Search Salt Lake County Custody Before You Pay, Visit or Travel
For current adult county custody, start with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s prisoner search. Use the separate jail in/out docket for recent bookings and releases, then verify court, bail, visitation, mail, money and release questions through the specific official service that controls them.
A jail entry is a custody record, not a conviction. Salt Lake County operates both Metro Jail and Oxbow Jail, and a person’s facility or housing assignment can change after booking.
Official Salt Lake County Source Router
One website does not answer every custody question. Use the county prisoner search for a specific person, the in/out docket for recent movement, Utah Courts for case information, and the responsible agency for records.
Current custody
Use the Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner route. The county page also links the direct prisoner lookup.
Recent booking or release
Use Jail Dockets & Rosters. Salt Lake County describes this data as covering the past 60 days.
Court case
Use Utah Courts Xchange, MyCase for supported cases where you are a party, or the court directory.
Warrant
Use the statewide warrant link supplied on the Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner page. A warrant is not proof of current jail custody.
Bail
Confirm the prisoner and current amount first, then follow the Sheriff’s Pay a Fine or Bail instructions.
Visit
Use the live Visit a Prisoner page because visiting rules changed April 1, 2026.
Jail or incident record
For Sheriff/jail records, call Records Request at 385-468-8870 or use the county GRAMA route. A police report from another arresting agency belongs to that agency.
Booking photograph
Use the Sheriff’s records process. Utah law limits some booking-photo copies and requires a signed statement for a copy request.
State or federal custody
Use Utah DOC only for people under Utah corrections supervision; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons locator for federal custody.
How to Search the Salt Lake County Jail Roster
- Open the official county search route. Start with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner page instead of a copied booking page, mugshot directory or people-search advertisement.
- Search with the strongest identifier available. The existing county lookup supports first-and-last-name searching and may also use booking, permanent or state identification numbers.
- Compare more than the name. Match the SO/prisoner number, booking number, booking date, facility, charge and other displayed fields before assuming two records belong to the same person.
- If the arrest was recent, account for booking time. The Sheriff says booking averages about six to eight hours after arrival and may take longer when intoxication, medical needs, noncompliance or another processing issue intervenes. Check the in/out docket as well.
- Verify court, bail and release separately. A jail record is a custody snapshot. Use Utah Courts for the legal case and the jail’s current service pages for bail, holds, visits and release-related procedures.
Before you search, have these details ready
- Correct legal first and last name.
- Known former, maiden, hyphenated or alternate name spellings.
- Approximate arrest or booking date and time.
- Arresting agency or city, if known.
- Booking, permanent, SO/prisoner or state ID number, if available.
- Confirmation that the arrest or custody question actually involves Salt Lake County.
Daily Bookings, Releases, Roster and Jail Dashboard
Salt Lake County publishes different tools for different questions. Using the wrong one can create a false “not found” conclusion.
| Official tool | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Prisoner lookup | Finding one person in current county custody. | A new arrival may still be processing. |
| Jail in/out docket | Recent admissions and releases. | A release line does not explain every hold, destination or court condition. |
| Roster | Broader public custody listings. | Certain personal identifiers are removed under Utah privacy requirements. |
| Jail dashboard | Aggregate population, booking-agency and length-of-stay trends. | It is not a person locator and does not display health, mental-health, substance-use or security-status detail. |
Open the current Jail Dockets & Rosters page. For one person, return to the prisoner lookup rather than trying to infer current custody from a dashboard total.
Why a Person May Not Appear in the Salt Lake County Search
| Problem | Possible explanation | Next action | Verify with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very recent arrest | Booking may still be in progress. | Allow for the Sheriff’s average processing window and confirm the person actually arrived at the county jail. | Prisoner lookup + jail phone |
| Name returns nothing | Legal spelling, former surname, hyphenation or name format may differ. | Try a verified alternate name or unique identifier. | Prisoner lookup |
| Person was arrested but is absent | Quick release, transfer or booking into another county may have occurred. | Check the in/out docket and confirm the arresting agency/county. | Docket + arresting agency |
| Court case exists, no jail record | A pending case or warrant does not automatically mean current incarceration. | Search Utah Courts and the statewide warrant source separately. | Utah Courts + warrant search |
| County result disappeared | The person may have been released or transferred to Utah DOC, federal custody or another jail. | Follow the confirmed transfer/case information instead of randomly searching nearby counties. | Utah DOC / BOP / receiving jail |
| Processing seems unusually long | Medical clearance, intoxication, behavior or another intake issue can extend booking. | Call the jail for current routing; do not assume a fixed additional delay. | 385-468-8400 |
What Salt Lake County Roster Fields Mean—and What They Do Not Prove
The county states that certain personal identifiers are removed from the public jail roster under Utah privacy requirements. Missing public detail does not necessarily mean the internal record is incomplete.
