Kendall City family court records are public files kept by the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court. Kendall is a community inside Miami-Dade County in Florida.
It is not a city with its own court. All family cases, like divorce, custody, support, and adoption, are filed at the county level. The clerk’s office holds these files and makes them open to the public. Anyone can look up a case using a name or a case number. This page shows you how the system works, what you can find, and where to go for help.
What Kendall City Family Court Records Include
Kendall City family court records cover all family law cases filed by people who live in or near Kendall. These files hold petitions, court orders, judgments, and motions. Each case type has its own set of papers. A divorce case has a petition, financial forms, and a final judgment. A custody case has a parenting plan and a court order. A support case has income sheets and payment records. All these papers become part of the public file. Some parts stay private by law, like Social Security numbers and bank details. But most case data is open for anyone to read.
Where These Records Are Stored
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court stores all Kendall family court records. This office serves the whole county. It keeps paper files from older years and digital files for newer cases. The clerk’s main office sits in downtown Miami. It also runs branch offices across the county. Each branch can help with basic record questions. But the main file system lives at the central office. Records stay there for the life of the case and for years after.
How the Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Manages These Files
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court runs the record system for the entire 11th Judicial Circuit. Juan Fernandez-Barquin serves as the clerk. His office manages family cases, civil cases, criminal cases, and traffic cases. The family division is the part that handles Kendall records. The clerk’s staff scans new filings into a digital system. They also keep paper copies for older cases. You can ask the clerk for copies of any public file. Some copies cost money. Some are free to view online.
Office Contact Details and Hours
The main clerk office opens Monday through Friday. Standard hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office closes on county holidays. You can call the clerk’s main line for help with record questions. The phone number is (305) 275-1155. You can also visit the office in person. Bring a photo ID. Staff will help you search the system. Case numbers make the search faster. Names work too but may bring up more results.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office Name | Miami-Dade Clerk of Court |
| Clerk | Juan Fernandez-Barquin |
| Address | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | www.miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Office Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
How to Search Kendall City Family Court Records Online
You can search Kendall family court records without leaving your home. The Miami-Dade Clerk runs a public online portal. This portal lets you look up cases by name, party, or case number. It shows case status, hearing dates, and party names. Some documents are free to view. Others need a small fee to open. The portal updates each day with new filings. This makes it the fastest way to check a case.
Using the Miami-Dade Clerk Portal
Go to www.miamidadeclerk.gov to start. Look for the “Records Search” link. Pick “Family Court” from the case type list. Type in the last name of one party. You can also type in a case number if you have one. The system will pull up any matching files. Click on a case to see its full docket sheet. The docket sheet lists every paper filed in the case. You can read most entries for free. To see scanned documents, you may need to pay a fee.
Using the Florida E-Filing Portal
Florida also runs a statewide portal called myflcourtaccess.com. This site covers all Florida courts, not just Miami-Dade. It helps when a case moved between counties. You can use the same search steps on this site. It shows basic case data. For full document access, the county clerk portal works better. The state portal is good for cross-checking case numbers across Florida.
Search by Name or Case Number
Name searches work well for most people. They bring up a list of cases that match the last name. Common names bring more results. You may need to add a first name to narrow the list. Case number searches are exact. They pull up only one case. If you have a case number, use it. You can find case numbers on old court papers or from a lawyer.
Types of Family Court Records You Can Find
Family court covers many case types. Each type creates its own set of records. The clerk keeps them all. Here are the main types you can look up for Kendall cases.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce cases are the most common family filings. A divorce record holds the petition, the response, financial affidavits, and the final judgment. You can see when the case started and when it ended. You can see if the spouses agreed or fought. The final judgment covers how assets split, who pays debts, and if alimony was set. These files are open to the public unless a judge seals them.
Child Custody and Time-Sharing Records
Custody cases deal with where children live and how parents share time. Records show the parenting plan filed by each side. You can see the schedule the judge approved. You can also see any motions to change the plan. Time-sharing records show holidays, school breaks, and weekday visits. Most custody files are public. Some parts, like child interviews, stay private.
