United States · Municipal custody, county transfer and booking guide
City Jail Booking Lookup: Find the Person, Facility, Bond and Next Court Step
Finding someone after a city arrest is rarely as simple as searching one jail roster. A person may still be at a police holding facility, completing booking, appearing before a municipal judge, traveling to a county jail or already released.
This guide explains the complete search path, the records you should save, how to track a transfer, what booking and bond fields mean, and how to handle visits, calls, mail, money, property, medical concerns and court follow-up.
Never identify someone from a name or photograph alone. Match the date of birth, booking date, booking number, arresting agency or court case number. A booking charge is an allegation, not a conviction.
First search
The city police or municipal jail holding the person.
Second search
The county sheriff or regional detention system.
Best identifier
Booking, inmate, arrest or court case number.
Final outcome
Verify charges and disposition through the court.
Main warning
Custody and release information can change quickly.
What should you do first?
RECENT ARREST
Arrested within the last several hours
Contact the arresting police department or city jail. The person may still be completing identification, medical screening, fingerprinting, property inventory or a municipal court appearance.
Search the city first, but be ready for a county transfer.
COUNTY TRANSFER
City search shows no result
Search the county sheriff or regional jail serving the arrest location. Many municipal facilities hold people only temporarily before transfer.
Ask for the receiving facility, transfer time and new booking number.
COURT STATUS
Person is no longer in custody
Search the municipal, county or state court docket. Release does not explain whether the charge remains pending, was dismissed or resulted in a judgment.
Use the court case number whenever available.
Best search strategy: Start with the place of arrest, not the person’s home address. A person arrested in one city may be booked into a county or regional facility located elsewhere.
Search these systems in the correct order
| Custody level | When to search it | What it may show | What to ask when no record appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| City police holding facility | Immediately after a municipal police arrest. | Temporary detention, citation, municipal charges or transfer status. | Is the person still in city custody, released or sent to another facility? |
| Municipal jail | The city operates a public jail or detention center. | Booking number, city charges, bond and short-term custody. | Which court and jail now control the case? |
| County jail | The city transfers detainees to the county sheriff or corrections department. | County booking, charges, bond, housing and release status. | Was a new county booking number assigned? |
| Regional jail | Several cities or counties share one detention authority. | Bookings from multiple participating jurisdictions. | Which participating agency delivered the person? |
| State corrections | The person was sentenced, transferred or returned on a state matter. | State offender ID, prison location and projected release information. | What state ID or receiving institution was assigned? |
| Federal custody | A federal agency or federal court controls detention. | BOP register number, facility and release information. | Is the person in U.S. Marshals, BOP or another federal agency’s custody? |
| Immigration detention | ICE assumes or maintains immigration custody. | Current ICE detention or recent qualifying CBP custody. | What is the person’s A-number and country of birth? |
Do not search every database at once. Identify the arresting agency and arrest location first. That information usually reveals the first city, county or regional system to check.
How to search a city jail roster without excluding the record
Confirm the arresting agency
Determine whether the arrest was made by city police, a county sheriff, state police, a university department, transit police or a federal agency.
Search the official government site
Look for an inmate search, jail roster, custody search, booking search, detention center or prisoner lookup on the city or police website.
Enter the last name first
Leave optional fields blank for the first attempt. A broad search avoids excluding the person because one detail was recorded differently.
Add the first name only when necessary
If many records appear, add the legal first name. Add the date of birth, sex or other fields one at a time.
Test name variations
Try a maiden name, former surname, hyphenated version, suffix, shortened first name, legal middle name or known alias.
Open every plausible match
Compare the date of birth, age, arrest date, booking date, arresting agency, charge and record numbers.
Save the identifiers immediately
Record the exact name, booking number, inmate ID, arrest number, citation number and every court case number.
Check the county system next
If the city does not operate a public roster or the record disappears, search the county jail serving the arrest location.