| Field | Useful for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| SO / prisoner number | Mail, deposits and jail-service identification. | It is the court case number. |
| Booking number | Identifying one intake event. | The person remains incarcerated later. |
| Permanent number | Distinguishing a person across county bookings. | It is a statewide criminal-history identifier. |
| Booking date | Understanding when county intake started. | It is the final charge-filing or conviction date. |
| Arresting agency | Knowing which agency may own an arrest/incident report. | That agency is the current custodian or court. |
| Charge | Seeing allegations associated with booking. | It is the final filed charge, plea, conviction or sentence. |
| Facility / housing | Planning visits and confirming Metro vs. Oxbow procedures. | The housing assignment will remain unchanged. |
| Bail / bond | Starting payment verification. | There are no other holds or that payment causes immediate release. |
Bail, Release Calls and Salt Lake County Pretrial
Current bail instructions
- Find the prisoner’s SO number and verify the current bail first.
- In-person bail is accepted at Metro Jail, 3415 South 900 West.
- The Sheriff lists bail acceptance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Accepted forms: cash, cashier’s check or certified check.
- Checks should be payable to Salt Lake County Treasurer.
- Cashier’s and certified checks require verification during 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. business hours.
- The county lists no in-person bail fee.
Release is more than a payment
The jail says staff do not give out prisoner release dates. Shortly before release, a prisoner may receive free local calls for about 15–30 minutes to arrange pickup.
Do not arrange transportation from an estimated release date alone. Court orders, holds, transfer processing and administrative release steps can affect actual departure.
Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services also operates Pretrial Services, which may provide qualifying people a non-financial release while a case is pending. Eligibility is not automatic.
Which Salt Lake County Court Should You Check?
The arresting city, charge level and filed case determine the court. Do not assume that a Salt Lake County jail booking belongs to Salt Lake County Justice Court.
Salt Lake County Justice Court
385-468-8200
2001 South State Street, Suite S4-300
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
The county currently lists jurisdiction over unincorporated Salt Lake County plus Emigration Canyon, Magna, Kearns, White City, Copperton and South Jordan. As of July 1, 2026, South Jordan Justice Court filings moved to the county Justice Court.
Salt Lake City Justice Court
801-535-6300
333 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
This city court handles alleged Class B and Class C misdemeanors and infractions occurring within Salt Lake City.
Third District Court
Matheson Courthouse
450 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
801-238-7300
District-court cases, including felony matters, may route here or another Third District location such as West Jordan. Use the case record or court directory rather than guessing from the jail name.
Public case access
Xchange provides public case information. The current one-time option lists a $10 account/guest fee, searches at $0.20 each and documents at $1.00 each. If you are a party to a supported case, MyCase provides supported case information without the Xchange search fee.
Warrants and Booking Photographs Are Separate From Current Custody
Statewide warrant search
The Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner page links Utah’s statewide warrant search. A warrant can exist when the person is not in Salt Lake County Jail, so a warrant result should not be interpreted as current incarceration.
Booking photo / mugshot requests
Salt Lake County provides a Mug Shot Release Agreement through the Sheriff’s records page. Under Utah Code § 17-72-802, a sheriff may not provide a booking-photo copy for a publish-for-pay use or when the photograph is protected, and a person requesting a copy must submit a signed statement that it will not be used on a publish-for-pay publication or website.
A booking photograph, when available, identifies a booking event. It does not establish guilt or show the final court outcome.
Salt Lake County Jail Visitation Rules and Housing Schedule
Walk-in personal visits are currently welcomed, but prescheduled visits take priority. Visits may be scheduled up to six days ahead by calling 385-468-8400.
Frequency
Eligible prisoners may receive two personal visits per week and one clergy visit per week. Disciplinary restrictions or medical quarantine can limit eligibility.
Time
General visiting hours are 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Visits last 30 minutes and begin at the top of the hour. No visits are held 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Check-in
Check in at least 30 minutes before the visit, but do not enter the visiting lobby more than 45 minutes early. Late visitors may lose that slot.
Visitor count and identification
- Metro Jail: up to three visitors; Oxbow Jail: up to two. Infants under age one do not count toward the limit.
- Visitors age 16 or older need valid government-issued identification. The county lists driver’s licenses, state IDs, passports and consulate cards; school IDs and Driving Privilege Cards are not accepted.
- Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, step-parent or legal guardian; proof of guardianship may be required. Children under 16 may not be left unattended.
