Start With County Custody—Then Follow the City Arrest to the Correct Court or Record
Salt Lake City does not operate a separate public adult inmate roster for the people most users are trying to find. Current local jail custody is searched through the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau.
This guide helps you move from a Salt Lake City arrest to the correct prisoner search, recent booking docket, court, bail process, visit, mail route, inmate account, police record, statewide warrant search or Utah DOC system without relying on stale third-party jail information.
Salt Lake City Arrest Does Not Mean There Is a Separate Salt Lake City Adult Jail Roster
Salt Lake City Police can make the arrest, but the adult county custody system is operated by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Need Current Custody?
Use the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s inmate lookup and jail docket resources.
Need the Police Report?
If Salt Lake City Police created the incident or arrest report, use SLCPD’s records/GRAMA process.
Need the Court Case?
Use Salt Lake City Justice Court, Salt Lake County Justice Court or Utah District Court depending on the charge and jurisdiction.
County jail and state prison are different. Utah State Correctional Facility is operated by Utah Department of Corrections and is not the Salt Lake County jail.
Jump to the Information You Actually Need
Use the Sheriff-Linked Find a Prisoner Tool First
When you know who you are looking for, the quickest official route is the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Find a Prisoner service.
Search Carefully
- Use the person’s legal name.
- Try maiden, hyphenated or alternate surname formats when appropriate.
- Compare available custody details before relying on a common-name match.
- Save the Sheriff’s Office prisoner number, or SO number, when it is available.
- Call 385-468-8400 if the answer affects an immediate visit, bail payment or pickup.
After reviewing those cautions, open Salt Lake County Find a Prisoner .
If the direct inmate-search service temporarily fails, start from the official Corrections Bureau page rather than switching to a paid inmate site.
Find a Prisoner, In/Out Docket, Roster and Jail Dashboard Are Not Interchangeable
| County resource | Best use | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Find a Prisoner | Locate a specific person in current county custody. | It is not a complete Utah criminal-history search. |
| Jail In/Out Docket | Review recent admission and release activity. | A booking entry does not prove the person remains jailed later. |
| Roster | Broader current custody review. | Privacy rules remove some identifying information. |
| Jail Dashboard | Aggregate jail-population and system statistics. | Do not use it to locate a particular person. |
For the county’s current roster and docket resources, open Jail Dockets & Rosters .
Choose the Official System That Matches Your Question
Do not enter a real person’s name, date of birth or case number here. This tool only routes the task.
Salt Lake Custody Source Finder
A New Arrest Can Take Time to Finish Booking
Salt Lake County says booking averages approximately 6–8 hours from the time a person arrives at the jail.
Intoxication, non-compliance or another processing problem can make the process longer.
6–8 hours is not a public website posting guarantee. The county does not say every person will appear online exactly 6, 8, 12 or 24 hours after arrest.
Recent-Arrest Workflow
Identify the Arresting Agency
Salt Lake City Police, Salt Lake County Sheriff, Utah Highway Patrol and other agencies keep different incident records.
Allow for Booking
A person can be in transport or processing before a useful public inmate record appears.
Search Find a Prisoner
Use the Sheriff’s direct current-custody tool.
Check the In/Out Docket
Use the docket when the question is about a recent admission or release.
Check Court Separately
A court case can exist even when the person is no longer incarcerated.
Call Before an Immediate Action
Use 385-468-8400 when bail, transportation or a visit depends on current custody.
SO Number, Booking Event and Court Case Number Serve Different Purposes
| Identifier | Use it for | Do not treat it as |
|---|---|---|
| SO number | Sheriff/jail services such as custody follow-up, bail, mail and deposits. | A Utah court case number. |
| Booking information | Matching a particular jail intake event. | Final court disposition. |
| Court case number | Court calendars, filings and case follow-up. | The jail’s SO number. |
Save both the SO number and the court case number when you have them. They answer different questions and make phone calls much easier.