Search information to prepare
Full legal first and last name
Middle name, suffix and aliases
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate arrest date and time
City and exact arrest location
Arresting police or law-enforcement agency
Booking, inmate or arrest number
Citation, warrant or court case number
How to read a city jail booking result
| Field | What it means | What it does not establish | Next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking number | The identifier assigned to a particular jail intake. | It is not always the same as an inmate or court case number. | Use it for jail calls, deposits, mail and booking questions. |
| Inmate or prisoner ID | An identifier used by the detention agency for the person. | It may change when the person transfers to another system. | Confirm the ID required by each service provider. |
| Arrest date | The date connected with the law-enforcement arrest. | It may differ from the booking or court-filing date. | Use it to distinguish current and older custody events. |
| Booking date | When the person entered the facility’s intake process. | It does not show when the alleged offense occurred. | Compare it with the arrest and transfer timeline. |
| Arresting agency | The department or agency responsible for the arrest. | It may not operate the jail or maintain the court record. | Request the incident report from this agency. |
| Charge | The allegation entered during arrest or booking. | It does not prove guilt or guarantee that prosecutors filed the same charge. | Check the court docket for the formal filing and disposition. |
| Bond amount | The bond presently shown for one charge or case. | Payment will not produce release when another hold remains. | Confirm every charge, warrant and hold before paying. |
| No bond | The listed matter may require judicial action or may not presently permit release. | It does not explain whether the status will change after court. | Check the court calendar and ask which court controls bond. |
| Housing location | The person’s current facility, unit or classification assignment. | The assignment is not permanent. | Confirm it before visiting or sending facility-specific items. |
| Pending release | Release work may be underway. | The person has physically left the facility. | Wait for confirmed release before arranging pickup. |
| Released | That custody episode has ended. | The charge was dismissed or the case is over. | Search the related court case. |
| Mugshot | A photograph created during the booking process. | It does not prove guilt, conviction or identity by itself. | Use stronger identifiers before treating it as a match. |
Same-name protection: Never send money, publish an accusation or contact an employer because a name and photograph appear similar. Confirm at least two independent identifiers.
No city jail inmate record found? Follow this order
The arrest happened recently
The person may still be in transport, identification, fingerprinting, medical screening or intake.
The city does not publish a roster
Some police departments require a telephone inquiry or immediately route detainees to a county jail.
The name is recorded differently
Search the surname only and try former names, aliases, hyphens, suffixes and alternate spellings.
The person received a citation
A person may be released with a notice to appear and never enter a public jail roster.
The person was released quickly
Search booking history, recent arrests or the municipal and county court docket.
The person moved to county custody
Search the sheriff or county corrections system serving the arrest location.
The person entered a regional jail
Look for a detention authority serving several participating cities or counties.
The person was transferred to state custody
Search the state department of corrections using the name and state offender ID.
A federal agency controls the arrest
Search the Federal Bureau of Prisons or contact the federal agency or court involved.
ICE assumed custody
Use the ICE locator with the A-number or the exact name, country of birth and birth date.
The person is under 18
Juvenile detention information is commonly restricted and may not appear in a public search.
The record is sealed or confidential
Protected, juvenile, medical, victim-related, sealed or expunged information may not be publicly displayed.
Call script for a missing inmate
“I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The arrest occurred or may have occurred on [date and time] at [location] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is still in city custody, was released, received a citation or was transferred? If transferred, what agency, facility and booking number now apply?”
What happens during city jail booking?
Transport and facility acceptance
The arresting officer brings the person to a city, county or regional booking location. A receiving facility may refuse or reroute a person who requires emergency medical care.
Identity and warrant checks
Staff confirm identifying information and may check fingerprints, warrants, prior records and agency databases.
Property and money inventory
Clothing, valuables, documents and money are documented and secured according to facility rules. The person should receive or be associated with a property record.
Photograph and fingerprints
A booking photograph and fingerprints may be taken. Public availability varies by state, agency and record status.
Medical and safety screening
Staff ask about medical conditions, medications, injuries, mental-health needs, withdrawal risk and immediate safety concerns.
Charge and hold entry
Arrest charges, warrants and agency holds are added. The initial booking description may later differ from the charge formally filed in court.
Bond or first court review
A preset bond, judicial review, personal release or continued detention may apply depending on the jurisdiction and charge.
Release, housing or transfer
The person may be released, held in the city facility or transferred to county, regional, state, federal or immigration custody.
Why the online result changes: New warrants, court orders, classification decisions, medical needs, bond payment and transfer processing can change the displayed facility or release status.
How to find someone moved from city to county custody
Call the original city facility
Ask whether the person is still held, released or transferred. Request the transfer date, receiving agency and destination.
Ask whether the identifier changed
The county or regional jail may assign a new inmate ID or booking number.
