Homestead City Family Court Records are public files kept by the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court. The city of Homestead sits in the southern part of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Every divorce, custody, support, paternity, and adoption case for Homestead residents goes through the county court system. The 11th Judicial Circuit Court hears these cases. The county clerk stores the files and makes them open to the public. This page shows how to search Homestead City Family Court Records online, in person, or by mail.
Who Keeps Homestead City Family Court Records
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court serves as the official record keeper for all family cases in the county. Homestead is one of many cities inside the county, so all family court files for Homestead residents sit with the county clerk. The clerk’s office stores divorce papers, custody orders, child support records, paternity cases, adoption decrees, and domestic violence files. These records stay on file for the life of the case and for many years after.
Miami-Dade County Clerk Role
The current clerk is Juan Fernandez-Barquin. He serves as the Clerk of Courts and Comptroller for Miami-Dade County. His office handles all court records for the 11th Judicial Circuit. Clerk staff enter new filings, index old cases, and issue copies to the public. The clerk also collects filing fees and court costs for family cases. The clerk’s office works under the rules of Florida law and the Florida Supreme Court.
Why the City Clerk Is Not the Right Office
The City of Homestead has its own city clerk. That clerk keeps local government records only. The city clerk stores city council minutes, contracts, permits, and local ordinances. The city clerk does not store family court files. People who need Homestead City Family Court Records must contact the county clerk. Visiting the city clerk office for court files will waste time and delay the search.
11th Judicial Circuit Coverage
The 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida covers all of Miami-Dade County. It is the largest circuit court in the state. The court runs several divisions. Family cases fall under the Family Division. The Family Division hears cases about marriage, children, and families. Hearings take place in multiple courthouses across the county. The main family courthouse is the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. The South Dade Justice Center handles cases closer to Homestead residents.
How to Search Records Online
Homestead City Family Court Records can be searched online through the county clerk website. The online system lets users look up cases by name, case number, or party. The system works on computers, tablets, and phones. Most basic case details are free to view through the public portal. Users do not need an account to do a basic search.
Online Court System Steps
The Miami-Dade Clerk runs an Online Court System for public use. To search Homestead City Family Court Records, visit the OCS portal at www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/ocs. Enter the last name and first name of a party. Add a date of birth if known. The system pulls up matching family cases. Each result shows the case number, filing date, and case type. Click a case to see the docket and scheduled hearings.
Florida E-Filing Portal Use
The Florida E-Filing Portal serves all counties in the state. The portal works for both filing and searching. Visit www.myflcourtaccess.com to start a search. The portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Homestead family cases appear in the portal under Miami-Dade County. Registered users can file new documents and view case dockets. The portal is the main system for attorneys and self-represented filers.
Limits of Online Search
Online search tools show basic case details. They show the case number, parties, docket entries, and hearing dates. They do not always show the full text of sealed documents. Some older case files may not be on the online system. Certified copies of judgments cannot be downloaded. People who need full file access or certified copies must visit the clerk’s office in person or send a mail request.
Records You Can View
Most Homestead City Family Court Records are open to the public. Florida law allows public access to most court files. Some records are sealed by a judge’s order. Sealed records cannot be viewed without a court order. Personal data like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and minor children’s details are protected by law.
Divorce Records
Divorce records include the petition, financial affidavits, and settlement agreements. The final judgment of divorce ends the marriage. Property orders, alimony rulings, and attorney fee orders are part of the file. People search divorce records for name changes, remarriage proof, and asset checks. Each document is indexed by the clerk and open to view.
Custody and Support Records
Child custody cases create parenting plans. These plans list the time-sharing schedule for each parent. They list decision-making duties for education, health, and religion. Child support records show the income of each parent. They show the support amount and payment schedule. Support payment history is also on file. Parents and legal parties can see the full payment record.
Adoption and Paternity Records
Adoption records are sealed in most cases. Only the adoptive parents and the adult adoptee can see the full file. Paternity records are public once the court establishes legal fatherhood. Paternity cases include DNA test results, signed acknowledgments, and court orders. These files help with child support, custody, and inheritance matters.
