Request City Financial Reports & Audits in Miami

Taxation and Finance Florida 4 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Florida

In Miami, Florida, residents and businesses can request the City of Miami's annual financial reports and audit records to review revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and audit findings. This guide explains where to find published reports, how to make a formal public-records request, expected timelines, and the offices that handle production and review. Use the steps below to obtain PDFs or copies, and follow the appeal routes if access is delayed or denied.

Where to find annual financial reports and audits

The City of Miami posts its Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports and related audit documents on the Finance Department reports pages for public download. [1]

  • Check the Finance Department's "Annual Financial Reports" page for the latest Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and prior years.
  • Some audit reports or management letters may be published separately under internal audit or auditor-general sections.
  • Contact the Finance Department or City Clerk if a requested report is not online.
Start with the Finance Department's reports page to find published CAFRs and PDFs.

How to request records (public-records requests)

To request records that are not posted, submit a public-records request to the City Clerk or the department holding the records. Florida's public-records framework provides the legal basis for access; details and remedies are set by state statute. [2]

  • Submit a written request describing the records (title, year, document type) and preferred format (electronic PDF or printed copy).
  • Expect an initial response from the City Clerk or custodian acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated response time.
  • Fees may apply for copying or shipping; ask for a written estimate before work begins.

Penalties & Enforcement

The legal enforcement framework for public access to municipal financial records is governed by Florida public-records law; the City implements access procedures but specific fines and statutory penalties for noncompliance are set by state law or by court order. If the city denies access improperly, requesters may seek judicial review under the statute cited below. [3]

  • Monetary fines and damages: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first response, follow-up administrative review, then court action; specific dollar ranges for fines or daily penalties are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary remedies: court orders to disclose records, injunctions, or attorney-fee awards where applicable.
  • Enforcer/complaint pathway: City Clerk for access complaints; circuit court for statutory enforcement and remedies.
  • Appeals/review: file a petition in circuit court; time limits for filing are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences/discretion: exemptions under Florida law (e.g., statutory exemptions for certain records) may lawfully restrict disclosure.
If you believe the city unlawfully withheld records, preserve correspondence and request an administrative review before seeking court relief.

Applications & Forms

The City Clerk accepts public-records requests in writing; no special statewide form is required by the City but the Clerk provides submission instructions and contact details on the official page. If no specific form is listed, submit a clear written request by email or mail to the Clerk. [2]

Action steps

  • Identify the report title and year you need (for example, "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report 2024").
  • Search the Finance Department reports page and download if available. [1]
  • If not posted, submit a written public-records request to the City Clerk with your contact info and preferred format. [2]
  • Ask for an estimate of fees before accepting charges; pay any required copying or shipping fees.
  • If access is denied, request an administrative explanation in writing and consider filing for judicial review under state statute.

FAQ

Who holds the City of Miami financial reports?
The Finance Department publishes the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report; the City Clerk is the custodian for public-records requests.
How long does it take to receive records?
Response times vary; the City Clerk should acknowledge receipt and provide an estimate—if no timeline is listed, contact the Clerk for updates.
Are there fees?
Fees for copies or shipping may apply; request an itemized estimate before production.

How-To

  1. Search the City of Miami Finance Department reports page for the CAFR or audit PDF.
  2. If not found, draft a written public-records request with document details and preferred format.
  3. Send the request to the City Clerk by the method the Clerk's page specifies (email, online portal, or mail).
  4. Await acknowledgement and fee estimate; approve costs if required and receive the records electronically or by mail.
  5. If denied, request written reasons and consider filing for review in circuit court under Florida public-records law.

Key Takeaways

  • Start at the Finance Department reports page for published CAFRs.
  • Submit a clear written public-records request to the City Clerk if a report is not online.
  • State law provides remedies if access is unlawfully withheld, but monetary fines and specific time limits are not specified on the cited pages.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Miami - Finance: Annual Financial Reports
  2. [2] City of Miami - City Clerk: Public Records Requests
  3. [3] Florida Statutes, Chapter 119 - Public Records

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