Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Seattle Jail Roster: Search Current Inmates, Bookings and Release Records
If someone was arrested in Seattle, the best place to begin your custody search is the King County Subject Lookup Tool. Seattle contracts with King County for jail services, and the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle houses adults held on a variety of criminal matters.
The official lookup lets you search by a person’s name, check recent bookings, locate the facility holding them and obtain a booking identification number. You can also search King County’s detention facility in Kent.
Government-operated resources. This independent article does not maintain a separate jail database or claim to display live custody information.
Official Seattle Jail Roster and Inmate Search Links
King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention maintains the official adult inmate lookup. The correct resource depends on whether you need current custody details, a recent booking record or historical jail information.
Current Inmate Search
Search for adults in King County custody using their names or booking identifiers. Results identify the facility and current booking details.
Last 24 Hours of Bookings
Find the recent-bookings option within the same official search tool. Use the arresting agency and booking date to narrow results.
Historical Booking Data
King County publishes an open dataset covering a dated period of approximately 12 months of adult jail bookings. It is not a live inmate list.
Jail Information by Phone
Call King County’s jail information number if an online result is unclear or you need to confirm a current custody location.
Seattle Jail Address, Phone Number and Facility Information
King County operates two adult detention facilities. The downtown Seattle location is called the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF). The second is the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent.
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| King County Correctional Facility (Seattle) | 500 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 | 206-296-1234 |
| Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent) | 620 W. James Street, Kent, WA 98032 | 206-296-1234 |
King County Correctional Facility in Seattle
The downtown jail opened in 1986. Its entrance is at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and James Street. The facility is operated by King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, not directly by the Seattle Police Department.
Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent
The Kent detention facility opened in 1997. Some people arrested in Seattle or elsewhere in King County may be held there rather than at the downtown location.
Use the official King County Adult Jails directory for facility directions and current access information.
How to Search the Seattle Jail Roster by Name
King County’s Subject Lookup Tool includes search filters for last name, first name, date of birth, facility, custody status, booking number, Universal Control Number (UCN) and preferred name.
Step-by-step Seattle inmate lookup
Go to King County Subject Lookup. If redirected to the jail portal, choose Public and then Subject Lookup.
Select the option to show additional search fields if they are not already visible.
Enter the person’s last name and, if known, first name. You may also use the available date-of-birth field to narrow matching records.
Choose King County Correctional Facility for Seattle or Maleng Regional Justice Center for Kent. Leave the facility filter open if the custody location is unknown.
Select the current-custody option when looking for someone presently jailed. Other available search settings may help locate previous booking information.
Compare the displayed name, booking number, facility, arresting agency and booking date. Open available record details if the portal provides an action link.
Call 206-296-1234 if you are arranging a visit, preparing a bond payment or need to confirm a recent transfer.
Some details may be restricted or unavailable. A matching name alone is not sufficient to identify someone conclusively, especially when several people have similar names.
Seattle Jail Bookings and Recent Arrest Records
For recent jail admissions, the Subject Lookup Tool provides a special option labeled Subjects Booked in Last 24 Hours. This is more appropriate for checking fresh booking events than downloading an older county dataset.
Find Seattle jail bookings from the last 24 hours
- Open the official King County inmate lookup.
- Choose “Subjects Booked in Last 24 Hours.”
- Review the booking date and time for each relevant entry.
- Check the arresting agency, such as Seattle Police or Washington State Patrol.
- Open a matching record when further information is available.
- Confirm whether the person remains in custody before arranging a visit or paying bail.
What appears in a booking result?
The search results can include the inmate’s recorded name, UCN, current facility, arresting agency, booking number and booking date. The precise fields and available details may change as the portal is updated.
Older King County booking records
King County also provides an Adult Jail Bookings open dataset. Its published reporting period and extraction date must be checked before use.
The dataset is a historical snapshot rather than a continuously verified list of people currently held. It also does not establish criminal history, conviction status or the existence of a related court filing.
Seattle Jail Mugshots: Are Booking Photos Public?
Washington’s disclosure rules differ from those in states that publish large online mugshot galleries. King County says jail booking photographs are confidential under Washington law and are not ordinarily released to anyone who requests them.
The county identifies limited circumstances in which a booking photograph may be provided, including requests involving:
- The individual photographed.
- An attorney representing that individual.
- Law enforcement agencies.
- Courts.
- A person holding written permission from the photographed individual.
- A valid court order authorizing release, where applicable.
How to request an eligible booking photograph
- Find the person’s booking information using the official inmate search.
- Determine whether you fall within an authorized disclosure category.
- Gather any applicable written consent or court order.
- Contact King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Records.
- Follow the department’s public-records submission instructions.
Records contact: Records.DAJD@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-5130.