Utah Privacy Rules Affect What Appears on the Public Roster
Salt Lake County’s Jail Dockets & Rosters page says certain personal identifiers are removed from public jail-roster information under Utah privacy law and county policy.
Missing DOB, address or another identifier is not proof that the arrest did not occur or that the internal jail record is incomplete.
Reduce the Risk of Misidentifying Someone
- Use the full legal name.
- Use the SO number when it is already known.
- Compare arrest and booking timing.
- Compare the relevant court or case context.
- Do not publicly identify someone from a common name alone.
What If the Person Is Not Found?
No-Result Troubleshooter
Salt Lake County Mugshots Have Separate Release Rules
“Salt Lake City mugshots” is a common search, but a jail roster and a booking-photo release are not the same thing.
Salt Lake County uses a formal booking-photo / mug-shot release process, and Utah law can classify booking photographs as protected records except in qualifying circumstances.
A third-party website displaying an old mugshot does not prove the person is currently in jail, and a booking image does not prove guilt.
If a Booking Photo Is Actually Needed
- Confirm the correct person and booking.
- Identify the public-record purpose.
- Contact the Sheriff’s records process.
- Ask whether the photograph is legally releasable.
- Use the court—not the photo—to verify case outcome.
Sheriff Records: 385-468-8870 .
Which Court Handles the Salt Lake Arrest?
| Court | Typical use | Current contact |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City Justice Court | Class B and Class C misdemeanors and infractions alleged within Salt Lake City. |
333 S 200 E Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-535-6300 |
| Salt Lake County Justice Court | County Justice Court jurisdiction, including listed county communities and South Jordan cases after July 1, 2026. |
2001 S State St, Suite S4-300 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 385-468-8200 |
| Third District Court | Felonies and other matters within District Court jurisdiction. |
Matheson Courthouse 450 S State St Salt Lake City, UT 84114 801-238-7300 |
Salt Lake City First Appearance Warning
Salt Lake City Justice Court allows online scheduling for many first appearances when a court date is not already assigned.
Do not use that generic booking calendar for DUI or Domestic Violence cases. The city court publishes a separate scheduling rule for those case types.
How to Follow the Court Case After the Jail Search
Identify Jurisdiction
Use the arresting agency, charge and citation/case information.
Use the Court Case Number
Do not substitute the jail SO number for a court docket number.
Verify the Hearing
Check the current court calendar or contact the clerk.
Do Not Treat Charge as Conviction
Charges can be amended, dismissed or resolved differently later.
Verify Every Hold Before Paying Bail
Salt Lake County accepts bail in person at Metro Jail, but the first task is determining whether payment actually clears the active custody matter.
Before Paying
- Obtain the prisoner’s SO number.
- Confirm current custody.
- Confirm the current bail amount.
- Ask whether any additional hold exists.
- Identify the responsible court or agency.
- Ask whether the proposed payment will make the prisoner release-eligible.
Current County-Published Payment Methods
- Cash.
- Cashier’s check.
- Certified check.
- Qualifying checks payable to Salt Lake County Treasurer.
- No county bail-payment fee currently listed.
- Bail accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cashier’s and certified checks require verification during banking business hours even though bail itself can be accepted around the clock.
3415 South 900 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Phone: 385-468-8400
Salt Lake County Does Not Give Prisoner Release Dates to Callers
The jail’s current FAQ says staff do not give out prisoner release dates.
The county says a prisoner is allowed free local phone calls roughly 15–30 minutes before release so pickup arrangements can be made.
Before Driving to Metro Jail
- Recheck current custody.
- Verify every hold has cleared.
- Do not assume a court hearing ending means jail processing is finished.
- Wait for pickup communication when possible.
Walk-In Personal Visits Are Allowed Again
Effective April 1, 2026, Salt Lake County welcomes walk-in personal visits again.
Pre-scheduled visits still receive priority and can be booked up to six days in advance by calling 385-468-8400.
