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Philadelphia Inmate Search

City Custody, Court Records & Official Inmate Lookup Resources

Trying to find someone arrested in Philadelphia County? We'll help you figure out where to start and what bail steps may come next.

Private company, not a government inmate search. Confirm custody with the official agency.

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24/7: (215) 870-8197Official City LocatorState & Federal LocatorsCourt Docket Resources

Confidential Bail Request

Find an Inmate or Request Bail Assistance

Tell us who you're trying to locate and where the arrest may have happened. Our team can review your request, help identify the appropriate next steps, and contact you using the information you provide. Center City Bail Bonds does not operate an official inmate database. Custody and release information must be verified with the responsible agency.

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Who Needs to Be Bailed Out?

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Which Official System Has the Record?

County jail, state prison, federal custody and court records are separate systems kept by different organizations. Start with the category that fits the situation.

This guide covers Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. City custody is handled by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP), which operates four facilities and publishes an official public locator.

Pennsylvania state prison searches use a different official locator, and court dockets do not establish current custody.

Official Inmate Search & Custody Resources

  • City Custody

    Search Official Inmate Records

    The Philadelphia Department of Prisons' official public locator covers people held in PDP facilities. A search needs the person's full name and date of birth, or their police identification number (PID).

    Search Official Inmate Records (official site, opens in a new tab)

  • City Custody

    Contact Philadelphia Department of Prisons

    Call the PDP at 215-685-7711 for general custody questions. Registration staff are available 24/7 at 215-685-8394 and adjacent lines.

    Call 215-685-7711

  • State Custody

    Pennsylvania State Inmate Locator

    Official PA Department of Corrections locator for state prison and parole custody. It does not cover Philadelphia city jails.

    State Custody Lookup (official site, opens in a new tab)

  • Court Records

    Search Pennsylvania Court Records

    Official UJS portal for criminal dockets, including Philadelphia Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas. Shows case information, not current custody.

    Search Court Records (official site, opens in a new tab)
  • A

    Recently Arrested or Police Custody

    When it applies
    The arrest was recent and the person may not have been arraigned or transferred to PDP custody.
    What may be available
    Status may only be known to the Philadelphia Police district where the arrest happened.
    Who holds the record
    The Philadelphia Police Department (21 districts) or another arresting agency.
    Next action
    Contact the police district for the area where the incident occurred, or call 311. See the official PPD district directory.
    Limitations
    No public online record may exist yet. The official PDP locator may not show the person until intake is processed.
    PPD District Directory (official site, opens in a new tab)
  • B

    Philadelphia Department of Prisons (City Custody)

    When it applies
    An adult has been committed to city custody after preliminary arraignment or is serving a city sentence.
    What may be available
    Whether the person is held in a PDP facility, through the official public locator or by phone.
    Who holds the record
    Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
    Next action
    Search the official PDP locator with the full name and date of birth or PID, or call 215-685-7711.
    Limitations
    The locator covers PDP facilities only. It does not include people still in police custody, state prisons or federal custody.
    Official PDP Locator (official site, opens in a new tab)PDP Website (official site, opens in a new tab)
  • C

    Pennsylvania State Prison or Parole

    When it applies
    The person is serving a state sentence or is under state parole supervision.
    What may be available
    State custody and parole information published by the DOC.
    Who holds the record
    Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.
    Next action
    Use the official state locator on the PA DOC website.
    Limitations
    State results are not Philadelphia city custody records.
    State Custody Lookup (official site, opens in a new tab)
  • D

    Federal Custody

    When it applies
    The case is federal or the person is held by federal authorities.
    What may be available
    Federal inmate location published by the Bureau of Prisons. Philadelphia is served by the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia (FDC Philadelphia).
    Who holds the record
    Federal Bureau of Prisons.
    Next action
    Use the official BOP federal locator. ICE also publishes facility information for FDC Philadelphia.
    Limitations
    Does not include city or state custody. Recent federal arrests may not appear.
    Federal Custody Lookup (official site, opens in a new tab)FDC Philadelphia (ICE) (official site, opens in a new tab)
  • E

    Criminal Court Records

    When it applies
    You need the docket, court assignment or scheduled hearings.
    What may be available
    Docket numbers, charges filed, court, bail entries and hearing dates.
    Who holds the record
    Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System; First Judicial District courts.
    Next action
    Search UJS by name or docket number, or use the FJD case information links, then confirm with the court.
    Limitations
    A docket does not confirm current custody, release status or bail eligibility.
    Search Court Records (official site, opens in a new tab)First Judicial District (official site, opens in a new tab)

How to Search for an Inmate in Philadelphia County

Records are maintained by different offices and do not update instantly or at the same time.

