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.
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Find a Washtenaw County Jail Inmate and Verify Current Custody
If you are trying to find someone arrested in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Chelsea, Dexter or elsewhere in Washtenaw County, the search works differently from counties that publish a live Sheriff-run roster. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office currently directs families and friends to its incarcerated-individual information service and a dedicated phone line rather than displaying a public name-search roster on the county website.
| Need | Best starting point |
|---|---|
| Confirm current Washtenaw County Jail custody | WCSO incarcerated-individual information: 734-973-4770 |
| Charges, bond or visitation information | WCSO information line / official incarcerated-individual page |
| Custody status or release/transfer alerts | Michigan VINE / VINELink |
| District-court criminal case | 14A, 14B or 15th District Court, depending on jurisdiction |
| Felony case after district-court proceedings | Washtenaw County Trial Court / 22nd Circuit Court |
| Michigan state prisoner, parolee or qualifying probationer | Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS |
| Older Sheriff record, local jail check or booking photo ID request | WCSO Records & Support Services |
How to Search for a Washtenaw County Jail Inmate
Washtenaw County does not currently present the same type of county-hosted public inmate search box used by many Michigan sheriffs. That means searching random “jail roster” websites can make the process harder, especially when a booking is only a few hours old.
Method 1: Use the Sheriff’s official information line
- Have the person’s full legal first and last name ready. If known, also keep the date of birth and approximate arrest date available to reduce same-name confusion.
- Call 734-973-4770.
- Follow the automated prompts or available instructions for incarcerated-individual information.
- Confirm that the person is actually being held by Washtenaw County rather than another police agency, county, state facility or federal authority.
- Write down any available charge, bond and visitation information before ending the call.
The Sheriff’s official page specifically identifies the information service for bond, charge and visitation information. Use the live service when the status matters today because custody can change after court, bond payment, release processing or transfer.
Method 2: Search Michigan VINE
MI-VINE is a free Michigan custody-information and notification service available to victims, families and the public.
- Open the official Michigan VINE information page and follow the VINELink search link.
- Select Michigan when the service asks for a state.
- Search using the incarcerated person’s legal name.
- Carefully compare any identifying and custody details shown before assuming a result belongs to the person you want.
- If you need continuing updates, use the available notification option for events such as release or transfer.
If You Cannot Find the Person
A missing search result does not necessarily mean there was no arrest. Work through the situation in this order:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Arrest happened very recently | Transportation, identification, medical screening and booking may still be in progress. Call the WCSO information line rather than relying only on an online search. |
| Name search fails | Try the full legal surname, correct spelling, hyphenated name, former surname or suffix. |
| Person was released quickly | Check the related court case. A person may leave jail after arraignment, bond, recognizance release or another court order. |
| Person may be in another county | Identify the arresting agency and where the arrest occurred. Nearby agencies do not necessarily book every person into Washtenaw County Jail. |
| Person received a state sentence | Switch to Michigan DOC OTIS after transfer into MDOC custody. |
| You need an older booking record | Use Sheriff Records & Support Services rather than a current-custody search. |
What Information Can You Check?
The Sheriff’s current incarcerated-individual page says its information service can provide bond information, charge information and visitation information. Michigan VINE can help with custody status and notifications.
How to Find Charges, Court Dates and Case Status
The jail tells you where a person is being held. The court record is the better place to follow arraignments, scheduled hearings, case numbers and later case activity.
Washtenaw County has multiple district-court jurisdictions, so the correct court depends on where the case arose.
| Area or case stage | Likely court | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Most Washtenaw County communities outside Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Township | 14A District Court | District-level criminal, traffic and related matters within its local divisions, including areas such as Ypsilanti city, Saline and Chelsea. |
| Ypsilanti Township | 14B District Court | Cases arising in Ypsilanti Township. |
| City of Ann Arbor | 15th District Court | Ann Arbor district-court matters, including criminal cases before bindover when applicable. |
| Felony matter after district-court stage | Washtenaw Trial Court / 22nd Circuit | Circuit-level criminal case records and calendar information. |
Micro-step: connect the jail record to the court case
- Confirm the person is in custody and write down the legal booking name.
