Atlanta GA Detention Center Inmate Search: How to Find Someone in Custody

If you are trying to do an Atlanta GA detention center inmate search, you’re usually dealing with something urgent and stressful. This guide walks you through how inmate search works in the City of Atlanta and nearby Fulton County, what facilities you may be dealing with, and how to get accurate, up‑to‑date information.

Key Things to Know Up Front

• The former Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) in downtown Atlanta stopped housing most inmates and has been in transition.
• Many people arrested in the City of Atlanta are now held at Fulton County Jail or other Fulton County facilities.
• To find someone, you will usually:
  • Search the Fulton County Jail online inmate database, and/or
  • Call the jail directly or the arresting agency (such as Atlanta Police Department).

Because policies, contracts, and locations can change, it’s always wise to confirm details by phone with the relevant agency.

1. Understanding Detention in Atlanta, Georgia

When someone is arrested in or around Atlanta, they may be:

• Booked into a city facility (if available and in use)
• Taken directly to Fulton County Jail
• Held in a nearby county jail (for example, if arrested in a nearby jurisdiction, or if there is an intergovernmental agreement)

For most Atlanta inmate searches today, you will be looking at:

• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office – Fulton County Jail (main facility for adults)
• Possible satellite or contract facilities used by Fulton County
• Short-term holding at Atlanta Police Department or local precincts (briefly, before transfer)

Because the old “Atlanta City Detention Center” is no longer functioning in the same way it once did, many online references are outdated. Always check current information from the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

2. Main Facilities Relevant to an Atlanta Inmate Search

Here is a simple overview of the main locations you may encounter when searching for someone arrested in Atlanta:

Because the Atlanta City Detention Center’s role has changed over time, many individuals who would once have been held there are now moved to Fulton County custody.

3. How to Do an “Atlanta GA Detention Center Inmate Search”

Step 1: Start With Fulton County Jail

Most people arrested in Atlanta city limits end up in Fulton County Jail.

Main Fulton County Jail (Rice Street)
901 Rice Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone (main line commonly used for custody questions): Fulton County Sheriff’s Office main number – check the most current number through county information services or directory assistance.

To search for an inmate:

1. Use the Fulton County Jail inmate search tool (online search provided by the Sheriff’s Office).
2. Search by:
   • Last name
   • First name
   • Sometimes booking number or JCN number, if you know it.
3. Review results carefully, especially when names are common. Confirm:
   • Date of birth
   • Booking date
   • Charges
   • Bond information (if listed)

If you can’t find the person online:

• Call the Fulton County Jail or the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and ask for inmate information.
• Have as much detail ready as possible:
  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Approximate date and place of arrest
  • Any known aliases

Step 2: Check for Recent Arrests and Transfers

If the arrest was very recent (within a few hours), the person may:

• Not yet appear in the online search, or
• Still be in processing at a police precinct or booking area.

In that case:

• Contact the Atlanta Police Department (APD) non-emergency or central records line to ask where arrestees from a particular incident are being taken.
• Be prepared with:
  • Time and location of the arrest
  • Any incident report or case number, if available

APD headquarters (for general information and records):
Atlanta Police Headquarters
226 Peachtree St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone numbers can change, so use “Atlanta Police Department non-emergency” in a search engine or call city information to confirm the current contact.

4. If You’re Looking for Someone Previously Held at Atlanta City Detention Center

Many people still search for “Atlanta City Detention Center inmate search” because the facility was once heavily used.

Important points:

• The facility’s role has been reduced or repurposed over time; it does not operate like a traditional full-capacity city jail the way many online guides still describe.
• People who would have been held there in the past are now commonly housed in the Fulton County Jail system or other designated facilities.
• There is no widely used, separate “ACDC inmate locator” in the way some older websites might suggest.

If someone tells you they were “taken to the city detention center” or “downtown jail,” the safest practical step is to:

1. Search Fulton County Jail’s inmate database, and
2. If not located, call:
   • Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to ask where Atlanta arrestees from that date are being housed, and
   • Atlanta Police Department to confirm arrest and transfer location.

5. What Information You Can Expect from an Inmate Search

In an Atlanta-area (Fulton County) inmate search, you’ll often see:

• Full name
• Booking date and time
• Jail ID or booking number
• Current facility location
• Charges (sometimes summaries, sometimes detailed)
• Bond amount and type, if bond has been set
• Court dates or “next court appearance,” in some cases

Sensitive personal details (like full Social Security numbers or medical details) will not be displayed, and some information may be limited for safety, privacy, or legal reasons.

