Miami-Dade County government offices are located in Miami, the largest of the municipalities in the county. Other large cities include Hialeah, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. There are more than 30 municipalities as well as unincorporated areas within the Miami-Dade County borders.

Miami-Dade County has experienced steady growth and is expected to continue in that direction. Reasonable housing prices and cost of living expenses, no state or local personal income taxes and year-round mild temperatures make it an attractive location for residents and businesses.

Current and prospective residents and business owners can access a wide range of information online. Miami-Dade County government provides several Internet resources, including:

1. Access to Miami-Dade county business records and public records;

2. Online resources for starting a business in the area;

3. Internet access to local ordinances.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Perform a Miami-Dade County official records search

Many online services are offered, including access to Miami-Dade County property records and court records.

I recommend: Search property information for the county through the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser site, which includes mapped or text-only information. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts provides simple and fee-based services, including access to civil, family and criminal case information, code violations, mortgage foreclosures and other public records.

Locate Miami-Dade County individual government offices and information

Much of Miami-Dade County is unincorporated area, where properties do not fall within a specific municipality's borders. Besides the unincorporated area there more than 30 municipalities within Miami-Dade County. Individual municipalities enact ordinances and zoning laws, set tax rates and process building permits and business licenses.

I recommend: A map of each municipality within the county is available on the Miami-Dade County website. Many municipalities, including Miami and Hialeah, provide information and online services on their own websites. Online ordinances for the county and some of the municipalities within it are hosted by Municode.

Get information about business services provided by metro Dade County government

A large population, strong tourism and access to highways and airports make Miami-Dade County an attractive place to start or relocate a business. Many incentives and funding programs for business start-ups are provided through government and non-profit groups.

I recommend: Find out the requirements for a business license on the Miami-Dade County website. Business taxes can be paid on line to the Miami-Dade County collector. Information about local business programs, funding, Dade county government grants for businesses and other financial incentives are available from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Beacon Council.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you build or renovate property or start a business, get in touch with the Miami-Dade County government or town/city officials. State building codes are followed throughout the state, but the county and individual municipalities may have additional requirements and processes.

Dealing with the Miami-Dade County government is necessary if you own a business in the county. Paying taxes, getting permits, scheduling inspections and pursuing legal action all require a visit or call to a government office.

Navigating through all the red tape when dealing with the government can be a challenge. Consider the following suggestions to help familiarize you with Miami-Dade County government basics:

1. Find the Miami-Dade County government offices you will need to contact during the course of running your business.

2. Locate the Miami-Dade County courts and legal services to help you with record searches and other legal needs.

3. Give back to the community by supporting Miami-Dade County youth programs and services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay in contact with Miami-Dade County government officials

Starting or running a business usually involves having to deal with numerous county officials. In some cases, you may need to find Miami-Dade County public business records or Miami-Dade County license verification agencies. Using Miami-Dade agency listings provided by Metro Dade County government websites ensures you get the most up to date contact listings.

I recommend: The Miami-Dade County website and the Miami Dade Office of the Inspector General website both offer informative articles and contacts for business owners and managers.

Know the locations of Miami-Dade County, Florida, government court offices

As a business owner, you may find that you need to take legal action against someone at some point. Knowing where to find legal advice in case this happens is essential. These offices also house the Office of the Miami-Dade County Collector, who can assist you in finding Miami-Dade County property records and other Miami-Dade County official records search information.

I recommend: Clerk of the Circuit and County Court website offers information concerning court records, including marriage licenses and how to obtain child support. Miami-Dade County Attorney's Office website provides contact information for the attorneys employed by the office. You can find detailed information about the function of each office.

Support Miami-Dade County government youth services

Many business owners enjoy giving back to their community. Miami-Dade County offers numerous youth services, including public schools and outreach programs for troubled youth. Consider volunteering or donating goods and services to these programs.

I recommend: The Miami Dade County Public Schools website offers information about the schools controlled by the county. You can also find information about the Police in Schools program and the School Board on this website. The Miami Dade Public Defender website offers information on youth programs within the legal system, including juvenile court and the Juvenile Justice CPR or Charting a Path to Redemption Program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are trying to open a new business in Miami-Dade County, consider contacting the Mayor's office for information about securing a Miami-Dade County government grant to help with the costs.

Finding the right training for a job with Miami-Dade County Government depends upon your highest level of education, financial resources, whether you prefer in-class or online training and whether you are willing to meet the licensing requirements that some county government positions require.

Preparing for government jobs at the federal and local levels across the United States has become more accessible in the past two decades with the help of distance learning and apprenticeship programs. Miami-Dade County Government education and training is no exception. Start by contacting the county government administrative offices for a listing of department positions and the qualifications necessary to fill them. From there you can take any of the following paths to securing a county government job:

1. Seek certification to become a Miami Dade County collector of taxes or get specific training in Dade County public business records management.

2. Use local government resources to sign up for an apprenticeship in Dade County or train to become a Miami-Dade County police officer.

3. Take online classes in business administration and legal studies that prepare you for jobs posted on Miami-Dade County department listings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Train in tax collection or Miami-Dade County business records management

Some careers with Miami-Dade County, Florida, government require specific certifications, such as tax assessing and collecting, or specific training, such as in the management of public business records.

I recommend: Contact the Florida Department of Revenue to find out the steps you must take in order to become licensed as a tax assessor or collector for the county government. The Florida Department of State offers training in records management to any Florida citizen interested in a career in managing public records.

Start with the local job placement resources that Miami-Dade County Government offers

The county government office is the best place to start for information about jobs with Miami-Dade County property records administration or to check Dade County department listings. You can also access information about Dade County government grants.

I recommend: Miami-Dade Human Resources provides a succession planning program whereby veteran government employees train new comers who will succeed them. Get information on how you can become a police officer in Miami-Dade County at the Police Academy Training web page. Sign up for an internship or apprenticeship with the Miami-Dade County Government and get on the job training for the position of your choice.

Pursue an online degree accepted by Miami-Dade County government

Complete online classes offered by leading academic institutions when it's not convenient for you to be there in person. You can still work towards a degree, certification or license that county government requires for job placement but you can do so in the comfort of your own home and on a time schedule that you choose.

I recommend: The University of Florida's distance learning program offers courses in business administration, paralegal studies, public planning and finance. Capella University and the University of Phoenix offer both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in accounting, finance, criminal justice and project management and all courses are available online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you search for the right Miami-Dade County Government education and training programs, inquire about the flexible schedule program the county government now offers to interested applicants.