Cook County Jail Inmate Search & Roster 2026

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Cook County, Illinois · Custody, visitation and release guide

Cook County Individual in Custody Lookup: Housing, Visits, Court and Discharge

Finding a name is only the first step. Cook County families also need the booking number, current division, visitation approval, phone-account instructions, trust-fund method, court status and a realistic idea of when discharge may finish.

This guide brings those official rules together. Use the county locator only for the live search or application; the practical explanations below cover what to do before and after the result appears.

Open official custody locator Call automated help No result found?
Verify identity before acting: Match the booking number, age or date of birth, booking date, housing location and court information. A custody or charge entry is not proof of guilt, and the housing or discharge status can change.
Official locator

Custody details plus visitor application access.

Main line

773-674-1945, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.

Automated help

773-674-5245, English or Spanish.

Main address

2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.

Visitor status

773-674-8225 after 7 business days.

Start here

Choose the fastest search route

1
You know the name

Search the legal last name first. Add the first name only when the result list is too broad.

2
You have the booking number

Use it as the primary identifier. It is also needed for mail, deposits, discharge tracking and many phone questions.

3
You need to visit

Find the person first, submit the visitor application for that specific person, then wait for approval before scheduling.

Cook County wording: The Sheriff often uses “individual in custody” instead of “inmate.” Search pages and phone menus may use that phrase.

Jump to the action you need

Every section answers the task directly.

Official search workflow

How to run a Cook County Jail inmate search

Open the Individual in Custody Locator Use the Sheriff-operated locator rather than a copied roster. Accept the terms to begin.
Start with the last name Enter fewer details first. A spelling, suffix or date mismatch can hide the correct record.
Try name variations Check hyphenated names, maiden names, compound surnames and omitted middle names.
Open the likely match Compare the booking number, custody status, housing code, court details and identifying information.
Write down the booking number Cook County deposit vendors, mailroom staff, records staff and the discharge tracker may require it.
Decode the housing code The first characters identify the division, such as DIV2 or DIV08; the second set identifies the tier or living unit.
Confirm urgent or unclear information by phone Call the automated line at 773-674-5245 or customer service at 773-674-1945.
Run live Cook County search Call automated locator

Cook County custody-result fields explained

What to save and what to verify
Field Meaning Next action
Booking number The identifier tied to the current booking. Use it for mail, trust deposits, discharge tracking and records calls.
Housing location Division plus tier or living-unit code. Use the division for visit and video-call planning; recheck before travel.
Custody status Whether the person is currently held or moving through discharge. Use the discharge tracker when release processing begins.
Court information Case, courtroom or hearing information associated with custody. Confirm through the Clerk or daily court docket.
Charge information The allegation recorded in connection with the case. Do not treat it as a conviction; check later court filings.
Discharge status A release stage, not necessarily physical exit. Wait for completed discharge before arranging final pickup.
Troubleshooting

No Cook County Jail record found?

Arrest happened recently The person may still be at a police station, central bond court or intake before appearing in the locator.
Name is entered differently Retry the last name only, then test a maiden name, suffix, spacing change or alternate spelling.
Person may be out of custody A court case can remain open after release. Use the court portal rather than expecting a current jail result.
Person may have transferred Ask whether custody moved to the Illinois Department of Corrections, another county, a hospital or a federal agency.
You know the booking number Call 773-674-5245 and use the phone menu for records or custody information.
Release may be underway Check the Sheriff discharge tracker with the booking number.
Phone script “I am trying to confirm whether [full name], date of birth [date], is in Cook County custody. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. I have booking number [number, if known]. Can you confirm the division, discharge status or receiving agency?”

Cook County Jail housing divisions and how to read the location

The jail campus spans about 96 acres and multiple buildings. The locator’s housing code matters because visitation, video-visit contacts and arrival instructions depend on the division.

