Start With Custody, Then Route to the Right Tacoma Record
A Tacoma arrest can lead to Pierce County Jail custody, Tacoma Municipal Court, Pierce County District or Superior Court, another regional jail, or eventually state or federal custody.
This guide starts with the official current roster and then shows exactly where to go for court, bail, release, visits, mail, calls, medical concerns, money, records and safety notifications.
Where Do You Look Up Someone Arrested in Tacoma?
For current adult custody at Pierce County Jail, start with Pierce County LINX. The system can display the current Corrections roster, search by inmate name and connect booking charges with related court information.
Do not assume every Tacoma-area arrest will appear there. Pierce County states that its jail roster does not include people on home detention, people at Western State Hospital or participants in the Breaking the Cycle program.
Released people also disappear from the current inmate-name list. If the court case continues after release, switch from the custody search to the correct court search.
County-wide Pierce County help: if you already know the person is in Pierce County Corrections and do not need Tacoma-specific city/court routing, use the verified Pierce County Jail Roster guide.
Choose the Question You Need Answered
Use the Office That Owns the Record
This privacy-safe helper does not collect names or case numbers.
Tacoma Custody Source Finder
How to Search Current Tacoma-Area Jail Custody
Start With Pierce County LINX
Use Pierce County’s live jail and court system instead of a copied mugshot page or a site calling itself “Tacoma City Jail.”
Search the Current Legal Name
LINX uses last-name, first-name style searches. If the result is missing, test legitimate surname variations before assuming the person is elsewhere.
Open the Booking Charges
Review the booking date, charge, charging agency, court jurisdiction, court date and bail or sentence information shown.
Record the Booking ID Privately
The Booking ID can be needed for inmate mail and account deposits. Keep it private rather than reposting it unnecessarily.
Follow the Court Jurisdiction
A Tacoma city matter and a Pierce County felony case do not use the same court workflow.
Verify Again Before Acting
Recheck custody immediately before paying bail, funding an account, mailing something important or arranging pickup.
A Missing LINX Result Does Not Always Mean No Custody or Supervision
Pierce County’s current Sheriff FAQ says the standard current jail roster does not include several categories.
Home Detention
A person on home detention will not appear as an inmate currently housed in Pierce County Jail.
Western State Hospital
A person at Western State Hospital is not included in the county jail roster.
Breaking the Cycle
Participants in Pierce County’s Breaking the Cycle program are also excluded from the standard housed-in-jail roster.
Better question: instead of asking only “Why is the name missing?”, ask whether the person was released, transferred, placed in another program or sent to another facility.
What Pierce County Public Jail Records Can Show
| Field | Useful for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Inmate name | Matching the listed person. | Name alone proves identity. |
| Booking date | Identifying the current jail admission. | It is the exact arrest time. |
| Charge | Understanding why custody is listed. | It is a conviction. |
| Warrant type | Seeing whether a warrant is connected. | It is the only hold. |
| Charging agency | Finding the agency connected to the charge. | It is the court or jail operator. |
| Court jurisdiction | Choosing the correct court search. | Every charge uses the same court. |
| Court date | Finding a scheduled proceeding. | The date cannot change. |
| Sentence date / bail | Understanding the current record stage. | Payment automatically produces immediate release. |
| Sentence / fine | Viewing limited sentence information. | It replaces a court judgment. |
| Release date | Seeing release-related information. | There is no later booking. |
Why the Official Tacoma Jail Search May Not Show a Mugshot
Pierce County says most inmate jail records, including booking photos, are not public records and are generally exempt from public disclosure.
A third-party mugshot is not a live custody record. An image copied years ago can remain online after release, dismissal or a later case outcome.
Use These Public Fields Instead
For identity and custody verification, use the official roster’s name, booking date, charging agency, court jurisdiction, court date and release-related information.
When More Inmate Records Are Needed
Confidential inmate records may generally require direct release to the inmate, a signed inmate authorization for a third party or a court order.
What to Check When LINX Shows No Current Inmate
No-Result Decision Helper
Same-day custody confirmation: Jail Booking is listed at 253-798-4590.
After a Tacoma Arrest: Court and Release Timing
Online jail articles often stop after the booking search. For families, the next question is usually “When will court happen?” or “When can the person actually leave?”
Felony Arrest the Previous Night
Pierce County’s Superior Court criminal FAQ says felony arraignments for someone arrested the previous night are held at either 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m..
The FAQ instructs users to check the LINX Calendars or search by name after 10:30 a.m. to determine the applicable calendar.
No Charges Filed at That Time
For a Superior Court matter marked “No charges filed,” the county FAQ says the Prosecutor is not filing Superior Court charges at that time. The matter could still later appear in Municipal or District Court.
Release After Personal Recognizance or Bail
The Superior Court criminal FAQ states that an inmate being released on personal recognizance or after bail is posted is generally released sometime between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m..
