Kendall City Court Records are public files that show every case filed in or tied to Kendall, Florida. These records live inside the Miami-Dade County court system because Kendall is a community, not a separate city.
Anyone can look at most of these records online or in person at the county clerk’s office. This page covers how to search them, what types exist, and where to get certified copies.
What Are Kendall City Court Records
Court records are written files made by the court during a case. They list who filed the case, what the case is about, and how the judge ruled. They also show motions, hearing dates, and the final decision. Kendall cases go through Miami-Dade courts, so all Kendall records sit inside the county system.
These records cover criminal charges, civil disputes, family matters, traffic tickets, probate cases, and small claims. Each one has a case number, a list of parties, and a full history of what happened. Most files are open to the public under Florida law.
Where Kendall Court Records Are Stored
Kendall has no local courthouse or city clerk. It is a census-designated place in southern Miami-Dade County. All court records for Kendall residents sit at the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller office in downtown Miami.
The main clerk office is about 15 miles north of Kendall. The drive takes 25 to 40 minutes by car. Many people skip the trip and use the online search tools instead. The clerk’s office keeps paper files and digital copies of every case in the county.
The clerk’s homepage gives Kendall users a starting point for all court business. It links to case search, e-filing, fee payment, jury duty tools, and forms.
| Office | Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller |
|---|---|
| Address | 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
How to Search Court Records for Kendall Online
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs a free online case search tool. It lets users look up Kendall cases by name, case number, or court date. The system covers civil, family, and probate cases across the whole county.
No account is needed for a basic search. Users can see case status, hearing dates, and docket entries at no cost. The tool works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To see full document images, users must register for a free account.
The records page shows the full list of search tools. It includes civil search, criminal search, and family case search. Kendall users pick the tool that matches their case type.
Step-by-Step Search for Civil and Family Cases
- Go to the clerk’s case search page on miamidadeclerk.gov.
- Pick “Online Case Search” from the menu.
- Type the full last name and first name of the person involved.
- Enter a date range if known, or leave it blank for all years.
- Click “Search” to see the list of matching Kendall cases.
- Click the case number to open the full docket sheet.
Search by Case Number
Anyone with a case number can pull up the file right away. Case numbers follow a pattern like “2024-CV-012345” for civil cases or “2024-CF-006789” for felonies. The first four digits show the filing year. The next two letters show the case type. The last digits are the file order.
Kendall Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Kendall go through the 11th Judicial Circuit Court. Felonies sit in circuit court. Misdemeanors stay in county court. The clerk stores all records for both levels. Each case has charges, plea details, sentencing, and bond data.
The clerk runs a separate tool called COIN, short for Criminal Online Information Network. It covers charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Kendall cases show up in COIN like any other Miami-Dade case. The data refreshes as new filings come in.
The criminal court page links to COIN and other criminal search tools. Kendall users can check a case status, see bond info, and find the next court date from any device.
What Shows in a Criminal Record
- Full name and date of birth of the defendant
- Case number and filing date
- Each charge with the Florida statute number
- Bond amount and bond status
- Hearing dates and judge name
- Plea, verdict, and sentence details
- Probation terms and court costs
Sealed and Expunged Records
Some criminal records are sealed by a judge. Sealed files do not show up in public search results. Expunged records are erased from public view. Both actions require a court order. The clerk’s office follows Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 on sealing and expungement.
Civil and Small Claims Records in Kendall
Civil cases in Kendall cover contract disputes, foreclosures, evictions, and personal injury claims. Small claims handle cases up to $8,000 in county court. Larger disputes over $50,000 go to circuit court. Each type has its own docket.
Landlord-tenant cases are common in Kendall because the area has many rental properties. Foreclosure filings also appear often in the civil docket. Users can search for these by name or by property address using the case number.
Small Claims Court in Kendall
Small claims cases are filed in county court. The filing fee is around $55 for claims up to $500 and up to $300 for larger amounts. Hearings happen in Miami because Kendall has no separate courthouse. Cases move fast and most finish within 60 to 90 days of filing.
Family Court Records for Kendall
Family court covers divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, and domestic violence. Some of these records are sealed. Adoption files and child abuse cases have the tightest access limits. The clerk follows Florida law on what stays open and what stays private.
Divorce records for Kendall residents sit in the county family court system. Each file lists the grounds for divorce, asset division, and parenting plans. These records stay public unless a judge seals them for safety reasons.