- Note the listed charge and, if available, case number or arresting jurisdiction.
- Determine whether the case belongs in 14A, 14B or 15th District Court.
- Search the appropriate official court system by name or case number.
- If a felony has moved beyond the district-court stage, check the Washtenaw Trial Court public access system.
- Verify a time-sensitive hearing directly with the court before traveling.
The statewide Michigan Online Court Case Search can also help locate public information from participating Michigan courts. Not every record or confidential detail is displayed online.
Bond and Release Information
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s incarcerated-individual page provides a dedicated bonding section. It states that when a 10% bond is posted, the court retains 10% of the amount posted. The remaining eligible bond funds are released to the bonder at completion of the case, or earlier if ordered by the judge.
Before paying any bond:
- Confirm the person is still in custody.
- Verify the exact current bond amount and bond type.
- Confirm which court issued the bond.
- Ask which payment method and location apply to that case.
- Keep the receipt and the defendant’s case information.
Washtenaw County Jail Visitation
The Sheriff’s Office currently lists both contact visitation for eligible incarcerated individuals and an automated video visitation system. Because eligibility and available times can vary, the most reliable way to avoid a wasted trip is to confirm the current visit information for the specific incarcerated person through 734-973-4770 and the official jail information page.
Before scheduling or traveling:
- Confirm the person is still housed at Washtenaw County Jail.
- Confirm whether the person is eligible for contact or video visitation.
- Check the current scheduling method and available times.
- Review identification, conduct and visitor rules before arriving.
- Do not rely on an older visitation schedule copied by a private jail directory.
The county also states that attorneys may visit clients using a non-contact booth, subject to jail emergencies and scheduled lockdown periods.
Money, Phone Calls, Voicemail and Mail
Sending money
Washtenaw County identifies eXpress Account as its service for friends and family to deposit money into incarcerated-person accounts and for certain mandated payments.
Before making a deposit, confirm the incarcerated person’s identity and current custody. Jail-account deposits are separate from bond payments, so do not use an inmate-money service when your actual goal is to post bond.
Phone calls and voicemail
The Sheriff’s Office identifies Securus Technologies for incarcerated-person phone calls and voicemail services. Family members should use the vendor linked through the current county jail information page rather than an advertisement that happens to appear in search results.
Before funding a phone account, verify the person’s name and current housing status. Provider fees and available communication products can change.
Mail and gift packs
The Sheriff’s Office maintains a specific incarcerated-individual mail page covering current mail restrictions and gift-pack information.
Do not assume that the Sheriff’s general street address is automatically the correct format for personal inmate mail. Before mailing an important letter, photograph, book or package, open the current county mail instructions and use the exact inmate name, identification information and address format shown there.
Property release
Washtenaw County states that an incarcerated person who wants property released must send a kite to ITR/property staff identifying the person authorized to pick up the property. The county specifically notes that property-release kites should not be sent to the visiting officer.
Older Jail Records, Local Jail Checks and Booking Photo Requests
A current custody search is not the same as requesting an older Sheriff record. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Records Bureau handles incident and accident reports and accepts public requests that include county local jail checks and booking photo IDs.
For an older record:
- Open the WCSO Records Request page.
- Identify exactly what you need: local jail check, booking photo ID, incident report or another Sheriff-maintained record.
- Provide the person’s full name and relevant date range when possible.
- Follow the published records or FOIA procedure.
- For questions, the Sheriff’s Records & Support Services number is 734-973-4655.
The Records Bureau publishes business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Address information can differ depending on the specific Sheriff service, so use the address shown on the official records page for a records transaction rather than copying a general jail address.
Washtenaw County Jail vs. Michigan State Prison
If a person has been sentenced and transferred into Michigan Department of Corrections custody, stop searching for that person as a current Washtenaw County Jail inmate and use MDOC OTIS.
