Contact us – public records help is here for anyone who needs arrest records, booking data, mugshots, or inmate details. This page gives you clear ways to reach our team, explains what we can do for you, and shows where to go for official files you may need.
We answer questions about arrest records search, arrest lookup, recent arrests, booking records, arrest log, arrest database, arrest history, and inmate booking every day of the week.
How to reach our public records team
You can contact our support team by phone, email, or web form. Our staff guides people through arrest records search by name, booking information lookup, and recent booking records online. The team works seven days a week and answers in plain English. No legal jargon, no run-around.
- Toll free phone: 1-855-900-2447
- Support email: support@publicrecords-contact.org
- Corrections email: corrections@publicrecords-contact.org
- Business email: partners@publicrecords-contact.org
- Web form: Available on our main contact page
- Mailing address: 1024 Records Way, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Most email messages get a reply within one business day. Phone calls go to a live agent from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mountain Time, every day of the year except the six major U.S. holidays.
Records we can help you locate
Our team can guide you through the process of looking up arrest records, mugshots, and inmate booking data. We point you to the right database for your search and explain how to read the results. We do not hand you a copy of a sealed file. We do show you where to look and what each field means. Common asks we handle each day include:
- Arrest records search by full name and date of birth
- Recent arrests log for a specific county, city, or state
- Booking records from county jails and state prisons
- Mugshots linked to a booking date, case number, or charge
- Arrest history across multiple states and decades
- Inmate booking status, bond amount, and release dates
- Warrant checks through sheriff non-emergency lines
- Court outcome checks for a closed arrest case
We do not run background checks for employers, landlords, or insurance. We focus on public arrest data only. If you need an FCRA-compliant report, you must use a licensed consumer reporting agency.
What we cannot do for you
Our site is a private company. We are not a police department, sheriff’s office, court, or government agency. We cannot pull sealed records, expunged files, juvenile records, or records blocked by court order. We also cannot issue certified copies of arrest reports, and we cannot remove a record that comes straight from a public agency.
For those files, you must contact the agency that made the arrest or the court that handled the case. Our team can tell you which office to call, what forms to fill out, and what fees to expect. We just cannot get the record for you. We also cannot give legal advice, tell you if you have a case, or predict how a judge will rule.
Official agencies that hold arrest records
Arrest records come from local, state, and federal agencies. The right office depends on where the arrest happened and the type of case. Use the table below as a quick guide.
| Type of record | Agency to contact | What they hold |
|---|---|---|
| Local arrest (city) | City police department records unit | Arrest reports, mugshots, charges |
| County arrest | County sheriff’s office | Booking records, daily jail roster |
| State felony case | State Department of Corrections | Inmate files, sentence length, release |
| State arrest log | State police or highway patrol | Statewide arrest data, crime stats |
| Federal case | Federal Bureau of Prisons | Federal inmate search, federal charges |
| Court outcome | County clerk of court | Charges, pleas, verdicts, sentences |
| Warrant check | Local police or sheriff non-emergency line | Active warrants, bond status |
| Sexual offender registry | State police or DOJ | Registered offenders, address, photo |
Each agency runs its own database. Some share data with state systems through daily uploads. Others keep their own arrest log on a private server. A quick call to the records desk saves you hours of searching.
Search arrest records by name
An arrest search by name is the most common way to look up a booking. The steps below work for most county and state systems in 2026. You need a web browser, the person’s full legal name, and a date of birth if you have one.
- Open the records page of the county sheriff or city police where the arrest took place.
- Type the full legal name in the search box. Add a date of birth if the site asks for one.
- Filter by date range if you have one. Many sites let you look at the last 7, 30, or 90 days.
- Click the matching record to see the booking date, charges, bond, and mugshot.
- Save or print the page. Some sites let you download a PDF copy.
If the first search returns no results, try spelling changes, middle names, or past addresses. Records can sit under a different name format in older systems. Married names, nicknames, and typos in the original arrest report can all change the result. Try at least three spelling variations before you give up on a county system.