Active Cook County housing examples
Division Address or role Family note
Division II 2700 S. California Ave.; general-population men in minimum or medium classifications. Housing codes commonly begin with DIV2.
Division III Annex Female general population across minimum, medium and maximum classifications. Confirm the current division before scheduling.
Division VI 2801 S. Sacramento Ave.; medium and minimum custody housing. Use the specific division entrance and approved visit time.
Division IX 2834 W. 31st St.; medium and maximum custody, protective custody and disciplinary units. Security status can affect movement and visits.
Division X 2950 S. California Ave.; general population and historically medical/acute psychiatric use. Call before delivering approved medical items.
Division XI 3015 S. California Blvd.; large medium-security facility with multiple pods. The housing code should include the specific living unit.
Housing can change: Classification, court movement, medical care, discipline, protective custody or operational needs may move a person after you checked the locator.
Visitor approval

Cook County Jail visitation application and approval rules

Find the person in the locator The visitor application is tied to a specific person in custody.
Submit a complete adult application Adults should apply online when possible. Paper applications may also be available in divisional lobbies and Cook County courthouses.
Wait for the background check Cook County checks the application for identity, criminal-status and security issues.
Allow seven business days After that period, call the Visitor Information Center at 773-674-8225 or email doc.visitation@cookcountyil.gov.
Schedule only after approval Use the official in-person scheduling system. Applying does not itself create an appointment.
Reapply after reincarceration If the person was discharged and later returned to custody, the old application does not carry over.

Who may be denied?

Application problems

Invalid, inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information can cause denial.

Current supervision or case

Applicants in the first year of parole or probation, on house arrest, on bond, or with an open criminal case may be denied, excluding misdemeanor traffic cases.

Recent custody

Discharge from Cook County, IDOC or another verified correctional facility within the last 60 days is a denial ground.

Warrants or registration issues

Outstanding warrants, ICE detainers or failure to maintain legally required registration can cause denial.

Protective order

A protective order involving the person requested for visitation can cause denial.

Security decision

A Cook County supervisor may deny visits for documented safety or security reasons.

Children and approved adults

Minor rule: Children age 17 or younger do not submit an application, but must come with an approved parent or guardian. High-school-age minors need current state or school photo ID. One approved adult may accompany up to three children.

Accessibility

Visitors may request reasonable ADA accommodations. Cook County lists the ADA Compliance Officer at 773-674-7768; some requests may require advance notice.

Apply for visitation Schedule approved in-person visit

Cook County family video visits through Microsoft Teams

Cook County currently conducts family video visits through Microsoft Teams. The person in custody must add the visitor to the visitation list, and a Sheriff’s Office staff member contacts the visitor to arrange a day and time.

Create an active Microsoft Teams account using an email address
Ask the person in custody to add your name to the visitation list
Wait for Cook County staff to contact you with scheduling information
Join from a quiet, private and appropriately dressed setting
Do not drink, smoke, display nudity or act disruptively
Keep the division phone number ready for connection problems
Cook County Teams visit division phone lines
Location Dedicated line Use
Division 2 / 6 Annex 773-674-3745 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 3 Annex 773-674-4894 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 6 773-674-5336 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 8 Cermak 773-674-5761 Cermak video-visit help.
Division 9 773-674-2295 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 10 773-674-7640 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 11 773-674-3722 Division-specific video-visit help.
Division 16 MHTC 773-674-7159 Mental Health Transition Center visit help.
Illinois pretrial rules

Cook County bond, detention and older cash-bond cases

Major legal change: For cases filed on or after September 18, 2023, Illinois replaced routine cash bail with a pretrial release and detention system. Older cases filed before that date may still carry cash-bond requirements.

When an older cash bond still exists

Main jail location

Division 5, 2700 S. California Ave., 10 a.m.–6 p.m., 365 days a year.

Weekday suburban courthouses

Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham accept eligible transactions Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m., excluding holidays.

Payment methods

Cash, bank or cashier’s check, and in-person credit or debit card where permitted. Card payments carry a 2.13% non-refundable service fee.