Search the receiving jail broadly
Begin with the surname. Transfer information may not be visible under the city booking number.
Allow for transport and intake delay
The city may show the person as transferred before the county finishes its own public booking entry.
Confirm every charge and hold again
The receiving facility may display additional warrants, cases or detainers not shown by the city.
Update family-service accounts
Mail, telephone, money and visitation providers may change after transfer. Do not continue using the city’s provider automatically.
Information to collect from the sending facility
Date and approximate time of transfer
Receiving agency and facility name
Receiving facility address and telephone
Old city booking number
New county or regional booking number
Court and case number controlling custody
Whether property moved with the person
Whether medication information was transferred
What to confirm before posting bond
Every charge
A booking can include several cases. Write down the bond status for each one.
Every hold
Another warrant, probation matter, jurisdiction or immigration hold may prevent release.
Correct payment office
The jail, court clerk, bond desk or licensed surety may handle different bond types.
| Release type | How it generally works | What to verify locally |
|---|---|---|
| Cash bond | The full amount is paid through the authorized office. | Accepted payment, payer ID, refund rules and processing location. |
| Surety bond | A licensed bond company guarantees the bond under local law. | Licensing, fee, collateral and written contract terms. |
| Personal or recognizance release | The court permits release without full cash payment, often with conditions. | Eligibility screening, fees, reporting and court conditions. |
| Citation or notice to appear | The person is released with a required court appearance. | Court date, courtroom, case number and address-reporting duties. |
| No-bond hold | Release may require a judge, another court or another agency’s action. | Which case or agency controls the hold and the next hearing. |
| Sentence completion | The person is released after completing the applicable custody term. | Release date, time-credit calculation and additional holds. |
Safe bond workflow
Confirm the person with multiple identifiers
Verify the date of birth, booking number and case number before sending money.
Ask whether all matters are bondable
A listed amount on one charge does not guarantee release.
Confirm payment directly with the authorized office
Obtain the exact payment method, payee and physical or online payment destination.
Bring or upload the required identification
The payer may need valid government photo identification and proof of funds.
Keep every receipt
Save the date, time, amount, case number, booking number and confirmation number.
Wait for physical release confirmation
Bond acceptance can be followed by record checks, property return and final release processing.
Bond scam warning: Do not pay a supposed officer or court employee through gift cards, cryptocurrency, personal payment apps or an unverified wire account. Call the jail or court using a number published on its government website.
How to find the charge, hearing and final case result
Municipal court
Commonly handles city-code matters, municipal warrants and certain lower-level cases, depending on state law.
County or district court
May handle misdemeanors, felonies, bond review and cases filed after a city arrest.
State or federal court
Search when the arrest involves a state agency, federal law or a transfer beyond the local court system.
Use the court case number first
It is more precise than a name and reduces same-name mistakes.
Confirm the defendant information
Compare the full name, birth date when displayed, filing date and arresting agency.
Find the filed charging document
The prosecutor’s filing may differ from the original jail description.
Read entries in date order
Look for bond review, arraignment, counsel, motions, continuances, warrants and trial events.
Locate the final disposition
Identify a dismissal, prosecutor declination, plea, judgment, verdict or sentence rather than relying only on “closed.”
Order a certified copy when needed
Formal employment, immigration, licensing or legal matters may require an official disposition rather than an online screenshot.
| Term | Plain meaning | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | The case has not reached a final result. | Next hearing and latest filing. |
| Dismissed | The court dismissed a charge or case. | Whether every count was dismissed. |
| Prosecutor declined | The prosecuting authority did not proceed with a filed charge at that stage. | The official declination or court entry. |
| Guilty plea | The defendant entered a plea accepted by the court. | Exact count, judgment and sentence. |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted of the resolved count. | Whether any other counts remained. |
| Closed | The court system no longer shows the case as active. | The document explaining how the case ended. |
How to prepare for city or county jail visitation
Visitation rules are facility-specific. Confirm the current facility after every transfer before scheduling or traveling.
