Find the Right Miami-Dade Jail Record Before You Take Action
This guide helps you search the official Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation in-custody tool, confirm the jail number, understand TGK booking, check bond and release paths, follow digital mail rules, schedule GTL video visits, and avoid copied mugshot pages that do not explain what to do next.
Miami-Dade is not a one-building jail system. A person may be processed at TGK, moved to Metro West or Pre-Trial Detention Center, released through bond or court, placed on pretrial services, or routed through property, records, visitation and court systems that are separate from the inmate search.
What Most Dade Jail Search Results Miss
Top search results usually include the official MDCR inmate search, Miami-Dade service pages, bail-bond pages, court search links, federal detention results, Georgia Dade County confusion and thin jail directories. The user does not only need a name search. They need to know which official system controls the next action.
| Common SERP weakness | Better Miami-Dade answer | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Only links to a roster. | Explains jail number, bond, TGK intake, release hours, court search, mail, TouchPay, iCare and GTL visits. | A family member usually needs a complete action path after finding a record. |
| Confuses jail custody with court status. | Separates MDCR custody data from Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case records. | Charges, bond, court dates and outcomes can change after booking. |
| Repeats old mail rules. | Uses MDCR’s plain white lined paper rule and separates personal mail from legal-mail drop-off. | Wrong paper, wrong address, wrong item type or wrong legal-mail facility can cause rejection or delay. |
| Pushes bail-bond sales too early. | Tells users to confirm full name, jail number, bond amount and release eligibility first. | Bond information may not be available immediately during booking, and a hold or court issue may block release. |
First Check: Is This Miami-Dade, Dade County Georgia or Federal Custody?
“Dade jail” can be ambiguous. Most search results and user intent point to Miami-Dade County, Florida, but a person arrested by federal officers or in Dade County, Georgia will not be solved by the Miami-Dade MDCR search.
Miami-Dade County, Florida
Use MDCR inmate search for people in Miami-Dade Corrections custody. This is the main focus of this page.
Dade County, Georgia
If the arrest happened around Trenton, Georgia, this page is not the right local guide. Use the Georgia county or state correctional source instead.
Federal custody in Miami
If the arrest involved FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals or federal court, also check federal custody and federal court records.
Miami-Dade Jail Contacts and Facility Addresses
Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation lists separate contacts for booking, intake, property, records, release, pretrial services and each detention facility. Call the right number for the task instead of calling one line repeatedly.
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
TGK is the intake and release center most families need first after a recent Miami-Dade arrest.
Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center
7000 NW 41 Street
Miami, FL 33166
TGK Information Desk: 786-263-5550
Facility phone: 786-263-5341
Pre-Trial Detention Center
Use this facility contact only after the inmate search or MDCR staff confirms the person is located there.
Pre-Trial Detention Center
1321 NW 13th Street
Miami, FL 33125
Phone: 786-263-4110
Metro West Detention Center
Use this contact when the inmate-search result or MDCR staff identifies Metro West as the location.
Metro West Detention Center
13850 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178
Phone: 786-263-5110
Useful MDCR phone routing
- General inquiries: 786-263-7000.
- Booking: 786-263-5312.
- Classification: 786-263-5344.
- Intake: 786-263-5305.
- Release: 786-263-5360.
Property and records
- Property: 786-263-5311.
- Inmate records: 786-263-4222.
- Public records custodian: 786-263-5892.
- Property arrangements after offsite storage: 786-263-5355.
- Have the jail number before calling.
Pretrial and reporting
- Pretrial Services Bureau: 786-263-4100.
- Pretrial reporting/checking in: 786-263-6700.
- Monitored release / house arrest / work release: 786-263-4899.
- Hospital Services Unit Administration: 305-585-5200.
- TTY users may call 711.
How to Perform the Official Dade Jail Inmate Search
The official MDCR search is the best starting point because it is tied to Miami-Dade’s current in-custody database, not a copied mugshot directory.
Open the MDCR in-custody search
Use the official Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation search. The search requires at least three characters in the last-name field and supports first name or first initial.
Search the legal last name first
Start with the legal last name, then add first name or first initial. Try hyphenated names, maiden names, suffixes and spelling variants only after the simple search fails.
Open the matching result carefully
Compare date of birth, race, sex, location, charges, booking date/time, bond amount and mugshot. In Miami-Dade, a name-only match is not enough.
Save the jail number
The jail number is the detail you will need for calls, legal mail, TouchPay, iCare, property, records, release questions, court comparison and some visitor support.
