Find a Nashville Jail Record Without Using a Generic Davidson County Directory
This guide is for Davidson County, Tennessee / Nashville, not Davidson County, North Carolina. It explains how to search DCSO active inmates and recent bookings, save the CONTROL_NUMBER/OCA number, verify bond updates, follow scanned-mail rules, schedule video visits, fund phone or commissary accounts, request records and follow court status.
The DCSO search is useful, but it is not the final legal record. Start with the official inmate search, confirm urgent details by phone, then use the Criminal Court Clerk or case-search tools when bond, court dates or official case records matter.
Confirm This Is Davidson County, Tennessee
There are multiple Davidson County jail results online, including North Carolina. This page is built for Nashville / Davidson County, Tennessee, where the official Sheriff website is sheriff.nashville.gov and the active inmate search is hosted by DCSO Nashville.
Nashville clue
The key local facility is the Downtown Detention Center at 200 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37201.
OCA / control number
DCSO mail rules say the OCA number is listed as CONTROL_NUMBER in inmate search results. Save it before sending mail, money orders or records requests.
Wrong-county risk
Davidson County NC uses different jail addresses, phone numbers, visitation vendors and deposit systems. Do not mix North Carolina rules with Nashville rules.
Facility Contacts and Addresses for Nashville Jail Tasks
DCSO has multiple facilities and multiple workflows. Before calling, know whether your task is inmate information, DDC housing, money deposits, mail, records, attorney access or court bond updates.
Downtown Detention Center
200 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37201. DCSO lists DDC phone 615-862-8224 and capacity 762.
Offender information
For current and released offender information at all DCSO facilities, call 615-862-8123.
DCSO administration
DCSO administrative offices are listed at 615-862-8170. Use 911 only for emergencies.
Records center
Inmate records requests are handled through DCSO records, located at One Jerry Newson Way, Nashville, TN 37201.
How to Perform the Official Davidson County Jail Search
The official search is simple, but users often miss the most important identifiers. Do not just screenshot a name. Save the control number, admitted date, release status, facility and bond notes.
Open DCSO Active Inmate Search
Use the official DCSO active inmate search or recent bookings page. Search by first and last name, then compare date of birth, admitted date, release date if shown and facility assignment.
Save the CONTROL_NUMBER immediately
The official mail page says the OCA number is listed as CONTROL_NUMBER in the inmate search result. You need this number for mail, money-order routing, records requests and cleaner follow-up calls.
Check whether the person is still active
Recent booking information can change after bond, court, release, transfer, medical review, property processing or facility movement. Use the search as a starting point, not a guaranteed release timeline.
Call DCSO when the result is urgent
If the person was just arrested, the record is confusing, or the release is time-sensitive, call 615-862-8123 instead of relying only on the screen.
Use the Criminal Court Clerk for case or bond follow-up
The DCSO search warns bond amounts may be changed by the court. Confirm updated bond numbers and case details with the Criminal Court Clerk or case search before paying money.
If the Search Shows No Result or Looks Outdated
No-result searches are common after recent arrests. The person may be in transport, intake, medical screening, property inventory, warrant review, pretrial screening or facility movement before the public result looks complete.
Search fixes to try
- Search by last name first, then add first name.
- Try legal names, aliases, maiden names, hyphenated names and spelling variations.
- Check recent bookings separately from active search.
- Search again later if the arrest happened within the last few hours.
- Call 615-862-8123 if the matter is urgent.
Other explanations
- The person may have been released or transferred.
- The person may be under a different name or control number.
- The case may belong to another county, state, federal or juvenile process.
- The person may be in court, hospital care or another agency’s custody.
- Older legal status may require court or records search rather than jail search.
Bond Amounts, Court Updates and Release Procedures
Bond is one of the easiest places to make a costly mistake. DCSO shows bond-related information, but the search page warns that bond amounts may be changed by the court.
| Need | What to verify | Practical move |
|---|---|---|
| Bond amount | DCSO’s active search says bond amounts may be changed by the court. | Confirm updated bond with the Criminal Court Clerk before paying. |
| Clerk follow-up | DCSO directs users to the Criminal Court Clerk and ccc.nashville.gov for updated bond amounts. | Use case search or call the clerk if release depends on the number. |
| Release delay | The handbook says release can be delayed if booking processes are not completed or court requirements are not met. | Do not promise immediate pickup after bond. Confirm with DCSO. |
| Bonding companies | The handbook says a list of cab companies and bonding companies is posted on kiosks and tablets. | Ask for written fee, collateral, refund and appearance-obligation terms. |
| Scam prevention | Phone scams often pressure families after arrest. | Do not send gift cards, crypto, app payments or “urgent release” money without official verification. |
Mail Rules, OCA Numbers, Photos and Rejected Items
DCSO mail rules are strict about the OCA number. The official page says inmate mail must include the inmate’s name and OCA number, and that the OCA is the CONTROL_NUMBER shown in search results.
Inmate mail format
Use this format for regular inmate mail. Replace the name and OCA number with the details from the official search result.