- The Sheriff FAQ says a paper DMV ID may be accepted if it is legible, unexpired and unaltered.
- Leave phones, electronics, food, drinks, coats, hats, wallets, keys, lighters, writing tools, staples/paperclips and weapons outside the visiting area or in an available locker.
- Service dogs trained to perform a task are permitted; the live county page says comfort/emotional-support animals are not treated as service animals for jail visitation.
- The live page also lists a lactation pod in the Metro lobby for nursing mothers.
Current housing-day schedule
“Max,” “Med,” and “Min” are the classification labels shown on the county schedule. Confirm the prisoner’s current housing/classification before traveling.
| Housing | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pod A | — | — | All | — | All | — | — |
| Pod B | Max | Med | Min | Min | — | Max | Med |
| Pod C | — | All | — | — | — | — | All |
| Pod D | All | — | — | All | — | — | — |
| Health Services | Min | Max | Med | Min | Med | Max | — |
| Oxbow A | All | — | — | — | All | — | — |
| Oxbow B | — | All | — | — | — | All | — |
| Oxbow C | — | — | — | All | — | — | All |
Phone Calls and Electronic Messages
| Communication item | Current county guidance |
|---|---|
| Incoming calls | Prisoners cannot receive ordinary incoming calls; they make outgoing calls. |
| General phone access | Normally 7:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m., subject to housing, classification and operational restrictions. |
| Call length | Normally 15 minutes; TDD calls may be 30 minutes after required setup. |
| Attorney calls | The jail states ordinary calls may be monitored/recorded except attorney calls. |
| Electronic message | The county page lists a $0.50 per-message electronic messaging service. |
Salt Lake County Jail Mail, Photos, Legal Mail and Books
Use:
[Prisoner’s Full Name and SO Number]
c/o Salt Lake County Metro Jail
3415 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
The county’s instructions route mail for Oxbow prisoners through the Metro Jail mailing address as well. Include a return address and the SO number when known.
| Mail type | Practical rule | Common issue |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary letter | Send through USPS and include full name, SO number and return address. | Missing identifiers or prohibited material can delay or prevent delivery. |
| Photos | The current linked prisoner handbook permits photos up to 4 × 6 inches and up to 12. | Prohibited nudity/explicit content or excess quantity. |
| Legal / privileged mail | Clearly identify qualifying legal or privileged mail and use appropriate sender identification. | Unclear privilege markings may lead to ordinary mail handling. |
| Books / publications | New softcover items should come directly from a publisher, book club or retailer through USPS. | Used books, hardcover items or private-party shipments may be rejected. |
The May 2023 handbook generally treats mail more than three-quarter inch thick as a package, with exceptions for qualifying legal mail and approved publications. Verify the current live mail rules before sending anything bulky.
Because the prisoner handbook is dated May 2023 while some live jail rules changed in 2026, use the live communication page before sending unusual items, publications or legal papers.
Deposits, Commissary Debt Deductions and Order Schedule
Salt Lake County states that up to 50% of newly deposited money may be applied to balances owed to the jail. A $100 deposit therefore does not always create $100 in immediately spendable commissary funds.
ConnectNetwork
The county deposit page lists online, telephone and supported kiosk options through ConnectNetwork. Phone: 888-988-4768. Site ID: 143.
Metro Jail payments
In-person payments for both Metro and Oxbow prisoners are made at Metro Jail. Listed windows are 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Accepted at Metro
Money order, cash, certified check or cashier’s check. Personal checks are not accepted; exact amount is required. Certified/cashier’s checks require bank verification.
Hold period
Money orders, cashier’s checks and certified checks carry a seven-day hold before funds become available for prisoner use.
Current commissary schedule
| Housing | Order submitted | Order received |
|---|---|---|
| Pod A | Tuesday | Monday |
| Pod B | Tuesday | Tuesday |
| Pod C | Wednesday | Wednesday |
| Pod D | Sunday | Thursday |
| Health Services | Monday | Friday |
| Oxbow | Monday | Friday |
The county says money must be posted by 11:30 p.m. on the day the order is submitted, with orders picked up from housing units by 7:00 a.m. the next morning. The unusual Pod A Tuesday-to-Monday line above is reproduced from the current county page; verify it live before timing a deposit.
Health, Medication, Medical Records and PREA Reporting
Medical and mental-health care
Salt Lake County says medical and mental-health staff work in the jail 24 hours a day. Health information generally cannot be released to family without a prisoner-signed authorization.
- Outside medication is used for verification; jail clinical staff control prescriptions provided in custody.
