Search Arrest, Mugshot & Inmate Records by Name
Search by name and state for arrest, booking, mugshot, inmate, jail roster, prison, criminal and court-record search categories.
Independent records-search resource. This website is not a government agency, police department, sheriff's office, jail, prison or courthouse. Search coverage varies by source and jurisdiction. Some links may lead to third-party services, and compensation may be received when a partner service is used.
Find a Michigan Inmate Without Searching the Wrong System
If someone was recently arrested in Michigan, start with the county sheriff or county jail where the arrest happened. If the person has already entered Michigan state prison custody, use the Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS).
- Recent arrest or county jail: county sheriff inmate search or jail roster.
- Michigan state prisoner: MDOC OTIS.
- Release, transfer or escape alerts: Michigan VINE.
- Charges, hearings or court case: MiCOURT Case Search.
- Older Michigan criminal-history check: Michigan State Police ICHAT.
- Federal custody: Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator.
Michigan has 83 counties, and county jails are operated locally. There is no single MDOC roster containing everyone held in Michigan county jails. OTIS specifically excludes people held only in county jails or city lockups.
How to Search a Michigan County Jail
- Identify the county. Use the city of arrest, arresting police agency, courthouse or location where the incident occurred.
- Open the county sheriff’s official website. Look for Inmate Search, Jail Roster, Inmate Lookup, Inmate Information or Corrections.
- Enter the person’s legal name. If available, add a booking number, subject number, date of birth or booking-date range.
- Compare identifiers carefully. Check the name, age or birth date, booking date, arresting agency and booking number.
- Review the current custody record. Depending on the county, it may show charges, bond, jail location, booking date, court information or custody status.
- If there is no result, continue checking. The person may still be processing, released, transferred, held in another county, in MDOC custody or in federal custody.
If you do not know the sheriff website, use the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association directory to locate the correct county agency.
Michigan County Jail Lookup Shortcuts
Michigan counties use different jail systems, search fields and rules. The following official resources cover several major population centers.
| County | Official starting point | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Detroit area |
Wayne County Inmate Inquiry | Check current Wayne County jail custody using available inmate search fields. |
| Oakland County Pontiac area |
Oakland County Inmate Information | Access county jail inmate information and related corrections resources. |
| Macomb County Mount Clemens area |
Macomb County Locate an Inmate | Use the Sheriff’s official route to its inmate lookup system. |
| Kent County Grand Rapids area |
Kent County Inmate Lookup | Search people booked into the Kent County Correctional Facility. |
| Genesee County Flint area |
Genesee County Corrections Division | Use official jail and corrections information for Genesee County custody. |
| Ingham County Lansing/Mason area |
Ingham County Corrections | Access county corrections information and its inmate-locator route. |
Jail records can change quickly after bond, release, transfer or a court order. If the information affects travel, bond payment, visitation or another same-day decision, confirm the current status with the jail.
How to Search Michigan State Prisoners With OTIS
Use MDOC OTIS when the person is or was under Michigan Department of Corrections jurisdiction or supervision.
- Open the official Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Search page.
- Select the option to start the offender search.
- Enter the person’s identifying information or MDOC number when known.
- Open the most likely matching result.
- Compare identifiers before relying on the record.
- Review available custody, supervision, facility and sentencing information.
- Prisoners under MDOC jurisdiction.
- Parolees under MDOC supervision.
- Probationers under MDOC supervision.
- People discharged from MDOC supervision within the previous three years.
- People held only in county jails or city lockups.
- People arrested and convicted but not yet sentenced.
- People who have been off MDOC supervision for more than three years.
- Information exempt from disclosure under applicable law.
If someone disappears from a county-jail roster after sentencing, check OTIS to see whether the person has entered state correctional custody.
What to Do When No Inmate Record Appears
| Possible reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Very recent arrest | Booking may still be processing. Search again later or contact the county jail. |
| Name entered differently | Try the complete legal surname, middle name, suffix, former surname or alternate spelling. |
| Person was released | Current-custody rosters may remove released people. Check the court case or request older booking records. |
| Transferred to another county | Search the receiving county’s sheriff or detention system. |
| Transferred to state prison | Search MDOC OTIS. |
| Federal custody | Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. |
| You need a court record rather than custody information | Use MiCOURT Case Search or contact the court handling the case. |
Check Michigan Charges, Court Dates and Case Status
A jail roster answers a custody question. It is not the final court record. To check public Michigan case information, use the official MiCOURT Case Search.
- Open MiCOURT Case Search.
- Select the appropriate search option or court when required.
- Search by participant name or case number.
- Compare the county, court and case information with the jail booking.
- Review available hearings, case status and other public information.
- For an official or certified record, contact the court of record.
Online case information should be treated as a convenient search tool rather than a replacement for the official record maintained by the court.