Inmate’s name, OCA number
Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office
PO Box 196383
Nashville, TN 37219-6383
Accepted mail basics
- All correspondence must be stamped and mailed through the United States Postal Service.
- Legal mail, letters and standard greeting cards are allowed.
- Only 35mm pictures are allowed.
- No nudity or pornographic images are allowed.
- Attorneys are contacted by DCSO staff to verify legal mail before delivery.
Items not accepted
- Inmate-to-inmate mail unless it is immediate family with prior approval.
- Stamps, envelopes, paper or writing supplies.
- Hardback books, Bibles, magazines, newspapers or reading material from publishers or bookstores.
- Emergency packages.
- Greeting cards with glitter or embellishments.
- Cash or personal checks.
Digital mail and release recovery
The handbook says incoming mail is scanned and viewed through the kiosk/tablet digital mail app. Inmates create a mail recovery PIN, and after release they may download scanned mail using that PIN for a limited post-release period.
Tell the inmate to remember the mail recovery PIN before release. If the PIN is forgotten, mail recovery can become harder.
Phone Accounts, Commissary Deposits and Money Orders
Phone money, commissary money, money orders and bond are not the same. Funding the wrong system can delay help and create family confusion.
Phone accounts
DCSO says phone-account deposits are made through ICSolutions or by phone. The listed toll-free number is 1-888-506-8407.
Remote commissary deposits
DCSO lists CorrectPay and JailATM as remote deposit options, with CorrectPay deposits at 1-855-836-3364 and JailATM deposits at 1-636-888-7004.
Lobby kiosks
Kiosks are located in public areas of the Downtown Detention Center and Correctional Development Center. They accept cash or card, processed through JailATM/access corrections.
Money-order address check
DCSO public pages and handbook text may show different money-order routing in different places. Before mailing a money order, confirm the current address with DCSO or the official deposit page.
Include inmate name and OCA number
Keep the money order separate from letters
Confirm current DCSO money-order address before mailing
Commissary rules from the handbook
- Money brought at booking is placed in the inmate commissary account.
- Commissary can generally be ordered once per week.
- Commissary must fit in the designated storage area.
- Ordering can be suspended if it looks like an “inmate store.”
- Money moved to the phone/tablet account cannot be moved back to commissary.
Video Visitation and Current DDC Visit Note
DCSO says inmate visits are video only with the exception of attorney visits. The DDC page also states the Downtown Detention Center is not currently allowing families to visit from the lobby, so families should rely on the current video-visitation instructions rather than assuming lobby visits are available.
Create or use an account
The DCSO video visit page says a customer must have an account. If not, enroll through the video visitation provider before scheduling.
Find the incarcerated person
Search by the incarcerated person’s first and last name or ID, select the person, choose relation, duration, date and time, then confirm terms.
Remote family schedule clue
DDC lists remote family video visitation generally in windows such as 8am–4pm and 7:30pm–9:20pm, with housing-unit exceptions.
Why a visit can be cancelled
- Visitor appears high, drunk or impaired.
- Not enough space or available terminals.
- Visitor refuses check-in or search.
- Visitor does not have appropriate ID.
- Visitor is improperly dressed.
- Security emergency, lockdown or late arrival.
Attorney and professional visitors
Attorneys who need someone added to the attorney approved visitor list should email DCSOLegalVisitor@nashvillesheriff.gov for pre-approval. Attorney interns, investigators and paralegals must be approved before visiting, or access can be denied.
2025 Inmate Handbook PDF Details Most Pages Miss
The 2025 DCSO Inmate Handbook adds practical details that thin SERP pages skip. These details explain why release, property, mail, commissary and calls can take longer than families expect.
Booking and property
The handbook says several processes are completed during booking, and failing to comply can delay release. Property is inventoried, and the inmate should keep the receipt to release property or get it back on release.
Indigent status
The handbook says a person with less than $5 on account for 30 days or more can apply for free writing materials and hygiene items, with re-application every 30 days.
Storage limits
All personal things and commissary orders must fit in the designated storage area. Ordering too much can cause suspension if it appears the inmate is running an “inmate store.”
Phone and tablet details
- Inmates use OCA and phone PIN for calls.
- Sharing the phone PIN can give others access to funds and may cause discipline.
- Three-way calls are prohibited and numbers can be blocked.
- Calls are not private and are recorded unless attorney numbers are properly designated.
- Tablet apps may include phone, messaging, education, legal, eBooks and other tools.
Mail recovery and timing
The handbook says incoming mail is scanned, hardcopy mail is maintained for approximately 30 days before destruction, and released inmates may download scanned mail using their mail recovery PIN for 30 days after release.
Mail routed through the postal system may take at least 7 days because it also goes through a Metro post office.
Medical Care, Mental Health and Safety Reporting
The handbook says medical screening begins at intake and that inmates should report medical emergencies immediately. Family members should route urgent concerns through official staff instead of waiting on normal mail or messaging.