This is not guaranteed pickup time. Always confirm the live custody record or call before driving to the jail.
Pretrial Services After Release
If the Superior Court release includes Pretrial Services, Pierce County’s FAQ says the person should report to Pretrial Services within 24 hours of release. A transferred person should report within 24 hours after release from the other jurisdiction.
Choose Tacoma Municipal Court or Pierce County Court
| Court route | Common use | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma Municipal Court | Tacoma ordinance misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, criminal-traffic and municipal cases. | Tacoma court-date / case-record search. |
| Pierce County District Court | District-level criminal and traffic matters. | Pierce County / Washington court tools. |
| Pierce County Superior Court | Felonies and other Superior Court matters. | LINX cases and calendars. |
Tacoma Municipal Court Contact
Tacoma Municipal CourtCounty-City Building, Room 841
930 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: 253-591-5357
Counter: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Telephone: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–noon and 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Open Tacoma Municipal Court case and hearing information.
Pierce County Superior / District Search
Use LINX to search Superior Court cases and District Court information after identifying the correct jurisdiction.
Verify Bail Before Paying
Cash Bail
The full required amount is posted. Court rules determine how and when cash bail is later returned.
Private Bail Bond
A bonding company posts the bond under its agreement with the payer and may require fees or collateral.
Before Paying
- Confirm the person remains in custody.
- Confirm which court set bail.
- Confirm every active charge or case.
- Ask whether another hold blocks release.
- Confirm the accepted payment route.
- Save the receipt.
- Confirm release before arranging pickup.
Scam protection: never send jail or bail money solely because an unsolicited caller or message tells you to.
Where Cash-Bail Refunds May Go
Pierce County’s Superior Court FAQ explains that the refund route depends on whether charges were filed and whether a cause number exists. Once a charged case has a cause number, bail money can move into the Clerk’s Office process.
Review Pierce County’s official bail guidance before paying.
Main Jail and New Jail Are Different Buildings
Main Jail
910 Tacoma Ave. S.Tacoma, WA 98402
Reception: 253-798-4590
New Jail
701 Nollmeyer Ln.Tacoma, WA 98402
Reception: 253-798-4590
Do not travel based on facility name alone. Current Pierce County pages state that the public reception desk remains closed and in-person visitation is unavailable.
Current Tacoma Jail Visitation Is Video-Based
The live Pierce County visitation notice states that in-person visitation is currently unavailable and the public reception desk remains closed.
Source conflict explained: Pierce County still hosts older pages describing physical visitor sign-up and jail kiosks. Do not use those older mechanics as proof that normal in-person visiting has resumed. Check the current notice before travelling.
Securus Video Visit Basics
| Rule | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Account | Securus account required. |
| Registration | Photo ID plus email address or phone number. |
| Weekly limit | Three video visits per week. |
| General hours | 8:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m., seven days a week and holidays, subject to housing availability. |
| Monitoring | Visits are recorded and monitored. |
| Cancellation credit | Cancel or postpone at least 48 hours ahead for future-visit credit. |
Wrong Housing Time Can Still Cost Money
The visitor is responsible for choosing the correct time. Pierce County warns that selecting an incorrect time can still be chargeable. If Corrections cancels it as an incorrect selection, the visitor receives credit toward another visit.
New Jail Odd/Even Rotation
At 701 Nollmeyer Lane, bunks 1–42 are lower tier and 43–84 are upper tier for the published rotation.
| Day | Lower tier | Upper tier |
|---|---|---|
| Odd-numbered day | 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | 3:30–9:30 p.m. |
| Even-numbered day | 3:30–9:30 p.m. | 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. |
How to Send Pierce County Jail Mail in Tacoma
[Inmate Full Name] [Booking ID Number]910 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
- Include the inmate’s full name.
- Include the Booking ID number.
- Include the sender’s return address.
- Do not send an irreplaceable original.
- Check current publication restrictions before ordering books.
Ordinary original mail is not preserved. Pierce County says incoming original contents are scanned, the scanned copy is provided to the inmate and the originals are shredded.
Current Book Rule
The newer live county page says an inmate may receive up to three books per month. New paperback books or permitted magazines must be shipped directly from a publisher, distributor, bookstore or internet bookseller.
Hardback, used, spiral-bound and other excluded publication types are not accepted under the current policy.
Common Mail Rejection Reasons
| Do not send | Safer choice |
|---|---|
| Cash or personal checks | Use the official inmate-money process. |
| Blank paper or blank cards | Send completed correspondence. |
| Padded / bubble-wrap envelopes | Use a normal approved envelope. |
| Glitter, glue or scented material | Use plain correspondence. |
| Paper clips, staples or metal items | Send loose permitted pages. |
| Polaroids / backed photos | Follow the jail’s approved photo rules. |
| Stamps / envelopes for inmate use | These are obtained through commissary. |
TouchPay, Commissary and Telephone Funds
Do not treat every correctional payment as the same account.