Confirm the inmate remains at the facility
Verify whether visits are in person, video or both
Check registration and advance-scheduling requirements
Review visitor age and guardian rules
Bring accepted government photo identification
Check clothing, property and device restrictions
Arrive before visitor-processing cutoff
Check whether the inmate is eligible for visits
| Reason | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Court movement | The person is temporarily away for a hearing or transport. | Reschedule after confirming return. |
| Medical movement | Treatment, observation or medical housing affects access. | Ask when visitation eligibility can be rechecked. |
| Facility lockdown | Operations or security temporarily suspend movement. | Do not travel until the facility confirms restoration. |
| Transfer | The person is no longer at the original city facility. | Create or update the account for the receiving jail. |
| Visitor restriction | Identification, registration, conduct or relationship rules were not met. | Ask for the specific rule and available review process. |
| Inmate restriction | Classification, disciplinary status or housing may limit visits. | Ask when eligibility may change. |
Recorded communication warning: Non-legal visits are commonly monitored or recorded. Do not discuss evidence, witnesses, alleged conduct or defense strategy.
How inmate telephone, tablet and message services usually work
Outgoing calls
Most facilities permit inmates to place approved outgoing calls. Family members usually cannot call a housing unit directly.
Provider account
The facility may use a contracted telephone, tablet or messaging provider requiring a prepaid account.
Transfer reset
A city-to-county transfer may require a different provider, facility selection or inmate identifier.
Before funding a communications account
Confirm the inmate’s current facility
Use the exact name and inmate ID
Confirm the facility’s selected provider
Review per-minute and transaction charges
Check blocked-number and verification rules
Save the payment and account confirmation
Missed call problem: Jail calls may come from unfamiliar or automated numbers. Carrier spam filters, collect-call blocks and account-verification failures can prevent connection.
Legal privacy: Ordinary telephone, tablet and message services should not be treated as confidential attorney communication.
How to send money without funding the wrong person
Confirm current custody
Do not fund an account based on an old booking page.
Copy the exact inmate identifier
A city ID may no longer work after transfer to county custody.
Use only the provider named by the jail
Avoid advertisements and websites that imitate official deposit services.
Review all charges
Check deposit limits, convenience fees, refund terms and available payment methods.
Enter the person’s identity carefully
Compare the name, identifier and facility before confirming payment.
Save the receipt
Record the transaction number, date, amount, provider and destination account.
| Account or service | Typical purpose | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Trust or commissary account | Facility-approved purchases and certain account deductions. | It is not automatically the telephone account. |
| Telephone account | Calling charges or prepaid communications. | Funds may belong to the caller’s account rather than the inmate’s trust account. |
| Tablet or messaging account | Electronic messages, media or tablet services where available. | Availability and prices vary by facility. |
| Bond payment | Court-authorized release payment. | Never send bond money to a commissary account. |
| Court fines or fees | Payment through the court or clerk. | The jail’s deposit vendor may not process court debt. |
Wrong-person risk: A completed deposit may be difficult to reverse. Confirm the inmate ID, facility and booking status before pressing the final payment button.
How to address city or county jail mail correctly
Traditional facility mail
The envelope is sent to the jail using the inmate’s name, ID, housing information when required and the facility mailing address.
Off-site digital mail
The envelope is sent to a processing center where approved contents are scanned and delivered electronically.
Do not mail until you confirm these items
Current facility after any transfer
Exact inmate name as booked
Current inmate or booking ID
Correct personal-mail address
Sender’s complete return address
Envelope, paper and photograph limits
Whether mail is scanned or physically delivered
Separate legal-mail or publication procedures
Items commonly restricted or routed separately
Cash and financial instruments
Do not place cash, personal payment cards or valuables inside ordinary correspondence.
Legal mail
Privileged attorney correspondence usually follows separate sender-verification and addressing rules.
Books and publications
Many facilities require direct shipment from an approved publisher, retailer or distributor.
Polaroids or altered photos
Photo format, size, quantity and content restrictions vary by facility.
Stickers, glitter and substances
Adhesives, fragrance, lipstick, stains, paint and decorative materials are commonly prohibited.
Identification documents
Ask the property or records unit before mailing original birth certificates, licenses or Social Security cards.
Transfer warning: Mail sent after a transfer may be returned, delayed or destroyed under the original facility’s processing rules. Reconfirm custody before mailing.
How to retrieve property or deliver essential information
Property-release questions to ask
Must the inmate sign an authorization?
Is the property released all at once?
What government identification is accepted?
What days and hours are property releases processed?
Was the property sent with the person after transfer?
Are money, vehicle keys and identification stored separately?