- After jail clinical staff prescribe medication, the county says delivery can take 24–72 hours; critical medication may begin sooner at clinical discretion.
- The current protected-health-information form states copy costs of $0.50 per page and says the request will be fulfilled within 30 days.
- For third-party disclosure, follow the authorization/notary requirements shown on the current release form rather than sending an informal request.
PREA / sexual-safety reporting
The jail states a zero-tolerance policy for prisoner sexual abuse and harassment. An outside person may report on behalf of someone in custody.
- Imminent danger: call 385-468-8400.
- Current public PREA email: prea@saltlakecounty.gov.
- An online incident-report route is available on the county PREA page.
Property, Signatures, Civil Service, Grievances and GRAMA Records
Prisoner property release
The Sheriff FAQ says property may be released once every six months. The person collecting it should go to Jail Administration between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily, complete the form and show government-issued ID. The county says to allow about 48 hours after the paperwork is completed.
Documents needing a prisoner signature
Power-of-attorney papers, vehicle-release documents, medical-record documents and similar papers that do not require civil service may be taken to the Jail Administration Officer at 3415 South 900 West. The Sheriff FAQ says signed papers are generally available about 24 hours later.
Civil service
The Sheriff’s Civil Unit is at 3365 South 900 West and is listed Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The current jail FAQ lists $22.50 for Utah paperwork and $27.50 for out-of-state paperwork; protective/stalking orders are listed without a service fee. Verify the fee before travel.
Sheriff records
Records Request: 385-468-8870, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The Sheriff page provides GRAMA, third-party consent, medical-record and mug-shot release forms.
Prisoner grievance rules in the May 2023 handbook
The county’s currently linked prisoner handbook says a jail-condition or medical grievance should be filed on the appropriate form within 30 days; each grievance is limited to one issue; a written response is normally provided within 10 business days; and an appeal is due within 30 days after receipt of the grievance response. Because the handbook is dated May 2023, prisoners should follow current housing-unit instructions if staff provides a newer form or procedure.
The same handbook says matters outside jail control, disciplinary actions, housing assignments, grievances filed for another person or on non-custodial matters, and jail-staff personnel issues are not handled through that grievance procedure.
Public records / GRAMA
Salt Lake County explains that each county agency keeps its own records. Use the county GRAMA portal and choose the agency that owns the record. The county’s current records page says written requests are responded to within 10 business days, with extensions possible in qualifying circumstances.
The general county fee schedule says the first 30 minutes of staff research/response may be provided without charge, then staff time may be charged at $25 per hour; certified copies may be $10; paper copies may be up to $0.50 per page; and prepayment may be required when estimated cost exceeds $50. Specific statutes or agency rules can change the fee for a particular record.
Salt Lake County GRAMA guidance · Sheriff records contacts and forms
When Salt Lake County Is Not the Right Custody Search
Utah Department of Corrections
Use Utah DOC when the person is currently under Utah corrections supervision. A person held only in a county jail awaiting trial may not appear there.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Use the federal locator when the case or sentence is federal. A county arrest by itself does not mean the person is in BOP custody.
Another Utah county
Search another county only when the arresting agency, court, booking record or confirmed transfer points there. Random county-by-county searches can create wrong-person matches.
Utah VINE notification
Utah DOC describes VINE as a free 24/7 automated offender-information and notification service for victims and community members. Use it for supported status notifications, not as a substitute for the live county prisoner search.
Salt Lake County also publishes an ICE dashboard explaining limited interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including counts of ICE detainers/holds and releases to ICE. The Sheriff states that the office does not participate in the federal 287(g) program and does not determine immigration status. If a specific record shows an immigration transfer, verify through the appropriate federal custody system rather than assuming county custody continues.
Related Jail-Roster.org Utah guides
Salt Lake City
Use the city-focused guide when you need to distinguish Salt Lake City Police records and city-court routing from county jail custody.
Davis County
Use Davis County only when the arrest, court or confirmed transfer points north into Davis County.
Weber County
Use Weber County only when Ogden/Weber County is supported by the arresting agency, court or transfer information.