Domestic Violence Records
Domestic violence records include injunctions and protective orders. Temporary injunctions are issued fast to protect victims. Final injunctions can last for set time periods or permanently. These records are public. The names of petitioners and respondents are listed. The terms of the order are open to view.
Filing a New Family Case in Homestead
People who live in Homestead can file family cases in Miami-Dade County. New cases start by filing the right forms. Forms are available online at the Florida Courts website. Forms are also available at the clerk’s office. The Family Court Self Help Program can guide people who do not have a lawyer.
Required Forms
The forms needed depend on the case type. Divorce cases need a petition, summons, and financial affidavit. Custody cases need a parenting plan and a UCCJEA affidavit. Support cases need an income form and a support worksheet. All forms must be filled out and signed before filing. Forms are free to download from flcourts.gov.
E-Filing Steps
Most new family cases are filed through the Florida E-Filing Portal. Create an account at www.myflcourtaccess.com. Select Miami-Dade County as the court. Pick the right case type. Upload the signed forms as PDF files. Pay the filing fee by credit card or debit card. The portal sends a confirmation once the clerk accepts the filing. Filers without a computer can file paper copies at the clerk’s office.
Filing Fees
Filing fees in Florida family court start at a low base amount. Motions and petitions each have a set cost. A simple motion costs around fifty dollars. More complex filings cost more. People with low income can ask the court to waive the fee. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards.
Visiting the Clerk Office in Person
Some requests must be made in person. Certified copies of judgments, older case files, and sealed records may need a visit. The main clerk office sits in downtown Miami. A satellite office serves the Homestead area through the South Dade Justice Center.
Main Office Address and Hours
The main Miami-Dade County Clerk office is at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office closes on state and federal holidays. The phone number is (305) 275-1155. The drive from Homestead takes about 45 minutes by car. Parking is available near the building for a fee.
Branches Near Homestead
The South Dade Justice Center serves the Homestead area. The address is 10710 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189. This courthouse handles family cases for southern Miami-Dade. It is closer to Homestead than the main downtown office. The clerk staff at this branch can search Homestead City Family Court Records and issue copies. Call ahead to check service hours.
Photo ID and Security Rules
All visitors must pass through security screening. A valid photo ID is required. The ID can be a driver license, state ID, or passport. Bags go through an x-ray machine. Visitors pass through a metal detector. No weapons are allowed inside the courthouse. Arrive early to allow time for the security check.
Getting Certified Copies
A certified copy of a court record has an official stamp. The stamp proves the copy is a true copy of the file. Certified copies are needed for name changes, remarriage, immigration, and other legal matters. Regular photocopies are not accepted for legal use. Only the clerk can issue certified copies.
When You Need a Certified Copy
People need certified copies for many legal steps. A certified divorce decree is needed to remarry. A certified custody order is needed for school enrollment in a new district. A certified paternity order is needed to add a father to a birth certificate. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies often ask for certified copies as proof.
Costs and Payment Methods
The clerk charges a fee per certified page. The fee is set by Florida law and may change. Payment can be cash, check, money order, or credit card. A credit card fee may apply. The clerk staff will give the exact cost at the time of the request. Call the office before visiting to confirm the current fee.
Mail and Online Requests
Certified copies can be ordered by mail. Send a written request to the clerk’s main office. Include the case number, full names of the parties, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment by check or money order. The clerk mails the certified copy back. Online requests can also be made through the clerk’s website for some document types.
Family Court Self Help Program
The Family Court Self Help Program helps people who do not have a lawyer. The program started in 1994 through a coalition between the 11th Judicial Circuit and the Dade County Bar Association Legal Aid Society. The program gives free help to self-represented people in family court cases. Staff answer questions about forms, procedures, and court rules. They do not give legal advice or act as a lawyer.
Who Can Use It
Any person without a lawyer can use the program. The program serves people filing for divorce, custody, support, paternity, name change, and other family matters. Income is not a factor. The program serves both low-income and middle-income filers. The help is free for all users.
Services Offered
The program provides court forms, instructions, and sample documents. Staff review filled-out forms for missing parts. They explain court procedures and what to expect at a hearing. They do not fill out forms for users. They do not speak in court on the user’s behalf. They do not give legal advice on what to do in a case.