Current Core Rules
| Rule | Current county detail |
|---|---|
| Visits per week | Two personal visits for eligible prisoners. |
| Clergy visit | One per week for eligible prisoners. |
| Metro visitor limit | Three visitors. |
| Oxbow visitor limit | Two visitors. |
| Infant rule | Infant under age one does not count toward the visitor limit. |
| Visit length | 30 minutes. |
| General window | 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., subject to current housing schedule. |
| Meal closures | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. |
Check-In Timing
- Be checked in at least 30 minutes before the visit.
- Do not enter the visiting lobby more than 45 minutes early.
- Late visitors may lose the reserved slot.
Identification
- Visitors age 16 and older need valid government-issued identification.
- Driver license, state ID, passport or consulate card are current examples.
- School IDs are not accepted.
- Utah Driving Privilege Cards are not accepted under the published rule.
Minor Visitors
- A minor visiting a parent must be accompanied by an adult.
- Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, step-parent or legal guardian.
- Proof of legal guardianship may be required.
- Children under 16 may not be left unattended.
Do Not Copy an Old Pod Schedule Into Your Travel Plans
Salt Lake County publishes a live housing-unit schedule covering Metro and Oxbow pods.
The available day can change when the prisoner moves housing units, has a work assignment, is quarantined, is on restriction or jail operations interrupt visiting.
Before a long drive, re-open the live county schedule or call 385-468-8400 rather than relying on a screenshot from an older article.
Items Not Allowed in the Visiting Area
- Cell phones.
- Electronics.
- Food and drinks.
- Knives or weapons.
- Lighters, cigarettes or open flames.
- Pens or pencils.
- Staples or paper clips.
- Wallets or keys.
Do Not Send Phone Money Until You Understand the ViaPath Warning
Salt Lake County’s communication page says prisoners may make outbound collect calls or purchase phone-card access using their commissary account.
The same page references ViaPath for prepaid phone setup but then explicitly warns:
Accounts and funds established through VIAPATH.COM cannot be used for prisoners housed at the Salt Lake County Jail.
Because those instructions can look contradictory to a family member, do not assume a general ViaPath balance is the correct Salt Lake County funding route.
Current Calling Rules
- Prisoners make outbound calls only.
- Jail staff do not place ordinary calls for prisoners.
- Normal housing-phone access is generally 7:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
- Ordinary calls are limited to 15 minutes.
- TDD calls can receive a 30-minute allowance.
- Calls may be monitored or recorded, except qualifying attorney calls.
- Protective and no-contact orders must be obeyed.
For current phone-account clarification, use 877-650-4249 or confirm through the jail before depositing.
Electronic Messages Currently Cost $0.50 Each
Salt Lake County currently lists prisoner electronic messaging through its OffenderConnect / ConnectNetwork route.
The county-published rate is $0.50 per electronic message.
Messaging, phone funding, commissary and bail are separate functions. Do not assume a balance created for one service can pay another.
After confirming the service, open ConnectNetwork .
Current Salt Lake County Prisoner Mailing Address
Prisoner’s Name (and SO# if known)c/o Salt Lake County Metro Jail
3415 S. 900 W.
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Salt Lake County says this mailing address is also used for prisoners housed at Oxbow.
Incoming Mail Rules
- Normal incoming prisoner mail must be delivered through USPS.
- UPS, FedEx, DHL and similar private delivery services are refused for normal inmate mail.
- Photos may be up to 4 × 6 inches.
- Mail containing more than 12 photographs is prohibited.
- Instant photographs are prohibited.
- Photo stickers are prohibited.
- Stamps and stamped envelopes are prohibited.
- Tape and stickers are prohibited.
- Glue, staples and paper clips are prohibited.
- Glitter and confetti are prohibited.
- Blank greeting cards/postcards and excess blank writing materials can be rejected or discarded.
New Books and Periodicals
The jail allows qualifying new softcover books and periodicals sent directly from a publisher, book club or book retailer through USPS, subject to facility restrictions.