Child Support Order Records
Support cases set monthly payments for children. The file shows each parent’s income. It shows the amount set for monthly support. It also shows medical support and daycare costs. If a parent fell behind on payments, the file shows arrears and enforcement actions. Most support records are open to the public. Some private data, like bank account numbers, stay hidden.
Paternity Case Records
Paternity cases prove who the father of a child is. The file holds DNA test results, witness statements, and the judge’s final order. These cases often pair with support orders. Once paternity is set, the court can order support. Paternity records are public. But the child’s full name may be kept private in some cases.
Adoption Records
Adoption files hold the petition, the home study, and the final adoption decree. Most adoption records are sealed by Florida law. Only the adoptive parents, the adult adoptee, or a court order can open them. Closed adoption records are not open to the general public. The clerk can tell you if a file is sealed.
Domestic Violence Injunction Records
Domestic violence cases result in injunctions, or protective orders. The file holds the petition, the hearing transcript, and the order. These files show who the protected person is and who the respondent is. They also show the terms of the order, like no contact rules. Injunction files are public. But addresses of victims may be removed to protect them.
How to Request Certified Copies of Family Court Records
You can ask for certified copies of any family court file. A certified copy has the clerk’s stamp and seal. Courts, agencies, and other states often need certified copies. The clerk’s office handles these requests. You can ask in person, by mail, or online. Each copy has a fee. The fee depends on the page count and the type of copy.
In-Person Copy Requests
Visit the clerk’s office during business hours. Go to the records counter. Tell the staff what you need. Give them the case number or the party names. Pay the copy fee. The staff will pull the file and make the copies. You can also ask for a certified copy while you wait. Most requests finish the same day. Large requests may take longer.
Online and Mail Copy Requests
The Miami-Dade Clerk portal lets you order copies online. You can pay by credit card. The copies come as PDFs sent to your email or as paper copies mailed to you. Mail requests also work. Send a written request with the case number, the party names, and what you need. Include a check or money order for the fee. The clerk will mail the copies back to you. Mail requests take more time than online ones.
| Service Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Regular Copy (per page) | $1.00 |
| Certified Copy (per page) | $2.00 |
| Online Document Access | $0.10 per page |
| Search Fee (no case number) | $2.00 per name |
Sealed Family Court Records and How They Work
Some family court records are sealed. A judge orders the seal. Once sealed, the file is no longer public. Only people named in the order can see it. Common reasons for sealing include child safety, sensitive personal data, or adoption. Adoption files are the most common sealed family records. Some paternity files are also sealed.
What Records Get Sealed by Law
Florida law seals certain records by default. Adoption records are sealed. Juvenile dependency records are sealed. Some paternity files for minors are sealed. A judge can also seal other records on a case-by-case basis. The judge must hold a hearing before sealing a file. The party asking for the seal must show good cause. If the judge agrees, the file gets sealed.
How to Open a Sealed File
Only a court order can open a sealed family file. You must file a motion to unseal the file. The motion must explain why you need access. The judge will hold a hearing. Both sides can speak. The judge will decide based on the facts. Adopted adults can often get their own birth records by court order after they turn 18.
Why Kendall Does Not Have a City Court System
Kendall is an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County. This means it has no city government. No mayor, no city hall, no city courts. The county handles all services. This includes police, fire, roads, and courts. The 11th Judicial Circuit covers all of Miami-Dade County. Family court is part of this circuit. So Kendall cases go through the county system.
Unincorporated Status Explained
Many people in Kendall think of it as a city. But legally, it is a census-designated place. It has no charter and no local government. Miami-Dade County provides all local services through county agencies. The county commission sets policy for areas like Kendall. The clerk of court serves the whole county. This setup means there is no Kendall city clerk and no Kendall city court.
Role of the 11th Judicial Circuit
The 11th Judicial Circuit is one of Florida’s 20 judicial circuits. It covers only Miami-Dade County. It has many judges who hear family cases. Family court judges handle divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption. They also handle domestic violence cases. All these cases for Kendall residents go through the 11th Circuit court system. The clerk of court keeps the records for all these cases.
Common Problems When Searching for Kendall Family Court Records
Record searches can hit snags. Some searches pull up nothing. Others pull up too much. Here are common issues and how to fix them.