Confidential Family Records
Some family records are never public. These include:
- Adoption finalization papers
- Child abuse and neglect findings
- Juvenile dependency records
- Mental health treatment orders
These files stay at the clerk’s office and require a court order to view.
Traffic and Misdemeanor Court Records
Traffic tickets and minor criminal charges filed in Kendall go through county court. The clerk stores speeding tickets, DUI first offenses, reckless driving, and other misdemeanors. Users can pay fines and check their case status online through the clerk’s portal.
MyFloridaCounty.com lets users pay traffic fines without going to the courthouse. The system accepts credit cards and gives a receipt right away. For Kendall drivers, this saves a 30-minute drive to downtown Miami.
Paying a Traffic Ticket Online
- Go to myfloridacounty.com and pick “Pay Court Fees.”
- Enter the traffic ticket number or case number.
- Choose “Traffic” from the case type menu.
- Enter payment details and confirm the amount.
- Save the confirmation page as proof of payment.
Probate Court Records for Kendall
Probate cases cover wills, estates, and guardianship. When a Kendall resident dies, the estate often goes through Miami-Dade probate court. These records list the deceased’s name, heirs, executor, and asset list.
Probate records are open to the public unless a judge seals them. Users can search the probate docket by name or by case number. The files include the will, the petition, the inventory, and the final order.
Getting Certified Copies of Kendall Court Records
A certified copy has a raised seal and a clerk’s signature. It proves the record is real. Banks, employers, and government agencies often ask for certified copies. Each certified copy of a Kendall court record costs $7 in Miami-Dade County.
Users can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the clerk’s office. The online order form takes about 5 business days to process. Mail orders take 7 to 10 days. In-person orders can be filled the same day in most cases.
What to Bring to Get a Certified Copy In Person
- A valid photo ID like a driver’s license or passport
- The case number or full names of the parties
- Payment in cash, check, money order, or credit card
- The exact year the case was filed
E-Filing Court Documents in Miami-Dade
The Florida Courts E-Filing Portal works for Kendall cases. Users can file civil, family, probate, and small claims papers 24 hours a day. The system accepts PDFs and sends a stamped copy back by email. Filing fees apply, and credit card payments carry a small processing charge.
Lawyers file most cases through the portal. Self-represented users can also file on their own. The site gives step-by-step help for each form type. Most Kendall users get their filing accepted within one business day.
Florida Laws That Cover Kendall Court Records
Florida Statute Chapter 119 makes all court records public. Anyone can see them unless a law or court order says otherwise. The clerk removes sensitive data like social security numbers and bank account details from public files before they go online.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.420 lists what records can be sealed. It also says who can ask for sealing. Most Kendall records stay open, but criminal cases with juvenile defendants, mental health hearings, and trade secret cases get sealed by default.
Who Can Search Kendall Court Records
Anyone can search Kendall court records. The clerk’s office does not check ID for online searches. In-person requests at the clerk’s office need a photo ID. The clerk gives the same access to journalists, employers, landlords, neighbors, and family members.
There is no fee for a basic search. Users pay only when they want document images or certified copies. The clerk’s office does not sell bulk record packages. Each request is handled one case at a time.
Common Reasons to Search Kendall Court Records
- Checking a criminal background before hiring someone
- Looking up a divorce or child support case
- Finding a will or estate file after a family death
- Checking a tenant’s eviction history before signing a lease
- Verifying a traffic ticket or court fine
- Pulling court records for a personal injury lawsuit
- Researching property liens and foreclosure cases
What Kendall Court Records Do Not Include
The clerk’s office does not store police reports, jail booking photos, or arrest records. Those come from the Miami-Dade Police Department and Miami-Dade Corrections. For a statewide criminal history check, users go through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Civil lawsuits between private parties also sit at the clerk. But small private disputes settled out of court never get filed. Those stay between the people involved and never reach the court system.
Limits on Public Access in Kendall Cases
Some Kendall cases stay sealed forever. These include:
- Adoption files
- Juvenile criminal records
- Child abuse and dependency cases
- Mental health commitment orders
- HIV test results in criminal cases
Sealed records need a court order to open. The judge looks at the reason for unsealing and decides based on Florida law.
Other Tools for Kendall Court Record Searches
The Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers site links to all 67 county clerks. Users with cases in other Florida counties can find the right clerk through this portal. The site also has statewide court forms, jury duty info, and traffic ticket payment tools.