Review the county’s booking-photo disclosure guidance and Washington’s applicable detention-records law, including RCW 70.48.100.
Do not assume that a third-party website’s photograph is current, properly identified or lawfully available for reuse.
Understanding Seattle Jail Booking Numbers, Charges and Custody Status
The Subject Lookup Tool uses several administrative identifiers. Knowing their purpose helps distinguish booking information from court records.
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | The recorded name associated with the jail record. |
| Booking number / B/A | An identifier for a jail admission, often needed for communications or account deposits. |
| UCN | Universal Control Number used to identify an individual within the jail system. |
| Arresting agency | The law enforcement agency associated with the current booking. |
| Booking date | The recorded jail admission date and time. |
| Facility | The detention location associated with the record. |
| Charge or hold | An alleged offense or other legal basis for detention, when disclosed. |
| Custody status | Whether the available record identifies the person as currently detained or not. |
A jail record is not a certified criminal-history report, and an arrest does not prove guilt. To establish case status or disposition, consult the responsible court’s official records.
Seattle Jail Court Dates and Criminal Case Search
Depending on the case, a person arrested in Seattle may appear in Seattle Municipal Court or a King County court. The court handling the matter depends on the alleged offense and jurisdiction.
Search Seattle Municipal Court cases
- Visit the Seattle Municipal Court Public Portal.
- Select Case Search, Party Search or Calendar Search.
- Use the individual’s name, case number or other applicable search criteria.
- Review the matching record and available hearing dates.
- Confirm the court location before attending a hearing.
The portal provides public search access without requiring a login. Accounts may be required for authorized electronic filing, but not for ordinary case lookup.
For felony cases or other King County Superior Court proceedings, begin with the King County Superior Court resources.
Are court records the same as jail records?
No. Jail records establish administrative detention information. Court dockets document judicial proceedings, filings and decisions. A person may have a court case even after leaving jail.
Seattle Jail Bail and Bond: How to Confirm and Pay
Bail is determined by the relevant court and depends on the circumstances of the case. King County provides a separate official process for paying bail for adults in county detention facilities.
King County jail bail payment
According to the county, adult bail can be paid between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, seven days a week, at designated reception windows at either the Seattle or Kent detention facility.
The county lists three payment methods:
- Cash.
- Cashier’s check.
- Money order.
Personal checks are not accepted. Confirm the required payment details, payee and any additional conditions with the facility before paying.
Read King County’s official bail instructions.
Seattle Municipal Court bail
Seattle Municipal Court has a separate bail/bond cashier process for cases within its jurisdiction. The court publishes daily cashier hours and after-hours access directions.
For after-hours or weekend entry assistance, the court lists 206-615-0850, with 206-684-5646 as an alternative.
Seattle Municipal Court jail and bail information.
Seattle Jail Visitation: Schedule, Identification and Video Visits
King County offers limited in-person visitation at its Seattle and Kent adult jails. Visiting times depend on the inmate’s housing assignment, so the correct schedule must be checked before traveling.
In-person visitation at the Seattle facility
- Generally, one hour of visiting time is available each week.
- Times depend on the inmate’s housing location.
- Visitors are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Visitors should check in approximately 15 minutes before the intended visit.
- Up to four visitors may attend together, including at least one adult.
- Visitors under 18 must be directly supervised by an adult.
- Government-issued photo identification is required.
- Dress-code and security rules apply.
The Seattle facility’s reception desk closes daily from 2:20 PM to 2:40 PM. The county advises checking the posted visitation schedule by housing location.
How to prepare for a visit
- Find the inmate in the Subject Lookup Tool.
- Verify the current facility and housing location.
- Review the official visitation page.
- Check the visiting schedule applicable to the assigned housing unit.
- Bring valid photo identification.
- Arrive ahead of time and follow the facility’s screening procedures.
Remote video visitation
King County also offers remote video visitation through Securus Video Connect. Eligible jail residents receive an allocation of free video visits, while additional services may involve charges.
Visit the official inmate contact and visitation directory for service instructions.
Seattle Jail Inmate Phone Calls, Mail and Money Deposits
Telephone calls and video communication
People in King County adult detention facilities can make outgoing telephone calls through the approved provider. Incoming calls to inmates are not accepted.
The county provides two free telephone calls per week, together with a limited number of free video visits. Additional services are managed through approved communications accounts.
Remember that ordinary jail calls and messages may be monitored or recorded. Attorney communications require the applicable protected procedures.
How to send a letter to an inmate
King County uses a central digital mail processing service for routine letters. The county lists the following address for friends and family:
Full inmate name and complete booking numberC/O Securus Digital Mail Center-King County
P.O. Box 20245
Tampa, FL 33622
Letters must follow facility rules, including required identification details. The county requires the full 10-digit booking number on the envelope. Ordinary correspondence is processed digitally rather than delivered in its original form.
