Santa Clara County Jail Inmate Search by Name: Sheriff Locator, Main Jail, Elmwood & Roster

County of Santa Clara Main Jail

Main Jail administration: 408-808-2800
Main Jail visiting: 408-299-3438

Elmwood Complex Men’s Facility

Elmwood administration: 408-957-5300
Elmwood visiting: 408-957-5900

Elmwood Complex Women’s Facility

Elmwood administration: 408-957-5300
Elmwood visiting: 408-957-5900

Search or timing issues

• The arrest is too recent and booking is not complete.
• The person was cited and released or posted bail.
• The name is entered differently than expected.
• The booking record changed during the first few days.
• The person is in court, hospital, transport or release processing.
• The record may require CEN, PFN or a more exact spelling to match correctly.

Wrong-system issues

• The person may be in another California county jail.
• The person may have moved to CDCR state custody.
• The person may be in federal custody.
• The case may appear in court records but not current jail custody.
• A third-party mugshot page may show an old or incomplete record.
• A city-police event may not yet have completed county jail intake.

Booking information phone

408-299-2305

Use this when the inmate locator result is unclear or the issue involves bail, holds, warrants or first court date.

Custody verification letter

Submit dates of incarceration and a copy of identification to the Administrative Booking Division when official custody verification is needed.

Administrative Booking mailing address

Cash bond

The Sheriff says eligible bail can be posted by bringing the full amount to the cashier’s window in the jail lobby.

Cashier’s check or money order

Cashier’s checks or money orders must follow the current Sheriff bail instructions. Confirm payee wording before purchase.

Bail bond agency

A bail bond agency may be an option, but Sheriff’s staff cannot refer business to bail agencies.

OVR registration

All visitors must be registered and approved before scheduling. Main Jail and Elmwood use the same Online Visitor Registration system.

Approval timing

Main Jail guidance says approval may take up to seven business days. Elmwood guidance says visitor registration applications can take 2–4 business days.

Photo ID

Visitors must bring valid government-issued picture identification. The person registered in OVR must present the ID used to register.

Main Jail visit notes

• Address: 150 W. Hedding Street, San Jose.
• Visiting information: 408-299-3438.
• Visits are scheduled through OVR after approval.
• Inmates may have two 60-minute visits per week under Main Jail guidance.
• Visitor denial details may not be disclosed by jail staff.
• Special-consideration letters go to the Main Jail Facility Commander.

Elmwood visit notes

• Elmwood visitation phone: 408-957-5900.
• Visits may be scheduled online or by telephone when available.
• Online visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
• Elmwood guidance says visits can be scheduled up to 21 days from request when space is available.
• Elmwood inmates may have up to two 30-minute visits per week and one visit per day, space permitting.
• Forgotten usernames or passwords may require email recovery with ID details.

Common visitor denial or scheduling blocks

• Visitor was in custody within the restricted lookback period.
• Visitor has an open or pending court case.
• Visitor has recent felony, misdemeanor, violence, custody or sex-offense history.
• Visitor is on parole or probation.
• Visitor has an active warrant.
• No-contact or restraining order involves the inmate.
• Inmate lost visiting privileges or has a pre-scheduled court date.

What to prepare before scheduling

• Inmate full name.
• PFN.
• Booking number/CEN.
• Your full legal name.
• Your date of birth.
• Your driver’s license or government ID number.
• Correct facility: Main Jail, Elmwood Men or Elmwood Women.

Lobby kiosk

Kiosks are located at Main Jail and Elmwood lobbies. They accept cash, Visa and MasterCard credit or debit cards, with funds usually available within 24 hours.

Phone deposits

Call 1-866-232-1899. Enter facility locator code 295110, then use the inmate’s booking number or CEN as the inmate ID.

Online deposits

Use TouchPay online. First-time depositors may need to set up an account before a phone or online payment works.

Gift packs

The Sheriff’s page points users to iCare for online gift packs. Products are bundled and delivered on regular delivery days.

What commissary can buy

Examples listed by the Sheriff include food items, hygiene products, stationery, reading glasses and personal items. Availability can change.

Commissary refund

Formerly housed people may submit a commissary refund form online or in person. The refund process may ask for PFN, contact details and identifying information.

Main Jail book address

Elmwood book address

Accepted book basics

• Sent directly from publisher or bookseller.
• Paperback only.
• No hardcover or leather-bound books.
• No magazines or periodicals.
• No markings, stains or applied substances.

Size and delivery limits

• Must be smaller than 9″ x 12″ x 2″.
• Must be under 2.5 pounds.
• Packages requiring signature are refused.
• Delivery can take up to 10 business days.
• Rejected items may not be returned.

Content safety review

• No gang-related content.
• No sexually explicit content.
• No excessively violent material.
• Facility staff may reject materials at their discretion.
• Items that fail guidelines may be held or disposed of.

Warrant information

Warrant information is available at the Records window. You need the person’s name and date of birth; if checking your own warrant, bring proper identification.

Self-surrender

The Sheriff’s records guidance says you do not need an appointment for a self-surrender to be booked at the Main Jail.

Local criminal history

Santa Clara court guidance points users to the Sheriff’s Office at 55 West Younger Avenue for local criminal history, with appointment and ID requirements.

Pretrial investigation

Pretrial reports can include risk assessment, criminal-history information and demographic information for court review.

Arraignment timing

If a defendant remains in custody, arraignment can create a new release, bail, hold or supervision path after the original booking entry.

SORP release

A judge may grant supervised own recognizance release through Pretrial Services instead of requiring money bail.

CDCR CIRIS

Search by name or CDCR number. Results can include CDCR number, age, current location, commitment counties, admission date and parole hearing information.

Open CDCR CIRIS

VINE

Use VINELink when custody-status notification is more helpful than manually refreshing the roster.

Open VINELink

Federal BOP

If the person is in federal custody, the Santa Clara County roster and CDCR will not be the right first search.

Open BOP Inmate Locator

Before calling Administrative Booking

• Write down the exact name from the locator.
• Save CEN and PFN if shown.
• Know whether the location is Main Jail, Elmwood Men or Elmwood Women.
• Ask about one issue at a time: custody, bail, warrant, hold, court date or projected release.
• Do not ask booking staff for legal advice or bail-agency referrals.

Before visiting, mailing or depositing

• Confirm housing location again the same day.
• Use OVR before planning a jail visit.
• Use CEN as the inmate ID for TouchPay deposit matching.
• Include full legal name, PFN and CEN on book-shipping labels.
• Use the court portal for case status, not the jail locator.