Florida Courts Help offers free forms and self-help guides for users who file cases without a lawyer. The forms work for Kendall users and the rest of the state. The help center also has live chat support during business hours.
Tips for Faster Kendall Court Record Searches
- Use the full legal name of the person, not nicknames
- Include a date range to narrow large results
- Search by case number when possible for the fastest result
- Clear your browser cache if the search page freezes
- Call the clerk’s office at (305) 275-1155 if results seem wrong
Privacy Protections in Kendall Court Records
Florida law blocks the clerk from showing some personal data. The system automatically redacts social security numbers, bank account details, and credit card numbers. Minor children’s names are removed from public files. Home addresses of judges, jurors, and crime victims also get redacted.
These redactions happen before any record goes online. The clerk’s office also runs regular audits to catch private data that might slip through. Anyone who sees private data in a public file can report it to the clerk for removal.
Miami-Dade Clerk Contact Details for Kendall Users
Kendall users who need help with court records can contact the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court and Comptroller. The office handles all case types for Kendall residents.
Office: Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
Address: 20 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33128
Phone: (305) 275-1155
Website: miamidadeclerk.gov
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Service Areas: Civil, criminal, family, probate, traffic, and small claims
Frequently Asked Questions About Kendall City Court Records
Can I view Kendall court records for free?
Yes, the Miami-Dade Clerk’s online case search is free for basic lookups. Users can search by name or case number and see the docket sheet at no cost. There is no registration needed for a basic search. Document images and certified copies cost extra. Each certified copy is $7. To see full document images, users must register for a free clerk account. The basic search shows the case type, parties, hearing dates, and final judgment. For most users, that level of detail is enough. Those who need sealed records or full case files must pay extra fees.
Are juvenile records available for Kendall cases?
No, juvenile criminal records are sealed under Florida law. They do not show up in the public search tools. Only the juvenile, the juvenile’s parents, and the defense attorney can access these files. Judges can also order records opened for specific reasons, like sentencing in a later adult case. Dependency cases involving child abuse or neglect stay sealed too. These records never go online. The clerk’s office keeps them in a separate secure file system. A court order is needed to view any part of a juvenile case file.
How long does the clerk keep Kendall court records?
The Miami-Dade Clerk keeps most court records forever. Civil, criminal, family, and probate files stay in the system even after a case ends. Older paper files from before 1980 may be stored off-site. The clerk also keeps a digital backup of every case filed after 1990. Traffic tickets and misdemeanor files stay for at least 5 years. Sealed records stay sealed unless a judge opens them. Expunged records are physically destroyed after the waiting period ends. The retention schedule follows Florida law and the state records policy.
Can employers check Kendall criminal records for job applicants?
Yes, but only through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The clerk’s office does not run background checks for employers. FDLE charges a small fee for a statewide criminal history check. The clerk’s online tools are for personal use, not hiring decisions. Some employers also use private background check companies. These companies pull data from the clerk’s office and other public sources. The clerk does not endorse any private company. Users who want a personal record check can use the FDLE portal.
What if a Kendall court record is wrong?
Users can file a request with the clerk’s office to correct errors in their court record. The clerk cannot change a judge’s order, but can fix clerical errors like a misspelled name or wrong case number. Users must provide proof of the correct data. For criminal record errors, the State Attorney’s office can also help. Sealed and expunged records are handled by the FDLE. The clerk’s office responds to correction requests within 10 business days. Users can also file a motion with the court to fix errors in the case file.
Do Kendall traffic tickets show up in court records?
Yes, traffic tickets filed in Kendall go to county court. Each ticket becomes a public case with a case number. The record shows the charge, the fine, the court date, and the final outcome. Users can pay tickets online through myfloridacounty.com. Paid tickets still show up in the public record, but marked as satisfied. Dismissed tickets also stay in the record. The clerk keeps traffic records for at least 5 years before moving them to off-site storage. Insurance companies and employers can pull traffic records from the clerk’s online search.
Can I remove a Kendall court record from public view?
Yes, but only through a formal sealing or expungement process. The user must file a petition with the court and meet Florida’s eligibility rules. Most misdemeanors and some felonies qualify. The clerk cannot seal a record without a court order. The State Attorney’s office reviews each petition. Sealed records stay in the system but do not show in public searches. Expunged records are physically destroyed. Both options require a filing fee and a waiting period. Users who want to seal a record should talk to a lawyer first.