Privileged / Legal Mail
The Sheriff’s prisoner handbook explains that mail from qualifying public officials, attorneys or courts should be clearly marked Privileged or Legal Mail and use appropriate identifying letterhead.
Properly marked privileged mail is inspected for contraband in the prisoner’s presence.
The handbook is older than some live web pages. When a live county rule conflicts with handbook wording, follow the newer current Sheriff page.
Cash in Mail: Do Not Deliberately Send It
The live communication page says cash discovered in inmate mail can be credited to the prisoner’s account, but the Sheriff’s FAQ separately tells users not to send cash through the mail.
The safer instruction is to use an approved deposit route instead of intentionally mailing cash.
How Salt Lake County Prisoner Accounts Work
Salt Lake County describes the commissary account as a prepaid account used for prisoner purchases and certain phone-related costs.
Up to 50% of new money deposited can be taken to pay outstanding jail balances. Do not promise that the full deposit will become spendable commissary money.
ConnectNetwork
Current county details:
- Phone: 888-988-4768.
- Salt Lake County site ID: 143.
- Online, telephone and kiosk options are listed.
Metro Jail Handles In-Person Deposits for Both Metro and Oxbow
The county specifically states that payments for prisoners at both facilities are made at Metro Jail.
Current deposit windows:
- 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- 3:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Current In-Person Payment Types
- Money order.
- Cash.
- Certified check.
- Cashier’s check.
- Personal checks are not accepted.
- Exact amount is required because no change is given.
Seven-Day Hold
Salt Lake County says certified checks, cashier’s checks and money orders require a 7-day hold before the funds become available for prisoner use.
Mailed Payments
Put the prisoner’s name and SO number on the payment and envelope and include a return address.
Commissary deposits, electronic messages, prepaid calling arrangements and court bail are not the same account.
Medical, Medication or Mental-Health Concern
Salt Lake County says health-services staff work inside the jail 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Health Privacy
A prisoner generally must sign an authorization before jail health staff can release medical information to a family member.
Medication Brought From Home
Outside medication can be used for verification purposes, but medication administered in custody must be prescribed through the jail’s clinical staff.
How Quickly Jail-Prescribed Medication May Start
The county says normal availability after a jail clinician prescribes medication can take approximately 24–72 hours.
Critical medication can be started faster at the discretion of clinical staff.
Do not drop off or mail medication without first receiving current facility instructions.
Salt Lake County Jail PREA Reporting
Salt Lake County Jail publishes a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and sexual harassment in custody.
An outside person can currently report concerns through the county’s reporting process or by emailing: prea@saltlakecounty.gov .
If a prisoner is in imminent danger, the county’s current PREA page directs users to call the jail at 385-468-8400 .
How to Pick Up Prisoner Property
Salt Lake County says prisoner property may normally be released approximately once every six months.
Current Pickup Workflow
- Go to Jail Administration between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- Bring government-issued identification.
- Complete the property-release form.
- Allow approximately 48 hours after paperwork is completed before pickup.
Do not arrive immediately after the prisoner signs the request and assume the property will already be waiting.
Other Documents Needing a Prisoner Signature
For documents such as vehicle impound releases, powers of attorney or other non-civil-service forms, the county says Jail Administration can generally obtain the prisoner’s signature and make the document available for pickup about 24 hours later.
Serving Court Papers on a Salt Lake County Prisoner
If the document requires formal civil service, use the Sheriff’s Civil Unit rather than simply dropping it at Jail Administration.
Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Civil Unit3365 S. 900 W.
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Current Sheriff FAQ lists same-day Civil Unit service Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Current Published Service Fees
- $22.50 for paperwork within Utah.
- $27.50 for paperwork from outside Utah.
- Protective/stalking-order service may have different fee treatment.
Whether a document legally requires civil service is a legal/procedural question. Ask the responsible court or attorney when unsure.
Request Salt Lake City Police Records From SLCPD
When Salt Lake City Police generated the incident report, the underlying police record remains with SLCPD even when Salt Lake County houses the arrested person.
