Atlanta, Georgia Inmate Search: How to Find Someone in Custody

Finding out whether a loved one, friend, or client is in jail in Atlanta, Georgia can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Atlanta is served by several different jails and agencies, and each one handles inmate information a little differently.

This guide walks you through how inmate search works in Atlanta, where to look, what information you’ll need, and what to do once you find the person you’re looking for.

Key Places to Search for Inmates in the Atlanta Area

In and around Atlanta, people can be held in several types of facilities:

• City jail (Atlanta City Detention Center – often used differently today than in the past)
• County jail (primarily Fulton County, but also DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, etc.)
• State prison (Georgia Department of Corrections)
• Federal facilities (for federal charges)

Most Atlanta-area inmate searches start with Fulton County, because much of the City of Atlanta lies within Fulton County.

Main Agencies to Know

Step 1: Start with Fulton County Inmate Search

If the person was arrested within the City of Atlanta (especially in central or south Atlanta) and you aren’t sure where they are, Fulton County Jail is usually the first place to check.

Fulton County Jail – Basic Details

• Name: Fulton County Jail (Rice Street)
• Address: 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Main phone (jail information): 404-613-2000
• Agency: Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

How to Search Fulton County Jail Records

Fulton County typically provides an online inmate search through the Sheriff’s Office. You can usually search by:

• Full name (last name required, first name helpful)
• Booking number (if known)
• Date of birth (to narrow results, especially for common names)

When you run a Fulton County inmate search, you’ll usually see:

• Inmate’s full name
• Booking date and time
• Booking number
• Charges
• Bond amount (if set)
• Current status (in custody, released, transferred, etc.)
• Housing location or unit (inside the jail)

📝 Tip: If you see multiple people with the same name, use date of birth, middle initial, or booking date to confirm you have the right person.

Step 2: Check the Atlanta City Detention Center (City of Atlanta)

Historically, the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) held many city arrestees. Its role has evolved over time, and the facility is used differently as city policy changes, but it can still appear in some cases, especially for processing, city-related holds, or short-term detention.

Atlanta City Detention Center – Basic Details

• Name: Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC)
• Address: 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Main phone (general info): 404-865-8001

If your online search for Fulton County doesn’t show the person, and you know the arrest involved Atlanta Police Department in the downtown or midtown area, you can:

• Call ACDC to ask where arrestees are currently transported, and
• Confirm whether they maintain an active custody list or route all detainees to Fulton County.

Because the city’s use of ACDC has shifted over the years, it is often more reliable to call than to rely on older assumptions.

Step 3: Look Beyond Fulton – Other Metro Atlanta Counties

The City of Atlanta extends into multiple counties, and people can also be arrested in nearby jurisdictions while visiting, working, or commuting.

If you don’t find the person in Fulton County or at ACDC, check other metro-area jails:

DeKalb County Jail

Portions of east Atlanta fall in DeKalb County.

• Address: 4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032
• Main phone: 404-298-8100

Search the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office inmate system if you know the arrest was on the DeKalb side of Atlanta, or in nearby cities like Decatur or Tucker.

Cobb County Adult Detention Center

Northwest of Atlanta, covering Marietta, Smyrna, and parts of the metro area.

• Address: 1825 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008
• Main phone: 770-499-4200

Check here if the arrest occurred along I-75/I-285 in Cobb, at Truist Park, or in nearby communities.

Clayton County Jail

Covers areas south of Atlanta, including parts of the airport area.

• Address: 9157 Tara Boulevard, Jonesboro, GA 30236
• Main phone: 770-471-1122

If you know the arrest happened near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Forest Park, or further south, it’s worth checking Clayton County.

Step 4: Searching for Georgia State Prison Inmates

If you’re dealing with someone who has already been sentenced to prison (not just jailed after an arrest), they may be under the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), not a local Atlanta jail.

Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) – Statewide Offender Search

The GDC maintains a statewide offender search for people serving time or on certain types of supervision across Georgia.

You can usually search by:

• Name
• GDC ID / offender number (if known)
• Gender, race, or age range (to narrow results)

Typical details you’ll see:

• Current facility name (state prison or transitional center)
• Sentence status (incarcerated, on parole, etc.)
• Projected release date (if published)
• Basic offense information

📝 Atlanta context: Even if someone is from Atlanta, once they are sentenced to state prison time, they can be placed anywhere in Georgia, not necessarily near Atlanta.

Step 5: Federal Inmate Search for Atlanta-Area Cases

If the case involves federal charges (for example, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia), the person might be in a federal facility.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) – Inmate Locator

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has a public inmate locator where you can search by:

• Name
• BOP register number (or other federal ID numbers)

This locator shows:

• Which federal prison or detention center the person is in
• Release date or projected release date, when available

🔎 Note: Some people facing federal charges may be temporarily housed in county jails around Atlanta under contract, so you might need to search both the BOP locator and local county jail databases.

What Information You Need for an Atlanta Inmate Search

You don’t need much to get started, but having more details makes the search smoother and reduces confusion with similar names.