Use the clerk for court status
The MDCR search explains current custody. The Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case search explains court filings, hearing dates, case status and court documents where available.
TGK Booking, Intake and Why a Result May Be Delayed
After arrest, Miami-Dade says people are transported to TGK for processing. During booking, staff verify identity, take fingerprints/photos, complete medical and mental-health screening, inventory property, enter charges and determine housing/classification.
Identity and fingerprints
A new arrest may not appear instantly because staff must verify the person and complete fingerprints, photographs and intake data.
Medical and mental-health screening
Screening can affect timing, housing, classification and whether urgent family information should be relayed by phone instead of mail.
Housing assignment
A person may start at TGK and later appear at another MDCR facility. Always check the current location before visiting or dropping off legal mail.
Bond, Cash Bond, Surety Bond and Release Timing
Miami-Dade says inmates with bondable charges can bond out at any time, but bond information may not be available immediately during booking. Release can also happen through pretrial release, a court hearing, satisfaction of charges or other processing steps.
| User question | What it means | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| Can I post bond now? | Bond may not be set yet if booking is incomplete, the charge is not bondable, or court processing is pending. | Confirm full name, jail number, bond amount and eligibility before paying. |
| Cash bond or surety bond? | Cash bond means paying the full amount directly. Surety bond means a licensed bail bond agent posts bond for a fee. | Confirm the bond amount and release eligibility first, then decide the correct route. |
| Where does release happen? | Miami-Dade releases inmates from TGK, the designated release center, during listed release hours. | Ask TGK about release status, transportation, property and any remaining hold. |
| Why is release slow? | Release may take several hours after bond or court satisfaction because of booking, payment, paperwork and scheduling. | Do not wait outside without calling. Ask whether release is complete or still processing. |
Criminal Court Records, Case Search and Bond Hearings
The inmate search shows custody details. The Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case search helps with felony and misdemeanor case information, court dates, docket activity, certified copies and records follow-up.
Court search
Use the Clerk criminal search when you need case number, court status, hearing dates, docket entries or certified copy options.
Jail number vs case number
The jail number identifies the person in MDCR custody. The case number identifies the court case. Save both when available.
Hearing changes
Bond, release, court dates and charges may change after court. Recheck the clerk record before assuming the jail search is final.
Digital Mail Rules, Plain White Paper and Rejected Items
Miami-Dade’s inmate contact page gives strict personal mail rules. All mail must be addressed to the inmate and sent by United States Postal Service. Mail sent by other couriers is not accepted.
Personal mail that is allowed
- Incoming personal inmate mail must be written on plain white, originally lined paper.
- Examples include white loose-leaf lined notebook paper, white lined tablet paper or white lined legal tablet paper.
- Use the inmate’s full name and jail number exactly as shown by MDCR.
- Use USPS and include the sender’s full return address.
- Check whether digital-mail changes apply before sending time-sensitive material.
Mail items not allowed
- Hardcover books, paperback books, magazines, newspapers and religious materials.
- Mail containing nudity or sexually oriented material.
- Greeting cards or postcards.
- Newspaper or magazine clippings.
- Colored paper, colored envelopes or correspondence on paper other than plain white lined paper.
Legal Mail Drop-Off PDF: Attorney and Professional Visitor Rules
Miami-Dade’s legal-mail PDF is useful because legal mail is not handled like ordinary personal mail. The PDF says legal mail drop-off is accepted at all detention facilities only for inmates currently incarcerated at that facility.
Outside labeling
The law firm or attorney name, inmate name and jail number must be prominently displayed on the outside of the legal mail.
Drop-off process
The attorney or designee must complete the facility visitor sign-in/out log and present the package to MDCR staff for verification.
No facility transfer
The PDF says legal mail will not be delivered or transferred between facilities. Confirm the inmate’s current location first.
Remote Video Visitation, GTL Registration and Visitor Rules
Miami-Dade offers remote video visitation through secure technology. Friends and family must be on the inmate’s approved master visitation list, then register through the GTL visit system. MDCR says processing may take up to 24 hours.
Approved visitor list
The inmate is responsible for placing friends and family on the approved master visitation list. Registration alone is not enough.
GTL account
Visitors must create a GTL account through the Miami-Dade visit system and wait for approval before scheduling visits.
Visitation help
Questions about the process should go to Inmate Visitation at 786-263-4119.