Contact Details
The Family Court Self Help Program is located at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. The phone number is listed on the 11th Judicial Circuit website. The program also has a packet library with forms for download. Visit the Family Court Self Help page at jud11.flcourts.org for full contact details and form packets.
Official Contact Details
The contact details below are the most current phone numbers, addresses, and websites for Homestead City Family Court Records. Call the clerk office before visiting to confirm hours and fees. Website links are listed as plain text and should be typed into a browser.
Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court
Main Office: 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Phone: (305) 275-1155. Website: www.miamidadeclerk.gov. Online Court System: www2.miamidadeclerk.gov/ocs. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clerk serves as the main record keeper for all Homestead family cases.
City of Homestead Clerk
Address: 790 N. Homestead Boulevard, Homestead, FL 33030. Phone: (305) 224-4400. Email: cityclerk@homesteadfl.gov. The city clerk keeps local government records. The city clerk does not have family court files. Contact the county clerk for Homestead City Family Court Records.
11th Judicial Circuit Court
Main Website: www.jud11.flcourts.org. Family Division Phone: listed on the court website. Family Court Services has run in Miami-Dade County for more than 20 years. The South Dade Justice Center is the closest family courthouse to Homestead. The address is 10710 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay, FL 33189.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover common issues about Homestead City Family Court Records. The answers give clear steps for searching, viewing, and requesting family court files. Each answer is based on current Florida law and Miami-Dade County clerk rules. Call the clerk office for case-specific questions.
How Do I Search Old Homestead Family Cases
Old family cases can be searched through the Miami-Dade Online Court System. The system covers cases filed in recent decades. For very old cases, the records may sit in physical archives at the clerk’s main office. Call (305) 275-1155 before visiting. Give the clerk the full names of both parties, the year of the case, and the case type. The clerk staff will pull the file from the archive. Some old files may have been microfilmed or scanned. There may be a small fee for pulling archived records. Plan for a longer wait time for files that pre-date the digital system.
Can I View Sealed Family Court Files
Sealed files cannot be viewed by the public. Only the parties named in the case and their lawyers can see sealed records. Judges seal files for adoption, juvenile, and sensitive family matters. A person who is not a party to a sealed case must ask the court to unseal the file. This requires filing a written motion. The judge reviews the motion and decides whether to grant access. The clerk cannot release sealed files without a court order. Adopted adults may be able to see their original birth records through a separate process.
What Forms Do I Need to File for Divorce
A divorce in Florida requires a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, a Summons, a Financial Affidavit, and a Marital Settlement Agreement. If the couple has minor children, a Parenting Plan and a UCCJEA Affidavit are also required. All forms are available free at flcourts.gov under the 12.900 series. Forms must be filled out and signed before filing. Filing fees apply unless waived by the court. Both spouses must provide financial documents and disclosure forms.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Homestead
A simple uncontested divorce in Florida can be finalized in about 30 to 90 days. The time depends on the court schedule and the case facts. Cases with minor children take longer because of required parenting classes and waiting periods. Contested divorces can take six months to several years. The court schedule in Miami-Dade County affects timing. South Dade Justice Center hears many Homestead cases. Ask the clerk for the current expected timeline when filing.
Where Can I Get Help Without a Lawyer
The Family Court Self Help Program in Miami-Dade offers free help to people without a lawyer. The program started in 1994 and serves thousands of self-represented filers each year. Staff help with forms, procedures, and court rules. The program sits in the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center. Visit the program page at jud11.flcourts.org for the address and hours. Legal aid organizations in Miami-Dade also offer free help for low-income residents with family cases.
How Do I Request a Certified Copy by Mail
Mail a written request to the Miami-Dade County Clerk at 73 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130. Include the case number, full names of both parties, and the year the case was filed. State the number of certified copies needed. Include a check or money order for the fee. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for return mail. The clerk mails the certified copies back. Processing time for mail requests is usually one to two weeks. Call the clerk to confirm the current fee before sending payment.
What Records Are Free to View Online
Basic case details are free to view through the Miami-Dade Online Court System. Users can see the case number, party names, filing date, and case type. Docket entries and hearing schedules are free. The full text of filed documents is not always free. Some documents need a small fee to view or download. Certified copies always cost a fee. Adoption files and sealed cases are not available online at all.