The call came and your heart sank. Your loved one was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and is now in one of the Miami-Dade Corrections facilities. You’re left with that heavy feeling — where exactly are they, what are the charges, how much is the bond, and how do you start helping them right now?
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation (MDCR) provides a free public inmate search with mugshots. Note that Miami-Dade County uses a county Corrections Department rather than a traditional sheriff-run jail system. This guide gives you the exact steps to locate them quickly and shows you the practical actions that actually help families in Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, and across Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Inmate Search – Detailed Micro Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1 – Open the official inmate search: Go directly to https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/InmateSearch/.
- Step 2 – Enter the name: Type the last name (minimum 3 characters) and first name or first initial. Click Search.
- Step 3 – Review the results carefully: Results display name, date of birth, race, sex, location, charges, bond amount, jail number, booking date/time, and mugshot (where available).
- Step 4 – Save the key details: Screenshot the full record. Write down the jail number or booking details — you’ll need this for visits, commissary, mail, and court inquiries.
- Step 5 – Need live confirmation?: Call Miami-Dade Corrections at 786-263-7000. Have the full name and date of birth ready.
- Step 6 – Set up free release alerts: Register at https://www.vinelink.com with the name or booking details for automated notifications.
Miami-Dade County Arrest Records – How to Get Full Details
- Step 1: The inmate search shows basic booking and charge information.
- Step 2: For complete arrest reports or additional records, contact Miami-Dade Corrections Records at 786-263-4222 or the Miami-Dade Police Department.
- Step 3: Provide the full name and booking/jail number. Ask about fees and request procedures.
What to Do After You Find the Inmate – Complete Action Plan
Check Next Court Date
- Go to the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts online case search.
- Search using the full name or booking number.
- Note the hearing date, time, and courthouse location.
Bail and Release Options
Bond amount appears in the search results. Call 786-263-7000 to confirm current status. Local bondsmen in Miami-Dade know the system well.
How to Schedule a Visit
- Call 786-263-7000 or check the specific facility for visitation rules (video visitation is widely used).
- Bring a valid photo ID. Dress code is strictly enforced.
- Confirm hours and requirements before you go — they can change.
Send Money for Commissary
Call 786-263-7000 or check the MDCR website for current commissary deposit instructions and approved providers. Have the jail number ready. This money helps with phone calls, food, and basic needs.
Mail Letters and Photos
Send mail to the specific Miami-Dade facility where the inmate is housed. Include the full name and jail number clearly on the envelope. Follow all mail rules or it may not reach them.
Insider Tips That Help Miami-Dade County Families
- Miami-Dade has a large system with multiple facilities — confirm the exact location when calling.
- Call 786-263-7000 if the online search doesn’t show the person right away.
- Call early in the day when phone lines are less busy.
- Keep the jail number or booking details saved in your phone.
- Set up VINELink alerts immediately after you find the record.
- Video visitation options can save travel time — ask about them when you call.
Contact | Details |
|---|---|
Corrections Main Line | 786-263-7000 |
Inmate Records | 786-263-4222 |
Primary Facilities | Miami / Doral area, FL |
Official Corrections Website | |
Inmate Search |
Free notifications for custody changes. Florida Department of Corrections
Check state prison records if transferred. Miami-Dade Courts
Look up court dates and cases.
Frequently Asked Questions – Miami-Dade County Inmate Search & Arrest Records
Go to the official MDCR inmate search at https://www.miamidade.gov/Apps/mdcr/InmateSearch/ and enter the last name and first name. It is completely free.
Yes. The official tool is free. Do not pay third-party websites for the same public information.
Usually within a few hours. If nothing shows, call 786-263-7000 for live status.
They may have been released, transferred, or listed under a different spelling. Call 786-263-7000 or check the Florida Department of Corrections.
Bond details appear in the search results. Confirm by calling 786-263-7000.
Call 786-263-7000 for current visitation rules and scheduling. Video visitation is widely used across facilities.
Register free at https://www.vinelink.com with the name or booking details for automated alerts.
Call 786-263-7000 for the current commissary deposit instructions and approved providers.
Yes — mugshots are included in the official search results where available.
Miami-Dade Corrections facilities (run by the County) hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prisons (run by the Florida Department of Corrections) hold convicted felons with longer sentences.
Start with the online search, then call Corrections if you need faster answers. Keep the jail number saved — it opens every door. Take it one step at a time. Many families in Miami-Dade County have been right where you are and made it through.