Property call script
“I am trying to collect authorized property for [full name], booking or inmate number [number]. Is the property still at your facility, and must the inmate complete a release form? What identification, pickup hours and full-release rules apply?”
Medication and medical information
Do not hand medication to an officer without instructions
Facilities commonly require verification through medical staff and may use their own pharmacy supply.
Provide complete prescription details
Prepare the medication name, dosage, prescriber, pharmacy, condition and last dose.
Report urgent risk clearly
Tell staff about insulin dependence, seizures, heart conditions, pregnancy, withdrawal risk, severe mental illness or recent surgery.
Emergency concern: When a detained person may face immediate medical danger, call the facility and clearly state that the request concerns an urgent medical or suicide-safety issue. Call emergency services when directed or when someone outside custody faces immediate danger.
How an inmate can request medical care or file a grievance
| Problem | Immediate action | What to document |
|---|---|---|
| Medical emergency | Notify an officer or medical staff immediately. | Symptoms, time reported, witnesses and response. |
| Routine medical need | Submit the facility’s medical request, sick-call form or electronic request. | Submission date, symptoms and follow-up. |
| Medication interruption | Notify medical staff and provide prescription details. | Medication, dosage, prescriber and last dose. |
| Mental-health or suicide risk | Tell staff immediately and identify the specific behavior or statement. | Exact concern, time, staff notified and response. |
| Disability accommodation | Request an effective communication aid or reasonable modification. | Accommodation requested, why it is needed and response. |
| Conditions complaint | Use the jail’s grievance procedure and meet the stated deadline. | Incident date, names, facts, grievance number and appeal. |
| Sexual abuse or harassment | Use the facility’s PREA reporting channel or report to staff or an authorized external channel. | Preserve details without creating additional safety risk. |
Family escalation checklist
Use the exact inmate and booking number
State the medical or safety concern specifically
Provide prescription and provider details
Record the date, time and staff member contacted
Ask for the medical, grievance or disability coordinator
Use written follow-up when the issue remains unresolved
Disability access: State and local law-enforcement, court and corrections agencies are covered by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Appropriate communication aids or reasonable modifications may be required depending on the individual and the interaction.
Systemic civil-rights concerns: The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division reviews information about patterns or practices affecting people confined in state and local jails. It does not replace the jail’s emergency, medical or grievance process for an immediate individual need.
Which office holds each city arrest record?
| Record | Likely custodian | Information to provide |
|---|---|---|
| Incident or arrest report | Arresting police or law-enforcement agency | Name, date, location, officer and report number. |
| Booking and custody record | City, county or regional jail | Booking number, inmate ID, name and booking date. |
| Probable-cause document | Arresting agency, court clerk or prosecutor depending on local procedure | Arrest number, case number and arrest date. |
| Criminal court docket | Municipal, county, district, state or federal court clerk | Court case number or name and filing range. |
| Certified disposition | Court clerk | Case number and exact document requested. |
| Body-camera or dispatch material | Police records, emergency communications or another designated office | Date, time, location, unit and report number. |
| Medical record | Jail medical provider or records office | Identity authorization and requested treatment period. |
| State criminal history | State police, public safety or criminal-history repository | Required name or fingerprint information. |
Write a focused public-record request
Copy-ready request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause document and releasable supplemental reports concerning [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the arrest or incident occurring on or about [date and time] at [location]. The arresting agency was [agency]. Known identifiers are report number [number], arrest number [number], booking number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount].
Why portions may be unavailable
- The investigation remains active or the record is temporarily exempt.
- The document contains juvenile, victim, witness, medical or protected personal information.
- Audio, video or photographs require review and redaction.
- The record is sealed, expunged or confidential by law or court order.
- The request was sent to an office that does not maintain the document.
- The wording is too broad to identify the requested records efficiently.
When the person is no longer in local custody
State prison or corrections
Search the state department of corrections for the arrest state. State locators often use a state offender number in addition to name and demographic fields.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The BOP locator covers federal inmates from 1982 to the present. Search by name or federal identification number. A “Released” or “Not in BOP Custody” result does not rule out another agency’s custody.
ICE detention
The ICE locator can search qualifying current custody by nine-digit A-number and country of birth or by exact biographical information. It does not search people under age 18.