Trust / Commissary
Pierce County links TouchPay for money that can be used for inmate personal goods and commissary purposes.
Telephone Funds
Pierce County separately directs users to Securus for inmate telephone-account funding.
TouchPay Details
| Detail | Use |
|---|---|
| Phone deposit | 1-866-232-1899 |
| Facility locator | 298402 |
| Booking Number | Required by the county TouchPay instruction sheet. |
| Commissary cutoff | Money received by Sunday at 9:00 p.m. for that weekly cycle. |
Indigent Commissary
The county considers an inmate indigent for commissary purposes when the account contains less than $1. Indigent ordering is limited to hygiene and writing materials.
Trust deposit is not bail. Depositing money into an inmate account does not post a court bond.
Pierce County Inmate Phone Calls
| Phone issue | Current county guidance |
|---|---|
| Incoming calls | Inmates cannot receive normal incoming calls. |
| Maximum length | Calls can be up to 20 minutes. |
| Monitoring | Calls are recorded and may be monitored except qualifying attorney calls. |
| Three-way calls | Not allowed. |
| TTY | TTY service is available on request for hearing-impaired individuals. |
| Unwanted calls | Use the call prompts, Securus or Jail Reception to block calls. |
Securus customer service: 1-800-844-6591.
Medical and Mental-Health Help
Pierce County’s current health page says jail healthcare is provided by Correctional Healthcare Partners (CHP) and includes medical, dental and pharmacy services.
What Happens at Booking?
Incoming arrestees receive a health screening to determine whether they are medically appropriate for jail housing and to identify existing treatment needs.
Routine Medical Requests
Routine sick call is provided on weekdays. An inmate can submit a medical request form, commonly called a kite. Medical requests are collected and prioritized according to medical protocol.
Medication
Medical staff verify prescriptions with the outside doctor’s office or pharmacy. Prescription medication passes are provided by nursing staff.
Emergency Care
Medical staff are on-site 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. Hospital transport can be provided when medically necessary.
Mental Health
The Corrections mental-health program provides assessment, crisis intervention, treatment coordination and release-planning connections with community services when indicated.
Family Medical Concern Script
“I have a factual medical or mental-health concern for [full name], Booking ID [if known]. The concern is [brief symptoms, medication interruption or safety issue]. What information can I provide so the healthcare team can evaluate it?”
Jail Booking: 253-798-4590
Jail Administration: 253-798-4668
Which Tacoma Record Are You Actually Trying to Get?
| You need | Best source |
|---|---|
| Current custody | Pierce County LINX roster |
| Detailed inmate jail record | Pierce County Public Disclosure Unit |
| Inmate healthcare record | Signed healthcare-record authorization / court-order process |
| Sheriff incident or CAD report | South Sound 911 records process |
| Court case outcome | Tacoma Municipal Court or Pierce County court record |
Public-Records Response Timing
Pierce County says that within five business days after receiving a Sheriff’s records request it will make records available, acknowledge the request and estimate timing, seek clarification or deny the request while citing the legal exemption.
Current Listed Fees
| Format | Listed fee |
|---|---|
| Printed copies | $0.15 per page |
| Electronic copies | $0.10 per GB |
| Paper converted to electronic | $0.10 per page |
Do Not Abandon the Request
A request can be closed after 30 days if the requester does not claim, pay for or review assembled records or make another arrangement.
Need Property Taken by Tacoma Police or Pierce County Sheriff?
Evidence, safekeeping and found property handled by Tacoma Police or Pierce County Sheriff’s Department uses the joint Property Room—not the jail roster.
Property Room930 Tacoma Ave. S.
Room B-76, Basement
Tacoma, WA 98402
Tacoma / City: 253-591-5984
Pierce County: 253-798-7522
Call first to determine whether an appointment or formal property-release process is required.
This is different from personal property held by the jail at booking. Ask Jail Booking which office controls the specific item before travelling.
VINE and PREA Safety Resources
VINE Custody Notifications
VINE is a free notification service that can provide custody information and automated notice when an inmate is released, transferred or escapes.
Phone: 1-877-846-3492.
PREA Safety Report
For information about sexual assault or staff sexual misconduct involving a Pierce County Jail inmate, the county lists the PREA Coordinator at 253-798-4823.
Check Another Regional, State or Federal Custody System
SCORE Regional Jail
Useful when a south King County jurisdiction or regional transfer is involved.
King County
Use when Seattle, Kent or another King County agency may have custody.
Kitsap County
Use when the arrest, warrant or transfer points toward Bremerton, Port Orchard or Kitsap County.