Payment inconsistency to resolve before travel: Cook County’s current bonding page says bank or cashier checks are accepted and money orders are not. Checks must be payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and verified with the bank during normal banking hours.
Confirm that payment is legally required Do not assume every current case has cash bail. Check the court order and filing date.
Wait for intake and court paperwork A newly booked person must complete processing after the initial appearance before an eligible older-case bond can be posted.
Check for another hold If another agency has a hold, Cook County may need additional information when the payer arrives in person.
Bring the physical card and photo ID Card transactions must be completed in person at 2700 S. California Ave.
Plan for discharge processing The Sheriff says discharge commonly takes about two to three hours after bond is posted and can take longer when GPS monitoring is required.

Track Cook County discharge and avoid an unnecessary pickup wait

The Sheriff’s discharge tracker uses the booking number to show progress through release stages. Cook County warns that the full discharge process can take up to five hours and that some circumstances cause additional delay.

Reviewing for discharge The person has not yet completed every release step.
Older bond was just paid Allow the typical two-to-three-hour process, while recognizing that five hours or more may occur.
GPS monitoring ordered Placement and Adult Probation coordination can extend release time.
Another agency hold The person may not be released to family even after the Cook County case is resolved.
Track discharge by booking number
Trust fund and commissary

How to send money to someone in Cook County Jail

Use the exact spelling of the name and booking number shown by Cook County. Online and telephone deposits generally take one to two business days to post.

Cook County trust-account methods
Method Required details Practical note
Western Union Exact name, booking number; city code CCDOC or Cook County Dept Correction, Illinois. Telephone help: 1-800-225-5227.
MoneyGram Exact name, booking number; receive code 1750. Telephone help: 1-800-666-4726.
JailATM Exact name and booking number; no facility code listed. Telephone help: 1-870-627-5476.
Currency exchange Same Western Union or MoneyGram information. Useful for cash deposits at participating agents.
Lobby kiosk Correct identity and booking number. Available at the jail campus.
Trust/Finance Office

773-674-6864
8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Use for deposit questions, missing funds, former-custody balances or forwarding funds.

Weekly commissary limit

Cook County says each person may purchase up to $100 per week in clothing, supplies or food items.

Typical commissary products

Clothing
Stamped envelopes
Toiletries
Phone cards
Supplemental food
Other approved supplies

Collecting funds after discharge

A former person in custody may request funds at the Division 5 lobby front desk, 2700 S. California Ave., from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with valid government photo ID. The Trust/Finance Office can also explain forwarding funds to another correctional or mental-health facility.

Cook County Jail mail address and rejection rules

Address format
Full name
Booking number
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Find the booking number

Use the official locator or call the automated system at 773-674-5245.

Foreign-substance rule: Mail covered, sprayed, saturated or contaminated with perfume, cologne, oil, grease, sticky material, moisture or another foreign substance may be removed as contraband and not returned.

If mail is returned

If a package contains any prohibited portion, Cook County says the entire package can be returned. The sender may request review within 10 days of receiving the returned-mail notice.

Mail-rejection review address
Mail Rejection
Cook County Department of Corrections
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Before mailing a book or package: Confirm the current restricted-item list. Some items are available only through commissary, and a package can be rejected in full because of one prohibited item.

Cook County Jail phone accounts, rates and call blocking

Cook County uses ViaPath/GTL for individual-in-custody telephone services. Friends and family can create a prepaid account through ConnectNetwork.

Published Cook County calling rates
Call type Rate Planning note
Local $0.05 per minute Account funding and provider taxes or fees may also matter.
Intrastate $0.05 per minute Calls within Illinois.
Interstate $0.05 per minute Calls to another U.S. state.
Mexico and Canada $0.08 per minute International account setup may be required.
Other international $0.13 per minute Confirm country availability before funding.
ViaPath customer service

877-650-4249

Use for prepaid-account and provider questions.

