fingerprints and a check for the fee. For faster service, use electronic fingerprinting. Many private companies across Miami Dade County offer this service.
What a Background Check Shows
A Florida background check shows arrests and dispositions. A disposition is the final outcome, like a conviction, acquittal, or dropped charge. The check does not show every detail from the original police report. For full report details, you must request the records from the agency that made the arrest.
Arrest and Booking Records
Arrest records show when police took someone into custody. Booking records show what happened at the jail after the arrest. Both types of records are public in Florida.
What Is in an Arrest Record
An arrest report has the arrest date, location, charges, and officer notes. It may also include witness names and evidence details. You can get the arrest report from the agency that made the arrest.
What Is in a Booking Record
A booking record is created at the jail. It has the arrestee’s name, photo (mugshot), date of birth, charges, and bond amount. Miami Dade Corrections runs the county jail system. You can request booking photos and details from the corrections department.
Booking records are public right away. You do not need to wait for a case to close. Most booking photos are posted online by the sheriff’s office or corrections department within hours of the arrest.
Traffic Crash Reports in Miami Dade
Traffic crash reports are some of the most requested records. They help with insurance claims and lawsuits. You can get them from the agency that investigated the crash.
Who Investigated Your Crash
Different agencies handle different roads. The right agency depends on where the crash took place:
| Location of Crash | Investigating Agency |
|---|---|
| City street inside a municipality | City police department |
| County road in unincorporated area | Miami Dade Police Department |
| State highway (I-95, US-1, etc.) | Florida Highway Patrol |
| Florida’s Turnpike | Florida Highway Patrol |
How to Get a Crash Report
The fastest way to get a crash report is through the FLHSMV online system. This system has reports from all agencies across Florida. Search by date, county, and name. The fee is small and you can download the report as a PDF.
If the report is not yet online, contact the agency that investigated. Have your crash date, location, and the names of the drivers ready.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Resources
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement supports local police across the state. It also serves the public through its records and statistics programs.
FDLE Public Records Unit
The FDLE public records unit handles requests for FDLE documents. These include FDLE case files, internal reports, and communications. Local Miami Dade police reports are not in the FDLE system. For those, contact MDPD or the city police department directly.
You can reach the FDLE public records unit by phone or email. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours. FDLE responds to most requests within a few business days.
Crime Statistics and Public Reports
FDLE also publishes crime data for all Florida counties. This includes arrest totals, crime trends, and clearance rates. The data covers Miami Dade County and all other counties. You can search the data on the FDLE website for free.
Special Records and Confidential Files
Some police records in Miami Dade County have special rules. They are not open to the public like other reports. Knowing what is exempt helps you avoid delays.
Juvenile Records
Records about minors are private under Florida law. They are not open to the general public. Parents, guardians, and lawyers can access them. Victims of juvenile crimes can also request certain details.
Sealed and Expunged Records
A court can seal or expunge a criminal record. Once sealed, the record is hidden from public view. Once expunged, the record is destroyed in most cases. Police agencies must follow the court order. They will deny your request if the record has been sealed or expunged.
Contact Information for Key Agencies
Use the contact details below to reach the main agencies that handle police records in Miami Dade County. Keep this list handy when you need to make a request.
Phone Numbers and Websites
Here are the main contacts for police records in Miami Dade County:
- Miami Dade Police Department Records: (305) 471-3200
- FDLE Public Records: (850) 410-7676
- FDLE Criminal History: (850) 410-8161
- FLHSMV Crash Reports: www.flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports
- FDLE Public Records Portal: fdle.justfoia.com/publicportal
- Florida Highway Patrol: *FHP (*347)
Visiting Hours for Records Units
Most records units in Miami Dade County are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Some agencies have limited Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests.
FDLE Office Location
The main FDLE office is in Tallahassee at 2331 Phillips Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. The office has walk-in service for criminal history requests during business hours. You can also order records by mail or through the online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Dade Police Records
This section answers the most common questions people ask about Miami Dade County police records. Each answer gives you a clear path to the records you need under Florida law.
How Do I Find a Police Report by Case Number in Miami Dade?
You can find a police report by case number by contacting the records unit of the agency that handled the case. The Miami Dade Police Department records unit takes requests by phone, email, and in person. Have the case number ready when you call. Staff will confirm the report exists and tell you the fee. Most records are ready within a few business days. You can pick them up in person or have them mailed to you for the cost of postage and copies.
Can I Look Up Police Reports by Name for Free?
Some police reports are free to look up by name. Most online court docket systems let you search criminal cases by name at no cost. For police reports, the agency may charge a small copy fee. Florida law allows agencies to charge for the cost of making copies. Basic arrest data may be free, but full incident reports usually cost money. Always ask about the fee before you place your request.
How Long Does It Take to Get Police Records in Miami Dade?
The time to get police records in Miami Dade depends on the agency and the request. Simple requests may take a few days. Large requests can take several weeks. Florida law does not set a fixed deadline, but agencies must respond in a reasonable time. Active investigations may be put on hold until the case closes. If you need records fast, mark your request as urgent and explain why.
What Is the Difference Between an Incident Report and an Arrest Report?
An incident report is created when police respond to a call. It covers what officers saw and did at the scene. An arrest report is created when police arrest someone. It focuses on the arrest itself, including charges and witness statements. One event can produce both reports. The incident report comes first, and the arrest report follows if an arrest is made.
Can I Get Police Records for an Old Case in Miami Dade?
You can request police records for old cases in Miami Dade County. Most agencies keep reports for many years. Older paper reports may take longer to find. Some very old records may have been destroyed under retention rules. Ask the agency if they still have the report before you pay any fees. Sealed or expunged records will not be released, even if the case is old.
Are Mugshots Public in Miami Dade County?
Mugshots are public in Miami Dade County. Booking photos are public records under Florida law. The Miami Dade Corrections Department posts recent mugshots online. You can also request older booking photos from the corrections records unit. Some agencies charge a fee for printed copies of mugshots. Electronic copies are often free or low-cost.
What Should I Do If My Records Request Is Denied?
If your records request is denied, ask for the reason in writing. Florida law requires agencies to cite the specific exemption. You can then challenge the denial in court. Many denials are resolved by talking with the agency’s legal office. You can also contact the Florida First Amendment Foundation for help with public records disputes. They offer free legal advice for Florida residents.