Michigan DOC explains that OTIS covers qualifying prisoners, parolees and probationers under MDOC jurisdiction. It specifically does not function as a county-jail roster and does not list people who are held only in county jails or city lockups.
| Person’s situation | Use this system |
|---|---|
| Recently arrested in Washtenaw County | WCSO incarcerated-individual information |
| Currently held in Washtenaw County Jail | WCSO information line / Michigan VINE |
| Need release or transfer alerts | Michigan VINE |
| Sentenced and transferred to Michigan state custody | MDOC OTIS |
| Need the criminal case or court date | Correct district court or Washtenaw Trial Court |
Washtenaw County Jail and Sheriff Contacts
| Service | Current official information |
|---|---|
| Incarcerated-individual information | 734-973-4770 |
| Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office | 734-971-8400 |
| Sheriff Service Center | 2201 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 |
| Sheriff Records & Support Services | 734-973-4655 |
| Michigan VINE | 800-770-7657 |
| Washtenaw County Trial Court | 101 E. Huron Street, Ann Arbor · 734-222-3270 |
Related Michigan Jail Search Guides
Official Resources Used for This Guide
- Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office — Incarcerated Individual Information
- Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
- Sheriff Records Request
- Washtenaw County Courts
- Washtenaw Trial Court Public Access
- Michigan VINE
- Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS
Washtenaw County Jail Inmate Search FAQs
1. How do I find someone in Washtenaw County Jail?
Call the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s official incarcerated-individual information line at 734-973-4770. You can also use Michigan VINE/VINELink for available custody information and notifications.
2. Does Washtenaw County have an online jail roster?
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s public website does not currently provide the same type of county-hosted searchable inmate roster used by many other counties. Its official incarcerated-individual page directs users to the jail information service and related jail resources.
3. What information can I get by calling 734-973-4770?
The Sheriff’s Office states that the service provides specific incarcerated-individual information including bond information, charge information and visitation information.
4. Why can’t I find someone who was just arrested?
The person may still be undergoing transportation, identification, medical screening or booking. They may also have been released quickly or booked by another jurisdiction. For a recent arrest, call the Sheriff’s information line for current confirmation.
5. How do I find a Washtenaw County inmate’s court date?
First identify the jurisdiction. Cases may be handled by 14A District Court, 14B District Court or Ann Arbor’s 15th District Court. Felony matters that advance beyond the district-court stage generally move to Washtenaw County Trial Court/22nd Circuit Court.
6. How do I check an inmate’s bond?
Confirm the inmate through the Sheriff’s information service and verify the current bond amount and type before paying. The county also publishes dedicated bonding information through its incarcerated-individual section.
7. How do I visit someone at Washtenaw County Jail?
The Sheriff’s Office provides contact visitation for eligible incarcerated people and also operates video visitation. Call 734-973-4770 or check the official visitation information immediately before scheduling because eligibility and available times can change.
8. How can I send money or pay for phone calls?
Washtenaw County identifies eXpress Account for incarcerated-person account deposits and Securus Technologies for phone and voicemail services. Confirm the inmate’s current custody and identity before funding any account.
9. How can I request an older jail record or booking photo?
Use the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Records Bureau. The county states that public requests can include county local jail checks and booking photo IDs. Records & Support Services can be reached at 734-973-4655.
10. Does Michigan OTIS show Washtenaw County Jail inmates?
Not when a person is held only in the county jail. Michigan DOC states that OTIS does not contain county-jail or city-lockup inmates. Use OTIS after a person enters qualifying Michigan state correctional custody or supervision.
Best Next Step
If your main question is simply “Is this person in Washtenaw County Jail right now?”, start with 734-973-4770. Once custody is confirmed, use the correct official system for the next task: the court for hearings and formal case activity, the Sheriff’s jail pages for visits/mail/money, MI-VINE for custody notifications, or MDOC OTIS after a transfer to state custody.
Information reviewed: October 27, 2026. Custody, charges, bond, court schedules, visitation eligibility and jail vendors can change. Use the linked government resource for the final live lookup, payment, visit scheduling or same-day custody decision. countyjailinmatesearch.org is an independent information resource and does not operate Washtenaw County Jail or government databases.