Federal inmate search details
Search BOP by first, middle and last name
Add race, age or sex to narrow common names
Search by BOP register number when known
BOP register numbers follow the displayed number format
Release dates may change after sentence recalculation
No BOP location does not exclude other custody
ICE detainee search details
Use the nine-digit A-number when available
Add leading zeros to a shorter A-number
Select the correct country of birth
Name searches require an exact first and last name
Include the hyphen in a hyphenated surname
Use the ICE information line when online search fails
ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line
Operators are listed as available Monday–Friday, excluding holidays, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern Time. Language assistance is available.
Federal inmate search coverage
The BOP locator covers federal incarceration records from 1982 to the present. Older federal records may require archival research.
How to register for release or transfer alerts
VINE, meaning Victim Information and Notification Everyday, is used by participating jurisdictions to provide custody and criminal-case information. Available notification methods can include telephone, email, text message, a mobile app or TTY.
Select the state or participating jurisdiction
Coverage differs by state and agency.
Search with accurate identifiers
Use the full name, date of birth, offender ID or booking information when supported.
Confirm the correct person
Do not register against a same-name result without identity verification.
Select the notification method
Choose telephone, email, text, app or another supported option.
Create and protect the required PIN
Some telephone notifications require a PIN to confirm receipt.
Maintain an independent safety plan
Automated notifications can be delayed or affected by data and telephone problems.
Do not rely on one alert for personal safety. Keep contact information current, maintain communication with the victim advocate or prosecutor, and use emergency services when danger is immediate.
Use the two-identifier rule before taking action
Full legal name is consistent
Date of birth or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking or inmate ID matches another official record
Court case number connects to the same event
Same name, different birth date
Treat the records as belonging to different people unless the agency confirms an error.
Similar photograph, different number
A photograph is less reliable than a booking, fingerprint or court identifier.
Same city, different arrest date
The result may concern an older and unrelated custody event.
Different court case number
One person may have multiple cases, but each number must be reviewed separately.
City jail inmate-search questions answered
How do I find a person arrested by city police?
Search the city police or municipal jail first. If no public search exists, call the department’s jail or detention desk. Then search the county sheriff or regional jail serving the arrest location.
How long does city jail booking take?
There is no national time limit for public posting. Identity verification, fingerprints, medical screening, property inventory, charge entry, court review and transfer can delay the public result.
Why did a city jail record disappear?
The person may have been released, cited, transferred to county custody, moved to another jurisdiction or removed from public display because of a legal restriction.
What is the best information for an inmate search?
A booking, inmate or court case number is more precise than a name. When searching by name, also compare the date of birth, arrest date and arresting agency.
Can I call an inmate directly?
Usually not. Local jails generally use outgoing inmate telephone systems. Family members create or fund an approved account and wait for the inmate to call.
How do I know whether bond will release the person?
Check every charge, warrant and hold. Confirm with the authorized jail or court office that the displayed amount resolves all releasable matters before paying.
Can I mail medication to a city jail inmate?
Do not mail or deliver medication without instructions from the facility’s medical unit. Provide the prescription name, dosage, prescriber, pharmacy and last dose so staff can verify treatment.
How do I locate someone transferred to federal custody?
Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator for federal inmates from 1982 to the present. A person awaiting federal processing may also be held under another agency or contract facility, so contact the federal court or arresting agency when no result appears.
How do I locate someone in ICE custody?
Search the ICE locator by nine-digit A-number and country of birth or by exact first name, last name, country of birth and birth date. The locator does not search records for people under age 18.
Can I receive an alert when an inmate is released?
Participating states and local agencies may provide VINE custody notifications by telephone, email, text, mobile app or TTY. Register in the participating state and maintain a separate safety plan.
What must be verified in the live local system?
City jail rules are not uniform nationwide. The information below must be confirmed through the specific city, county, court or detention authority before taking the final action.
Current custody
Whether the person remains held, was released or transferred.
Bond status
Amount, eligibility, payment method, office and unresolved holds.
Visit schedule
Hours, advance booking, identification and visitor restrictions.
Service provider
Approved company for calls, deposits, video visits or messaging.
Mail address
Direct facility mail, off-site scanning address and inmate-ID format.
Court event
Hearing date, courtroom, formal charge and current disposition.
National official resources used for the routing rules: USAGov prisoner-record guidance, the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator, the ICE Online Detainee Locator System, the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, ADA.gov and the Office for Victims of Crime’s victim-notification guidance.