Salt Lake City Police Department475 S 300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Records: 801-799-3101
Current SLCPD GRAMA Fees
- $15 per standard report request up to 50 pages.
- $0.25 per page after 50 pages.
- Body-camera requests have separate published fees.
- Additional processing charges may apply.
Public records can still contain information that is private, controlled or protected, including some open-investigation information.
Salt Lake County Sheriff and County GRAMA Records
Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act governs access to many county government records.
Salt Lake County agencies maintain their own records, so identify the agency that created or controls the record before submitting a request.
Prepare These Details
- Full legal name.
- Approximate incident or booking date.
- Arresting/reporting agency.
- SO, report or case number when known.
- Specific document or recording requested.
Sheriff Records: 385-468-8870 .
Use Utah BCI’s Free Statewide Warrant Search
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification provides a public Statewide Warrants search for people wanted in Utah.
Open Utah’s official warrant-search information .
A warrant result is not proof of present jail custody. Do not confront, follow or attempt to apprehend anyone because of an online warrant result.
Utah DOC Offender Search Is Not a Substitute for the County Jail Roster
Utah Department of Corrections states that its Offender Search is only for people currently under Utah DOC supervision.
People awaiting trial or not yet sentenced while housed in county jail generally will not appear in Utah DOC Offender Search.
Open Utah DOC Offender Search .
Utah State Correctional Facility
Utah State Correctional Facility1480 N 8000 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
That is a state correctional facility, not Salt Lake County Metro Jail.
Federal Custody
If a federal sentence or Bureau of Prisons placement is involved, use the Federal Inmate Locator .
Jail, Sheriff, Police and Court Contacts
| Office | Current contact | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County Jail |
3415 South 900 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119 385-468-8400 |
Current custody, booking, visits, bail, release and prisoner services. |
| Salt Lake County Sheriff |
3365 South 900 West Salt Lake City, UT 84119 385-468-9898 |
Sheriff’s administration and agency routing. |
| Sheriff Records | 385-468-8870 | Sheriff/jail record questions. |
| Salt Lake City Police Records |
475 S 300 E Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-799-3101 |
SLCPD incident and arrest reports. |
| Salt Lake City Justice Court |
333 S 200 E Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-535-6300 |
City Class B/C misdemeanors and infractions. |
| Salt Lake County Justice Court |
2001 S State St, Suite S4-300 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 385-468-8200 |
County Justice Court matters. |
| Third District Court |
Matheson Courthouse 450 S State St Salt Lake City, UT 84114 801-238-7300 |
Felony and District Court matters. |
Use Salt Lake Jail Information Responsibly
- An arrest is not a conviction.
- A jail charge is not the final court disposition.
- A warrant does not prove current incarceration.
- A booking photo does not prove guilt.
- A missing identifier can be the result of Utah privacy rules.
- A blank inmate search does not prove no case exists.
- Pretrial release can leave a criminal case active.
- A court order does not guarantee immediate jail release processing.
- An inmate-account deposit does not pay court bail.
- A third-party phone or messaging balance may not work for this jail.
- Do not use stale screenshots as proof of current incarceration.
- Do not harass, stalk, threaten or shame someone because of booking data.
- Use court records for legal outcomes.
- Use a licensed attorney for legal advice.
Salt Lake City Jail Roster FAQs
Does Salt Lake City have its own adult jail roster?
For adult custody searches involving Salt Lake City arrests, use the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Corrections Bureau inmate systems. Salt Lake City Police records and Salt Lake City Justice Court records are separate systems.
How long does Salt Lake County booking take?
Salt Lake County says booking averages about six to eight hours from arrival, although intoxication, non-compliance and other processing circumstances can make it longer. The county does not publish a guaranteed public-roster posting delay.
What is the difference between Find a Prisoner and the In/Out Docket?
Find a Prisoner is the best starting point for locating a specific person. The Jail In/Out Docket is useful for recent booking and release activity. The Jail Dashboard provides aggregate statistics rather than individual custody lookup.