Initial medical process
The handbook says a health history is completed at entry, and a physical and TB skin test are provided within 10 days of entering custody.
Sick call and mental health
Non-emergency medical, dental and mental-health requests are handled through sick-call forms. Medical personnel pick up forms each day.
Emergencies
For medical emergencies, the handbook instructs inmates to tell staff immediately. For outside emergencies, use 911 and official DCSO contact routes.
Records Requests, Court Records and TN SAVIN Notifications
DCSO records and court records are different. If you need official case status, disposition, certified records or updated bond information, do not rely only on a jail search result.
Inmate records
DCSO’s records center is open to the public for general offender jail records from 7:00AM to 3:30PM, Monday through Friday.
Records contact
DCSO says to call 615-862-8123 or use the online records request form for inmate records. This is not the place for Metro police reports, accident reports or mugshots.
Criminal Court Clerk
The Criminal Court Clerk site lists address 408 2nd Avenue North, Suite 2120 and phone 615-862-5601. Its search page supports person, case number and complaint/incident number searches.
TN SAVIN and FOIL
Use TN SAVIN for custody notifications and TDOC FOIL when the person is or has been in Tennessee felony-offender custody or supervision.
Other DCSO Facilities You May See in a Search
A Davidson County search can show facility movement. The Downtown Detention Center is the first stop, but housing and services may involve other DCSO facilities.
Downtown Detention Center
DDC is at 200 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37201. DCSO lists security status as minimum, medium and maximum.
Maximum Correctional Center
MCC is listed at 5119 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211, with phone 615-862-8187 and medium-maximum security status.
Verify before acting
Always confirm the current facility before scheduling a visit, asking about property, sending money or calling about housing-unit rules.
Local Tips Before You Call, Pay, Mail or Visit
These micro-steps prevent the most common Davidson County jail mistakes: missing the OCA number, sending the wrong mail, funding the wrong account and relying on outdated bond amounts.
Before calling DCSO
- Have the person’s full legal name and date of birth.
- Write down CONTROL_NUMBER/OCA from the search result.
- Ask whether the person is current, released, transferred or assigned to another facility.
- Separate bond, mail, phone, commissary, records, property and visit questions.
- Do not ask DCSO staff for legal advice.
Before sending money or mail
- Confirm the OCA/control number.
- Do not include money orders with regular letters.
- Do not send books, magazines or newspapers.
- Do not send stamps, envelopes or writing supplies.
- Use the correct vendor for the correct deposit type.
Map: Downtown Detention Center in Nashville
Use this map for the Downtown Detention Center. DCSO headquarters, court offices, records and other facilities may require a different destination.
Official Links After You Understand the Process
Use these official links only after you know the task. Each link solves a different inmate search, bond, mail, money, visit, court, records, notification or state-custody problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Davidson County Jail does this guide cover?
This guide covers Nashville / Davidson County, Tennessee. It does not cover Davidson County Jail in North Carolina.
What is the official Davidson County TN inmate search?
Use the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Active Inmate Search or Recent Bookings search hosted by DCSO Nashville. The offender information center can also be reached at 615-862-8123.
What is the OCA number?
DCSO mail rules say the OCA number is listed as CONTROL_NUMBER in inmate search results. Save this number because it is needed for mail, money orders, account deposits and records follow-up.
Where is the Downtown Detention Center?
The Downtown Detention Center is listed at 200 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, TN 37201. DCSO describes it as the first stop for every arrestee in Davidson County.
How do I confirm a Davidson County bond amount?
The DCSO search warns that bond amounts may be changed by the court. Confirm updated bond amounts through the Criminal Court Clerk or official court search before paying money.
How do I send mail to a Davidson County inmate?
Address mail with the inmate’s name and OCA number, then Nashville / Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, PO Box 196383, Nashville, TN 37219-6383. The OCA number is the CONTROL_NUMBER from search results.
Can I send books or magazines?
No. DCSO says it does not accept books, Bibles, magazines, newspapers or reading material of any kind mailed from a publisher or bookstore.
How do inmate phone and commissary deposits work?
DCSO lists ICSolutions for phone-account funding, and CorrectPay or JailATM for commissary deposits. Lobby kiosks are available at the Downtown Detention Center and Correctional Development Center.
Are Davidson County jail visits in person?
DCSO says inmate visits are video only with the exception of attorney visits. The DDC page also says the Downtown Detention Center is not currently allowing families to visit from the lobby.
How do I get custody notifications?
DCSO provides access to TN SAVIN, formerly VINE, for custody-status and release-notification registration.
Final Practical Takeaway
A useful Davidson County jail search starts with the official DCSO active inmate search, not a generic jail directory. Save the CONTROL_NUMBER/OCA, verify the current facility, confirm bond through the Criminal Court Clerk when money is involved, and use separate official routes for mail, phone, commissary, video visits and records.
The biggest mistakes are mixing Tennessee with Davidson County NC, mailing without the OCA number, sending money orders with regular mail, funding phone or commissary when you meant bond, relying on a stale bond amount, or treating a booking record as a conviction.