How to Conduct a Texas Inmate Search: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Searching for someone in jail or prison in Texas can be stressful and confusing. This is especially true if you do not know where to look or which official website to trust.

In 2026, there are many tools available online that can help you find arrest records, inmate details, jail locations, and custody status for people held in Texas.

In this guide, I will show you simple step-by-step methods to conduct a Texas inmate search.

I include official sources, links, phone numbers, and practical tips so you can find accurate and updated information.

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🔎 1. Know the Difference: County Jail vs State Prison vs Federal Prison

Before you start searching, it’s important to know the different places a person can be held:

Each of these systems has its own inmate search tool or method.

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🧭 2. Step-by-Step: Search State Prison Records (TDCJ)

If someone has been sentenced to a long jail term, they are usually in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system.

📌 Official TDCJ Inmate Search

🔗 TDCJ Inmate Search (State) – Free and Official
https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/InmateSearch/

This is the official database where you can search for inmates in Texas state prisons.

📋 How to Search

1. Open the TDCJ Inmate Search page above.

2. Enter the first and last name of the person.

3. If you have the TDCJ number or State Identification (SID) number, enter it — it gives the most accurate result.

4. Click Search.

📌 What Results May Show

• Inmate full name

• TDCJ number

• Facility (which prison they are in)

• Offense type

• Sentence length

• Parole eligibility

• Earliest possible release date

• Current status

☎️ TDCJ Contact Details

• 📍 TDCJ Headquarters: 209 W. 14th Street, Austin, TX 78701

• ☎️ Main Office Phone: (936) 295-6371

• ☎️ Customer / Inmate Services: (800) 535-0283

• 💻 Official Website: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/

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🏢 3. Step-by-Step: Search County Jail Inmate Records

Most recent arrests are handled by county jails. If someone was arrested recently, they might be in county custody.

Below are major county resources in Texas:

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🚨 Harris County Jail (Houston Area)

🔗 Harris County Jail Inmate Search
https://www.harriscountyso.org/jailinfo/HCSO_FindSomeoneInJail.aspx

This tool lets you search by name, booking number, or date of birth.

☎️ Harris County Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency:
📞 (713) 221-6000

📍 Harris County Jail Address:
700 N. San Jacinto, Houston, TX 77002

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🚓 Dallas County Jail (Dallas Area)

🔗 Dallas County Inmate Lookup System
https://www.dallascounty.org/jaillookup/search.jsp

Search by name, booking number, or other identifying details.

☎️ Dallas County Jail Info: (214) 761-9025
☎️ Dallas County Sheriff’s Office: (214) 653-3450

📍 Dallas County Jail (Lew Sterrett Justice Center):
111 W. Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202

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🛡️ Tarrant County Jail (Fort Worth)

🔗 Tarrant County Sheriff Inmate Search
https://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/sheriff/inmate-information.html

Search tools and inmate resources are here.

☎️ Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office: (817) 884-1311

📍 Tarrant County Jail:
200 Taylor St, Fort Worth, TX 76196

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🟦 Bexar County Jail (San Antonio)

🔗 Bexar County Inmate Search
https://www.bexar.org/1793/Inmate-Information

Telephone: (210) 335-6019

📍 Bexar County Adult Detention Center:
300 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78207

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🧠 4. Use the Nationwide Custody Status Tool (VINE)

If you are not sure where the person is, or if status may change, use VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday):

🔗 VINE Inmate Custody Portal
https://www.vinelink.com

With VINE you can:

✔ Search custody status by name or ID
✔ Sign up for email or phone alerts
✔ Get notified if someone is released or moved

This is useful if a person is in jail and may be moved or released soon.

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🏛️ 5. Federal Inmate Search (If Crime Was Federal)

If someone was arrested for a federal crime, they will not appear in Texas state or county systems. Instead, use:

🔗 Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator
https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/

This official tool searches inmates in federal prisons across the USA.

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🧾 6. What Information Helps Most

You will find better search results if you have:

✔ Full name of the person
✔ Date of birth (DOB)
✔ TDCJ number or SID number (if known)
✔ County name (where arrest occurred)
✔ Booking number (if available)

The more details you have, the more accurate the search will be.

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❓ 7. What If You Cannot Find the Person Online?

If online tools do not return results:

🔹 The person may be in a local city jail (not all city jails publish online lists).
🔹 They may have been released recently.
🔹 Records may be sealed or restricted.
🔹 The system you checked might be wrong — try another source.

In this case:

👉 Call the local police department or sheriff’s office directly
👉 Provide full name + DOB
👉 Ask if the person is in custody

Example calls:

• Houston Police Department: (713) 884-3131

• Dallas Police Department: (214) 671-3001

• San Antonio Police Department: (210) 207-7273

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🧰 8. Tips for Accurate Inmate Search

✔ Always start with official government websites — not third-party portals.
✔ Avoid sites that ask for payment for basic inmate searches.
✔ Use multiple search tools if needed (state + county + VINE).
✔ If available, use photo ID and date of birth for precise results.
✔ Bookmark official links for future checks.

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🗂️ 9. List of Official Inmate Search Tools

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📌 Final Summary

Conducting a Texas inmate search becomes simple when you know the right tools. Whether the person is in state prison, a county jail, or a federal facility, official websites can give you accurate and updated details.

Here is a quick checklist:

✔ Start with TDCJ if the person may be in state prison
✔ Check the county jail system if the arrest was recent
✔ Use VINE for custody updates and alerts
✔ Use Federal BOP search if the offense is federal
✔ Call local sheriff/police if online search fails