Rules from the video-visitation PDF
- Visits can be scheduled up to seven days in advance.
- No same-day visits are permitted.
- Recording or photography devices during visits are prohibited.
- Proper attire is required, and nudity or see-through clothing is not allowed.
- Only registered visitors may appear on the video call.
Conduct rules that cause cancellations
- Inappropriate items such as drugs, weapons or pornography are prohibited.
- Visits begin and end as scheduled and will not be extended because of login problems.
- No other inmates may appear on the video visit.
- Loud talking, disruptive behavior or suggestive behavior can cause cancellation.
- Rule violations can lead to loss of visitation privileges and discipline.
Electronic Communications PDF: Phone, Video, Messages and Digital Mail
Miami-Dade communications PDFs and contract materials explain why the county moved toward tablets, electronic communications and digitized mail. Use these details as service-context, not as a guarantee that every inmate has equal access at every moment.
Phone time
The materials describe up to 90 minutes of phone calls per day for rule-abiding detainees.
Video visitation
The materials describe two hours of video visitation per week as part of the communications model.
Electronic messages
The materials describe five outgoing electronic messages per week and unlimited receipt of digitized personal and privileged mail.
Educational material
The materials describe access to a large provider library of e-books, magazines, educational content and religious content.
TouchPay Trust Account Deposits and Self-Bonding Money
Miami-Dade says money collected at intake goes into the inmate’s trust account. Trust-account funds may be used for commissary purchases and self-bonding. Friends and family can make deposits through TouchPay.
| Deposit route | What MDCR lists | User-help warning |
|---|---|---|
| Required identifiers | Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation facility number 233101, inmate name and inmate jail number. | Do not deposit without confirming the jail number from the official search. |
| Lobby kiosk | Cash, credit cards and debit cards at facility kiosks. | Cash must be deposited directly at a lobby kiosk. |
| Online deposit | TouchPay online deposits using MasterCard/Visa credit cards or debit cards. | Keep receipt emails and confirmation numbers. |
| Telephone deposit | TouchPay phone deposits at 1-866-232-1899 using card payment. | Do not use random links, gift cards, crypto or personal payment apps. |
iCare Commissary Gifts and What Not to Confuse
Miami-Dade’s official commissary item page directs users to iCare for pre-packaged gifts. The process is different from TouchPay trust deposits, bond, court payments and phone/visit accounts.
How iCare starts
Use the iCare website, select Florida, search by last name or inmate number, choose products and complete checkout.
iCare help number
Miami-Dade lists 888-439-5020 for iCare questions.
Payment scam warning
Never pay through a social-media link, personal phone number, gift-card request or person claiming to control urgent release.
Property Release and Corrections Records
Miami-Dade says property collected at booking is usually available at TGK’s Property Room for a limited period, and records requests go through Corrections Central Records or the public-records tool.
Property pickup basics
- Property collected at booking is usually available at TGK’s Property Room for up to 30 days.
- While in custody, an inmate may authorize a representative to pick up property.
- After 30 days, property may be stored offsite and arrangements must be made.
- Miami-Dade lists 786-263-5355 for property arrangements.
- Do not wait until the last minute after release.
Records request basics
- Use MDCR public records request for corrections records.
- Arrest records may need Miami-Dade Police or the arresting agency.
- Central Records can charge copying and service fees.
- Useful identifiers include inmate name, jail number, date, facility and record type.
- Central Records phone is 786-263-5892.
Medical, Mental Health, PREA and Urgent Safety Concerns
If a loved one has a medical condition, medication need, suicide risk, pregnancy concern, disability, withdrawal risk or sexual-abuse safety concern, do not wait for ordinary mail or a routine online update.
Medical details to provide
Give the inmate name, jail number, facility, medication, dosage, pharmacy, diagnosis, allergies, seizure history, pregnancy, detox risk or mobility issue.
PREA and abuse concerns
For sexual-abuse or assault concerns, use the facility’s urgent reporting path and document the time, staff name and instructions you receive.
Urgent phone routing
Use facility or MDCR contact numbers for urgent custody-health concerns. Do not rely on digital mail or delayed messages for emergencies.
Official Source and PDF Audit Notes
This section explains what the refresh converted from official web pages and PDFs into practical H2/H3 user-help sections.
Official web-source details used
- MDCR inmate search fields and result details.
- TGK intake process, booking steps, cash bond and surety bond explanation.
- Release routes, TGK release center and property-room timing.