Helpful information includes:

• Full legal name (first, middle, last)
• Correct spelling
• Date of birth
• Approximate arrest date
• County of arrest (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, etc.)
• Known aliases or nicknames (in case they are booked under a different name)

If all you know is a first name and nickname, it can be difficult. In that situation:

• Try contacting local jails directly by phone.
• Provide as much information as possible (physical description, likely arrest location, approximate time).

Understanding Types of Atlanta Inmate Records You May See

When you run an inmate search in the Atlanta area, you may see different kinds of records:

Booking / Jail Records

Used for people recently arrested or awaiting trial:

• Booking date and time
• Arrest agency (Atlanta Police, Georgia State Patrol, etc.)
• Charges (sometimes abbreviated)
• Bond or bail amount
• Mugshot (in some systems)

Court Case Information

Often kept in separate systems from jail rosters:

• Case number
• Court (e.g., Fulton County Superior Court, Municipal Court of Atlanta)
• Next court date
• Case status (pending, sentenced, closed)

To follow a case beyond the jail stage, you may need to check county court records or contact the Clerk of Court in the relevant county.

State or Federal Offender Records

Once sentenced, jail records may change or disappear from the county system, and the person will appear in:

• GDC Offender Search (for Georgia state prison)
• BOP Inmate Locator (for federal prison)

If Your Atlanta Inmate Search Shows No Results

It’s common to run into dead ends, especially within the first few hours after an arrest or if you don’t know exactly where it occurred.

If you don’t find someone:

1. Check timing.

   • Inmates may not appear immediately; it can take several hours after arrest for booking data to be processed.

2. Search neighboring counties.

   • Metro Atlanta involves multiple counties; someone arrested in Atlanta traffic could end up in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, or another nearby county.

3. Call the likely jail directly.

   • Provide name, date of birth, and when/where you think the arrest happened.
   • Ask if the person is “in custody,” “released,” or “not in our system.”

4. Verify spelling and DOB.

   • A single letter off in the last name, or a wrong birth year, can hide a record.

5. Consider hospital or release.

   • In some situations, individuals may be released at the scene, taken to a hospital, or otherwise processed without long-term detention.

Visiting, Calling, or Sending Money to an Inmate in Atlanta

Once you confirm the person is in custody, your next steps will depend on which facility is holding them. Rules vary between Fulton County, other county jails, state prisons, and federal prisons.

1. Visiting an Inmate

Common steps across Atlanta-area facilities:

• Check visiting rules for that specific jail or prison.
• Confirm the housing unit and inmate ID number, if required.
• Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID.
• Arrive early; lineups and security checks can be slow.

Many facilities require:

• Advance online or phone scheduling for visits.
• Strict dress codes and rules on what you can bring in.

2. Phone Calls

Most jails and prisons in Georgia, including those around Atlanta, use third‑party phone services:

• Inmates cannot usually receive incoming calls.
• You may need to:
  • Set up a prepaid account with the phone vendor used by that facility.
  • Make sure your phone number is approved or not blocked.

Details are typically available from the jail’s information line or website.

3. Sending Money

To deposit money into an inmate’s account (for commissary or phone use), Atlanta-area facilities often accept:

• Online deposits via a third‑party vendor
• Lobby kiosks at the jail (cash, card, or both)
• Sometimes money orders by mail (with strict rules on how to complete them)

Always confirm the approved methods and inmate account rules with the specific facility before sending funds.

Special Considerations for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Arrests Involving Atlanta Police Department (APD)

If you know the arrest involved APD:

• Start with Fulton County Jail if the arrest was in the main Atlanta area.
• If the arrest occurred near county lines (e.g., east or south Atlanta), also check DeKalb or Clayton depending on the exact location.

Municipal Court of Atlanta Cases

For some city-level offenses (like certain traffic or ordinance violations), the case may go through the Municipal Court of Atlanta, even if the person is physically housed at the county jail. Court information may show up in a separate court record system from the inmate roster.

If your inmate search confirms someone is in jail, but you need court dates or case status, contact:

• Municipal Court of Atlanta for city citations
• Fulton County State or Superior Court or the relevant county court for more serious criminal charges

Protecting Privacy When Using Inmate Search Information

Inmate search tools in Atlanta and across Georgia are generally public records systems, but it’s still important to use them responsibly:

• Avoid sharing screenshots or details on social media that could harm someone’s safety or reputation.
• Remember that charges do not equal convictions; people held in Fulton County or other jails may still be legally innocent and awaiting trial.
• If you’re unsure about how to interpret what you see (for example, legal terms or charge codes), consider talking to a licensed attorney for guidance.

Quick Reference: Where to Start Your Atlanta Inmate Search

• Think “Where was the arrest?”

  • Atlanta core / downtown / midtown → Fulton County Jail first
  • East side / Decatur area → Check DeKalb County Jail
  • Northwest / Cobb side → Check Cobb County Adult Detention Center
  • South / airport area → Check Clayton County Jail

• If the person has been sentenced:

  • For state prison time → Use Georgia Department of Corrections offender search
  • For federal cases → Use Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator

By starting with the likely county jail, confirming the exact facility, and then following that facility’s rules on contact, visitation, and money deposits, you can navigate the Atlanta, Georgia inmate search process in a clear and practical way.