6. Tips for a Faster, More Accurate Atlanta Inmate Search

A few practical tips can make the process smoother:

• Use the full legal name
  Nicknames or street names can cause confusion. Use first, middle, and last name if possible.

• Double-check spelling
  A single letter off can prevent a match. If the last name has common variant spellings, try them all.

• Include date of birth
  This helps distinguish between people with similar names, which is common in large metro areas like Atlanta.

• Consider recent moves
  If the person was arrested near the county line, they could be in DeKalb, Cobb, or another nearby county rather than Fulton.

• Check more than once
  If the arrest was within the last few hours, wait a bit and check again. Booking and data entry can take time.

7. Calling Versus Searching Online

Both methods are useful, and many families use both.

When an Online Search Helps Most

• You want to quickly confirm custody.
• You need basic information (booking date, charges, bond).
• It’s outside normal business hours and phone lines are busy.

When a Phone Call Helps Most

• You can’t find the person online, but you are confident they were arrested.
• You need clarification about:
  • Court dates
  • Release status
  • Special housing situations (e.g., medical, protective custody)
• You need to understand how to post bond or send money or mail.

When you call, explain clearly that you are trying to locate an inmate who may have been arrested in the City of Atlanta and give the date/time and approximate location of the incident. Staff can often tell you which facility to check.

8. Juveniles, Special Cases, and Other Facilities

Not everyone arrested in Atlanta will appear in the standard adult inmate search.

Juveniles

• Individuals under 17 (or under 18 in some situations, depending on how the case is handled) may be taken to juvenile facilities rather than adult jail.
• Juvenile records and detention information are often more restricted, especially online.
• Families looking for a detained minor should:
  • Contact the local juvenile court or
  • Ask the arresting agency (often Atlanta Police Department or Fulton County authorities) which juvenile facility is holding the youth.

Medical or Mental Health Holds

• A person might be in a hospital or specialized facility instead of jail if there are serious medical or mental health issues at the time of arrest.
• In these situations, information may be limited due to privacy laws, but the Sheriff’s Office or police department may still be able to confirm whether someone is in custody.

9. If You’re Not Sure Which Atlanta-Area County to Check

The Atlanta metro area crosses several counties. If an arrest happened in or near Atlanta but you’re not sure exactly where, it may help to know:

• City of Atlanta is primarily in Fulton County, but parts extend into DeKalb County.
• An arrest in:
  • Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, southwest Atlanta – usually Fulton County.
  • Some eastern neighborhoods – could be DeKalb, depending on exact location.

If you’re uncertain:

1. Confirm the exact location of arrest (street name, neighborhood, or police zone).
2. Start with Fulton County Jail.
3. If no results, check:
   • DeKalb County Jail if the area is close to that boundary.
   • Contact the Atlanta Police Department and ask which county jail a person arrested at that location would normally be sent to.

10. What to Do After You Locate an Inmate

Once you confirm that someone is in custody related to an Atlanta arrest, you may want to:

• Note their booking number
  This often makes future calls, visits, and transactions faster.

• Record the facility name and address
  Different facilities have different:

  • Visiting schedules
  • Rules for mail
  • Phone services
  • Procedures for sending money or property

• Find out bond information
  Ask:

  • Whether bond has been set
  • The total bond amount
  • How to post bond (cash, surety, property, etc.) and where to go in Atlanta or Fulton County to do that.

• Look up court information
  Depending on the charge, the case may go through:

  • Municipal Court of Atlanta (certain city ordinance violations, traffic-related matters)
  • Fulton County State Court or Superior Court (many misdemeanors and felonies)

Court clerks can usually confirm upcoming court dates once the case is entered into their system.

11. Common Questions About Atlanta Inmate Searches

Is there still a separate “Atlanta Detention Center” inmate list?
For most practical purposes, you will now rely on Fulton County Jail and other county-level facilities for adult inmate listings, rather than a standalone “City Detention Center” list.

How long before a new arrest shows up online?
It varies. Some bookings appear within a few hours; others take longer. If you can’t find someone and it’s still the same day, wait and search again, or call the jail.

Can I get charge details from an inmate search?
Yes, basic charge information is commonly listed. For full details and legal interpretation, people often contact an attorney or check directly with the relevant court once charges are filed.

What if I believe someone is in federal custody in Atlanta?
Federal detainees (for example, related to federal charges) may be held in federal or contract facilities in or near Atlanta. In those cases, searching through the federal inmate locator (not county) and contacting federal authorities is usually necessary.

This overview should give you a clear path to complete an Atlanta GA detention center inmate search: start with Fulton County Jail, confirm recent arrests with the Atlanta Police Department if needed, and be ready with full identifying information to make the process as quick and accurate as possible.