  1. 01

    Gather Identifying Details

    Full legal name with middle name and date of birth. The official locator accepts a full name and date of birth, or a police identification number (PID). Common names need extra detail to avoid a mistaken match.

  2. 02

    Identify the Arresting Agency

    Philadelphia has 21 police districts and other agencies also make arrests. The incident location matters more than a mailing address; the official PPD district directory lists every district.

  3. 03

    Use the Official City Locator

    Search the Philadelphia Department of Prisons' public locator, or call the PDP, to ask whether an adult is held in a city facility. The locator covers PDP facilities only.

  4. 04

    Use State or Federal Locators

    If a state sentence, parole or federal case is possible, use the PA DOC or BOP locator. Those systems do not include city custody.

  5. 05

    Review the Court Docket

    Search the UJS portal or the First Judicial District's case information resources for the docket, the court handling the case, and hearing dates.

  6. 06

    Confirm With the Authority

    Confirm custody with the facility, and bail and next court action with the court before traveling.

Why an Inmate Record May Not Appear

A missing result is not proof that someone was released, and a result is not proof of current custody.

  • Initial Police Processing

    The person may still be with the arresting police district awaiting preliminary arraignment.

  • Intake Not Yet Confirmed

    Transfer to PDP custody may be underway or not yet recorded in the locator.

  • Spelling or Search Details

    Misspellings, nicknames, hyphenated or middle names can prevent a match. The locator needs a full name and date of birth, or a PID.

  • Different Jurisdiction

    The arrest may have been in another county, by a state agency or a federal agency.

  • City vs. State Database

    The PA DOC locator does not include Philadelphia city jail detainees, and the PDP locator does not include state or federal custody.

  • Release or Transfer

    The person may have been released, transferred or moved to another facility.

  • Public Access Limits

    Some records, including juvenile matters, are not publicly searchable.

  • Court vs. Custody Records

    A docket may exist while custody status remains unconfirmed, or the reverse.

County Jail and Holding Facilities

City Custody System

Philadelphia Department of Prisons

The PDP operates four facilities on and near State Road in Northeast Philadelphia: Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF, the largest), the Detention Center, the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC) and the Riverside Correctional Facility. Do not treat one facility as covering everyone; the official locator covers all PDP facilities.

Not every recent arrest appears in city custody. Some people are released at preliminary arraignment, and others are held by another jurisdiction. Philadelphia's former House of Correction is not on the current PDP facility list.

7901 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19136

215-685-7711

  • The official locator needs a full name and date of birth, or a police identification number (PID).
  • Registration and classification staff are available 24/7 at 215-685-8394 (and 215-685-8395, 215-685-8396); Spanish-language help at 215-685-8692.
  • Confirm custody, visitation and release information directly; policies can change.
Official PDP Locator (official site, opens in a new tab)PDP Website (official site, opens in a new tab)PDP Facilities Page (official site, opens in a new tab)Philadelphia Jails Directory

Visitation and Inmate Services

Details below are attributed to the City of Philadelphia's official pages. Fees, schedules and permitted items can change; confirm on the official page before acting.

Court Records and Bail Status

Philadelphia's courts are the First Judicial District (FJD): the Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas. Criminal cases begin in Municipal Court, and Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System (UJS) portal provides docket information.

Use court records to find the case and court, then confirm custody separately with the facility or police district.

  • Docket Searches

    Search by participant name or docket number on the UJS portal or through the FJD's case information links.

  • Municipal Court

    Handles preliminary arraignments and early criminal proceedings. The city courts are centered at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street.

  • Preliminary Arraignment

    Usually scheduled within about 24 hours of arrest. A bail commissioner reviews the complaint, reads the charges and sets bail.

  • Bail Orders

    Bail type, amount and conditions may appear on the docket; confirm current terms with the court.

  • Court Hearing Dates

    Scheduled proceedings can change; confirm dates with the court office.

  • Custody Confirmation

    A docket does not confirm where a person is currently held. Use the PDP locator or call the facility.

Search Court Records (official site, opens in a new tab)First Judicial District (official site, opens in a new tab)Municipal Court (official site, opens in a new tab)Court of Common Pleas (official site, opens in a new tab)Municipal Court Citizen Guide (PDF) (official site, opens in a new tab)

Bail and Release After You Find Someone

In Pennsylvania, a judicial authority decides bail and release conditions. In Philadelphia, preliminary arraignment before a Municipal Court bail commissioner is where bail is first set. City payment procedures are separate from any private commercial arrangement.