Find mugshots and recent arrests near you
Most county jails post a daily arrest log online. The log lists people booked in the last 24 hours. It also shows charges, bond amount, and booking photo. To see the log:
- Open your county sheriff’s main website.
- Look for a link called “Daily Booking,” “Recent Arrests,” “Jail Roster,” “Inmate Lookup,” or “Who’s in Jail.”
- Sort by booking date to see the most recent entries first.
- Click a name to see the full record, including the mugshot, charges, and bond.
- Use the print or save button if you need a copy for your records.
Third party sites also collect mugshots and arrest data. They pull from public sources, but they can lag behind the official jail roster by a few hours or a few days. For the freshest data, always check the official county site first. If the official site is down, try the state police or DOC site for the same name.
Booking records and inmate search
Booking records show the details of someone held at a jail. They include the person’s name, date of birth, booking date, charges, bond amount, and next court date. To look up a current inmate:
- Visit the sheriff’s office or jail website for the county where the person was booked.
- Open the inmate search or jail roster tool.
- Type the last name, then the first name. Add a date of birth if the form has a field for it.
- Review the list of matching inmates. Each entry shows booking number, housing location, and release date if known.
- Call the jail main line if the person is not on the list but you think they should be. New bookings can take up to four hours to show up online.
State Department of Corrections sites track people who moved from county jail to state prison. Use the state DOC search for felony convictions and longer sentences. The state system also shows parole dates, escape history, and current facility. Federal inmates get tracked by the Bureau of Prisons at bop.gov.
Arrest history across multiple states
Arrest history can span more than one state. Federal law lets most states share felony data through the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The FBI runs a public version called the National Data Exchange (N-DEx) for law enforcement only. Private citizens cannot search it directly.
To build a multi-state arrest history, you must check each state where the person lived or was arrested. Start with the state where the person last lived. Most state police or DOC sites let you run a free name search. Move backward through older addresses, one state at a time. For each state, check both the state DOC site and the largest county sheriff site.
For older arrests that go back decades, contact each county clerk of court. Paper files from before 1995 often sit in the clerk’s archive room. Some states have digitized these files and posted them on a free archive portal. Others still charge a per-page copy fee and require an in-person visit with photo ID.
Arrest log vs. court record: what’s the difference
Many people mix up an arrest log with a court record. They are two different files. The table below shows the key gaps in plain terms.
| Arrest log | Court record |
|---|---|
| Made by police or sheriff | Made by clerk of court |
| Shows booking and charges | Shows charges, pleas, and verdicts |
| No case outcome | Includes sentences, fines, and dismissals |
| Updated within hours of arrest | Updated after each court hearing |
| Held by law enforcement | Held by the court system |
| Free to view on most sites | Free in many states, fee in others |
| Public even if case was dropped | Public unless sealed or expunged |
An arrest on a log does not mean the person was convicted. Charges can be dropped, reduced, or dismissed. Always check the court record for the final outcome before you make a decision based on the arrest data alone.
Warrant checks and how to run one
A warrant check tells you if a person has an active arrest warrant. Active warrants stay open until the person is arrested, the warrant is recalled, or the case is dismissed. Most counties do not post warrant data online for safety reasons. To run a warrant check:
- Call the non-emergency line of the police or sheriff in the county where the warrant was issued.
- Give the dispatcher the full name and date of birth of the person you are checking.
- Ask if there are any active warrants on file.
- The dispatcher will say yes, no, or refer you to the records desk for written proof.
Do not go to a police station to ask about a warrant for yourself in person. If you think you have a warrant, hire a local defense attorney. The attorney can check the system, appear on your behalf, and arrange a safe surrender. Going in person can lead to an immediate arrest.
Sealed and expunged records: what gets hidden
Courts can seal or expunge arrest records under state law. A sealed record still exists but the public cannot see it. An expunged record is destroyed in the eyes of the law. Both steps hide the arrest from most background checks and public search tools. State law controls who can seal a record and when.
Common reasons a record gets sealed include a not guilty verdict, a dropped case, completion of a diversion program, or a pardon. Some states also seal records for non-violent misdemeanors after a set number of years. Sex offense convictions almost never qualify for sealing. Federal cases follow a different set of rules under the U.S. Code.
