How do I use the official Who’s in Jail search?
Open the official Who’s in Jail search provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Enter the person’s last name and first name, complete any human-verification prompt and select LookUp. Both name fields are required, with a minimum of two characters in each.
Enter the required name details
Use the separate Last Name and First Name fields rather than entering the full name in one box. Check the spelling before submitting.
- Enter at least two characters in the Last Name field.
- Enter at least two characters in the First Name field.
- Complete the verification checkbox if it appears.
- Select LookUp to submit the search.
If matching entries appear, compare the identifying details displayed with what you know about the person. A matching name alone may not be enough to identify the correct person.
If the LookUp button is disabled
First check that both name fields meet the minimum requirements and that you have completed any verification prompt. The official page also recommends closing the browser completely and reopening it, then refreshing the page if necessary.
For a hard refresh, use Ctrl + F5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + R on a Mac. If the verification box does not appear, try an updated browser or another device. Enable JavaScript in your browser so the search page can function.
Check the page’s Special Notifications for maintenance or other service notices. If maintenance is underway, try again after service is restored.
Review the result carefully
If no matching entry appears, check your name entries before drawing a conclusion about custody. See why someone may not appear in the inmate search for further guidance.
The official site cautions against relying on its data for legal action and warns that displayed release dates may be inaccurate. For confirmation, contact the relevant facility using the official Sheriff’s Office directory.