- MDCR contact numbers for booking, intake, property, records, release and pretrial services.
- TouchPay trust-account deposits and iCare commissary gift instructions.
- Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case search for court follow-up.
Official PDF and memo details used
- Legal-mail drop-off PDF: outside labeling, sign-in log, verification and no facility transfer.
- Remote video visitation PDF: no recording, proper attire, no same-day visits, only registered visitors and cancellation rules.
- Electronic communications memo: phone time, video time, electronic messages, digitized mail and monitoring of non-privileged communications.
- 2024 communications contract material: standard package, legal/religious/education access and digital communications context.
- PDF details are used as practical context and do not replace current MDCR facility instructions.
Local Miami-Dade Tips Before You Call, Pay or Visit
Miami-Dade is large, multilingual and multi-facility. A small error can send you to the wrong building, wrong vendor or wrong records system.
Before calling MDCR
- Have the full legal name and jail number ready.
- Know whether your question is inmate location, booking, release, property, records, visitation, bond or pretrial services.
- Ask whether the person is still at TGK or has been moved to another MDCR facility.
- Ask whether bond information is available or still pending during booking.
- Write down the date, time, department and instructions given.
Before driving anywhere
- Confirm whether you need TGK, Pre-Trial Detention Center, Metro West or an administrative office.
- Check traffic and parking because travel between Miami-Dade facilities can take time.
- Do not bring prohibited items, weapons, unnecessary bags or recording devices.
- Confirm visit registration and approval before leaving home.
- Use the Clerk site for court dates instead of relying only on custody status.
Map to TGK Intake and Release Location
TGK is the intake and processing location Miami-Dade lists for what happens after an arrest. The inmate-search result may later show another facility, so always confirm before travel.
Official Links After You Understand the Process
Use these links after choosing the correct task. Each link is included because it answers a specific inmate search, booking, bond, mail, visitation, deposit, commissary, court, records, legal-mail, safety or internal-navigation question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official Dade jail inmate search?
The official search is the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate in-custody search. It lets users search by last name and first name or first initial.
What information does the Miami-Dade inmate search show?
The official result can show name, date of birth, race, sex, location, charges, bond amount, jail number, booking date, booking time and mugshot.
Where are Miami-Dade arrestees processed after arrest?
Miami-Dade says individuals are transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, commonly called TGK, for processing after arrest.
What is the TGK Information Desk phone number?
The TGK Information Desk phone number is 786-263-5550. It can assist with inmate location, bond information, visiting information and general questions.
Can a Miami-Dade inmate bond out anytime?
Miami-Dade says if an inmate has bondable charges, the inmate can bond out at any time. However, bond information may not be available immediately during booking, and release can take several hours.
How do I deposit money into a Miami-Dade inmate trust account?
Miami-Dade lists TouchPay deposit options. You need Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation facility number 233101, the inmate name and the inmate jail number.
What paper can I use for Miami-Dade inmate mail?
MDCR says incoming personal inmate mail must be written on plain white, originally lined paper such as white loose-leaf lined notebook paper, white lined tablet paper or white lined legal tablet paper.
Are books, magazines or postcards allowed in Miami-Dade inmate mail?
Miami-Dade lists hardcover books, paperback books, magazines, newspapers, religious materials, greeting cards, postcards, clippings, colored paper and colored envelopes as not allowed for regular personal mail.
How do Miami-Dade remote video visits work?
Friends and family must be on the inmate’s approved master visitation list and then register through the GTL visit system. Miami-Dade says approval processing may take up to 24 hours.
Where do I check Miami-Dade criminal court records after a booking?
Use the Miami-Dade Clerk criminal case search for court case information, docket activity, hearing dates and certified copy options. The jail search and court case search are separate systems.
Is Dade jail the same as Dade County Jail in Georgia?
No. This page is for Miami-Dade County, Florida. If the arrest happened in or near Dade County, Georgia, use Georgia county or state correctional sources instead.
Final Practical Takeaway
A safe Dade jail inmate search starts with the official Miami-Dade Corrections inmate search, not a copied mugshot page. Save the jail number, confirm the current facility, check bond eligibility, use the Clerk for court status, follow MDCR mail rules, and schedule visits through the official GTL path.
That workflow prevents the common mistakes: sending mail on the wrong paper, depositing money to the wrong person, calling the wrong facility, relying on stale bond information, visiting before approval, discussing case facts on monitored systems, or confusing a booking record with a conviction.