Request Reports & Records

A Traffic Crash Report describes what happened during a car accident. These reports are often necessary for insurance purposes and may be requested in person or by mail. After the accident, it may take up to 10 days before the report is available.

Since personal information about the parties involved is confidential, only the parties involved in the crash have access to these reports after they are filed.

After 60 days, the reports are open to the public.

If requesting a Traffic Crash Report by mail, complete and notarize the Sworn Statement for Traffic Crash Report Information form and send it with your request.

Another type of report is called an Offense/Incident Report, also called an O/I Report. These reports detail incidents like robberies, burglaries, assaults and car thefts. Copies are often necessary for insurance purposes. Some reports or portions of them may be exempt or confidential under law.

If requesting a copy, please provide:

• Case number (if known)
• Date
• Location of the incident
• Names of people involved

We provide criminal background checks on anyone and then provide a Sheriff Clearance Letter, if requested. Sheriff Clearance Letters may be obtained in person, by mail, or via the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Public Records Center.

You'll need to provide us with the following information if you'd like a Sheriff Clearance Letter:

• Name (including maiden, and other additional names)
• Race
• Sex
• Date of Birth
• Requestor's name, address, and telephone number

Fingerprinting services are provided at specific District Stations throughout the County. For fingerprinting services, you must bring $15 and:

• Two valid forms of ID, at least one with a photo
• Fingerprinting card

We do not provide fingerprinting cards. Fingerprinting cards should be provided by the organization requesting that you get fingerprinting done.

You can get fingerprinting services and Sheriff Clearance Letters from any of these District Stations:

• Hammocks District Station
• Northwest District Station
• Intracoastal District Station
• South District Station
• Kendall District Station
• Town of Miami Lakes Policing Unit
• Midwest District Station
• Village of Palmetto Bay Policing Unit
• Northside District Station

Victims of Criminal Case Identity Theft may request an Identity Letter from the MDSO Forensic Laboratory, Fingerprint Identification Section to resolve an identity crisis. Identity Letters may be issued in person or requested through U.S. Mail.

Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Fingerprint Identification Section
9105 NW 25th Street; Room #1134
Doral, FL 33172

In Person: Complete the Identity Theft Information Form and bring a government issued picture ID (driver's license, U.S. Passport, U.S. Military ID Card, etc.) with you to the above address.

By Mail: Send your request to the above address. The following documents must be included:

• Copy of the victim's government-issued picture ID front/back
• Identity Theft Information Form
• Certified Fingerprint Card with the victim's fingerprints completed by local police agency

(Note: The fingerprint card must have a certified police stamp and be signed by the person fingerprinting the victim)

In your request, try to be as specific as possible to help us locate the video you need. Provide details like the date, time, location, officer's name or badge number and case number. Labor costs may increase if the video is lengthy, so narrow the scope as much as possible.

How to get a copy of the recording:

1. Submit a body-worn camera footage request.
2. You will receive an e-mail confirmation when your request has been received.
3. You will receive a cost estimate once your request is reviewed.
4. Your payment acts as a deposit and authorizes the Department to process your request.
5. Once records are located and in processing any necessary information will be redacted.
6. You will be notified of the final cost via the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Public Records System. (If you did not provide contact information, you will need to contact us to find out the status of your request.)
7. If the actual cost exceeds the deposit, you must pay the full amount due before the records can be released. If the final cost is less than the deposit, you will get a refund.
8. Your records will be available through an e-mail notification.

These audio and video recordings may contain information that is exempt or confidential and will be blocked or removed before being released. This may depend on your role in the incident, so keep this in mind if you choose not to identify yourself.

Please note that processing times for body-worn camera footage requests vary based on the specifics of each request and current workload. We will process your request as promptly as possible.

Audio recordings of 911 calls are available for 60 days after the call was received.

Requests should be made online through the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Public Records System, and when ready, the recording will be available through there.

Allow up to 60 days for your request to be processed. Copies may not be picked up in person.

You can request customized reports on Calls for Service, Incident Reports, and Crash Reports for the unincorporated portions of Miami-Dade County.

If the report is to include all incidents, calls for service, or crashes, you must provide:

• The specific address
• For an area report, also include the mile radius
• Date range

When information about a particular arrest is removed from public record, it is considered to be sealed. You may get a copy of your sealed record by presenting proper identification in person at the Central Records Bureau Public Counter. The Central Records Bureau does not accept or process applications to seal or expunge a record.

Expunging a criminal record involves destroying all information and paperwork associated with a particular arrest. Expunged records are completely destroyed and are not available.

For further information on Sealed/Expunged Records, contact the Felony/Misdemeanor Court, Expungement Division, located at:

Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building
1351 NW 12 Street
Miami, FL 33125
Phone: 305-275-1155

Read more about sealing and expunging records.