Once a record is sealed, our site removes it from search results within 30 days of getting the court order. We do not post mugshots or arrest data for cases that have been sealed or expunged. We rely on a daily data feed from each agency to keep our system clean.
State-by-state differences in arrest records access
Arrest record access changes by state. Some states post every booking online, including the mugshot. Others post only the name and charges with no photo. A few states limit what can be shared after a set number of years. The table below shows how a few large states handle arrest data in 2026.
| State | Public arrest log? | Mugshot on public site? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes, by county | Some counties | Many counties removed mugshots in 2024 |
| Texas | Yes, county jails | Yes | Statewide portal at dps.texas.gov |
| Florida | Yes, county jails | Yes | No statewide mugshot database |
| New York | Limited | No public mugshot | Police must follow Section 50-a rules |
| Illinois | Yes, by county | Some counties | Cook County has the largest system |
| Georgia | Yes, by county | Yes | Statewide search at gdc.ga.gov |
| Ohio | Yes, by county | Yes | State DRC tracks prison inmates |
| Pennsylvania | Yes, by county | Some counties | Megan’s Law site tracks sex offenders |
Check the rules for your state before you spend time on a search. Each state runs its own system, and the data fields can change at any time.
Privacy laws that affect arrest records
Privacy laws limit what shows up online. The main rules to know in 2026 include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), state mugshot laws, and juvenile record rules. The FCRA controls how background check companies can report arrests. Most reports must drop arrests older than seven years that did not lead to a conviction, with a few job exceptions.
Many states passed mugshot removal laws over the last five years. Georgia, California, Oregon, and others now limit how long a mugshot can stay on a commercial site. You can file a removal request for free under these laws. Our team handles these requests at no charge.
Juvenile records stay sealed in every state. They never appear on public arrest logs or background checks. If a juvenile case moves to adult court, the record becomes public at that point. Sealed adult records also stay off public search tools.
How long arrest records stay public
Most arrest records stay public forever, unless a court orders them sealed or expunged. There is no automatic cut-off date for adult arrests. Paper files sit in the county archive. Digital files stay on the sheriff’s database. Mugshots can stay on a public site for decades, even after the case ends.
Background check companies drop older arrests under the FCRA, but that rule only applies to consumer reports for jobs, housing, or credit. The raw arrest data still lives on the official site. If you want an old arrest removed, you must file a motion with the court that handled the case.
Report a mistake on our site
We work hard to keep our records accurate. Still, names get misspelled, photos get mixed up, and old data stays online. If you spot an error on our site, please tell us right away. Send an email to corrections@publicrecords-contact.org with:
- The page URL with the error
- Your full name and contact info
- A short description of the problem
- Proof of the correction (court order, ID, or official notice)
We review every report. Most fixes go live within 48 hours. Sensitive errors like wrong mugshots get pulled from the page the same day. We do not charge a fee for corrections, and we do not require a lawyer to file the request.
Business, press, and partnership requests
Press, advertising, and partnership requests go to a separate inbox. Send your pitch to partners@publicrecords-contact.org. Include your name, company, project, and deadline. We answer business emails within three business days.
We do not accept paid record removal services, SEO link trades, or guest posts. We do not sell arrest data to third party data brokers. We do not work with companies that run scare-tactics mugshot sites or charge to remove public photos.
Office hours and response times
Our contact team keeps the following hours in 2026. All times are Mountain Time (MT). We do not adjust for daylight saving time on our phone lines, so plan your call accordingly.
| Channel | Hours | Typical reply time |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (1-855-900-2447) | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., 7 days a week | Live answer |
| 24/7 submit | Within 1 business day | |
| Email (corrections) | 24/7 submit | Within 48 hours |
| Email (partners) | Mon–Fri submit | Within 3 business days |
| Web form | 24/7 submit | Within 1 business day |
The office stays closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Emails get checked once a day on those holidays.
