Searching is relatively simple if you’re looking for an inmate in Travis County – or you’re trying to determine whether someone you know has been arrested and/or charged with a crime. 

In Travis County, you only need the person’s name and access to a phone or the internet.

It’s important to note that you should never be asked to pay for this information. Several websites will search for you for a fee. The county does not run these, and there is no need to pay for this information.

Travis County Jail Inmate Lookup

An online search in Travis County is straightforward, and the site provides all of the information you’ll need.

Online

Visit https://www.tcsheriff.org/inmate-jail-info. Enter the inmate’s name. You will need the last name (or at least the first few letters of the last name)

The site includes: 

• The charge
• The location of their detention
• Time and date of arrest
• Magistration status
• Whether bond has been set, and the bond amount 
• Types of bonds that are acceptable (personal bond, surety bond, cash deposit bond, etc.)
• Disposition (whether bond has been posted or, if the case is resolved, a sentence)

The information will look like this:

Mug shots are not posted here.

If the website says “no information available,” that likely means the person has been released from jail

By Phone

You can also find an inmate by calling the Travis County Jail at (512) 854-4180. The phone line is staffed 24/7.

You will need to be able to provide the inmate’s name.

In Person

Travis County does not recommend showing up at the jail to search for an inmate. There are multiple locations, and it could be time-consuming if you go to the wrong facility. However, if you have no other option, you can go to the Travis County Jail Central Booking Facility, which is located downtown on 10th St.

State Jail Search

If someone is not listed in the Travis County database, they may be held in the Travis County State Jail, which is located at 8101 FM 969. State jails are administered by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which maintains its own database at https://inmate.tdcj.texas.gov/.

You can also call the inmate search phone line at (936) 295-6371 or (800) 535-0283

What is VINELINK in Texas?

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is a service that allows crime victims and the general public to access information about the custody status of offenders in jail or prison. It will also notify you of any changes in the inmate’s status, including:

• Release
• Transfer
• Escape

The VINE system can be accessed via the VINELINK mobile app, which you can download for iPhone (iOs) and Android.

• Online at https://www.vinelink.com.
• By phone at (877) 894-8463

If you’re struggling to find an inmate, we can help. Contact us to set up a free consultation.

Facilities in Travis County

Travis County Jail Central Booking Facility (Downtown)

500 W. 10th St.

Austin, TX 78701

Travis County Correctional Complex (near the airport)

3614 Bill Price Rd.

Del Valle, TX 78617

Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center 

509 w. 10th St.

Austin, TX 78701

Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center

2515 S. Congress Ave.

Austin, TX 78704

Travis County State Jail

8101 FM 969

Austin, TX 78724

Jail Phone Scam in the Austin, TX, area

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be an officer with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) who has one of your family members in custody, you should use caution. It’s probably not legitimate.

One common scam involves receiving a call from “Travis County Jail.” The caller will tell you that your son or daughter is accused of causing a car crash and that they are in jail and need bail. The caller may even try to pose as your child. 

If anyone from the “jail” demands immediate payment (particularly by gift card, ApplePay, MoneyPak, or a wire transfer), do not pay. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office will never demand immediate payment. End the call and check the jail database to confirm that your family member is in police custody.