  1. 1Arrest and initial processing.
  2. 2Preliminary arraignment before a bail commissioner.
  3. 3Bail and conditions set by the judicial authority.
  4. 4Verification of release requirements and any holds.
  5. 5Payment, posting or other authorized release arrangement.
  6. 6Release processing and mandatory court appearances.

  • Court

    Who Determines Bail

    A Municipal Court bail commissioner at preliminary arraignment; later bail matters may be heard by the Court of Common Pleas.

  • Conditions

    Possible Conditions

    Courts may set monetary or nonmonetary conditions, or deny bail in limited circumstances.

  • City

    In-Person Bail Payment

    Bail is accepted at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street. The courts' published guides list different room numbers (B-01 and B-03), so confirm the current counter, hours and payment methods before traveling. Bail questions: 215-683-7727.

  • City

    Bail at the Facility

    A 2009 court citizen guide also listed CFCF, 7901 State Road, for weekday bail payment (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Current city pages do not, so confirm before relying on it.

  • Online

    PAePay Bail

    The First Judicial District offers Pennsylvania's PAePay Bail for eligible online payments. Availability depends on the case, and a confirmation is not proof of release.

  • Obligation

    Court Appearances

    Every scheduled court appearance remains mandatory after release.

Commercial surety bonds are private arrangements, not city payments. No commercial rate, financing or calculator is shown while Center City's Philadelphia authorization and terms remain under review.

Official sources:Municipal Court Citizen Guide (PDF)(opens in a new tab)Bail Acceptance Guide (PDF)(opens in a new tab)Pa.R.Crim.P. 528(opens in a new tab)First Judicial District(opens in a new tab)

Philadelphia County Inmate Search FAQs

Answers about official custody searches, court records, jail services and bail in Philadelphia.

Get Help Finding an Inmate
Call (215) 870-8197

Need help figuring out where to start? Contact Center City Bail Bonds for assistance with custody resources and bail-related next steps.

Yes. The Philadelphia Department of Prisons publishes an official public locator for people held in PDP facilities. A search needs the person's full name and date of birth, or their police identification number (PID).

A full legal name and date of birth, or a police identification number (PID). Common names need extra detail to avoid a mistaken match.

No. It covers PDP facilities only. Someone recently arrested may still be in police custody awaiting preliminary arraignment, and others may be held by a state or federal agency.

The city currently lists four: Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF), the Detention Center, the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC) and the Riverside Correctional Facility. The former House of Correction is not on the current list.

The city lists 215-685-7711 for general questions, and Registration staff are available 24/7 at 215-685-8394 (and 215-685-8395, 215-685-8396). Spanish-language help: 215-685-8692.

The person may still be in police processing, held in another jurisdiction, released or transferred, or the spelling or date of birth may differ. A missing result is not proof of release.

The PDP locator covers Philadelphia city jails. The PA DOC locator covers state prisons and parole, and the BOP locator covers federal custody. Each system is separate.

No. A docket shows case information. Confirm current custody with the PDP locator or the facility.

Visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance; there are no walk-ins. The city allows one hour per week, and adults must be on the person's approved visitor list. Follow the city's official visiting page and confirm before traveling.

The city's communications page identifies GettingOut for telephone calls, video visits and messaging. Set up accounts and confirm eligibility using the city's current instructions.

Personal mail is scanned for tablet delivery and must be sent to the city's off-site processing address (Philadelphia IPCS, P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131) with the person's name and PPN. Personal mail sent to a facility is returned. Legal mail goes directly to the facility, clearly marked "Legal Mail".

The city identifies Access Corrections for commissary deposits; electronic deposits require a credit or debit card. Commissary money is not bail and does not affect release.

A Municipal Court bail commissioner sets bail at preliminary arraignment, which the courts say is usually scheduled within about 24 hours of arrest. Later bail matters may go before the Court of Common Pleas.

Bail is accepted at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert Street, and the courts' guides list different room numbers (B-01 and B-03), so confirm the current counter before traveling. Bail questions: 215-683-7727. Eligible online payments go through Pennsylvania's PAePay Bail.

Criminal cases begin in Philadelphia Municipal Court; the Criminal Justice Center at 1301 Filbert Street is the central court location. The docket on the UJS portal names the court handling the case.

Full legal name, date of birth, arresting district or agency if known, approximate arrest date and location, and any docket or PID number.

Visit Our Philadelphia Office

Center City Bail Bonds

1238 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 870-8197

24/7 bail assistance

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