Miami City booking and release records are public files that show when someone was arrested, what charges they faced, and when they left jail. These records come from Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR), the agency that runs the county jail in Miami.
The records help families check on loved ones, help attorneys track cases, and let the public see who is in custody. Anyone can search these records for free through the county’s online portal. The system shows current inmates, recent bookings, and people released within the last few days. Mugshots appear on many records along with bond amounts and expected court dates. This page explains how to find these records, what each field means, and where to go for help.
What Are Miami City Booking and Release Records
Miami City booking and release records are official documents created each time a person enters or leaves the county jail system. A booking record starts when police bring someone to the jail. Officers collect personal details, take fingerprints, and photograph the arrestee. A release record ends the jail stay. It shows the date, time, and reason the person left custody. Together, these records create a clear history of every jail stay.
Who Maintains These Records
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR) maintains all booking and release records for arrests that happen in Miami. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also keeps arrest data statewide. Local police departments send arrest reports to MDCR for processing. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court keeps the criminal case records that follow the jail stay.
What Information Appears in Records
Each booking record shows the full legal name of the person, their date of birth, and a physical description. The record lists the arrest date, booking date, and booking number. Charges appear with their Florida statute codes. Bond amounts show when set. Release records add the release date, release time, and release reason.
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department
The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department runs all county jails in the Miami area. This includes the main jail known as the Pre-Trial Detention Center. MDCR processes every arrest made by Miami Police, Miami-Dade Police, and other local law enforcement agencies working inside the county. The department also handles inmate transport to court and state prison transfers.
Agency Contact and Location
The MDCR main office sits at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. The general phone line is (786) 263-7000. The jail phone line is (786) 263-6300. The office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public records requests can be made by phone, in person, or through the county website.
How the Booking Process Works
The booking process starts when an officer brings an arrestee to the jail. Staff check the person’s identity and run a background check. They take fingerprints and a mugshot. They search for outstanding warrants. They list all charges and set a bond amount based on the charge schedule. The whole process can take two to six hours depending on how busy the jail is.
How to Search Miami Booking Records Online
The fastest way to find Miami booking records is the MDCR online search tool. The portal updates throughout the day as new bookings happen. You do not need an account to search. You can look up records from home using a phone or computer. The search results show current inmates and people released in the past few days.
Using the Inmate Search Portal
Go to the Miami-Dade inmate search page at https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/inmateSearch/. Type the person’s last name in the first box. Add the first name if you know it. Click search to see results. Each result shows a booking photo, charges, bond amount, and custody status.
Searching by Name, Date, or Booking Number
The portal accepts three search types. A name search needs a last name and works best when combined with a first name. A date search lets you pick a single day to see all bookings from that date. A booking number search gives the most accurate results when you have the number from a prior search or police report.
| Search Type | Best For | Result Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Family or friend lookup | Full record with charges |
| Booking Date | Recent arrests | List of all bookings that day |
| Booking Number | Exact record match | Single detailed record |
How to Find Release Records in Miami
Release records show when someone left jail and why. The MDCR system shows recent releases on the inmate search portal. The page at https://www.miamidade.gov/global/corrections/inmate-release.page lists people released in the last 24 to 72 hours. Older release records need a public records request.
Types of Release
People leave Miami jail for several reasons. Bond payment releases happen after someone pays the full bond amount through a bail bondsman or cash payment. Release on recognizance (ROR) happens when a judge lets the person leave without paying bond. Time served releases happen when someone finishes a short sentence. Court order releases happen after a judge signs a release order.
Bond Payment Releases
Bond payment is the most common release type in Miami. After bond posts, jail staff process the release. This can take one to four hours. The release record then shows the bond amount, the bonding company name, and the release time. You can confirm bond payment by checking the inmate status change on the search portal.
Court Order Releases
Court order releases happen when a judge signs paperwork releasing the person. This includes dismissed cases, acquittals, and sentence completions. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court keeps these records at https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/. The clerk’s site shows case dispositions and release orders.
Miami Mugshots and Booking Photos
Mugshots are photos taken during booking. They show the person’s face at the time of arrest. Miami-Dade Corrections takes a new mugshot for each booking. The photo appears on the inmate search portal for as long as the person stays in custody. After release, the mugshot moves to the released inmate list.
Where Mugshots Are Available
Mugshots appear on the MDCR inmate search portal during custody. After release, mugshots stay on the site for a short time. Third-party sites also post Miami mugshots, but these sites often charge fees and may have old data. Official sources are always more accurate and current.
Mugshot Removal Rules
Florida law lets people ask for mugshot removal under certain conditions. The law applies when charges get dropped, the person is found not guilty, or the case is sealed. The request goes to MDCR or the agency that posted the photo. The agency has 30 days to act on the request.
Bond Information and Court Dates
Bond information shows up on every booking record when a bond has been set. The amount depends on the charges and the person’s criminal history. Court dates also appear on booking records. The first court date is the arraignment, where the person enters a plea.
Standard Bond Schedules
Miami-Dade uses a standard bond schedule for common charges. Misdemeanors often have bonds between $500 and $2,500. Felonies range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more. Serious charges like murder or trafficking have no bond. The booking record shows the exact amount set for each charge.