Can I walk in for a Salt Lake County jail visit?
Yes. Effective April 1, 2026, walk-in personal visits are welcomed again, although pre-scheduled visits receive priority. Current visits last 30 minutes and remain subject to housing, quarantine, discipline and jail operations.
How do I pay bail for someone at Salt Lake County Jail?
Salt Lake County accepts bail in person at Metro Jail. First obtain the prisoner’s SO number and verify every active hold. Current accepted methods include cash, cashier’s check and certified check, with qualifying checks made payable to Salt Lake County Treasurer.
Will the jail tell me an exact release date or time?
Salt Lake County says it does not give prisoner release dates to callers. Shortly before release, prisoners are allowed free local phone calls for pickup arrangements.
How do I mail a Salt Lake County prisoner?
Address mail to the prisoner’s name and SO number if known, care of Salt Lake County Metro Jail, 3415 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119. Normal incoming inmate mail must be delivered through USPS and is subject to the jail’s current content restrictions.
How do I add money to a Salt Lake County prisoner account?
Salt Lake County lists ConnectNetwork, the Metro Jail lobby kiosk and approved mailed or in-person payment methods. Deposits for both Metro and Oxbow prisoners are handled through Metro Jail. Up to 50 percent of new money may be applied to jail balances owed.
Which court handles a Salt Lake City arrest?
Salt Lake City Justice Court handles city Class B and Class C misdemeanors and infractions. Salt Lake County Justice Court handles its own county jurisdictions, while felony and other District Court matters generally proceed through Utah District Court.
What if the person was transferred to Utah state custody?
Use Utah Department of Corrections Offender Search if the person may now be under Utah DOC supervision. People awaiting trial or unsentenced in a county jail generally will not appear in the Utah DOC search.
Final Salt Lake City Jail Search Checklist
- You used Salt Lake County Sheriff rather than searching for a nonexistent separate adult city roster.
- You did not treat the county’s 6–8 hour booking average as a guaranteed web-posting time.
- You used Find a Prisoner for a specific person.
- You used the In/Out Docket for recent booking/release activity.
- You did not use the Jail Dashboard as an inmate locator.
- You kept the SO number separate from the court case number.
- You considered Utah privacy redactions when identifiers were missing.
- You did not treat a mugshot page as proof of current custody.
- You identified city, county or District Court correctly.
- You checked every hold before paying bail.
- You did not confuse prisoner-account money with bail.
- You did not promise an exact release time.
- You used the April 1, 2026 walk-in visitation rules.
- You checked the current housing-pod visitation day before travel.
- You arrived at least 30 minutes before a scheduled visit.
- You reviewed the ViaPath funding warning before adding phone money.
- You kept electronic messaging separate from phone funding.
- You used USPS for normal incoming inmate mail.
- You kept photos within the county’s published size and quantity limits.
- You did not intentionally mail cash.
- You understood that up to 50% of new deposits may go toward jail debt.
- You allowed for the 7-day hold on qualifying mailed/check deposits.
- You contacted jail health services before bringing medication.
- You used PREA reporting when custody sexual-abuse or harassment concerns exist.
- You allowed about 48 hours for approved property-release processing.
- You distinguished formal civil service from ordinary document signatures.
- You requested SLCPD records from SLCPD only when that agency owns the record.
- You used Utah’s statewide warrant search rather than treating the jail roster as a warrant database.
- You used Utah DOC only when the person may be under state correctional supervision.
- You did not treat arrest, booking, warrant or mugshot information as proof of guilt.
Independent guide: Jail-Roster.org does not operate Salt Lake County Jail, Oxbow Jail, Salt Lake County Sheriff, Salt Lake City Police, Utah Courts, ConnectNetwork, ViaPath, Access SecurePak, Utah BCI, Utah Department of Corrections or the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Jail rules, court schedules, provider instructions, fees, custody and release information can change. Current official sources control whenever information differs. Source review completed August 20, 2026.