Get Release and Transfer Alerts With Michigan VINE
Michigan VINE is a free, confidential service that provides offender custody information and notification options.
- Release.
- Transfer.
- Escape.
- Other available custody-status changes.
- Supported court-event updates.
Michigan VINE phone: 800-770-7657
Users may register through supported VINE channels for custody notifications. If you register a phone number, the system may ask you to create a four-digit PIN to confirm receipt of automated calls.
Need an Older Michigan Criminal History?
OTIS is not a complete criminal-background database. For publicly available Michigan criminal-history information, use the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
The Michigan State Police currently lists the public name-based ICHAT search fee as $10 per search. A search generally uses identifying information such as the subject’s first and last name, gender and date of birth.
ICHAT has important limitations. Public results do not include every type of record. Suppressed information, warrant information, federal records, tribal records, traffic records, juvenile records, certain local misdemeanors and criminal history from other states may not be included.
What Information Can a Michigan Jail Search Show?
The exact fields depend on the county, but a Michigan jail record may show:
- Legal name.
- Booking or inmate number.
- Booking date and time.
- Current custody status.
- Housing facility or jail location.
- Arresting agency.
- Listed booking charges.
- Bond information when publicly available.
- Court or case references.
- A booking photograph where the agency publishes one.
A jail booking is not proof of guilt. Charges may later be changed, dismissed or resolved differently in court.
Before Paying Bond, Sending Money or Planning a Visit
Confirm the person’s current facility, booking or inmate number and custody status before taking action. Michigan jails use different vendors and procedures.
- Bond: verify the current amount and payment method with the jail or court.
- Money: use only the deposit method or vendor listed by the inmate’s current jail.
- Mail: verify the mailing address, inmate number and prohibited-item rules.
- Visitation: check registration, identification requirements, available hours and whether visits are onsite or remote.
- Phone: use the provider identified by the correctional facility.
Be cautious if someone demands immediate payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or another unusual method while claiming it will secure an inmate’s release. Verify the situation using contact information published by the sheriff, jail or court.
Current Custody vs. Court Record vs. Criminal History
| If you need… | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Someone arrested recently | County sheriff or county jail roster |
| Michigan state prisoner | MDOC OTIS |
| Probation or parole information | MDOC OTIS |
| Release or transfer alerts | Michigan VINE |
| Criminal case or hearing information | MiCOURT Case Search / court of record |
| Public Michigan criminal-history search | Michigan State Police ICHAT |
| Federal inmate | Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator |
Related Inmate Lookup Guides
- Arizona Jail Inmate Search & Inmate Lookup
- WV Regional Jail Inmate Search & Jail Roster
- Polk County Jail Inmate Search & Roster
Michigan Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. Is there one statewide Michigan county jail inmate search?
No. Michigan county jails are operated locally. MDOC OTIS does not contain people held only in county jails or city lockups, so recent arrests should normally be searched through the appropriate county sheriff.
2. How do I find someone who was arrested today in Michigan?
Identify the county where the person was arrested and use that county sheriff’s jail roster or inmate search. If the arrest was very recent, the booking may not appear immediately.
3. Does Michigan OTIS show county jail inmates?
No. OTIS contains information about people under Michigan Department of Corrections jurisdiction or supervision, including prisoners, parolees and probationers. County-jail-only custody is excluded.
4. How do I search Wayne County or Detroit-area jail inmates?
Use the Wayne County Sheriff’s official Inmate Inquiry system and compare the available identifiers carefully before assuming a match.
5. Why can’t I find someone in a Michigan jail search?
The booking may still be processing, the name may be entered differently, the person may have been released or transferred, or the person may now be in state or federal custody.
6. Can I search a Michigan inmate by booking number?
Some county systems allow booking-number or subject-number searches, while others rely mainly on a person’s name. The available search fields depend on the county’s software.
7. How do I check a Michigan inmate’s charges or court date?
Use the jail record for available booking information, then check MiCOURT or contact the court handling the criminal case for court dates and official case information.
8. How can I get notified when a Michigan inmate is released?
Michigan VINE allows users to register for available custody-status notifications, including release and transfer events. The statewide VINE telephone number is 800-770-7657.
9. How do I find an older Michigan criminal record?
Use Michigan State Police ICHAT for publicly available Michigan criminal-history information. OTIS does not contain offenders who have been off MDOC supervision for more than three years.
10. Does appearing in a Michigan jail roster mean the person is guilty?
No. A jail or booking record documents custody or booking activity. It does not establish guilt or prove that the person was convicted.
Information reviewed: October 15, 2026. Custody records, bond information, visitation rules and facility procedures can change. Use the linked government source for the final live status before sending money, traveling to a jail, posting bond or relying on a release date.