How to Find Bond Amounts
Bond amounts appear on the inmate search portal next to each charge. You can also call the jail at (786) 263-6300 to ask about bond amounts. Bond bondsmen also have access to this data and can quote amounts over the phone.
| Charge Type | Typical Bond Range | Bond Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Misdemeanor | $250 – $1,000 | Yes |
| Serious Misdemeanor | $1,000 – $2,500 | Yes |
| Third-Degree Felony | $5,000 – $10,000 | Yes |
| Second-Degree Felony | $10,000 – $25,000 | Yes |
| First-Degree Felony | $25,000+ | Varies |
| Life Felony | No bond or $100,000+ | Rare |
Florida Public Records Law and Access Rights
Florida has one of the strongest public records laws in the country. Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes gives the public the right to see most government records. Booking and release records fall under this law. Police and jail agencies must give access to these records when asked.
What Records Are Public
Most booking records become public right after the booking process ends. Mugshots are public. Charges are public. Bond amounts are public. Release dates and reasons are public. Court records connected to the booking are also public through the clerk’s office.
What Records Stay Sealed
Some records do not become public. Juvenile booking records stay sealed. Active investigation records may be exempt. Records sealed by court order stay sealed. Records that would reveal a crime victim identity stay sealed in some cases. Expunged records are removed from public view entirely.
How to Request Records Offline
Online searches cover most needs, but some records need an offline request. MDCR accepts phone requests, mail requests, and in-person visits. The agency responds within a set time under Florida law. Simple requests get fast answers. Complex requests can take a few days.
Phone Requests
Call (786) 263-7000 for general questions or (786) 263-6300 for jail records. Have the person’s full name and date of birth ready. Staff can confirm custody status and release dates over the phone. They cannot give full criminal history over the phone for privacy reasons.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Visit the MDCR office at 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. The lobby opens at 8 a.m. on weekdays. Bring a photo ID. Mail requests go to the same address. Include the person’s full name, date of birth, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail requests take seven to ten days.
Other Official Resources for Miami Records
Several other agencies hold records connected to Miami bookings. The Miami Police Department keeps arrest reports at https://www.miami-police.org/public_records.html. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court has criminal case records at https://www.miamidadeclerk.gov/clerk/criminal-records.page. The GIS open data portal at https://gis-mdc.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/c2275711ced240c6bc4e998ee1910e85_0/about has facility data.
Tips for Accurate Searches
Search results are more accurate when you have full details. Use the exact legal name when possible. Try different spelling combinations for last names. Search by booking number when you have it from a prior search. Check the released inmate list for recent releases. If a record does not appear, the person may be in a different county jail.
Common Search Mistakes
Many users miss records because of small errors. A nickname search will not match legal names. A date off by one day will miss the booking. A wrong county will give zero results. Miami-Dade is separate from Broward or Palm Beach counties. Check the right county for the arrest location.
Official Contact Details
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR) main office: 2525 NW 62nd Street, Miami, FL 33147. Phone: (786) 263-7000 (General) / (786) 263-6300 (Jail). Website: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/corrections/home.page. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public records requests accepted by phone, mail, and in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about Miami City booking and release records. Each answer reflects current Florida law and Miami-Dade Corrections policy. These questions come from real searches and help requests.
How Long Does Booking Take in Miami?
The Miami-Dade booking process takes two to six hours on average. Times run longer on weekends, holidays, and during high arrest periods. The jail processes bookings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Delays happen when the arrestee needs medical care or when the jail is at capacity. Booking records appear online only after the full process ends.
Can I Find Out Why Someone Was Arrested in Miami?
Yes, the charges appear on the booking record once the jail finishes processing. The MDCR inmate search portal lists each charge with its Florida statute code. The arrest report from the police department gives more detail about the arrest circumstances. The clerk of court case file adds court-level details about each charge.
Are Miami Booking Records Free to Search?
Yes, the inmate search portal is free. No account or payment is needed. Third-party websites often charge fees for similar data, but official sources never charge for basic searches. Certified copies of records may carry a small fee based on page count under Florida public records law.
How Long Do Release Records Stay Online?
MDCR keeps recent release records on the portal for 72 hours. After that, the records move to archived status. Archived records need a public records request. Paper records are kept for several years based on Florida records retention schedules. Some records stay online longer if the case is still active in court.
Can I Remove My Miami Booking Record From the Internet?
Florida law lets you request removal of mugshots and booking info in certain cases. Charges that get dropped, dismissed, or lead to acquittal qualify. Juvenile records stay sealed automatically. Expungement removes records from public view. You file the request with MDCR or the agency that posted the record.
What If the Person Is Not in the Miami-Dade System?
If a Miami arrestee gets transferred to state prison, the record moves to the Florida Department of Corrections database. You can search the FDOC inmate locator at http://www.dc.state.fl.us/OffenderSearch/. If the person is in federal custody, check the Bureau of Prisons inmate finder at https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Miami Booking Record?
Send a public records request to MDCR with the person’s full name, date of birth, and approximate booking date. Include payment for copying fees. The office mails certified copies within seven to ten business days. You can also request certified copies in person at the MDCR office with a photo ID.