DFW jail inmate search, visitation & commissary

How to find someone in jail

There are three levels of custody in Texas — county jail, state prison, and federal detention. Knowing which one to search first saves time.

1. County jail — just arrested or awaiting trial

If someone was arrested within the last few days or is awaiting a trial date, they are almost certainly in a county jail. Use the county inmate search in the directory below. You will typically need the person's full legal name and approximate date of birth. Results usually include charges, bond amount, and current housing status.

2. Texas state prison — serving a sentence

People who have been convicted and sentenced to more than one year are transferred out of county jail to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) unit. Use the free TDCJ inmate search to find them:

TDCJ Offender Search

3. Federal custody — federal charges or federal sentence

People charged in federal court or serving a federal sentence are held by the Bureau of Prisons. The FDC Seagoville facility near Dallas holds many DFW-area federal defendants. Use the BOP inmate locator:

Federal BOP Inmate Locator

DFW county jail directory

All 13 DFW counties plus the shared Tri-City Regional Jail. Click a facility name for its full visitor guide — inmate search, visitation, money on the books, mail & bond — or a county for the complete hub.

Vendor details and exact schedules change. Confirm with the county hub or facility directly before visiting.

How jail visitation works in DFW

Each DFW county jail uses a different vendor and scheduling system. Here is how the process works in general, and what you need to know before you show up.

In-person vs. video visitation

Most DFW jails now offer both in-person visits and video calls through third-party platforms. A few facilities (Tarrant, Hunt) are in-person only; Denton and Ellis offer video only. The vendor determines how you schedule, pay for, and connect to a visit.

The six vendors used across DFW county jails are: Securus (Rockwall), ViaPath / ICSolutions (Collin), HomeWav (Denton), NCIC (Kaufman), JailATM (Ellis), Smart Communications (Dallas), and GettingOut / GTL (Johnson). Each requires its own account.

What you need for every visit

• Be on the approved list. The inmate must add you to their approved visitation list before you can schedule a visit. This can take 24–72 hours after booking.
• Photo ID. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID). Expired IDs are typically rejected.
• Dress code. Each facility has rules — no revealing clothing, no colors associated with gangs, no hats or hoods. Check the county hub for specifics.
• Arrive early. Most facilities deny entry if you are late. Arrive at least 15–20 minutes before your scheduled time.
• Schedule in advance. Walk-in visits are not offered at any DFW county jail. All visits must be booked through the vendor's website or app.

For exact schedules, dress codes, and scheduling links, click any county in the directory table above.

How to put money on the books

Each DFW county jail contracts with a different commissary vendor. Money deposited goes into the inmate's account for snacks, hygiene items, phone time, and other jail store purchases.

Deposit methods (vary by vendor)

All five vendors used across DFW jails — Access Corrections (Collin, Dallas, Tarrant, Rockwall, Hunt), CorrectPay (Denton), TouchPay (Ellis), Tiger Commissary (Kaufman), and GettingOut (Johnson) — offer some combination of the following deposit channels:

• Online — credit/debit card on the vendor's website (fastest)
• Mobile app — the vendor's free iOS or Android app
• Phone — automated phone line, bilingual in most cases
• Kiosk — lobby kiosk at the jail (cash or card)
• Retail cash — deposit cash at participating convenience or grocery stores (Access Corrections uses Cash Pay Today; TouchPay uses a similar network)
• Lockbox / mail — some facilities accept money orders by mail; confirm with the county hub before sending

For vendor links, phone numbers, and any deposit limits, click the county hub in the directory table.

What to do first after an arrest

If someone close to you was just arrested, these three steps are the fastest path to getting them out and getting them help.

1. Find themUse the county inmate search in the table above. Search by full name and date of birth. If nothing comes up within 6 hours, call the jail directly — the roster may not have updated yet.
2. Learn the bondThe bond amount is set by a magistrate, usually within 24–48 hours of arrest (Texas law requires magistration "without unnecessary delay"). The amount appears in the inmate search once it's been set. For more on how bond amounts are calculated, see our bail & bonds guide.
3. Post bond at the county windowEach county has a bond window — open 24 hours in most DFW jails. You can pay cash, use a licensed bail bondsman (who charges a non-refundable fee, often around 10%), or ask about a personal recognizance bond if the judge allows it. Go to the county hub for the exact address and accepted payment methods.