Washington DOC
Use after sentencing or transfer into Washington state correctional custody.
Federal Custody
Use when the person may be serving a federal sentence or held in the federal correctional system.
Pierce County Detail Page
Use the broader county article when Tacoma-specific routing is no longer the issue.
Pierce County Jail Contacts in Tacoma
Main Jail910 Tacoma Ave. S.
Tacoma, WA 98402
New Jail
701 Nollmeyer Ln.
Tacoma, WA 98402
Jail Booking / Reception: 253-798-4590
Jail Administration: 253-798-4668
Call before driving. The current county notice says the public reception desk is closed and normal in-person visitation is unavailable.
Use Tacoma Jail Information Responsibly
- An arrest or booking is not a conviction.
- A booking charge can change later.
- A missing LINX result does not automatically mean no supervision or other custody.
- An old mugshot is not proof of current custody.
- Do not treat a court date from a saved screenshot as current.
- Do not publish Booking IDs unnecessarily.
- Do not harass, threaten, stalk or shame a listed person.
- Do not republish confidential victim, child or medical information.
- Use court records for legal outcomes.
- Use a licensed attorney for legal advice.
Tacoma Jail Roster FAQs
Where should I search for someone arrested in Tacoma?
For current adult custody in Pierce County Jail, start with Pierce County LINX. If the person is not listed, confirm the arresting agency and consider release, another jail, Washington DOC or federal custody.
Who is not included in the Pierce County current jail roster?
Pierce County says the current jail roster does not include people on home detention, at Western State Hospital or participating in the Breaking the Cycle program.
Can I find Tacoma jail mugshots through the official roster?
Pierce County states that most inmate jail records, including booking photos, are not public records and are generally exempt from disclosure. Use the official roster for public custody information instead.
When might a newly arrested felony defendant appear in Pierce County Superior Court?
Pierce County’s Superior Court criminal FAQ says felony arraignments for someone arrested the previous night are held at either 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. The current LINX calendar should be checked after 10:30 a.m. because the exact calendar can vary.
How long does release take after bail or personal recognizance in Pierce County?
The Pierce County Superior Court criminal FAQ says an inmate being released on personal recognizance or after bail is posted is generally released sometime between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Confirm current status before arranging pickup.
Is in-person visitation currently available at Pierce County Jail?
The current Pierce County Jail visitation notice says in-person visitation is unavailable and the public reception desk remains closed. Video visitation is available through the current Securus process.
How long can Pierce County inmate phone calls last?
Pierce County states that inmate calls can be up to 20 minutes long. Calls are recorded and may be monitored except qualifying attorney calls, and three-way calls are not allowed.
What address should I use for Tacoma inmate mail?
Address inmate correspondence with the inmate’s full name and Booking ID number to 910 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402. Include the sender’s return address and do not send irreplaceable originals because ordinary mail is scanned and the originals are shredded.
How do I add commissary money for a Pierce County inmate?
Pierce County lists TouchPay online or 1-866-232-1899. The county instruction sheet lists facility locator 298402 and requires the inmate Booking Number. Money must be received by Sunday at 9:00 p.m. for the weekly commissary cycle.
What should I do about an urgent medical or mental-health concern for a Tacoma inmate?
Pierce County has medical staff on site around the clock and provides medical, dental, pharmacy and mental-health services. For a jail healthcare concern, contact Jail Booking at 253-798-4590 or Jail Administration at 253-798-4668 and provide clear factual information.
Before You Pay, Visit, Mail or Drive
- Search live Pierce County LINX first.
- Remember that released people are not in the current inmate-name list.
- Remember that home detention, Western State Hospital and Breaking the Cycle may not appear on the jail roster.
- Identify Tacoma Municipal, District or Superior Court correctly.
- Use the current court calendar rather than an old screenshot.
- Verify every bail and hold before payment.
- Confirm actual release before arranging pickup.
- Do not drive to the jail expecting normal in-person visitation.
- Confirm the correct video-visitation housing time.
- Use the Booking ID on inmate correspondence.
- Do not mail irreplaceable originals.
- Use TouchPay facility locator 298402 only after confirming the inmate.
- Remember the Sunday 9:00 p.m. commissary cutoff.
- Use Securus for current phone-account help.
- Call the jail with urgent medical or mental-health information.
- Use South Sound 911 rather than LINX when you need a police incident report.
- Do not expect a booking photo to be an ordinary public jail record.
- Use VINE if release or transfer notifications would help.
- Check another jail or DOC if Pierce County is not the correct custody system.
- Do not treat a booking record as proof of guilt.
Independent guide: Jail-Roster.org does not operate Pierce County Jail, LINX, Tacoma Municipal Court, TouchPay, Securus, VINE, Washington DOC or any law-enforcement or court system. Live official information controls whenever custody, rules, fees or schedules change.