Salt Lake County Jail, Sheriff, Records and Court Contacts
| Office | Contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County Jail | 385-468-8400 3415 South 900 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119 | Current facility, booking, visitation, bail, release-related routing and prisoner services. |
| Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office | 385-468-9898 3365 South 900 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119 Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Sheriff administration and agency routing. |
| Sheriff Records Request | 385-468-8870 Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Sheriff/jail public-record questions and request routing. |
| Sheriff Civil Division | 385-468-9758 3365 South 900 West | Qualifying civil service of legal documents. |
| Salt Lake County Justice Court | 385-468-8200 2001 South State St, Suite S4-300 | County Justice Court cases within its published jurisdiction. |
| Salt Lake City Justice Court | 801-535-6300 333 South 200 East | Class B/C misdemeanor and infraction cases filed in Salt Lake City Justice Court. |
| Matheson District Court | 801-238-7300 450 South State Street | Third District Court case routing at the Matheson location. |
| Criminal Justice Services | 385-468-3500 2001 South State St, Suite S3-650 | Pretrial case management and release-program questions. |
Metro Jail map
Before traveling, confirm the prisoner’s current facility, the service hours for the task you need, and whether the visit or transaction is handled at Metro or another location.
Responsible Use of Jail and Booking Records
- An arrest or booking is not a conviction.
- Charges shown at booking can change as prosecutors and courts act.
- A warrant is not proof that the person is currently incarcerated.
- Release estimates and stale screenshots should not be treated as current status.
- Use the assigned court for the legal outcome and the current custodian for custody status.
- Do not use public jail information for harassment, threats, stalking or intimidation.
Salt Lake County Jail Roster FAQs
How do I search the Salt Lake County jail roster?
Start with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner page. Search the person’s legal name or use a verified booking, permanent or state identification number when available, then compare multiple record fields before assuming a match.
Where can I see recent Salt Lake County bookings and releases?
Use the Sheriff’s Jail Dockets & Rosters page for recent in/out activity. Salt Lake County describes its jail dockets and rosters as covering the past 60 days. Use the person-level lookup for current custody.
How long does Salt Lake County booking usually take?
The Sheriff says booking averages about six to eight hours after the person arrives at the jail. Intoxication, medical needs, noncompliance or other processing issues can extend the process, so the average is not a guaranteed update time.
Why might someone be missing from the prisoner search?
The person may still be processing, may be listed under a different legal name format, may have been released quickly, transferred, booked in another county, or may have a court case or warrant without current jail custody. Check the in/out docket and the appropriate court or custody system before assuming the person was never booked.
Does a Salt Lake County booking record prove guilt?
No. A booking, arrest, charge or mugshot is not a conviction. Court records control the filed case and legal outcome, and charges can be amended, dismissed or resolved differently.
How do I pay bail at Salt Lake County Metro Jail?
First confirm the prisoner’s SO number, current bail and any holds. The Sheriff currently accepts in-person bail at Metro Jail 24/7 by cash, cashier’s check or certified check; checks must be payable to Salt Lake County Treasurer and require business-hour verification.
Can I walk in for a Salt Lake County jail visit?
Yes under the rules effective April 1, 2026, but prescheduled visits take priority. Visits can be scheduled up to six days in advance by calling 385-468-8400, and visitors must follow the current housing schedule, ID rules and check-in times.
Can a prisoner receive an incoming phone call?
No. Salt Lake County says prisoners make outgoing calls and cannot receive ordinary incoming calls. Because the county’s current pages conflict over provider naming, verify the current account route before adding phone funds.
What address should I use for prisoner mail?
Use the prisoner’s full name and SO number, c/o Salt Lake County Metro Jail, 3415 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84119. The county’s instructions use the Metro mailing route for Oxbow prisoners as well.
How do I request a Salt Lake County booking photo or jail record?
Use the Sheriff’s records process or the county GRAMA portal for the record held by the responsible agency. Utah law restricts some booking-photo copies and requires a signed non-publish-for-pay statement when a copy is requested from a sheriff.
Final Verification Checklist
- You used the official Salt Lake County prisoner search for current custody.
- You checked the in/out docket when the booking or release was recent.
- You matched more than a name when possible.
- You confirmed Metro vs. Oxbow before traveling.
- You checked the assigned court separately from the jail record.
- You rechecked bail and holds before payment.
- You reviewed the live April 2026 visitation rules before the visit.
- You verified the communication provider before adding phone funds.
- You included the SO number on mail and prisoner-account payments when required.
- You did not treat a booking, charge, mugshot or warrant as proof of guilt.
Official Sources Used for This Refresh
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Corrections Bureau
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Find a Prisoner
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Jail Dockets & Rosters
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Pay a Fine or Bail
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Visit a Prisoner
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Communicate with a Prisoner
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Deposit Money in Prisoner Account
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Inmate Health Services
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — PREA
- Salt Lake County Sheriff — Contacts and Records Forms
- Salt Lake County — Public Records Requests (GRAMA)
- Salt Lake County Justice Court
- Salt Lake City Justice Court
- Utah State Court Directory
- Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services — Pretrial
- Utah Code § 17-72-802 — Booking Photographs