Do not send legal mail to the digital mail center. Legal correspondence and approved publications use separate facility-specific procedures.
Read the official mail instructions.
Deposit money into an inmate’s account
King County uses Access Corrections for many inmate account deposits. The county describes online deposits, approved retail locations, facility kiosks and telephone deposits.
- Locate the inmate and obtain the booking number.
- Open the county’s official Send Money instructions.
- Choose an approved deposit channel.
- Verify the inmate’s identity and account information.
- Review processing fees before authorizing payment.
- Keep the payment confirmation.
For telephone assistance with Access Corrections payments, the county lists 866-345-1884.
How to Find Released or Transferred Seattle Jail Inmates
If a person no longer appears in the current-custody search, they may have been released, transferred or moved to another participating facility.
Steps when a person is missing from the jail roster
- Search without specifying a facility.
- Check spelling and alternative names.
- Review the last-24-hours booking results if the arrest was recent.
- Call King County Jail Information at 206-296-1234.
- Check another regional jail if there is evidence of a transfer.
- For possible state prison custody, use the Washington Department of Corrections inmate-search resources.
King County lists SCORE, Kent City Jail, Pierce County, Snohomish County and Washington State Department of Corrections among other systems that may be relevant when a person is not found in the King County jail database.
VINE custody notifications
King County participates in the VINE victim-notification service. Eligible users can search supported custody records and register for notifications about certain release, transfer or escape events.
Visit VINELink or use the county’s victim-notification instructions.
The county lists 1-877-846-3492 for information about its VINE service.
Requesting older Seattle jail records
Historical jail records may be available through the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention’s records process, subject to applicable exemptions.
- Visit the DAJD public-records instructions.
- Choose the Incarceration Records option in the county request system.
- Provide the relevant name, date range and available booking number.
- Describe the specific record needed.
- Supply contact details for the county’s response.
For assistance, contact Records.DAJD@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-5130. Washington law restricts disclosure of certain detention records.
Seattle Jail Location: Map, Directions and Parking
The King County Correctional Facility is in downtown Seattle at 500 Fifth Avenue, near James Street. Its entrance is located at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and James Street.
Open driving and transit directions
Getting to the Seattle jail by car
From north of downtown, the county directs drivers to take I-5 southbound to the James Street exit, turn right onto James Street and then left onto Fifth Avenue.
From south of downtown, use I-5 northbound to the James Street exit, turn left onto James Street and then left onto Fifth Avenue.
Public parking facilities are available nearby, but availability and rates vary. Confirm the visit schedule and destination before traveling.
King County jail in Kent
For an inmate housed at the Maleng Regional Justice Center, use the separate facility address:
Maleng Regional Justice Center620 W. James Street
Kent, WA 98032
Seattle Jail Roster: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I find someone in jail in Seattle?
Use the official King County Subject Lookup Tool at https://kingcounty.gov/tools/inmate-lookup. Search by name and review the matching booking and facility information. You can also call 206-296-1234.
2. Does Seattle have its own jail roster?
The City of Seattle contracts with King County for jail services. The main downtown detention facility is the King County Correctional Facility, and adult custody information is available through the King County inmate lookup.
3. Is the Seattle jail inmate search free?
Yes. King County provides a public Subject Lookup Tool that can be used without purchasing a third-party inmate search subscription.
4. How do I find Seattle jail bookings from the last 24 hours?
Open the King County Subject Lookup Tool and select the Subjects Booked in Last 24 Hours option. Review the booking dates, arresting agency and facility information.
5. Can I see Seattle jail mugshots online?
King County generally treats booking photographs as confidential. They are not routinely released as a public mugshot gallery. Access may be possible for the photographed person, their attorney, authorized agencies or someone with proper permission or a court order.
6. What is the Seattle jail address and phone number?
The King County Correctional Facility is located at 500 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. The jail information telephone number is 206-296-1234.
7. How do I find the booking number of a Seattle inmate?
Search the official King County Subject Lookup Tool by name. The results provide booking identifiers, including the Book of Arrest number used for certain inmate services.
8. How can I visit someone at the Seattle jail?
King County offers limited in-person visits and remote video visitation. Check the official visitation page for housing-specific schedules and identification requirements. In-person visitors should arrive about 15 minutes before the intended visit.
9. How do I post bail for a Seattle jail inmate?
First confirm the court and applicable bail amount. King County accepts authorized bail payments during its published payment hours at designated detention facility reception windows. Seattle Municipal Court also maintains a separate bail process for its cases.
10. Why is someone not showing up on the Seattle jail roster?
The person may not have been booked yet, may have been released or transferred, or may be held by a different agency. Search without a facility filter and call 206-296-1234 if custody confirmation is needed.