Missing Case Numbers
Case numbers are unique IDs for each court case. They make searches exact. Without one, you must search by name. Name searches can be slow for common names. If you have a court order, the case number is at the top. If you lost the number, call the clerk. Staff can look it up with a name and a date range.
Name Search Limits
The online system limits name searches by date. You must pick a date range. The system will not search the whole file history. Try smaller date ranges. Add a middle name or initial. This narrows the list. If you still get too many results, visit the clerk in person. Staff can run a wider search for you.
Older Paper-Only Records
Cases from before 2000 may be paper only. They are not in the online system. To see these files, you must visit the clerk in person. The staff will pull the paper file for you. Old files may be stored off-site. Pulling them can take a few days. Call ahead to ask the clerk to have the file ready.
Official Contact Details and Location for Kendall Family Court Records
Here is the full contact and location data for getting Kendall family court records. Use these details to reach the clerk by phone, online, or in person.
Contact Details for the Miami-Dade Clerk
The Miami-Dade Clerk of Court runs the family records system for Kendall. The clerk’s name is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. The main office handles record requests. The phone number for record questions is (305) 275-1155. The clerk’s website is www.miamidadeclerk.gov. You can search cases and order copies on the site. The site also lists office hours and holiday closures.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Office | Miami-Dade Clerk of Court |
| Address | 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
| Website | www.miamidadeclerk.gov |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Records Search | Online via the clerk’s website |
Physical Address for In-Person Visits
The main clerk office sits in downtown Miami. The address is 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. The building is the Miami-Dade County Courthouse. It is near the Government Center metro station. Public parking is nearby. Bring a photo ID to enter the building. Once inside, go to the records department. Staff there will help you search and order copies.
You can view the office location on Google Maps at maps.google.com by searching “Miami-Dade Clerk of Court 73 W Flagler Street Miami FL 33130.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Kendall City Family Court Records
These questions cover the most common points users ask about Kendall family court records. The answers give you direct facts about the clerk’s office, the search process, and the types of files you can get.
Are Kendall family court records free to view online?
Yes, the basic case data is free. You can see the docket sheet, party names, and hearing dates. Some scanned documents cost money. The fee is small, often ten cents per page. The fee shows up before you open the document. You can stop at the docket sheet if you only need basic data. Most people never need to pay for documents. They just want the case status and hearing dates.
How long does the clerk keep family court records?
The clerk keeps family records for at least 10 years after the final judgment. Some records are kept longer. Adoption records are kept forever. Divorce records are kept for 99 years. Child support records are kept until the child turns 23. Older records may move to a state archive. You can still request them, but it may take more time.
Can I see someone else’s divorce record in Kendall?
Yes, most divorce records are public. You only need a name to search. The system will show the case number, the parties’ names, and the final judgment date. You can also see the property settlement if the judge did not seal it. Some sealed cases do exist. The clerk will not show them to you. If you are one of the parties, you can see your own file at any time.
What if I cannot find a case in the online system?
Old cases may not be in the system. Try a different spelling of the name. Try a wider date range. If you still get nothing, call the clerk. Staff can search the paper records. They may need a few days to pull the file. You can also visit the office in person and ask for help. The staff does these searches every day. They can often find what you need.
Can I get child support payment history from the clerk?
Yes, the clerk keeps payment history as part of the support case file. The history shows what was paid, what is owed, and any enforcement actions. You can see the total arrears. To get a full history, you may need to pay a fee. The Florida Department of Revenue also keeps payment records for Title IV-D cases. That agency can give you a more detailed payment ledger.
Are adoption records public in Florida?
No, most adoption records are sealed. The clerk cannot show them to the public. The adopted person, once they turn 18, can file a motion to open the file. Birth parents may also file a motion. The court decides each request on its own facts. Some adoption records from before Florida’s adoption law changes are still sealed today.
How do I get a copy of a restraining order from Kendall?
You can ask the clerk for a certified copy of a restraining order. Bring the case number or the party names. Pay the copy fee. The clerk will pull the file and make the copies. You can also order a copy online through the clerk’s website. Certified copies are accepted by law enforcement and other courts. Regular copies work for personal records but may not be accepted by agencies.