Contact details at a glance
- Main phone: 1-855-900-2447
- Support email: support@publicrecords-contact.org
- Corrections email: corrections@publicrecords-contact.org
- Business email: partners@publicrecords-contact.org
- Mailing address: 1024 Records Way, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Website: publicrecords-contact.org
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT, 7 days a week
- Holidays closed: 6 federal holidays per year
Common questions about arrest records contact support
Below are answers to the questions our team gets most often about arrest records, booking data, mugshots, and how to reach the right office for official files. Each answer gives you the steps, the right contact point, and what to expect next.
1. How do I look up recent arrests in my county for free?
Go to your county sheriff’s official website and look for the “Recent Arrests” or “Daily Booking” link. Most counties post a free list online that updates every few hours. You can search by name or browse by booking date. The list shows the arrestee’s name, booking photo, charges, and bond. If your county does not have a public roster, call the sheriff’s records desk and ask for the public arrest log. Many agencies will email or fax a copy the same day for free. If the sheriff does not respond within two business days, file a public records request under your state’s freedom of information act. Most states answer FOI requests within five business days.
2. What’s the fastest way to find out if someone is in jail right now?
Use the inmate search tool on the county jail or sheriff’s website where the person was arrested. Type the last name first, then the first name. The tool shows booking date, charges, bond, and housing location. Most county systems update every 15 to 30 minutes. For state prison inmates, use the state Department of Corrections online search. Federal inmates can be looked up on the Bureau of Prisons website at bop.gov. If you cannot find the person online, call the jail directly. Be ready with a full name, date of birth, and the county where you think the arrest happened. A new booking can take up to four hours to show up on the public roster.
3. Can I see old arrest records from 20 or 30 years ago?
Yes, most old arrest records are still public, but they may not be online. Paper files from before 1995 often sit in the county clerk’s archive room or the state archives. You must visit in person or mail a written request. Some states charge a small fee for copies. Records that were sealed, expunged, or dismissed as part of a diversion program may not be released at all. Bring a photo ID and the full name, date of birth, and year of the arrest when you go to the records office. Some state archives also offer a paid research service that pulls files for you and mails certified copies within 10 business days.
4. Will an arrest show up on a background check if charges were dropped?
Yes, the arrest itself will show up on most background checks even if the charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty. The report lists the arrest date, agency, and charges, then adds a note from the court about the final outcome. Some states limit how long an arrest without conviction can be reported for jobs or housing. Under the FCRA, most reports must remove arrests older than seven years that did not lead to a conviction, with a few exceptions for jobs that pay over $75,000 a year. The only way to fully remove a dropped arrest is to seal or expunge the record through the court that handled the case.
5. Can I get someone’s mugshot removed from your site?
We review mugshot removal requests case by case. We do not charge a fee. Send an email to corrections@publicrecords-contact.org with the page URL, your full name, date of birth, and proof of the reason for removal. Valid reasons include a court order of expungement, a signed declaration of factual innocence, or a case that was dismissed twice under state law. We do not remove mugshots just because someone asks or offers payment. We pull records that violate our accuracy or sourcing rules at any time without a request. Removal requests get reviewed by a human within 48 hours, and approved removals clear from our search results the same day.
6. How do I run an arrest search by name across all 50 states?
No single public database covers all 50 states for free. You must check each state where the person lived or was arrested. Start with the state where the person lives now, then work backward. Use the state police, state DOC, and county sheriff sites for each state. For federal arrests, check the Bureau of Prisons site. For a paid multi-state search, you can use a private service that pulls from public data feeds. Be ready to pay a fee and to verify the data against the original source. Multi-state searches take time. Plan on one to two hours for a full check across three to five states.
7. What information do I need before I contact the sheriff about an arrest record?
Before you call or email the sheriff’s records desk, gather the full legal name of the person, the date of birth, the date or year of the arrest, and the county where the arrest took place. If you have a case number or booking number, add that too. This cuts down the search time and helps the clerk pull the right file. Without a date of birth, the clerk may need to check many records with the same name. Most sheriff offices answer record requests within three to five business days. Some will pull a file while you wait if you show up in person with photo ID and the case number. Always call ahead to confirm the records desk hours before you drive to the office.