Information You Need for a Search

Before searching an inmate locator, gather as much of the following as possible:

  • Full legal name: Use the name on the person's government-issued ID. Nicknames or shortened names may not return results.
  • Date of birth: Helps narrow results when multiple people share the same name.
  • Booking number: A unique identifier assigned at booking. If you have it, the search is faster and more precise.
  • Arresting agency: Knowing whether the arrest was made by the Sheriff's Department, LAPD, or a city police department helps identify which jail the person was taken to.
  • Approximate arrest date: Useful if the name search returns multiple results.

You do not need all of this information to start a search. A full legal name and date of birth are usually enough.

Los Angeles County Resources

Los Angeles County operates multiple jails and detention facilities. The primary inmate locator is maintained by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

Our inmate search guide provides additional resources for specific LA County facilities.

Orange County Resources

Orange County Sheriff's Department operates the main county jails:

Orange County jails include the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, the James A. Musick Facility in Irvine, and the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana.

Riverside County Resources

Riverside County Sheriff's Department maintains the official inmate locator:

Finding the Booking Number

The booking number is a unique identifier assigned when a person is processed into jail. It appears on the inmate locator search results, the arrest report or citation, and documents provided to the defendant at booking. If you do not have the booking number, you can usually find it by searching the inmate locator with the person's name and date of birth.

Finding the Reported Bail Amount

The inmate locator typically shows the bail amount set at booking. This is the scheduled bail amount from the county bail schedule. It may change at arraignment when a judge reviews the case. If the locator shows "NO BAIL" or $0, a judge must review the case before any release is possible. Once you have the reported bail amount, use our bail quote tool to calculate the estimated 8% premium.

Delays Between Arrest and Online Records

Booking records do not always appear online immediately after an arrest. Typical processing time is 2–8 hours at most county jails, up to 24 hours during high-volume periods, and longer if the person was arrested by a city police department and transferred to a county facility. If you cannot find someone online, call the jail directly — the phone numbers above connect to booking information lines that can confirm whether someone is in custody even before the online record appears.

Next Steps After Finding Someone

Once you have confirmed someone is in custody and identified the bail amount:

  1. Note the booking number, facility name, and bail amount
  2. Use our bail quote tool to see the estimated 8% premium
  3. Review the bail bonds process guide to understand what happens next
  4. Contact a licensed bail agent to discuss options

Post It Bail Bonds is available 24 hours a day and serves Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. California License #1M37243.

Check the Scheduled Bail and Estimated 8% Premium →

Reviewed by: Post It Bail Bonds, California License #1M37243. Last reviewed September 1, 2026. This article is for general informational purposes only. Post It does not maintain or control government databases.