Find an Orange County Inmate

This page helps users handle an Inmate Search in Orange County, California by explaining the official online route, what limits to expect, and which Sheriff’s Department contacts may help with inmate-related questions.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department provides the Inmate Information System through its Public Services Portal. Users must create an account or sign in before using the system.

Orange County Inmate Information System

The access the Orange County Inmate Information System page is the main official starting point for online inmate information in Orange County. The Sheriff’s Department states that the Inmate Information System and Booking Log are online.

The system is housed in the OC Sheriff’s Public Services Portal and uses sign-in and authentication requirements. New users create an account with an email address and password, while returning users sign in to access the portal.

• Open the Inmate Information System page.
• Create an account or sign in through the Public Services Portal.
• Use the available inmate information and Booking Log features once access is granted.

Important limit: the current version of the Inmate Information System does not provide inmate charges.

Inmate charges and record limits

Online inmate information may not answer every custody or case-status question. The Sheriff’s Department states that inmate charges are not available in the current version of the Inmate Information System.

Bail bonds personnel who need charge information should continue using their current access method. For public questions about custody details, booking information, or unclear results, Inmate Records is the most relevant Sheriff’s Department contact listed for this task.

Inmate visits, phone calls, and mail

The Sheriff’s Department also provides inmate-related service pages for communication and visiting needs. Public visiting is limited to four visits for each inmate each week, with one visit per day from Friday through Monday. Members of the public must call and make an appointment at the facility where the inmate is currently housed.

The review inmate communication options page points users to phone calls, video visitation, visiting hours, and mail information.

Phone calls and video visits are provided through ViaPath Technologies, also identified as Global Tel Inc. or GTL. The Sheriff’s Department states that all communication, phone calls, and video visits are subject to monitoring and recording.

For mail, inmates may send and receive unlimited correspondence unless limitations are justified for safety, facility order, or legal reasons. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to search before delivery, and the inmate’s name and booking number are required on all mail items.

Bail and inmate account payments

For bail and inmate account questions, the Sheriff’s Department lists cashiering rules and locations for the Intake and Release Center and Theo Lacy Jail Facility.

Inmate account deposits may include cash, qualifying government checks made payable to the inmate, and money orders. Money orders must be made payable to the County of Orange – Sheriff’s Department, and the inmate’s name and booking number must appear on the memo line or a separate line. Personal checks, cashier’s checks, and traveler’s checks are not accepted for inmate accounts.

Funds are made available for inmate use approximately 30 minutes after the transaction is completed. Inmate accounts may have a maximum balance of $500.

Bail-cash payments may be made at the Intake Release Center Jail Cashiering office. Before attempting to pay, verify the full name, booking number, and full bail amount owed with Inmate Records.

The Sheriff’s Department states it cannot recommend or direct users to a bail bond agent or company.

Cashiering and bail office hours

The table below shows the cashiering and bond acceptance locations listed by the Sheriff’s Department.

Orange County inmate contacts

Use these Sheriff’s Department contacts for inmate records, custody facilities, jail cashiering, and related public questions.

• Inmate Records, 550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  Phone (714) 647-4666
• Central Men's & Women's Jails, 550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  Phone (714) 647-4666
• Intake Release Center, 550 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703
  Phone (714) 647-6063
• James A. Musick Facility, 13420 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618
  Phone (949) 855-2600
• Theo Lacy Facility, 501 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868
  Phone (714) 935-6940
• Sheriff's Non-Emergency Dispatch
  Phone (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011