Block unwanted calls

Call 1-866-516-0115 and follow the prompts to block a person or facility.

Set up or fund phone account

Find the Cook County criminal case and hearing

The jail locator is for custody. Court status, filings and hearing information belong to the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Copy the case number from the custody result One booking can connect to more than one case.
Search the Clerk’s case system Use the case number when possible to avoid same-name errors.
Confirm the courthouse Cook County criminal matters can be heard at the Leighton Criminal Court Building or a suburban municipal district.
Check the hearing close to the date Time, courtroom, remote status and judge assignment can change.
Separate custody from case outcome A person can have an active case while released, on electronic monitoring or no longer in Cook County custody.
Cash-bail transition: For newer cases, the judge may decide release conditions or detention without setting a traditional cash amount. Read the current court order instead of expecting an old-style bond figure.

Cook County corrections contact directory by problem

Call the office that handles the task
Problem Office Phone or hours
General bonding, discharge, property, court location or trust-fund question Customer Service 773-674-1945, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days
Custody, housing, phone menu or records Automated Help Line 773-674-5245, English/Spanish
Visitor-application status Visitor Information Center 773-674-8225
Trust deposits, missing money or released funds Trust/Finance 773-674-6864, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Records and booking-number questions Records Office 773-674-2390
Individual-in-custody services or family notification IIC Services 773-674-1979
Electronic Monitoring EM Information 877-326-9198
Legal-office question Legal Office 773-674-7683

Cook County Jail map and arrival checklist

Confirm current custody and division
Save the booking number
Verify visitor approval before travel
Confirm the exact building or courthouse
Bring accepted government photo ID
Do not bring prohibited property

Final-action links only

The information needed to plan each task is included above. Leave this page only when the action must occur on a live government or approved provider system.

S
Search custody

Find the current booking number and housing location.

Open locator
V
Schedule a visit

Use only after visitor approval.

Schedule visit
D
Track discharge

Use the booking number to check release progress.

Open tracker
$
Deposit funds

Use exact name and booking number.

Open JailATM
P
Set up phone account

Use ViaPath/ConnectNetwork.

Open phone account
C
Search court case

Use the booking result’s case number.

Open Clerk site
Source review: Cook County Sheriff corrections, custody locator, visitation, bonding, discharge, trust-fund, mail, phone, division and FAQ pages were reviewed July 14, 2026. Live custody, court, division, fee and schedule details can change.

Cook County Jail inmate search FAQs

How do I find someone in Cook County Jail?

Use the Sheriff’s Individual in Custody Locator and verify the booking number, housing location and current custody details.

What is the main Cook County Jail phone number?

Call 773-674-1945 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Automated help is available at 773-674-5245.

Where is Cook County Jail?

The main Department of Corrections address is 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.

How long does visitor approval take?

Cook County asks applicants to allow seven business days before calling the Visitor Information Center to check status.

Can children visit?

Children age 17 or younger do not apply, but must come with an approved parent or guardian. High-school-age minors need current photo ID.

How do video visits work?

Family video visits use Microsoft Teams. The person in custody adds the visitor to the list, and Cook County staff contacts the visitor to schedule.

Does Cook County still require cash bail?

Newer Illinois cases filed on or after September 18, 2023 use the current pretrial release and detention system. Older cases can still have cash-bond requirements.

How long does discharge take?

Cook County says discharge can take up to five hours. Older-case bond discharges commonly take about two to three hours, but delays occur.

How do I send money?

Use the exact name and booking number through Western Union, MoneyGram, JailATM, a currency exchange or a jail kiosk. Posting generally takes one to two business days.

What is the mail address?

Use the person’s full name and booking number at 2700 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60608.

Independent information and presumption-of-innocence notice: This site is not the Cook County Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Circuit Court, ViaPath or a live jail database. Custody, housing, charge, hearing and release information can change. An arrest or filed charge is not a conviction. Do not use this information to harass, threaten, discriminate against or unlawfully identify any person.

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